Documentary about the Paddle Ball scene in Venice, California. Paddle Ball is a sport that’s been around a long time, gone through some name changes, but is on the downward trend in popularity. It’s played on a small court with a deflated tennis ball, and has a strong resemblance to the newer sport of pickleball, which is gaining in popularity. Generally amusing as it introduces several of the characters who play the game, who take it very seriously. Sometimes perhaps too seriously. It’s a mixed bag of folks, who are concerned about the impact of pickleballers who are quickly encroaching on their territory. It’s not an important film, but it was nice light entertainment. I suspect the competition at the end was rigged, but not in the same way that Ernesto suspected it.
French film about a young man who on his birthday finds out that he has throat cancer, and whose treatment will begin the following Monday. We spend the weekend as he goes through through multiple locations, interactions with others, and processing the news. It’s the type of film the French seem to do well, finding a way to tell a story in refreshing ways. Made me think of others like Conversations with my Gardener and The Intouchables. Perhaps not quite as good as either of those, but still very good.
SCHOOL FOR DEFECTORS – ★★★
Interesting documentary about a small South Korean boarding school specifically for children whose parents (and often themselves) have defected from North Korea. Harrowing stories, and watchable, but it didn’t overly grab me. I was possibly spoiled by the documentary Beyond Utopia at MIFF a few years ago, which showed footage of people as they actually defected. The documentary today though could have been cut down to a one hour TV show instead of the way it was presented.
BLUE HERON – ★★★★
What an absolute punch in the gut of a film. Watching made me feel like my head was in a vice. I’m not going to say it was a pleasant experience, but it was an extraordinary film in its power to demonstrate the difficulty of a situation where immigrant parents are trying to raise four children, and the oldest has behavioural/mental health issues. Filmed on Vancouver Island, it was lovely to see the Pacific Northwest, one of the most beautiful areas on Earth.
Spanish film that cuts across three timelines, with a running theme across all regarding how homosexuality has been treated historically in the country, as well as in modern day. Very nicely shot, well paced, especially for a relatively long film. The quick moral of the story can be best summarised by quoting David Lynch’s character FBI Deputy Director Gordon Cole: “Fix their hearts or die“.
CONGO BOY – ★★★☆
Snappy African film about a young man who is a refugee in Central Africa, and juggling raising four younger siblings while his parents are in prison, trying to finish his final year of high school, working to pay for food, and also follow his music passion to become an artist. Overall I enjoyed this, and it was nice to have some feel-good moments amongst a difficult situation.
Similar to yesterdays’ documentary about (ice) hockey, this film related to an interest area of mine, telephones and phone phreaking. This film did a nice job of showing more than the nature of the act of navigating phone systems by focussing on Joybubbles, a person was born blind, and from an early age had an extraordinary fascination with phones, which they carried with them their whole life, until their untimely death. Many tapes were saved from interviews and Joybubble’s own recordings, so the filmmakers were able to use this, as well as many interviews with those that knew him to create an excellent at touching story. Joybubbles is presented as a decent human, always finding a child-like wonder in their world, and trying to make other people’s life experience happier, despite hardships that they encountered. Highly recommended.
Greek film about a young girl who similarly to yesterday’s film, Whispers in May, has little parental guidance. In this film, her parents are divorced and she hasn’t seen her dad in years. She spends her time hanging out with a friend, stealing borrowing a boat, and generally fending for herself while her mother and older brother do their own thing. When she sees her father, a deadbeat, petty thief, and in debt to the mob, she tries to reunite with him. Despite his lack of interest (beyond how he can use her to improve his own situation), she keeps trying. The filming was nicely done, the story carries well, and while I found it hard at times to sympathise and root for the main characters, it was a decent enough watch.
THE WAY WE MOVE – ★★★
A documentary about people who participate at live music shows doing sign language interpretation for people with hearing loss, with a focus on a woman that runs camps to train those interested in doing so. Five stars for the incredible work that these folks do, whether voluntary or paid. The documentary was good, but there seemed to be a lack of focus, in that there were extended segments that related to the loss of the woman’s son, but without really connecting the why. Without a doubt it’s a tragedy no parent should suffer, but I’m unsure that a lot of the time presenting that could have been better spent taking a wider view of the people who are performing on the topic of the doco. Also found it unsettling how much phone use was done while driving. Maybe it’s legal in Texas, but it still seemed pretty dangerous.
HARD AS PUCK – ★★★★
I don’t really “do sport”; playing, or watching. Except for watching my (ice) hockey team, the Vancouver Canucks, who will definitely win the Stanley Cup this year for the first time in their 56 year history. Right?
So, with this documentary about a para (ice) hockey team, The Garden Island Pirates, in Western Australia being part of MIFF this year, I was definitely interested. What a treat it was! The documentary is full of heart, humour, and does an excellent job balancing between the players as well as the extraordinary work that goes into amateur sporting teams and non profits, just to keep things running. I was genuinely thrilled to have had the chance to see it. Support your local para hockey team, whether it’s the Pirates (WA), the Falcons (SA), or closer to home, the Walers (VIC).
And if you’re looking for a professional NHL team to follow, I recommend the Vancouver Canucks – no one would be able to accuse you of being a bandwagoner…
