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oscar
double - Lynda Del Sasso previews this month's oscar-winning
cinema releases
Monster's
Ball
US 2001, Cert. 15
Director: Marc Forster
Star Rating * * * *
 In
present day Georgia, USA, death row prison guard Hank
Grotowski (Billy Bob Thornton) lives with his son Sonny
(Heath Ledger), who also works at the prison. Hank, a
racist by family tradition, is tough on his son and attacks
him for showing emotion at the execution of a black prisoner.
Meanwhile, Leticia (Halle Berry) the poverty-stricken
wife of the prisoner, works as a diner waitress and is
facing eviction from her home. When tragedy strikes the
lives of these two disparate characters, they are drawn
together, eventually finding solace in each other. Hank
is forced to reassess his value system as he struggles
to come to terms with his failure as a father and as a
man.
Billy
Bob Thornton once again proves his acting worth in a remarkably
understated performance that by rights should have earned
him an Oscar nomination at least. Halle Berry, who did
receive an Oscar for her role, is equally compelling in
this convincing, multi-layered tale of loneliness, rage
and humanity in a violent society.
Odeon
and UCG from June 7
No
Man's Land
Bosnia 2001, Cert. 15
Director: Danis Tanovic
Star Rating * *
Bosnia
and Herzegovina, 1993. Ciki (Branko Djuric) and Nino (Rene
Bitorajac), a Bosnian and a Serb, are soldiers stranded
in No Man's Land - a trench between enemy lines during
the Balkan war. They have no way to escape without getting
shot, and a fellow soldier is lying in the trench with
a mine set to explode beneath him if he moves. A UN sergeant
tries to help, but when a Global News journalist interviews
him for a TV scoop, she affects the unfolding of events
and turns a news story into an international circus.
More
suited to a stage play than a cinema screen because of
its wordiness, this film has nevertheless won many prizes,
including a 2002 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language
Film and this year's Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language
Film. Some will undoubtedly find it a brilliant comment
on the insanity of war, and of the soldiers' courageous
efforts to retain their humanity… while others will
judge it no more than a heavy-handed and clumsy attempt
at moralising to the general public. Dull or inspired?
The choice is yours.
Duke
of York's from May 31.
Other Highlights
Duke
of York's:
KISS AND KILL: Film Visions of Brighton
In conjunction with the exhibition Kiss and Kill: Film
Visions of Brighton (till September 1 at Brighton
Museum), the Duke's continues to celebrate Brighton on
film with ME WITHOUT YOU (June 1), BRIGHTON SHORTS (June
11), END OF THE AFFAIR (June 12) and BRIGHTON DISCOVERED
(June 23).
Also
at the Duke of York's this month, the Incredible Journeys
season - world cinema for young people and families -
continues with YELLOW CARD (June 8) a funny and touching
Zimbabwian tale of teenage love and passion for football.
Suitable for those aged 10 +.
www.picturehouse-cinemas.co.uk
Cinematheque:
THEMROC (June 9), SECRETS OF THE ID (June 16) including
Secret Cinema (Paul Bartel 1966), The H and F Film (Michael
Armez 1971), Marvo Movie (Jeff Keen 1967) , The Thieving
Hand (1908) and Princess Nicotine (1909).
SKIN OF MAN, HEART OF BEAST (June 20-21), COSMIC ANIMATION
(June 23),
WILD ZERO, Japanese underground zombie horror (June 27).
New
cinema club:
The Farm Tavern on Farm Road, Hove, launched the city's
smallest cinema on May 29. Seating 25 people, complete
with the latest in digital projectors, a five foot screen
and surround sound, the club offers annual membership
for £15, with screenings (mainly classics) either
free or at a nominal charge. Website at: www.thefarmpub.co.uk
See
your video on the silver screen!
Enter your film in the Community Video Showcase and see
it at Duke of York's on 16 June. Have you made a video
about life in Brighton & Hove? Then send it in to
the Virtual Festival Community Video Showcase. Entry is
free. Contact Mark Walker on 234049. www.virtualfestival.org.uk
copyright New Insight 2002
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