In February Rialto Channel features a collection of compelling documentaries about a diverse group of musicians drawn from rock and roll, hip hop, funk and classical music. I’ll write about them more in my blog later in the week, but to set the mood for what follows Soul Boy screens tonight, Monday 30th January, 8.30pm.
In February Rialto Channel features a collection of compelling documentaries about a diverse group of musicians drawn from rock and roll, hip hop, funk and classical music. I’ll write about them more in my blog later in the week, but to set the mood for what follows Soul Boy screens tonight, Monday 30th January, 8.30pm.
Soul Boy is a sweet, warm coming of age drama set in the 1970s Northern Soul underground music scene, which began in the mid 60s and still exists today. The film is set around the Wigan Casino (the Wembley Stadium of Northern Soul!) where kids flocked to dance all night to the sound of imported American soul. The music, dancing and club scene is classic to watch; the fashion, amphetamines, and venues may look different now, but the desire to dance all night has always been the same.
Featuring a good performance from Martin Compston as Joe McCain, a bored young man whose life is turned upside down when he discovers Northern Soul, it’s easy to get caught up in the music that has gone on to influence contemporary artists like Duffy and the late Amy Winehouse. It’s an entertaining, albeit a little predictable, film and fans of soul will appreciate the soundtrack.
In February we also celebrate the work of Oscar winner Neil Jordan in our Director’s Showcase, which screens every Sunday evening at 8.30pm. Throughout February we’ll be screening Angel (Sunday 5th February), The Crying Game (Sunday 12th February), The End of the Affair (Sunday 19th February) and Breakfast on Pluto (Sunday 26th February).
I was 20 when The Crying Game was released in 1992, and thanks to Jordan’s unpredictable and shocking plot twist I can still remember how everyone was talking in hushed tones about this film. It’s not only the daring of this Irish filmmaker and writer I admire, but that, a little like Michael Winterbottom, he doesn’t make the same film over and over; you never quite know what to expect.
We’re kicking off the series with the NZ television premiere of his 2010 feature Ondine in our Rialto Official Selection on Saturday (4th February, 8.30pm). It stars Colin Farrell as a fisherman who captures a mysterious, mermaid-esque woman in his trawler nets. Yes, you’ll have to suspend reality to enjoy this fairytale, but with cinematography by the highly respected Christopher Doyle (Hero, Rabbit Proof Fence) and a soundtrack by Sigur Rós' keyboardist Kjartan Sveinsson it’s definitely worth a peep.
Enjoy.