Acclaimed filmmaker Terrence Malick could never be accused of being prolific. His 2011 Palme d’Or winning and Oscar nominated film The Tree of Life, screening this Saturday 27th October at 8.30pm, is only his fifth film since Badlands, his remarkable debut in 1973. For this reason alone, a Malick film is not to be missed.
Acclaimed filmmaker Terrence Malick could never be accused of being prolific. His 2011 Palme d’Or winning and Oscar nominated film The Tree of Life, screening Saturday 27th October at 8.30pm, is only his fifth film since Badlands, his remarkable debut in 1973. For this reason alone, a Malick film is not to be missed.
The Tree of Life is a hugely ambitious film that explores the meaning of life, from its conception through to the afterlife. It combines documentary-like images of nature, surreal dreamlike sequences, and memories of growing up in 1950s’ suburbia. It’s a bold, dramatic and epic work that’s as much about mood and visually capturing the essence of life as it is about its characters.
The film stars Sean Penn as Jack, who is trying to come to terms with a difficult childhood and reconcile with his tough father. We go back to Waco, Texas in the 1950s as he reminisces about his childhood, a mix of lazy summer days with his mother (Jessica Chastain) and the tough demands of his temperamental father (Brad Pitt).
Malick’s film is visually stunning, original and deeply human, and the flashbacks telling the story from the children’s point of view are touching and work beautifully.
It’s also a slow burner that perhaps doesn’t come together as powerfully as it should, but while it may be a film to admire rather than love it’s also a unique experience.
Rialto Channel also features another coming-of-age story, this time from rising British filmmaker Richard Ayoade - writer, director and actor of comedies such as The Mighty Boosh and The IT Crowd. Submarine (Monday 22nd October, 8.30pm) is a dramatic comedy about 15-year-old Welsh boy Oliver Tate (Craig Roberts) who is on a mission to both save his parents’ marriage, and lose his virginity.
Based on the novel by Joe Dunthorne, Submarine comes from the Wes Anderson school of filmmaking. It has a retro feel, an ironic tone and a sharp and witty script that’s given a deadpan delivery. Occasionally it tries a little too hard to be cool, but Submarine is still a sweet, affecting and fun film.
Ever wondered who would be able to make author and feminist Germaine Greer cry? Seems her good friend and fellow Australian Lillian Roxon was pretty good at it. This is one of many revelations in the music documentary, Mother of Rock: Lillian Roxon (Thursday 27th September), which covers Roxan’s life from her childhood in Australia to her infamous days as a music journalist in New York in the late 60s and 70s. Funny, bitchy, and a brilliant and passionate writer - Lillian Roxon was 30 years ahead of her time and makes for a great documentary subject.
Enjoy.