Short film: Nullarbor - ****
Feature film: I'm not dead yet - ***
After getting over the excitement of the Bridesmaids premiere, I settled into Event Cinemas 9 for the premiere of I'm Not Dead Yet preceded by the previously screened Nullabor. The way SFF works is they allow short film makers to present their films before a major feature which gets exposure for the film that may not necessarily be included in the Dendy awards screening. Nullabor I believe preceded every Australia documentary as I know it screened on another night after tonight's screening.
The film is magical. For an animation to capture the raw beauty of the Australian landscape with such detail is a rare accomplishment but Nullarbor achieves this with confidence. I believe the reason for this is because they have kept the action relatively simple, focusing on the clownish activities of two unlikely characters who meet during separate road trips. Like a classic Charlie Chaplin film, the story rumbles along the Great Ocean Byte with the characters until the triumphant conclusion which has this brilliant shot that gets the audience every time (I don't have spoilers in this blog so you'll just have to go watch the film). I think my only criticism would be that at times, the CGI technology just had that tad too much detail, particularly on the faces of the characters, which doesn't bode well with film and the expectation one has of the medium to present a more 'prettified' view of the world. Other than that, it ticks all the boxes for a slap-stick comedy with Australian roots and the reaction it's had from audiences this week has been encouraging for the genre.
I'm Not Dead Yet is brilliant. You don't need to be a fan of country music to connect with this powerful documentary. Using a range of mediums, the film presents the story of Chad Morgan in a fashion just as entertaining as the man himself. 35mm, video, photographs, music and after effects animation all combine to tell the tale of a simple from an outback town in Queensland who refused to fit in. The director and producer, Janine Hosking, takes us through the Chad's life, beginning with his current state of frustration in life at consistently being reported dead when he is still very much alive, then taking a look back at the young boy from the bush who became a superstar. The film explores many of life's major themes from old age, to the perils of fame, to the comfort of a simple life. Many audiences will enjoy this film for it's crass Aussie humor and narrative which imbues everyone to believe that even the butt-ugly can make it big in this world.
0 comments:
Post a Comment