Melanie Lynskey proves she’s leading lady material in Hello, I Must Be Going, Arthur Fogel proves you can become one of the most important people in the music industry today by being a good guy, and in Brooklyn Castle, a cast of talented, underprivileged kids prove that being good at chess is cool.
If you’re in Auckland recover from Film Festival fatigue with a collection of feel good, entertaining and engaging films screening on Rialto Channel this week. Melanie Lynskey proves she’s leading lady material in Hello, I Must Be Going, Arthur Fogel proves you can become one of the most important people in the music industry today by being a good guy, and in Brooklyn Castle, a cast of talented, underprivileged kids prove that being good at chess is cool.
Here are my highlights for the week.
Who the F**k is Arthur Fogel (2013)
Starring: Bono, Lady Gaga, Paul McGuinness and Sting
Directed by: Ron Chapman
Screening: Rialto Documentary, Thursday 7th August, 8.30pm
Arthur Fogel is the man behind some of the biggest, most profitable musical tours of the last decade. He’s worked for Madonna, Lady Gaga, U2, and even managed to make The Police reunion tour one of the most profitable tours ever. An articulate, intelligent and calm Canadian, it’s easy to see why today’s biggest bands want to work with him and his crew. As fascinating as it is going through Fogel’s impressive CV, this documentary also gives you a basic understanding of the music industry and the changes that have occurred over the past few decades. For big artists these days, touring is where the money is, but if the scenarios we’re presented with in this film are anything to go by, it’s very easy for a world tour to bankrupt an artist or a group. This is where Arthur Fogel is a bit of a genius. Not only does he put the artist and their wishes first, he also knows how to make a profit. A big profit. Insightful, entertaining and filled with a who’s who of the industry, this is a great yarn about business, art and being accommodating.
Hello, I Must Be Going (2012)
Starring: Melanie Lynskey, Blythe Danner and John Rubinstein
Directed by: Todd Louiso
Screening: Rialto Selection, Saturday 9th August, 8.30pm
Written by playwright Sarah Koskoff and directed by her husband, actor/director Todd Louiso, Hello, I Must Be Going stars Melanie Lynskey in her first feature film lead role as a young divorcee struggling to pull her life together. Lynskey is absolutely fabulous as Amy (even if she does look younger than her supposed mid-thirties) and drives this gently paced indie comedy/drama. It’s also worth watching for Blythe Danner’s immensely likable performance as Amy’s mother Ruth. Koskoff attended the Sundance screenwriting lab to work on this screenplay and in 2012 Hello, I Must Be Going was selected to open the Sundance Film Festival. It could have been a touch tighter and sharper, but overall Hello, I Must Be Going is a pleasant and quietly uplifting film.
Brooklyn Castle (2012)
Staring: Rochelle Ballantyne, Pobo Efekoro and Elizabeth Vicary
Directed by: Katie Dellamaggiore
Screening: Rialto New Wave, Wednesday 6th August, 8.30pm
This is TV director Katie Dellamaggiore’s debut feature film, and in it she follows a junior high school's champion chess team from Brooklyn, New York. It’s like Spellbound but with chess players. We get to know a range of incredible talented and bright kids and their families that all hail from low social economic backgrounds. Even though things don’t always turn out how you’d like them to for these kids, Dellamaggiore reminds us of what can be achieved when dedicated teachers invest in bright, determined kids. Even if you don’t understand chess, Brooklyn Castle is heartwarming and engaging, and a passionate advocator of extracurricular activities.