FILM OF THE WEEK
TWO PROSECUTORS
Sergei Loznitsa’s compelling new film was my absolute favourite from last October’s London Film Festival. The celebrated Ukrainian director began his illustrious career as a documentary filmmaker and his STATE FUNERAL rates amongst the best. His fictional projects include MY JOY and, IN THE FOG, and it is evident that his experience as a documentarist brings authenticity and reality to his work. His latest is set in the Soviet Union during 1937 at the height of Joseph Stalin’s tyrannical regime where prisons were overflowing with political activists who stood up against the status quo. These detainees are falsely accused by the authorities and are left to rot in prison. Even though they are forbidden to send letters out of prison one letter manages to get through to the office of the newly appointed local prosecutor Alexander Korneyv (Aleksandr Kuznetsov). He arrives at a prison in Bryansk and demands a meeting with Stepniak, an old Bolshevik arrested by the agents of the secret police…
It is a gripping, harrowing story that will leave you gasping for air. Loznitsa creates a claustrophobic, bureaucratic world equally haunting as Kafka’s nightmare. It is superbly made and brilliantly acted by the formidable Ukrainian actor Kuznetsov, who first became a big theatre star in Moscow before his international film career.
Even though the story is set in the 30’s Loznitsa’s essential film is as relevant as ever.
ORWELL 2+2=5
This remarkable documentary by Raoul Peck celebrates the work of George Orwell, one of the most prolific and profound writers of the 20th Century. His visionary work written in the 1940’s includes such novels as 1984 and ANIMAL FARM, which were both turned into successful films. His ANIMAL FARM was originally made into a successful animated feature in 1954 – a biting satire against an authoritarian society, which was recently remade by Andy Serkis but not released yet. His 1984 was adapted by Michael Redford with John Hurt and Richard Burton in the leading roles and was released in the year 1984. It was recently remade as a television series.
Peck’s powerful film includes historical as well as film clips along with readings from Orwell’s diary and the dynamic of Orwell’s writing and attack on totalitarianism is as if it was written today.
DEAD MAN’S WIRE
This American crime thriller is based on a true story, which takes place in Indianapolis, February 1977. Gus Van Sant brings to the screen an authentic seventies look in the style of films like DOG DAY AFTERNOON, and he also gets Al Pacino in the cast for good measure.
The story follows Tony Kiritsis (Bill Skarsgard), an angry young man who, at gunpoint takes hostage the son of wealthy mortgage broker Richard (Dacre Montgomery) when his wealthy father (Al Pacino) fails to keep their appointment at the Meridian Mortgage company…
It is a deceptively simple film, brilliantly executed and with a terrific cast that also includes Colman Domingo and Cary Elwes in key roles. Skarsgard excels as the frustrated young man prepared to put his life on the line to get justice from the big corporations. Pacino is almost unrecognisable as the heartless mortgage broker who goes on holiday instead of keeping his appointment with a desperate man.
READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME
This comedy, horror thriller picks up exactly where the original ended. It has taken seven years for directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett to come up with a “decent” follow up to Grace’s (Samara Weaving) nightmare where her wedding day turned into a gory bloodbath. Now as she exits the mansion after the massacre she is arrested for the murders for her fiancé and the Le Domas family. Out of the blue her estranged sister Faith (Kathryn Newton) enters the scene, but Grace’s ordel continues as four rival families begin to hunt her for the throne and the High Seat of the Council.
The beginning is suitably effective with another strong performance from Weaving but as the preposterous plot develops it loses credibility, leading to a laughable climax.
MIDWINTER BREAK
Lesley Manville and Ciaran Hinds are terrific as the married couple who travel to Amsterdam for a break. The story is based on Bernard MacLaverty’s novel and is not dissimilar to Roger Michell’s 2013 film LE WEEK-END.
Stella and Gerry’s long awaited trip triggers sad memories from the past and forces them to examine their future. It is sensitively directed by Polly Findlay who elicits tremendous performances from her leading players who share an endearing chemistry. It is hardly earth shattering without any big climactic moments, but it is worth seeing just for the acting.
POMPEI: BELOW THE CLOUDS
The impressive filmography of Italian filmmaker Gianfranco Rosi includes such award-winning documentaries as FIRE AT SEA, NOTTURNO and SACRO GRA. Now he shoots his latest project in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius and in sparkling black and white. He mingles Pompeii’s ancient history with scenes of everyday life in Naples and the nearby coast, but it is evident that the ghosts of the past still circulate among the living and around the empty streets of this stunning location.
There is no dialogue, no narration just pictures that speak volumes and his carefully framed compositions are perfectly complimented with the exceptional score of Daniel Blumberg, composed straight after his Oscar glory for THE BRUTALIST.
A striking film worth experiencing!
Any feedback is welcome: georgesavvides@hotmail.co.uk