By Roger Costa
STORM BOY
Sadly, Millennials will never know the essence and magical plenitude of experiencing an active, adventurous, and sometimes sacrificial childhood. The excitement and playful aspects of being a child, running outdoors amused by simple objects or inventions were switched to tech-devices that results in exhaustion and isolation; Director Shawn Seet subtly captures thoughtful parallels between being a child back then and now, with this soul-lifting and inspiring retelling of the classic Australian eco-friendly tale. Oscar-winner actor Geoffrey Rush stars in the main role, as an important CEO who’s caught up by his own memories when his beloved granddaughter prevents him of a possible environmental devastation. Her support and respect for Mother Earth reminds him of his childhood when he became notorious for defending pelicans that were being hunted and killed in a small oceanside Australian village. But the spectacle belongs most to first-time actor Finn Little, who plays Rush’s child character and his highly emotional, effective and amusing interaction with the irresistibly cute and smart birds. After losing his mother, and observing his fisherman father’s struggle, young Storm Boy initiates his earth-bond education on his own. Then he’s joined by an aboriginal tribal man from whom he will take lessons on Nature’s preservation, respect and recognition. He finds a trio of newborn pelicans and decides to take care of them, with his father’s consent and support as well. Time goes by, the pelicans grow big, smart, domesticated animals, living in complete harmony until the circumstances put their separation at risk. Questions are raised such as the right place for the pelicans to be, as well as the boy’s future and education. As Geoffrey tells his memories, both past and present merge into an affecting and precise message of awareness and care. A sensitive, humorous and heart-warming family fun that perfectly translates the essence of childhood into the screen. (Good Deed Entertainment. 4/5. AMC Empire Times Square NYC and AMC Citywalk L.A.)
SAUVAGE/WILD
After starring in the Award-winning film “BPM”, actor Félix Maritaud gives an unforgettable and controversial performance in the role of a 22-year-old male prostitute collecting the consequences of his extravagant lifestyle filled with unsafe, reckless sex, drugs and other disorders. He won the prestigious Rising Star Award at last year’s Cannes and the Lumiere Award for Most Promising Actor. Maritaud surrenders himself completely to the role, building up an enigmatic, hypnotizing character that stirs up all sorts of emotions, delivering perfect balance throughout his unstoppable lust activities. Sexually-charged and composed as an open-diary of a youngster moved by his instincts and impulses, the film vividly presents the hopelessness and anxiety of those living on the streets, selling their sexual attributes in order to cope with survival, escaping from reality and loneliness, and answering to no responsibility. It also points to their weakness and dependence, as they are extremely exposed to harm and seeks a health adviser. A raw, explicit and unflinchingly realistic portrait of male prostitution, first-time writer-director Camille Vidal-Naquet crafts an effective wild ride into the uneasiness and pleasures of a man searching for meaning (and for himself) on the streets and in the bedrooms. (Strand Releasing. 4/10. Film Forum.)
WORKING WOMAN
An undeniable job proposal knocks at a family woman’s door and she makes all the arrangements with her husband before taking the opportunity. As her hubby recently opened a small restaurant and is still setting up the place and its licenses, they must share time and obligations with their three children. Things start moving in right directions, she develops a trustful and friendly connection to her boss and deservedly gets promoted while maintaining the same pace with her daily family duties; almost inevitable, a strange desire arises over her boss as he approaches her, and commits a sexual harassment. Haunted by the tumultuous financial situation, her family priorities, personal respect and integrity, Orna will risk her status and future in order to find justice and coherence. Actress Liron Ben-Shlush gives this year’s very first remarkable female performance in the role of our heroine, a determined woman fighting for her family and rights, as well as equality at the working environment. She creates a lovable, strong, fierce, yet fragile and delicate feminine portrait, delivering incredible moments of personal conflicts expressed through the deep, various lights in her eyes: the way she looks at her family and embraces the husband; how she disgusts the sexual approach; her winning glam while running business; the anxiety and uncertainty of telling the truth; her performance is filled with precise techniques developing a tender attachment to the audience.
A prolific documentarian, Director Michal Aviad’s second narrative feature is a timely, contemplative and intriguing canvas of a regular woman searching to provide for her family while facing the injustices and social divisions of a male-driven business world. Certainly one of this year’s most powerful and accurate films. (Zeitgeist Films. 4/4 IFC Center NYC and 4/12 Laemmle’s Royal, Town Center, and Playhouse L.A.)
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