Living in Jakarta and used to many Hollywood movies in the cinema, is one big factor why some people are excited for Europe on Screen. The festival is held 2-11 May 2014 and screened in 9 cities in Indonesia, with 71 movies from 28 European countries. It’s the first time I attend the opening night. Fortunately, I arrived on time just few moments before they begin the show. I was impressed with the opening speech, because one of the director said, “Thank you for being here. I know it isn’t easy since there was a storm.” It didn’t exactly rain where I was, but there was quite a traffic jam because of the small flood in the streets. They gave each seats a goodie bag and screened Philomena (2013).
Philomena (2013)
“I forgive you because I don’t want to remain angry.”
Stories about church selling unwanted kids, born by nuns isn’t exactly a new story. But it is the first time I have seen it in a movie. It’s a contrast act considering it’s a religious place. It leaves a question whether what they did is an act of punishment or judgment. Even so, by following each step closer to the lost son, Philomena provides a great drama, and heartbreaking, whether you’re a mother or not.
Judi Dench was extraordinary to portray a mother figure who have lost her son, Philomena Lee. She reflect a big heart of a woman, kind and motherly. Starkly contrast with Steve Coogan, who is a cynical journalist. Their differences actually what made their journey to find the lost son interesting, whereas Philomena is a hopeful and positive lady, a religious one. While Steve as Martin is cynical, a bit rude and an atheist. One crucial moment was when Philomena turned cold and cynical too. I learned a little later that Martin’s real personality isn’t as cynical and not exactly an atheist. But the writers should do what writers should do
As a human, watching how mother and son must separate because of some act of unfairness, was quite disturbing. A lot of people would get mad because of it, but what makes Philomena different is that she doesn’t hold grudge or angry. She accepts all of it and set it free. I find myself agreeing what she said in the end about holding grudge, because it will ruin you from inside. I certainly admire the real Philomena, as a loving mother and a human with big heart.
Movie Score : 4 Stars
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Last Love (2013)
“…Sometimes you meet someone… who requires all the love you have, to give. And if you lose that someone, you think everything else is gonna stop too. But everything else just keeps on going.”
After losing his wife, Matthew (Michael Caine) gets his spirit back when he met Pauline (Clémence Poésy), a cha cha teacher. Both seem to fill each other’s blank, since Pauline also have lost her father. Their closeness leaves a big question to Matthew’s son, Miles (Justin Kirk).
Seeing an old man and a young woman sometimes leaves an ambiguity. Are they father and daughter, or lovers? Caine and Poésy does have a chemistry, sometimes it appears as if they are lovers, which makes it a little disturbing. Though, seeing how Pauline lighten up Matthew’s life is nice, where the old man is used to his regular safe activity and now he joins dance class, an awkward but fun activity for him. But, occasionally Matthew still sees his wife in his mind and then he can’t hide his sadness.
Quite contrary, Matthew isn’t a good father for his children, Miles and Karen (Gillian Anderson). The kids seem to suffer no-guilt to stay at the hotel rather than their father’s place when they visit him. It is Miles who have more grudge to his father. The coldness between them now seem to move in a different place when Pauline is there.
Directed by Sandra Nettelbeck (Mostly Martha, the movie that was adapted to No Reservations), Last Love is a intriguing drama, quite mind-fiddling with Matthew and Pauline’s relationship, whether it is intended or not. I find the script to be common and leaves to cliche. The movie can be shorter than the original, it have a long-winded plot. And unfortunately, the story turned to be readable in the end. To me, the only real thing was Matthew’s sadness being left by his wife. What I find weird was how Pauline is a girl with such spirit, actually can’t manage her own self. There’s also some characters who don’t have a great chemistry together. It’s not the best act of Gillian Anderson I’ve seen, as a shopaholic and elite smoking mother who lives in a big city.
Movie Score : 3 Stars
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Metalhead (2013)
“You can’t wallow in grief forever, it’ll eat you up.”
After losing her brother, Hera (Thora Bjorg Helga) starts to drown herself to metal music. Just like common thought that music represent someone’s feelings and personality, just is Hera’s feeling now. It seems that she dreams to go big and leave to the big city, but never went. At times she likes to go at night drinking and riding her neighbor’s tractor. There’s a definite anger and sad in her look. Also dealing with grief, is her parents, who tries to join the church community to blend. But there’s still an awkward silence between themselves and Hera.
Iceland movie, Metalhead or Málmhaus describe Hera’s personality through what she does and what she expresses, rarely through her conversations to another. She plays loud music, even in her own work place, which is a slaughter house, cause quite a stir since it scared the animals. Hera doesn’t seem to care of her surroundings, or what people think of her. She’s cold and distant, and deep with her thoughts. Her dark look and personality gives a definite color to the the simple life of the village.
Seeing her strange behaviour, her parents set a priest to talk to her. After the priest shows himself as also a metal fan, Hera begins to open herself to him. But their closeness grows Hera’s feeling to the priest, and when the priest refuse her, Hera’s rage blows up. Soon Hera’s dark world seem to overcome herself.
Metalhead explains the family’s problem pretty real, though not very clear at first. There aren’t narration or dialog that describe the situation, but more on visual. It wasn’t very clear if the metal music really is Hera’s chosen music. Perhaps seeing metal as her brother’s favorite music, Hera feels her brother’s there with her. But at the same time, metal music associated with rage, which is what Hera’s dealing. The ambiguity was is it her real lifetime dream, or she’s just dealing with her grief.
Actress Thora Bjorg Helga was perfect as Hera, from her rocking and cold appearance to her acting. Sometimes she looks like a guy with her long hair and loose clothes, bare make-up. Sometimes she’s that distant and cool, that her appearances was horrific. Luckily she still have her childhood friends who she still connect with, but one likes her that much he proposed to her, which she declines for no clear reason.
I love this movie because of the turn at the ending, after 90 percent of the movie felt gloomy and sad (but sometimes hideous). It portray how uneasy people deal with grief, the struggle to move on and see ahead rather than stuck in sadness. A decent drama and family values as well. I really loved Hera’s last performance in the dining place, finally combine her own color to metal music, it was surprisingly original and refreshing. Don’t worry if you don’t like metal music, the comedy will keep you enough to like the movie.
Movie Score : 4 Stars
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