MIFF 2016 - Day 10

Mune - Guardian of the Moon

Jaw droppingly beautiful and imaginative animation sees this kids film stand out from the pack. The story and mythology it invents is really cool too. Recalling the whimsy of Ghibli but with enough of its own identity, it's a pure visual treat.

Bugs

Join Nordic Food Lab researcher Josh and head chef Ben as they travel the globe discovering how people eat insects and find ways to make them delicious. Slowly the film moves to explore food sustainability and the challenge of feeding the world's growing population. Big business is starting to look into bugs, and Ben and Josh are concerned that commercialisation will bring a whole new set of problems. In the end, bugs aren't the answer to feeding the world that they are sometimes touted as being.

The Man from Mo'Wax

The rise and fall of James Lavelle, founder of the Mo'Wax record label and Unkle. It's a warts and all view of things. There's a bit in the middle that plays like a nightmare version of Classic Albums, a lot of arguing over whether James deserves to be credited with Unkle or not, and generally shows you the record industry is great when you're on top, and ugly when you're not a massive success. It isn't exactly kind to its subject, but it's arresting viewing.

Frank & Lola

A psycho-sexual thriller about a toxic relationship. He's jealous and obsessive, she's in love with her rapist and keeps going back to him. So Frank, jealous man that he is, decides to kill him. It's presented far more sedately than that, a cool and moody noir. But it's still as ridiculous as it sounds. Top notch performances from Michael Shannon and Imogen Poots elevate it though.