52 Tuesdays – From Adelaide to Berlin

52 Tuesdays is 2014’s little Australian film that could. Developed through a South Australian initiative called FilmLab – aimed at producing low budget features for film-makers looking to enter the industry – this picture with a small cast and challenging subject matter has already taken the Crystal Bear prize at the Berlinale Generation 14plus competition.

The plot of the film ...

Union pride

Proud to be a Wharfie, By Jim Beggs AM, Published by Arcadia
Review by Nigel Tapp

Jim Beggs’ rise to the top of the Waterside Workers’ Federation may never have happened if he had not struck up a conversation with his neighbour and a man akin to the enemy, stevedoring company advisor Tom Uren.

Soon after the pair met ...

Healing the broken parts of us

How does someone move on after doing something horrible to another person, or even ending a person’s life? How does someone rebuild a sense of self-worth after being excluded from society for years?

New Australian film Healing promises a lot with its intriguing synopsis, well-established cast and stunning footage by Academy Award winning cinematographer Andrew Lesnie. The only thing undermining ...

Last days of the lucky country?

Although criticized for an apparent lack of cohesive direction, the March in March protests were, if nothing else, a telling barometer of the growing dissatisfaction of public life in Australia.

At a time when thousands of people throughout the country are taking to the streets to voice opposition towards a range of policies, it is timely to consider factors ...

A win for women

Wadjda (PG)

Wadjda is the first feature film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia, a country where cinemas are not permitted. Director Haifaa Al Mansour is also the nation’s first female filmmaker. Combined with the fact all of the lead roles are female, there’s no question Wadjda breaks bold new ground.

In the capital city of Riyadh, 10-year-old Wadjda rebels ...

Neighbourhood Watch

Review by Penny Mulvey
MTC Sumner Theatre until 26 April

Robyn Nevin has been a giant in Australian theatre for as long as I can remember. It is always a thrill to watch a great artist at work, and so it is in the latest Melbourne Theatre Company production of Lally Katz’s play, Neighbourhood Watch.

The local playwright wrote ...

Heard but not seen

In A World… (MA 15+)

There’s an odd prologue to this review. Lake Bell’s (Childrens Hospital) debut as a feature film-maker is being released in Australia just weeks after an event that echoes the plot of the film.

In A World… takes its inspiration from the death of Don LaFontaine, the movie trailer voiceover artist whose gruff pronunciation of the ...

Exceptionalism

Current American sentiment, indeed that of most of the world, is firmly against war and foreign intervention. After years of battle in the Middle East, the War on Terror started by George W Bush is winding down with American troop withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Although the public may not want war, we still clamour for heroes – ...

Hope for the future in the past

Hope for Justice & Reconciliation by Howard Wallace and John Bottomley,  United Academic Press, Melbourne, 2012
Review by Rev Richard Arnold

In this thought-provoking book, the authors reflect on a turbulent period of Israel’s history through the poetic imagery of the prophet Isaiah. In this period, Israel drifts away from the worship of God and is seduced ...

War Games Inc

Review by Emmet O’Cuana

Within days of the horrific murder of Luke Batty by his mentally ill father, a local conservative lobby group – in a shameful display of opportunism –  has seized upon the tragedy to advance their agenda that violent media was the cause.

Internationally, scare stories about video games as a psychological trigger have been widespread in ...

Something to crow about

Cock
Review by Penny Mulvey

Cock by English playwright Mike Bartlett, is the latest offering by the Melbourne Theatre Company. No, it’s not about chickens and yes, it is a provocative title, which could put some theatre goers off. However, if you are not concerned about the regular use of the ‘F’ word, Cock is a fast paced, entertaining ...

‘The Banality of Evil’ before its time

Hannah Arendt
Review by Megan Graham

The year is 1961. Successful philosopher and lecturer Hannah Arendt (Barbara Sukowa) lives a life of writing in between soaking up attention from her husband, being adored by friends, hosting lively dinner parties and teaching devoted students. Capable and likeable, she seems destined for enviable professional and personal success.

Our introduction to the ...