MIFF 2019 - Day 9

The Day Shall Come

Chris Morris tackles terrorism from the side of the FBI and other law enforcement in his new satire. It's not as strong as Four Lions, and not nearly angry enough for what it's portraying. Watching different law enforcement agencies get in a tangle as they each try to stitch up their patsies and end up almost arresting each other. And in the middle of it all, a mentally unhinged man whose horse tells him how to overthrow the state without guns gets manipulated so that counter terrorism forces can justify their existence. It's absurd, allegedly based on 100 true stories, and ultimately lacks the punch you'd think something that dark could manage.

Hearts and Bones

Like Ben Lawrence's previous film, Ghosthunter, this is a film obsessed with trauma. It starts with a war photojournalist meeting a Sudanese refugee, and you think maybe it's about two men coming to terms with their respective war traumas. And you'd be wrong. Mostly. Instead, it's a pretty harrowing story of how past trauma haunts the present, and also the ethics of war photography that won't let people move on from their pasts. The end music is pretty misjudged, but otherwise this is a well made and unrelenting examination of the many forms of ptsd that exist, and how people cope.

Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project

Marion Stokes recorded every second of US television for decades. She was by all accounts a highly intelligent and very difficult person. She could see the trends in society and technology, and their possible impacts, so she sought to guard against the changing of narratives by preserving what people said. But in her personal life she isolated her husband from his family, drove her son away, and only managed a reconciliation with him two months before her death. She was a remarkable person, who you'd write off as a crazy hoarder if not for the value and the intent behind her collection. Interesting stuff.

The Amazing Johnathan Documentary

It doesn't give you a heap of insight into Johnathan, but that's not the point either. To say more would be to give it away. Just know it's bloody funny and you'll be questioning reality by the end.

Extra Ordinary

An absolute cracker to end the day with. An Irish comedy about a retired exorcist who works as a driving instructor. When a satanist musician tries to kidnap a student's daughter for a ritual, she has to get over her issues and go back to ghostbusting. Of course, being an Irish comedy it's gonna be quirky, full of gentle awkwardness and general good nature. Full of laughs, great lines and really warm too.