Georgia Davies writes:
In my experience, film
screenings almost always bring out the unexpected. As I entered the Heart
Centre’s main hall, tonight converted into a small cinema with its hanging
lanterns and comfy seats, and as I was greeted by an array of smiling faces, I wasn’t
really sure what I should expect from this partnership event with Films at
Heart.
 |
| Doug Sandle on location at his house |
As the audience took
their seats, Doug Sandle introduced the three short films that would start the
event. These were contributions from the Cinage European programme on film and
active ageing. All explored the theme of the celebration of growing older and
self-reflection on the experience.
Swimming
Pool was a beautiful account of an encounter between a retired teacher and
former student in the local swimming pool. Trapped
masterfully depicted the consequences of being locked out of the house, and
the protagonist certainly had some creative solutions to the problems he faced.
For me the most moving of the three was Know
Thyself, a truly heart-warming and colourful short exploring saying goodbye
and finding peace within oneself. As
a twenty-something university student, it would be unfair to say that I am
capable of fully understanding the experience of growing older, but nonetheless
these films were of such a good standard and were truly moving.
 |
| Corto (Diego Roman) and Ingeborg (Viilbjørk Malling Agger) |
The main event was the award winning Jauja by Argentine director Lisandro
Alonso. While a little slow paced at times, this was undoubtedly a beautifully
crafted film, with stunning scenography shown in a vignette of rich colours and
incredible Patagonian landscapes. The writing and soundtrack itself was as
sparse as the plains that Captain Gunnar (performed by Viggo Mortensen)
traverses on horseback throughout most of the film.
The howling wind that
permeated the whole room is what I took away with me as I returned home later
that evening, and the challenge of unlocking the mysteries that Alonso subtly gestured
to his audience. “What is it that makes a life function and move forward?”
Gunnar could not answer that question, and I get the feeling it’ll be a long
time before I can answer that one myself.
Audience Comments
Strange
film. Wonderful sense of time and quite pictorial. Would like to
see more Scandinavian films.
Interesting
… intriguing … weird
Unusual
film – beautifully filmed on location. Good soundtrack.
The
short films were very good. The Danish film thought-provoking.
Weird
film but enjoyable evening.
Three
shorts which were good; main film very obscure
Good
photography and music. Periods of tedium and a strange story.
Very
intriguing film!
I
will search for the meaning in my dreams!
Too
deep for me!
Intriguing!
A
bit strange
Dotted
lines would be helpful. Thoroughly enjoyed the shorts, especially
the swimming pool. The film was indeed very intriguing.
Intriguing
film
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