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Three
Brothers (Tri Brata)
Kazakhstan/Japan 2000, Ne Cert.
Director: Serik Aprymov
Star Rating * * * 1/2
 Three
young brothers living in rural Kazakhstan spend their
days hanging out at an old steam-train depot. There's
a military airbase nearby and the boys investigate a rumour
of a lake and other secrets, divulged by the elderly train
driver.
This
simple film following the day-to-day lives of three children
in the largest of the former Soviet Republics offers us
a poignant glimpse of life in a country undergoing change.
Its young actors perform naturally and, though low budget,
it well deserves its many awards.
Three
Brothers is part of a Kazakh film season running this
month at the Duke of York's. Director Serik Aprymov will
take part in a Q&A session after the screening on
Feb 4.
Duke
of York's February 4.
The
Kid Stays in the Picture
US 2002, Cert. 15
Directors:
Brett Morgan & Nanette Burstein
Star Rating * * * *
A
documentary about Robert Evans, who started in Hollywood
as an actor in 1956 and went on to run Paramount Studios,
producing Rosemary's Baby, Love Story, Chinatown and The
Godfather, as well as a string of flops. His bumpy career
mirrors his private life: publicly humiliated when his
wife Ali MacGraw leaves him for her co-star Steve McQueen,
he is later arrested for drug possession and features
in a scandalous murder trial.
Adapted
from Evans' 1994 memoir, The Kid Stays in The Picture
uses interesting visual techniques to bring its subject
to life. Manipulation of still images, 3D, collage, montage,
CGI, you name it -a feast for the eyes. Coupled with narration
by Evans himself, plus an insider's view of film set traumas,
it all makes for splendid entertainment. A must-see for
anyone interested in behind-the-scenes Hollywood.
Duke
of York's from February 7.
Irreversible
France 2002, Cert. 18
Director: Gaspar Noé
Star Rating * * * *
In
'The Rectum', a dark and cavernous gay nightclub where
sado-masochism rules, Marcus (Vincent Cassel) desperately
seeks revenge. Furious and out of control, he charges
from room to room, searching for a man known only as Le
Tenia, who has committed a rape. Earlier, Marcus's friend
Pierre (Albert Dupontel) tries to calm him down, warning
of the danger he is about to face.
Told
in reverse, the story backtracks to events leading up
to the disturbing opening sequences. The bold narrative
structure works admirably. Experiencing a calm, happy,
affection-filled ending serves to heighten the impact
of the irreversible horrors that have befallen the protagonists
during the course of one evening. Being presented with
the effects before the causes places cinema-goers in a
(dreadfully) privileged position, able to see and understand
what the characters cannot. The result is a gripping,
almost hypnotic drama of powerful intensity.
Director
and screenwriter Gaspar Noé, who has already won
two Cannes' awards for his previous films Carne (1991)
and Seul Contre Tous (1998), says "Time destroys
everything. The arrow only points one way… to our
death. Time reveals all. [This] film describes the ancestral
link between a wound and vengeance." With its long
continuous takes and a cast list of only ten actors, Irreversible
has stirred up much controversy because of its violent
content, yet it is undisputedly a ground-breaking work,
and was passed uncut by the UK censors. Had the full horror
of realistic murder and rape been censored, the film's
message would have been considerably diluted. However,
those likely to be distressed should consider carefully
before viewing.
Duke of York's from January 31.
copyright The Insight 2003
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