Category Archives: Perth Film Festival 2012-13

Reviews of PFF movies for season 2012-13

Satellite Boy Movie Review

Featuring: Cameron Wallaby, Joseph Pedley, David Gulpilil
Director: Catriona McKenzie
Writer: Catriona McKenzie
Website: www.satelliteboymovie.com/
Australian release date: 25 November – 2 December (Perth)
Reviewer: rolanstein (one-word verdict: slight)

Story:
Young Aboriginal boy Pete (Cameron Wallaby) lives with his grandfather Jagamarra (David Gulpilil) on an abandoned drive-in cinema site in a remote area in the far north of Western Australia. On learning that the cinema site has been purchased by a mining company and marked for demolition, Pete convinces older best mate Kalmain to accompany him on a trek south to ‘the city’ to seek a face-to-face meeting with company management. However, en route cross country, the boys become lost in the glorious but inhospitable terrain of the Kimberleys. In danger of perishing of thirst, starvation and exposure, Pete falls back on the skills and knowledge his grandfather has taught him, and embraces the faith of the elders that country will take care of those open to its messages.

Ultimately, the experience in the wilderness informs a choice that changing circumstances subsequently force him to make between the contemporary and the traditional, and where he fits best.


Review:
Opening shot: the clear night sky of outback far north Western Australia showcasing the star-crammed galaxy as smog-bound light-blinded urban dwellers never see it – in astounding full high definition! – with the voiceover of an Aboriginal elder singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in language. This stunningly poetic intro to Satellite Boy ingeniously melds ancient and modern Aboriginal culture, momentarily resolving the dilemma that is central to the life of the young protagonist, Pete, and indeed, to the generation he represents: that is, finding a way to straddle two cultures without compromising either out of functioning existence. Big ask. Is it even possible? Continue reading Satellite Boy Movie Review

Searching For Sugarman Movie Review

Featuring: Rodriguez, Steve “Sugar” Segerman, Dennis Coffey, Clarence Avant, Craig Bartholomew Strydom, Eva Rodriguez, Regan Rodriguez, Sandra Rodriguez-Kennedy
Director: Malik Bendjelloul
Writer: Malik Bendjelloul
Website: sonyclassics.com/searchingforsugarman/
Australian release date: 25 November – 2 December (Perth)
Reviewer: rolanstein (one-word verdict: enthralling)

Story:
When two South African fans of late 60s/early 70s singer-songwriter Rodriguez set out to discover the truth behind rumours of his spectacular on-stage suicide by either self-immolation or gunshot to the head, they uncovered a story far more extraordinary than any of the myths that had attached to the enigmatic artist. This documentary tracks their investigation to its inspirational and quite incredible conclusion.


Review:
Rodriguez was not quite a household name in Australia in the early 70s, but was far from unknown. His debut album Cold Fact (1970) notched up 55 weeks on the Australian album charts (thanks Wikipedia). Anyone regularly browsing the record stores during this time would have come across this album. Here’s a pic of the cover, which should jolt a few faltering memories:

Way back then, a suburban den of iniquity I often used to lob at with my brother’s motley crew on Sunday nights after the pub closed (Keato, are you out there?) always had Cold Fact on high rotation, so I knew it well. Indeed, one of the more memorable tracks, I Wonder, would sometimes inspire singalongs for a line or two (eg: “I wonder how many times you’ve had sex”) while another, Sugarman, included a reference to “sweet Mary Jane” – always guaranteed to elicit a tick of approval from the weed-worshipping counter-culture kiddies of the time. Continue reading Searching For Sugarman Movie Review