Hearts Beat Loud – SFF

This heartwarming indie comedy tells the story of a hipster ageing musician Frank who forms a band with his daughter Sam just before she heads off to college. Frank runs a struggling music store, looking after his ageing mother, and his friendship with his Landlord, and local barman try to help him.

I absolutely loved this film, and it was great as the last film of my Sydney Film Festival 2018 schedule. I’m looking forward to seeing this film again.

Directed by Brett Haley.

Written by Brett Haley and Marc Basch.

Starring Nick Offerman, Kiersey Clemons, Ted Danson, Toni Collette, Sasha Lane, Blythe Danner, Quincy Dunn-Baker, Alex Reznik, Andrea Morales, Michael Abbott Jr, Harrison Chad, Robert Reed Murphy and Rafael Poueriet.

Here is a link to the Hearts Beat Loud trailer.

The Rider – SFF

Brody Jandreau a cowboy suffers a nearly fatal accident and is told he cannot return to doing what he loves. He then struggles that find his way/place in the world, when all he wants to do is ride.

This story is based on Brody Jandreau’s real life experience, but is intertwined with fiction. The Director has cast Brody, his family and friends in the movie.

Whilst the cowboy and challenges has been dealt with in many films, nothing like this. It’s a quiet and introspective look at the world through the eyes of Brody after his injury.

I would definitely watch this again, though I recommend having some tissues at hand.

Directed and written by Chloe Zhao.

Starring Brady Jandreau, Tim Jandreau, Lilly Jandreau, Cat Clifford, Terri Dawn Pourier, Lane Scott, Tanner Langdeau, James Calhoon, Derrick Janis, Greg Barber, Marshal Byrne, Steven DeWolfe, Kevin Hunter, Leroy Pourier, Allen Reddy, Jordon Slick Phelps, Frank Steele, Donnie Whirlwind Horse and Cameron Wright.

Here is a link to The Rider trailer.

The Guilty – SFF

This Danish Film is a thriller, a policeofficer is assigned phone duty at the emergency call centre. He receives a call from a woman kidnapped, and he becomes fully invested into the case going above and beyond.

I wasn’t too sure about this film before I saw it yesterday, but it’s now become one of my favourite thriller movies. Set in the emergency call centre, but so dramatic and well worth watching.

I would definitely watch it again.

Directed by Gustav Moller.

Written by Emil Nygaard Albertsen and Gustav Moller.

Starring Jakob Cedergren, Jessica Dinnage, Omar Shargawi, Johan Olsen, Jacob Lohmann, Katinka Evers-Jahnsen, Jeannette Lindbaek, Simon Bennebjerg, Laura Bro, Morten Suurballe, Guuled Abdi Youssef, Caroline Loppke, Peter Christoffersen, Nicolai Wendelboe, Morten Thunbo, Maria Gersby and Anders Brink Madsen.

Here is a link to The Guilty trailer.

BLACKkKLANSMAN – SFF

This is a definite drop everything and get to the cinema film. Fresh from the Cannes Film Festival this incredible true story of an African American police officer infiltrating the local Ku Klux Klan and becoming head of the local chapter, is very well told and a must see.

I saw this film yesterday on the last day of the Sydney Film Festival, and I will definitely be going to see this when it hits the cinemas in August.

This film is unbelievable, heartbreaking, funny and oh so relevant in today’s society.

Directed by Spike Lee.

Written by Spike Lee, David Rabinowitz, Charlie Wachtel and Kevin Willmott. Based on the book of the same name by Ron Stallworth, based on his life.

Starring Adam Driver, Topher Grace, Laura Harrier, Alec Baldwin, Paul Walter Hauser, Ryan Eggold, John David Washington, Corey Hawkins, Robert John Burke, Jasper Paakkonen, Harry Belafonte, Michael Buscemi, Ashlie Atkinson, Craig muMs Grant, Damaris Lewis, Elise Hudson, Chris Banks, Michael J Burg, Faron Salisbury, Gary Ayash, Elizabeth Paige, Ryan Preimesberger, Ken Garito, Jared Johnston, David Wright, John Mitchell, Kacie Calhoun, McManus Woodend, Tejon Wright, Tom Stratford, Jarrod LaBine, Timal McKen, Michael Erik and Bob Angelini.

Here is a link to the BLACKkKLANSMAN trailer.

The Seagull – SFF

Based on the play by Anton Chekov. This is a period drama set at in the early 20th Century. With multiple love triangles, this is a great dramatic film with many layers, with a superb cast.

I enjoyed the film and would watch it again, though it’s not one of my favourites from the Festival.

Directed by Michael Mayer.

Written by Stephen Karam.

Starring Elisabeth Moss, Saoirse Ronan, Annette Bening, Corey Stoll, Brian Dennehy, Michael Zegen, Mare Winningham, Glen Fleshler, Billy Howle, Jon Tenney, Ben Thompson, Barbara Tirrell, Paul Krisikos and Thomas Hettrick.

Here is a link to The Seagull trailer.

The Marriage Of Maria Braun – SFF

This is a German Film from 1979, an Introduction was given by Juliane Lorenz, President of the Rainer Werner Fassbinder Foundation, who also worked as an Editor on the film.

It follows the life of a young woman after WWII, adapting to life after the war.

The cinema was sold out, and I am very glad I went to see this. You immediately are caught up in the story and enjoy it.

If you get a chance watch this film.

Directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder.

Written by Pea Frohlich, Peter Marthesheimer and Rainer Werner Fassbinder.

Starring Hanna Schygulla, Klaus Lowitsch, Ivan Desny, Gisela Uhlen, Elisabeth Trissenaar, Gottfried John, Hark Bohm, George Eagles, Claus Holm, Gunter Lamprecht, Anton Schiersner, Lilo Pempeit, Sonja Neudorfer, Volker Spengler, Isolde Barth, Bruce Low and Gunther Kaufmann.

Here is a link to the The Marriage Of Maria Braun trailer.

The Other Side Of Everything – SFF

I loved this Serbian Documentary, it’s set in an apartment in Belgrade, with a locked door that hasn’t been opened for many years.

The apartment belongs to the filmmakers mother, and the locked door becomes part of the story in the family’s history and the country’s tumultuous history.

Mila’s mother is Srbijanka Turajlic, a retired professor and political activist.

This is so well done, and really captures your attention. Worth watching, highly recommended.

Directed and Written by Mila Turajlic.

Here is a link to The Other Side Of Everything trailer.

Strange Colours – SFF

I saw this Australian Film last night, a young woman visits her estranged father in opal mining town Lightning Ridge.

It was well done, but I didn’t really enjoy it. It may have been that I was tired, but it didn’t capture my attention. So not one I would recommend or watch again. Though everyone else in the cinema seemed to like it.

Directed by Alena Lodkina.

Written by Alena Lodkina and Isaac Wall.

Starring Kate Cheel, Justin Courtin and Daniel P Jones.

Here is a link to the Strange Colours trailer.

Leave No Trace – SFF

A father and daughter living off the grid in the forest, are found by authorities after a small mistake, thus changing their lives. It’s a delicate and gripping story of a father and daughter.

I highly recommend this film, it’s a quiet drama, and captures you from the start. Definitely worth watching.

Directed by Debra Granik.

Written by Debra Granik, Anne Rosellini. Based on the book by Peter Rock called My Abandonment, another one for my reading list.

Starring Ben Foster, Dale Dickey, Jeff Kober, Thomasin McKenzie, Isaiah Stone, Ayanna Berkshire and Dana Millican.

This film is due for release at the end of June in theatres, add it to your must watch list now.

Here is a link to the Leave No Trace trailer.

Brothers Nest – SFF

First up it’s definitely not Kenny.

This Australian Film is a dark comedy, and is full of surprises.

Two brothers attempt to commit the perfect murder, family dynamics and family politics begin to raise their ugly head, causing such a great dark comedy.

I’ll be watching this one again for sure. Even though it makes you question your laughter.

Look out for Kym Gyngell, who does such a brilliant job I forgot about all characters from the Comedy Company.

As part of the Sydney Film Festival, we had an Introduction to the film by Clayton Jacobson and 3 others, followed by a Q and A.

Also John Jarrett and George Miller were in the same session watching the film as me!!

Directed by Clayton Jacobson.

Written by Jaime Browne and Chris Pahlow.

Starring Shane Jacobson, Clayton Jacobson, Kym Gyngell, Lynette Curran, Sarah Snook

Here is a link to the Brothers Nest trailer.