Tyrannosaur

Wow! Just wow! This is one of the most amazing pieces of cinema I have seen.

Tyrannosaur is Paddy Considine directorial debut and I really hope the first of many outstanding films from this actor-turned-director. Dealing with subject matter that is uncomfortable and cringe inducing it takes a very human story and makes it something that is beautiful to behold. At times this film was so hard to watch and I can't count the number of times my hand flew to my mouth to stifle a gasp. Despite the brutality of the subject matter the two leads managed to portray two beautifully fragile human beings who the audience could really care about and the interactions between them while being so real managed to avoid the ridiculous stereotypes we often see in these types of films.

This film made me cry, made my heart break and then filled it back up again with hope. It made me so pleased that there are people in the world brave enough to tell stories that don't have happy endings where everyone lives happily ever after and so pleased that I had the opportunity to experience it.

After the film finished I was so moved that the first thing I did was find the Revelation Film Festival Program Director Jack Sargeant and hug him and thank him for choosing this film (I don't think he really knew what had hit him!!).

Unfortunately there are no more chances to see this film at Rev but I recommend that you seek this film out and watch it. Plus there's also plenty more movies to see at Rev before it all winds up on Sunday so get down to the Astor, it may just be the best thing you ever did!!

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Radio Free Albemuth

As a fan of the movies adapted from the writing of Philip K Dick I was very excited to see this adaptation of the story of the same name. Dealing with dream visions, messages from beyond, communists, social control, oppression of civil rights, aliens and lasers it is Dick's most autobiographical novel. The story and film both feature a character named after Dick and several plot elements based on actual events from his life.

The film contains several familiar faces, though none of them as well known as god herself, Alanis Morrisette (a personal favourite). The ensemble cast performed well, creating likable (or unlikeable if necessary)characters that were easy to become involved with. I was invested in the story and the fates of each player, hoping for the best. There were times the story moved slowly, where perhaps the director could have been a bit more ruthless with the editing (the lack of ruthlessness may be because the director was also the writer of the screenplay). The pacing would however have to be my only complaint, the actors performed superbly and the screenwriting and cinematography were fantastic and while the special effects were a little rough around the edges it's hard to be too harsh on the filmmakers who I'm sure had a limited budget for such things.

It is obvious that this was a movie that those involved truly cared about. For those of you expecting Blade Runner or Total Recall I implore you to put aside your expectations before you see this movie. This is an indie film that strives, above all else, to tell a story and what a story it is!

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Fire in Babylon

Last night we saw the movie Fire in Babylon. The synopsis states it's a 2010 documentary film about the record-breaking West Indies cricket team of the 1970s and 1980. Now if you are anything like me you are probably already starting to tune out. Cricket?! Pfft! How could that possibly be an interesting movie? Well let me tell you right now that this movie is better than you could possibly imagine!

Starting around the late 60's and early 70's and filled with stock footage and interviews with players, academics, and people of cultural significance in the West Indies it is an inspiring, uplifting, sometimes confrontational, sometimes hilarious look at how the rise to success of one group of men lifted an entire people up above the oppression, racism and helplessness they'd endured for over 300 years.

The movie talks about the 1975 test series when Australia massacred the West Indies, embarrassing them internationally and cementing the label of Calypso Cricketers. It also reveals, in the players own words, that it was this humiliating defeat that led to the turnaround of what was to become one of, if not THE greatest team in the history of not only cricket but of sport in general. At the peak of their success the West Indies Cricket team remained undefeated for 15 years and produced some of the finest individual Cricketers the world has known.

The movie also shows the cultural impact that the success of the team had on the people of the West Indies, a people who, in every other way remained a group of islands that agreed on nothing. The success of the team also saw a shift in the attitudes of those people who had migrated from the West Indies to England in search of a better home. The film also highlights a strong correlation between the cultural shift of the people of the West Indies and the struggle against oppression for African Americans and the anti apartheid movement in Africa.

Fire in Babylon also reveals, unflinchingly, the racism that the West Indians faced from both their opponents on the field and the crowds that watched the games. There were times I was ashamed of being Australian, ashamed to know that people revered by many Australians as heroes thought it acceptable to use racial slurs during what most consider a gentleman's game.

During the movie I found myself barracking for the West Indies, hoping they would defeat my own country's Cricketers. Hoping they would overcome all odds and prove that colour has nothing to do with success and achievement. I was inspired by their courage and perseverance, by their dedication and commitment. They made me proud to be a human being.

Whether you are old enough to remember Lillee and Thommo or barely old enough to remember when cricket was interesting, whether you are a cricket fanatic or someone who could care less this movie will grab hold of you and refuse to let you go until the credits roll. See it, be inspired, laugh and rejoice in our ability to overcome.

There are several more opportunities to see this movie during the Revelation Film Festival, find session times here http://www.revelationfilmfest.org

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Revelation Film Festival

So tonight was the much anticipated opening night of the 14th Rev Film Fest. I must admit I was initially a little concerned about the choice of movie (Fire in Babylon) but after seeing it my socks are blown off!

For those who don't know, Rev is the fastest growing independent film festival in Australia with something like 12,000 people expected to attend over the next 10 days. Rev celebrates those films that we wouldn't otherwise get to see, the ones that makes us think about the world in a different way and that challenge and push the boundaries wherever possible. The films are hand picked by the irreverent Jack Sargeant, a man it is hard not to be impressed by. Each feature or documentary screens with a short film, giving us even more opportunity to enjoy the cinematic delights offered up to us by film makers around the world.

There are some stand out must sees for me including Hobo with a Shotgun (starring Rutger Hauer, what more incentive do you need), Charlie Cassanova, LBF, Troll Hunter, The Redemtion of General Butt Naked and after tonight's screening Fire in Babylon. To check out the full program head to http://www.revelationfilmfest.org you're bound to find something you like the sound of!

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Leaving my house for my love of film

Up until today I've been doing a fantastic job of shutting the world out, I haven't really been seeing people, or even talking to them on the phone. I've hardly been on twitter and I only use Facebook to play those ridiculous games we all hate. There's been no reason for me to hide, nothing happened. Nothing other than the familiar self doubt I've known all my life. The self doubt that tells me that people don't like me, they just talk to me because it's polite. The self doubt that assures me I don't actually have any friends, just people who put up with me. The self doubt that tells me I'm not pretty enough, skinny enough, smart enough, good enough. The self doubt that tells me I will never ever belong, I will never be part of something, never be someone people choose to spend time with.

Tonight however I won't be able to hide. Tonight is the opening party for the Revelations Film Festival. Tonight I will be in a room full of movers and shakers, full of hipsters and it boys and girls. People who are cool without trying, people everyone wants to be around. I will spend all afternoon feeling anxious, wondering how to look the least fat and ugly I can. I will contemplate not going, feigning illness, being captured by UFO. I will probably make myself late on purpose so I don't have to stand around feeling awkward and out of place, like I don't belong. I will feel sick to my stomach knowing that everyone can see I am a fraud, an imposter and I shouldn't be there. I will be terrified of people talking to me and then mortified when they don't. I will do my best to hide away quietly hoping that maybe no one will see me.

Then tomorrow I will do it all again. I will put on my brave face for the next 10 days and I will leave my house purely driven by my love of film. It's going to be hard but I know it will b worth it.

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