THE QUIET GIRL – ★★★★☆

Sometimes when you read a book, or play a game, or in this case, see a film, you think when it’s done “Wow. Why can’t I always have this great an experience?”. Likely to be my favourite of the festival this year, this Irish film is a touching and emotional story about a young girl who spends her summer with family relatives. In her own family she is one of many children, times are tight, and parents are struggling to juggle. When she is left with the couple who have no children, she is sorely in need of love and attention. Seeing how their tenderness helps her grow is wonderful, and like The Playground, an incredible perforce by the young actress. A must see.

MOJA VESNA – ★★★☆

Excellent understated film about a 10 year old girl whose mother has passed away, and is trying to be the glue for her immigrant father and pregnant sister. Spoke as loudly in what wasn’t told as it was with what was.

BECAUSE WE HAVE EACH OTHER – ★★☆

Kind of confused that this warranted being considered a film documentary. Looks at a Queensland based family; a father with three kids, a mother with two (both from previous relationships), who met and married 20 years ago. Kind of a cross between The Castle (but not as endearing) and Australian Story. Ultimately while it wasn’t uninteresting, probably would have been just as good as a one hour episode on the ABC.

PLAYGROUND – ★★★★☆

Wow. Impactful French film about a young girl starting at a new primary school where her brother already attends, and covering bullying from a child’s perspective. Unbelievable how well they really took you back to that feeling of childhood and the undercurrents of what goes on in the absence of adult wavelengths. I found my breathing arrested watching this. The young actress was stellar and deserves awards for her performance. 

THE PEZ OUTLAW – ★★☆

You know when someone needs to tell you a story about something that happened, but they need to spin it into a far more interesting story through the use of near (or actual) exaggeration? This was a seemingly very well funded version of that. Americans seems to relish in their obsessive behaviours some times, and this one is about a guy who started importing Pez candy dispensers into the US and making lots of money. The potentially interesting facts are glossed over, and needless reenactments take away what might have been a better film.

THE LOST CITY OF MELBOURNE – ★★★★

Very enjoyable documentary that wasn’t quite sure if it was about the history of Melbourne and it’s buildings, or a history of Melbourne’s cinemas. Luckily it didn’t matter to me as I found both interesting. While it talks of the disappointment of losing significant buildings over time, it’s also worth recognising how lucky this city is to still have as much as it does. Despite it not being covered in this film, I am still bitter that Lonsdale House was allowed to be demolished for a wider laneway to serve The Emporium though. 

THE PASSENGERS OF THE NIGHT – ★★★☆

Nice French film starring Charlotte Gainsbourg about a single mother who in need of money takes a job at a nightshift radio program. Another slice of life film from France and definitely worth a watch. 

ONE FINE MORNING – ★★★☆

Acceptable enough French slice of life drama starring Léa Seydoux. From what I can see of reviews, it would have probably been rated less by most without the lead actress, and I agree. Handles the dealing of ageing parents with dementia well, though I am unsure how passive most parents would be being passed around multiple homes in short succession.