Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai is a mix of family and historical drama and action film all played out in 17^th century Japan. Set in peacetime Japan, many samurai are now out of work and have become impoverished. Memories of Matsuko actor Eita Nagayama stars in this film as one such samurai, Motome Chijiiwa, who is driven to extreme measures to provide for his wife and young son. His father-in-law, also a samurai, is left to seek revenge for the cruelty shown by the local clan lord towards his desperate son-in-law. Based on the novel by Yasuhiko Takiguchi, Hari-Kiri is directed by Takashi Miike, a prolific Japanese director who has made more than 60 films since he started making directing in the mid nineties. This isn’t quite as violently explicit as some of his other films such as Ichi the Killer, Visitor Q and Dead or Alive, however there’s one scene in particular you may find yourself staring at the ceiling, or flicking through a magazine. You’ll know it when you see it.  

To the Wonder

Dull one minute, magical the next, this is an ambitious, melancholic and elusive art house film from Terrence Malick about love lost and found. Even those with minimal exposure to Malick’s work will quickly recognise To The Wonder as the work of the American auteur from the use of light, montages, poetic non-linear narration and contemplative characters. The film follows the love affair between an American (Affleck) and Ukrainian divorcee (Olga Kurylenko) he meets in Paris. It’s a very sensual film, and as you’d expect there is plenty of frolicking in nature, however To The Wonder sometimes comes across as more of an average imitation of a Terrence Malick film, rather than a great Terrence Malick film. There are only so many shots of people twirling and walking in slow motion through long grasses I can handle, and yet every time I thought, I’ve had enough, this slow, meandering narration would take a small step forward encouraging me to stay. This is an incredibly beautiful film, a poetic and visceral examination of love and faith, but it requires patience and an appreciation for Malick’s stylistic tendencies.

The Wedding Video 

Starring: Lucy Punch, Rufus Hound & Robert Webb
Directed by: Nigel Cole
Screening: Rialto British, Sunday 17^th August, 8.30pm

From the screenwriter of Calendar Girls and Kinky Boots, and the director of Calendar Girls and Made in Dagenham comes this cheap and cheerful comedy about the joy (or lack of it) of throwing a wedding. The drama that surrounds weddings has provided great material for both film and reality television over the years, and even though you can guess how this particular wedding day is going to turn out, the found footage technique director Nigel Cole uses at least puts a new spin on things. The film stars Rufus Hound as the free spirited Raif, who returns home to Cheshire for his brother’s wedding. As a gift, he decides to make a wedding video for his brother (Webb) and fiancée (Punch), capturing the lead up to what the social climbing bride’s mother hopes will be the society wedding of the year. Full of improvised comedy, The Wedding Video is a light, fun, British romp.