Moving Images

Movies By Starlight + Good Shit Happens DVD (A++)

Movies By Starlight is an annual summer event here in Wellington. This was the first time I went, for just one of the three nights to see the Short Films program. It was truly outstanding. All of the films, with perhaps one exception (“The Hill”), were extremely well made, finely crafted, intelligent pieces of work that all had a distinctly Kiwi voice.

Highlights included “The Platform”, which featured a great soundtrack and a fun little plot. “The Freezer” had a really nice story with superb cinematography. “French Doors” was a sweetly odd ‘thriller’.

However, the film that stole the show is one of the best short films I think I have ever seen in my life. “Two cars, one night” is a really touching story about a few little kids who have been left to wait in the family car outside a bar at night. The dialog is so real and beautiful. The kids’ acting is brilliant. The atmosphere is perfectly captured. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so perfect.

There’s a great write up about the filmmaker in the Listener. And if you want to buy the film, along with some yummy Kiwi beats, you can buy it on DVD from Smoke.

After getting a copy of the Loop 005 Good Shit Happens CD/DVD/Book I must say it is absolutely brilliant. It’s got great music, great music videos and great short films. The production values and the shear talent are pretty mind blowing. If you ever wanted a taste of what’s happening in New Zealand youth culture then this is it. And I’d say it’s more interesting than most things happening in youth culture anywhere.

Rain (A+)

Rain beautifully captures and evokes an amazing range of emotions and memories. It is a quintessential Kiwi film that translates perfectly across cultures. Albeit, white middle class cultures. It's the story of a family spending a summer holiday together. Mostly it's about growing pains.

The one major flaw with the film is the ending, which is sadly predictable. It is a terribly unfortunate way to end the film, because it completely moralizes the story. All throughout the film you identify so deeply with all of the characters and then by taking things to the extreme it suddenly distances you from those people - it allows you to feel superior when in fact you are not at all.

Despite the unfortunate ending this film is an absolute must see. Perfect in every other aspect.

Acting: A
Direction: A+
Editing: A
Script: B
Cinematography: A+
Soundtrack: A+