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. 

THREE THOUSAND YEARS OF LONGING – ★★★★

One of my favourites of the festival so far. Very well made film with excellent acting as always by Tilda Swinton. She plays an academic of narrative who believes stories are a method to handle the lack of science, but then finds a bottle containing a Djinn. 

THE EXAM – ★★☆

Melodramatic Kurdish film about a girl who wants to pass her exams so she doesn’t have to be forced into an arranged marriage. They seem to go to incredible efforts to cheat rather than spending time studying. This one didn’t do it for me.

EVERYBODY LOVES JEANNE – ★★★☆

Easygoing romance about a French woman who faces a career crisis and returns to Portugal after many years away to sell her deceased mother’s apartment. Very nice use of animations to represent the voice inside her head. 

EMILY THE CRIMINAL – ★★★★

Good crime/drama/thriller starring Aubrey Plaza showing the type of American employment situations that would act as perfect fodder for /r/AntiWork, and how the lead will go to significant effort to try and get ahead.