Rowan Sullivan, Author at FilmRoot

486

Agora

Film Difficulty Ranking: 1

Agora is an epic. It’s The Imitation Game meets Gladiator – there’s celebration of an unknown heroine with plenty of Roman drama to keep you stuck in your seats. There is religion, violence, and philosophy. Plus for all you subtitle haters this ones for you, it’s all in English with great performances from Rachel Weisz and Oscar Isaac (before he was famous) to go with it!

Why Watch Agora?

Do you hate slavery, sexism, racism and/or violence? Then watch this film!
Wondering where all the female leads are in Ancient epics? Well there’s one here!
To time travel back to Roman controlled Egypt!
For a romantic flute solo.

Agora opens with the Earth and the stars. From the stars, we descend to earth to enter one of Hypatia’s lectures in 4th century Egypt. She is conducting a lecture on the centre solar system. One wily student suggests that the Earth is not the centre of the universe, to which one of the Christians takes offence, for how can the Earth, the kingdom of God, not be at the centre.

Whilst you might not find this description truly gripping, I promise these opening set the scene for some BIG confrontations!!

Without spoiling too much, Director Alejandro Amenabar exploit mass movement to emphasise the battle scenes. The large casts during the battle scenes show power in ways that 20 people could not. When this massive cast starts moving, there is even more dramatic effect. Seen from above (aerial shots), we see masses of people running from one end of the screen to the other. The mass movement of these large casts emphasises the violence and mercilessness of the perpetrators in a way that a smaller cast could not replicate.

The aerial shots also play another part in the film. A few times the aerial shots of the streets in Egypt zoom out to the country, and then zoom further away showing the earth among the stars. This sequence is also shown in reverse, zooming into Egypt from the Earth and stars, before zooming in to see the streets of Alexandria. As well as being visually impressive, these sequences point out the insignificance of the battles of humanity relative to the universe. All throughout, the Earth remains unchanged as do the stars surrounding us. This supports the directors bias for our astrologer/philosopher Hypatia whose life is dedicated towards our understanding of the universe. (or maybe I’m just seeing it through my own tinted glasses).

Anyway, I strongly recommend this film for those with any interest in the rise of religion or the Roman Empire in Egypt. You should also watch this film to see a woman celebrated for her academic research. Over 1,500 years later, we still haven’t reached true equality.

“You don’t question what you believe… I must”

487

It’s Such A Beautiful Day

Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

I have to admit, I had never heard of Don Hertzfeldt or It’s Such A Beautiful Day before I saw this film recommended on MUBI. But, for all of those sceptical about the artistic quality of animation (do these people still exist?) this one is a must watch. Combining hand-drawings with philosophy musings, I am looking forward to watching more from this obviously talented director.

Why Watch It’s Such A Beautiful Day?

It’s in English – no subtitle allergic excuses here.
Evidence that even you could animate – all you need is a pencil and a camera.
To see the darkly funny life of Bill.
Animation at it’s most innovative and interesting.

It’s A Beautiful Day opens with a shot looking up at trees swaying in the breeze and clouds passing by. A narrative starts, introducing us to Bill, a stick-figure man, walking down the street. Bill recognises someone approaching him, but cannot remember his name. As they get closer, he still can’t find a name to match this familiar face. As they pass he jumbles his greeting, saying “how’s up?” and keeps walking. They awkwardly look around at the same time but keeping walking away from each other. Bill never saw him again.

Ahh! I’ve tried to give you a sample of the opening scene of this film but the comedy doesn’t translate too well. So go watch the film! Pretty sure it’s on Netflix!

This film is different from other animations, and other films for that matter, in that it has a narrator for the whole movie. Someone else is commentating on Bill’s life, which made me feel like an obvious observer, unlike the immersive “I feel like I’m there with them” approach. However, don’t be put off by this, as it really works for this film. The humour is amplified by our third person perspective as we can identify with Bill for the funny moments, and not be too immersed in the film to identify with Bill in the darker moments (allowing the dark comedy to exist).

The split screen elements are kind of cool too. The whole film is shot through little windows into Bill’s life (you’ll see what I mean when you start watching it). The windows represent Bill’s world; his hopes and happiness and his fears and worries. The windows expand with hope and happiness, and contract and split up when Bill faces problems. Outside art also makes appearances to exacerbate both his happiness and his negative emotions. In this way, Hertzfeldt effectively portrays the emotional ups and downs of a stick figure – creative guy!

My favourite scene was of Bill sitting on a bus as rain pours. He is framed in a centre window with four windows in each corner of the screen with different pictures of rain falling. The music reaches an emotional crescendo in this scene and really helps us feel Bill’s emotions. (Amazingly powerful considering Bill is just a little stick-figure).

I’d recommend this film to any fan of animation and any fan of listening and watching ordinary lives with a handful of philosophical thought. I hope that you, like I will be planning to watch some more Hertzfeldt after viewing this one!

488

Los Hongos (The Mushrooms)

Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

Los Hongos follows some cool-ish kids who like to skate and paint. We follow them around Cali in Colombia as they move around the city meeting up with friends and family. This is like spending a bit of time with friendly tour guide in Colombia. This is a sneak peek into life in Cali. (At least I think it is! Please comment if director Oscar Ruiz Navia gets it wrong).

Why watch Los Hongos?

To experience Colombia without the expensive plane ticket (and language problems).
Coming-of-age films! I’m a fan!
For some infectious vibrant colours to make you forget the overcast weather outside.
To see an old man singing ballads in the shower!

Los Hongos opens with a night-time close up of a paint roller covered in red paint being dragged across a chain of posters of political candidates. Is this a political act? Next the protagonist paints a red blotch on the wall. Rebellion? Probably not, for our protagonist is revealed to be Ras, just a young adult figuring out life. He tries to skate on a small bar on the roof of his house until the cockerels start singing before slumping on his bed. His brief moment of peace is broken five minutes later as his mum’s alarm wakes her up and the morning begins.

By this point there had been no dialogue, but I already wanted to know more about Ras. Who was this guy and what gave him the determination to stay up until dawn skating and painting?

We later meet his mate, Calvin, another guy like him who lives with and takes care of his Nana. He gives us a tour of the neighbourhood and Colombian culture by taking him to visit his Dad who takes them to the local cafe where we hear local music, see (and can almost smell) local food, and hear conversation about local politics. It’s like a Lonely Planet 101 to Colombia. That’s what I love about some simple films like this one; they immerse you in another country for an hour or two.

In addition, the cinematography is great. The vibrant colours paint the city to life so you start wanting to be there too. Plus the editing and camera framing and movement is beautiful. For example:

Tracking shots of the characters skating or biking (ie. where the camera alongside them).
Shots of characters in mirrors.
The medium-long shots of characters or scenes gives the film a relaxing rhythm, allowing you to soak in everything. (In contrast with the effect of long shots in Androids Dream and The Lobster).
One beautiful shot of Calvin’s Nana. She is telling Ras and Calvin about a story from years ago and when she finishes her face is shot in close up with Ras slumped asleep on the bed on her right and Calvin asleep to her left. The camera follows the movement as she looks to her right and then to her left. She sees that they have both fallen asleep during her story and she looks directly at the camera which then cuts to a picture of her as a girl. The direction beautifully captures her strong nostalgia and her recognition of her age and closeness to death.

Don’t worry though, because this is not a depressing or sad film. This is a film that rolls with the flow of life and fills your spirit. For a chance to be a kid in Colombia for an hour and a half, choose Los Hongos.

489

Talvar (Guilty)

Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

Not all Indian films are musicals! Talvar is an easy to watch and clever film from Meghna Gulzar which lacks the music and dancing of most Bollywood films. This one is mostly crime, with a touch of humour.

Why Watch Talvar?

What!? You haven’t seen any Indian films yet?
You like a good ‘whodunnit’ film.
Is this a contemporary take on Kurosawa’s Rashomon?
You can see a future in criminology.

The film starts in a special event, hosted by the Indian Central Department of Investigations (CDI). We are introduced to Ashwin, a lawyer who likes to play games on his mobile phone and carry out detective work at a local street food vendor. These things make him ‘normal’. He stops to look at one of the photos of the crime scene… and cut. [The discovery of the murder scene is re-enacted].

Here’s a few film tributes to look out for:

The Paparazzi who swarm the crime scene is shot just like they are shot in Fellini’s La Dolce Vita. The camera moves with them and gets very close to the victims or protagonists they are chasing as if we are one of the paparazzi.
The vigil for the victim is cut in between reports from the news questioning who committed the crime. The way the news reports and snappy interviews with the public are cut around the candle-lit vigil reminded me of Gone Girl. Count Gulzar as a fan of David Fincher.
Those multiple murder narratives are inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon. (A Japanese classic which you must watch if you haven’t already).

Otherwise listen out for the character’s seamless transitions from speaking Hindi to English in the same sentence. And watch out for the ‘water-container’ shot – a beauty!

In all, Talvar is worth a watch. An entertaining film with an clever message.

490

What We Do In The Shadows

Film Difficulty Ranking: 1

New Zealand created the perfect Vampire Mockumentary with What We Do In The Shadows. Who thought that Vampires could be so funny after Twilight!? Featuring the next director of Thor and half of Flight of the Concords get your fix of film from down under right here!

Why Watch What We Do In The Shadows?

You like a quirky comedy (ie. Napoleon Dynamite, Big Lebowski…)
You didn’t like Twilight as it had no realism or humour.
To learn about the Vampire Society in Wellington, New Zealand.
You’re a Vampire Hunter wishing to learn more about your targets.

Viago, age 379, wakes up from sleep at 6pm just after the sun has set. He gets out of his coffin and wakes up his room mates for a house meeting; Vladislav (aged 862), Deacon (aged 183), and Petyr (too old to remember). Deacon is hanging upside down in the closet, Vladislav is having a vampire orgy, and Petyr is too scary to invite to the house meeting.

Hand-held cameras give What We Do In The Shadows it’s authentic ‘documentary’ style. We feel like we are really being given a tour of a Vampire household in Wellington, New Zealand. In addition the costumes and production design work a treat to make everything believable. From the stone coffins to each of the Vampire’s unique styles the set and costumes allow us to believe this mockumentary.

As it can be hard to write about comedies without giving away some of the punchlines, I’m just going to say that this one is worth your time. I was sceptical as Vampires aren’t my faves, but luckily for me, the combination of posh Viago, rebellious Deacon, the reformed torturer Vladislav, and odd-ball Petyr is funny enough to remind you of the most hilarious moments you might of had in a flat share or halls.

Don’t skimp out on Kiwi films! (It’s on Netflix).