To Reach the Clouds

Last year's documentary Man on Wire, superbly directed by James Marsh, is worthy of the amazing feat it presents. It details the 45 minute death-defying wirewalk of Phellippe Petit in 1974 between the rooftops of the World Trade Center almost 500 metres above the ground, and dramatisises the story and characters involved in the event. While the stunt itself is almost unbelievable, the preparations, lead up, and aftermath are equally captivating.

This is accomplished by the combination of reenactments, interviews, actual footage, and especially the soundtrack. It takes a while to get into the film, but once the twin tower 'heist' is introduced the suspense builds to a satisfying climax (see above image.)

Accompanying much of the real footage and photos taken by Phillippe's friends is a soundtrack that subtly adds to the mood and makes 90 minutes of tightrope walking surprisingly watchable. Many of the pieces are from minimalist composer Michael Nyman, whose string and piano arrangements flow behind interviews and pictures seamlessly and elevate them to an epic scale.

Time Lapse - Michael Nyman

Early on in the film we are presented with Phillippe walking on air over the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Fleetwood Mac's classic instrumental "Albatross", which makes it seem so easy.

Albatross - Fleetwood Mac

Midway through the preparations there is a bit of action, which is the perfect excuse to pop in Walter Murphy's "A Fifth Of Beethoven".

A Fifth Of Beethoven - Walter Murphy

The documentary won two awards at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, and also recently a BAFTA. Watch it for both the incredible story and the package James Marsh has bundled it in.

Naissance Des Pieuvres

Known as "Water Lillies" in the international film circles, this French feature film stands out as a film that takes on a very generic and over-done genré and develops it into an absolutely incredible film. It premiered on 17th of May, 2007 at the Cannes Film Festival.


The 28 year old Céline Sciamma wrote and directed this award winning film, titled Naissance des Pieuvres. It won both the 2007 Prix de la Jeunesse (Cabourg Romantic Film Festival) and the Prix Louis-Delluc. It is about Marie, Floriane and Anne; set in a monochromatic suburb of Paris during summer. Marie is an ungainly but attractive 15 year old girl who agonises over not being in the synchronised swimming team. That, and her developing romantic and lustful emotions, longing for the femme fatale in Floriane, mould her character to be likeable and relateable.

With stunning motifs in the costumes and fixed manic smiles, the synchronised swimming team and its main members allude to the deepest lesbian cravings and the youthful angst that is unavoidably bonded to it.

The Soundtrack - Music to and from Naissance des Pieuvres - was produced Jean Baptiste De Laubier aka Para One, from Institubes. It is an excellent departure from his previous work; which was designed for the club scene. This CD captures the frames of Naissance des Pieuvres in an exquisite manner, with his synth work reminiscent of Handel's harpsichords in his Water and Fireworks Music.

Finale

Vampire

L'axe Majeur

A Cross The Universe - Official Teaser

~Releasing 24th of November 2008~

D.A.N.C.E. (A Cross the Universe/Rehearsal Version) - Justice

Part of the Weekend never dies

~Releasing 8th September - buy it~

Porco Rosso

Porco Rosso (Kurenai no Buta - 紅の豚,) is an anime film by Hayao Miyazaki. It was released in Japan in mid-1992 courtesy of Studio Ghibli.

It's about a WWI Italian flying ace called Marco Pagot who has now become known as "Porco Rosso" (The Crimson Pig) because of the change in his facial features - although the details of his curse are vague and ambiguous it seems as though he gained the head of a pig when he let his best friend die in a dogfight.

Porco becomes a bounty hunter who protects ships in the Adriatic from Air Pirates but becomes heavily targeted by a hired American, Curtis. Porco gets involved with a young female mechanic called Fio and their friendship helps them through the obstacles Porco faces. The sea pilot's club owner - Gina - was the wife of Porco's best friend and is now very close with Porco and secretly loves him. Curtis manages to propose to both of these women in the 94min.


The movie is one of the few anime that can be labelled as heavily westernized, but that is probably because of the defined geographical and chronological settings. There are a lot of underlying sub-plots, including ones about Gina and Porco's romance, and also about the political state of Italy. The main story line is great and its a very captivating film, the english dubbing works well and the voices are perfect for the characters. Its well worth a hire, and if your video store doesn't have it; get it from ACMI.


You can watch it all (albeit with english subtitles + the original japanese voices) on youtube starting from here. Its well worth the 94min, and you will agree that it definitely is not wasted on anyone.