MIFF Round-Up 2016 - Speed Review Round 1

Jayde Walker
Aug 15, 2016
3 min read

I had an idealistic viewing schedule lined up this year for MIFF but luckily managed to see most of my picks either at the fest or around the traps afterwards. Unfortunately I missed out on Christine, Fata Morgana, Newtown and The Eyes of My Mother, so hope to make their acquaintance down the track (watch this space). Speed reviews follow!

The Life and Death of Otto Bloom

I'm not going to say too much on this year's Opening Night Gala, The Death and Life of Otto Bloom, except this - when you base an entire script around an extremely enigmatic, mysterious and charismatic character, you need an actor who can match the expectations set out in the script. Unfortunately, while Xavier Samuel is a terrific actor, he's not that actor. Pair that with a confusing existentialist plot and you've got one very pretty mess.

Doco #1 - Belief: The Possession of Janet Moses

Religion, culture, clan and superstition collide in Belief, a multi-layered and empathetic look at the death of 22-year-old New Zealand woman Janet Moses by the hands of her family. Part of a poor, insular Maori tribe, Moses experienced a psychotic episode following several emotional tragedies and the theft of a lion statue. Believing her to be possessed, the family started a bathing ritual which escalated into full-blown group hysteria. The story of Janet Moses is incredible on it's own, but documentary maker David Stubbs weaves a remarkable story that looks at the dilution of Maori culture and religion on a broader scale. Beautifully shot and narrated, Belief is a truly excellent documentary.

The Love Witch

My GOD. Anna Biller's campy sexploitation genre-bender The Love Witch was probably my fave flick this year, simply because it was the most offbeat. It's a painstaking exercise in stylistic sixties pastiche, set off by a batshit-cray plot. Sexy romance-obsessed witch Elaine (Samantha Robinson) leaves San Fran for small-town America to find her one true love. Problem is, she's a right nutter with a closet commitment problem, and has a penchant for offing her lovers when reality intrudes on her idealism. There's moments during The Love Witch where you think, 'Where the eff is this going?", but it's so much fun you just don't care. The ending is a bit tacked-on, and it could've been edited down by 30 minutes, but worth a look-see if you can find it.

Doco #2 - Beware The Slenderman

Being a true-crime buff, this doco was high on my list. In 2014, two 12-year-old girls attempted to murder another classmate in order to gain favour with the Slender Man, a Reddit-created fictitious character that spawned a artistic sub-culture. While the doco provided access to the perpetrators and their families, Beware the Slenderman was poorly narrated, lacking structure and devoid of any depth or introspection. I actually fell asleep at the end. A massive disappointment.

Killing Ground

I actually booked Killing Ground without realising it was a) an Australian movie and b) the world premiere. Since the introduction of the Ozploitation 'movement' in 1971, Australia has boasted a great pedigree in low-budget horror with grit, and Killing Ground is a worthy successor. Essentially, two families set up at a remote camping ground for New Year's Eve with terrifying results. Similarities will inevitably be made between Killing Ground and another Aussie horror, Wolf Creek. Both movies are clearly inspired by the Milat case and have relatively similar structure - a slow lead-up, focusing on building audience investment in the characters, then splitting the action once it hits between the various main protagonists. Both have main antagonists who provide some type comic relief. I actually found Killing Ground more realistic and disturbing in its violence. Psychologically, it went a little deeper than a standard horror. The actions of the protagonists were questioned, and there were clear consequences to chosen behaviours. I've no doubt Killing Ground will deservedly perform well upon wider release.

Doco #3 - Tower

All up, I saw seven documentaries at MIFF this year, and Tower would have to be my favourite by far. What an incredible achievement on many levels. Given the current gun debate in the US, it's timely that the doco revisits one of the first mass shootings in US history. The 1966 University of Texas mass shooting in Austin ultimately killed 18 people after a gunman started randomly shooting off university tower. The remarkable thing about Tower is how it transports you back into the moment with an amalgamation of witness interviews, cartoon reenactments, archival footage and music. As a viewer, you actually feel a part of the tragedy. The technique sounds kind of bizarre and crass, but it's incredibly well-delivered and impactful, particularly at the end when our witnesses are 'revealed' for the first time. Truly a one-of-a-kind movie.