Here's The Skinny On My Fave Festival Films of 2019

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Eternal Beauty - Written and directed by Craig Roberts. A defiant and tender new perspective on the subject of mental illness; Sally Hawkins is both fragile and feisty as June the central character with a super power labelled Schizophrenia. This film should go on to receive major recognition. Bold, brilliant, groundbreaking.
Hope Gap - Bill Nighy and Annette Bening play a couple whose 29 year marriage abruptly ends. Bening is wonderful as the fierce, feisty wife. Nighy is perfect as the infuriating, passive aggressive husband. Although a sad story it is peppered with humour and some real laugh out loud moments.
JoJo Rabbit - A fresh, daring take on WW2 Director/Screenwriter Taika Waititi tackles the subject of racism and nationalism using his unique style of humour to illustrate how ludicrous it is. Wickedly witty, there are also some acutely sobering moments. A film that challenges the pursuit of hatred and dogma. 
Calm with Horses - (Adapted from a short story by Colin Barrett) Ex-boxer 'Arm' (Cosmo Jarvis) works for a local criminal family while attempting to be a good father to his autistic son. None too bright, Arm cannot see he is being used by the family, who never actually pay him the money he earns. The film builds up a queasy sense of unease, it is bleak, spiteful, gut wrenching.
Rare Beasts - Written/directed and starring Billie Piper, it's a bit of a wild card. Piper directs this film like a hot-wired, getaway car. It’s the smash and grab of cinema. Honest, frank, original, chaotic. A collage of ideas exploring female myths. The result is raw; a frayed, unpolished piece of cinema. I loved it.
Mystify - An intimate documentary on Michael Hutchence, lead singer of Australian band INXS who was found dead in a hotel room in 1997. The film carefully weaves together private home movies and video footage of the band on tour. Narrated by those close to Michael including Kylie Minogue and Helena Christensen. Touching and insightful.




© Theresa Collins









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