David O'ConnellMIFF 2010: Air Doll/Red Hill
July 26th 2010 05:57
Air Doll
It’s quite possible that the first film I saw at this year’s Melbourne International Film Festival will be one of my absolute favourites of the year. Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Air Doll (2009) is poignant, funny and moving; in short, a masterfully executed piece of cinema. It tells the tale of how a lonely man’s inflatable sex doll - named Nozomi - comes to life, acquires a heart and ventures out into the world to forge an alternate existence for herself by day, including getting a job in a video rental store.
Beyond the initial delight and wonder she discovers that all human experience isn't quite as joyous as it appears, squandering most of its potential in provoking far more despair than joy. Kore-eda cleverly and magically captures the world from the innocent, childlike perspective of Nozomi (stunningly played by Korean actress Doona Bae) as she explores her surrounds and even falls for co-worker Junichi (Arata).
In time the film becomes a metaphorical indictment of the disconnectedness of urban life: the closer our proximity to one another, the rarer meaningful connections become. Nozomi encounters all manner of people, some only in fleeting exchanges, but some of the most memorable sequences are ones in which Kore-eda creates heart-breaking montages that illuminate the separation and aloneness at the core of these lives.
For me the film works in every way despite the dubiousness of its synopsis in isolation. It has to be said that much of the film's impact is derived from the gloriously evocative, pseudo-classical score by World’s End Girlfriend (composer Katsuhiko Maeda), but the artistry of Kore-eda’s storytelling is also a thing of wistful beauty. This is a film that will stay with me for a long time. I loved every minute of it and only wish I had the time to see the second screening of it as well.
Red Hill
Boasting rave reviews from its screening in Berlin, after which it was sold to nearly a dozen international countries, Red Hill (2010) is a new Australian thriller/western of sorts. Filmed in rural Victoria, it’s a very conventional story. In fact, there's virtually nothing original about director Patrick Hughes’ basic premise: a man the local cops all unreasonably fear busts out of prison before heading to town with the taste of revenge in his mouth. He then proceeds to pick his adversaries off one by one. Dark backstory comes to light. More killing. End of story. This all happens of course on the very day that new cop Shane Cooper (Ryan Kwanten) takes up his post in the dusty little town of Red Hill.
It's not all bad news however, for despite its lack of originality the film is saved to a large extent by the fact that it has style to burn. First time director Hughes has very well-honed cinematic senses, no doubt about it. Some ‘big’ moments, in which violence is forcefully and ruthlessly executed, show off his talents, and there’s a feeling that this film has a genuine shot at box-office success. It has an arrogant, grandiose impression of its own importance; in a sense it's one not entirely unjustified either and thus there's a potential for this to a real crowd pleaser if the festival crowd’s reaction is any indication.
Here’s another director who knows how to utilise his composer’s talents too, for which I rightfully give Hughes credit. The score by newcomer Dmitri Golovko adds considerable impact to proceddings with its flavourful contribution; just when it seems certain to veer into Morricone pastiche it pulls back before heading off in other creative and interesting directions. The acting is solid without setting the screen afire. The fresh-faced Kwanten, enjoying success in America with True Blood, doesn’t have magnetic presence but neither is he entirely without credibility as a physical force of retribution. Two scenes between Cooper and his heavily pregnant wife are nicely handled too, sidestepping the usually generic, puerile dialogue that marks these genre outings. Ultimately Red Hill is derivative but highly entertaining. A bold and emphatic debut.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Air Doll sounds like quality and Red Hill is a must see in my potential guilty pleasure cannon.
So the festival is going well?
Hope you have managed to get some sleep amongst it all
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Red Hill sounds like fun.
Comment by David O'Connell
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic
Hey JD, it's all going well mate. Sleeping is a very low priority of course