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| Hippy's Favourite Film Festival | |
| Best Social Commentary Films | |
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Blue
Derek Jarman welcomes us into his world of AIDS, and the colour blue. Jarman's last major piece of work before he died of AIDS. Here, to a screen washed solely in static, vibrant blue, Jarmen muses on the effects of AIDS, its effect on his life, the death of his friends, and in particular his failing eyesight. As an artist to the end, Jarman turned a tale more suited to the radio into an art film, knowing, undoubtedly, where his thoughts should best be presented. None the less; this is a truly enthralling piece of work. The soundtrack is available on CD although it is, unfortunately, edited slightly. Become immersed in the last words and thoughts of Derek Jarman.
Born on the 4th of July
A Vietnam veteran joins the anti-war movement Based on factual events; we follow the transition of a soldier, back from the Vietnam war, to a vocal suporter of the anti-war movement. The film explores the problems that faced those who had served their country only to be shunned upon their return, crippled, both mentally and physically, they were ignored and hidden away lest their presence damage the drafting of further fodder for the war machine. The struggle to come to terms with post-war life is given a a full and proper treatment whilst the offensiveness of such attitudes is pushed firmly in our faces. A particulary important piece of film making for me, as it's the only time I was genuinely able to put my photo next to Tom Cruise's and have people say that he really did look like me. Breaking GlassSee Musical Films If ...
Rebellion ensues at a boy's public school An interesting piece of film making that intercuts surrealness with docu-drama that presents public schools in a less than endearing light. Notable for the insertion of black and white footage; there has never been a clear explanation for its use. Suggestions range from artiness to the lack of money to purchase colour stock; the truth probably sits somewhere inbetween. Considered as a classic of Anderson's film making; it is an enigmatic piece of work. O' Lucky Man
Life after If ... Although a film that stands in its own right; it is the natural follow-up to If ... as we follow Mick Travis continuing onwards in his life. The film follows Travis through his ups and downs, his progress being seen through the exagerated, witty and surreal eye of Anderson. A great, fictional, biographical film that is both amusing and melancholic. Scum
Everyday life in a Borstal Institution Originally created as a TV play for the BBC, and subsequently banned; the film follows the play faithfully and gives it a hard edge along the way. The traditional view of Young Offender Institutions as places of reform is blown away as the reality of inmates fighting for survival amidst the battle for power between themselves and against the system. The brutality of the officers and the no holds barred treatment of the violence inherent in such an environment will leave the viewer with nothing less than a does of the short-sharp-shock treatment. TAPS
Cadets take it upon themselves to save their military academy Whilst often compared by critics as an American version of If ..., there is very little that makes such a comparison stand-up even with the most cursory scrutiny. This film deals with the problems of a leaderless military academy faced with ensuing closure as the cadets take it upon themselves to perform the duties they have been trained to do. As a portrait of how dangerous it is to train young men to defend their country and themselves and not to expect the worse it is an interesting, and not too far fetched, view of a frightening possibility. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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First published sometime before Tuesday the 16th of November, 1999
Last upload was on Wednesday the 7th of January, 2004 at 06:10:51 |
