Tuesday, July 29, 2014
While I'm about to return to my commitment of writing for the Darwin Sun, this review isn't getting a proper run - but I thought I'd share it with you anyway. I'm glad to have gotten back into the swing of things by writing something, and am going to make a conscious effort to return to past glory with regular musings. I'll admit Darwin has so far been a more difficult place to keep cinema visits up.
My views on Charlie's Country may soon pop up in an essay as an expansion of what I've written here, so watch this space. For now, I strongly encourage Australians to watch this film so have a squiz as to why I think you should.
Charlie's Country (M)
THE DIFFICULTIES indigenous Australians
face in their communities are primarily documented in the media by
reports on violence and alcoholism. They are indeed problems, and
highlight the need to look at how governments handle future
population placement.
There are few directors that regularly
champion the stories of indigenous Australians, and within those none
quite like Rolf de Heer. The Dutch-born director, now boasting three
collaborations with veteran talent David Gulpilil, explores
traditional and modern values within the most simple of interactions
and stories.
Charlie (Gulpilil) is a man who does
not know where traditional values end and modern ones begin. He feels
trapped in his community, wanting the same privileges as the white
man and bemoaning the lack of general opportunity.
He is a larrikin, helping the police
catch criminals and then turning on them. He clings on to the past,
and can't see a fulfilling future. A decision to go bush in an effort
to find food and return to his roots sets Charlie on a path of
discovery, changing the way he sees his homeland and his situation.
Each of the film's three undefined
chapters change the tone of Charlie's story dramatically. His time in
the community is laced with wit and establishes human connections,
while his walkabout brings a complete alienation from the world.
Charlie's return to society, taking him to Darwin, brings his story
full-circle as he reconnects.
Stark contrasts make for a shift in
attitude for Charlie, a man who refuses to lose his humour; happy to
talk to himself and keep preoccupied. Gulpilil's depth as an actor is
revealed to us beautifully, de Heer knowing his star and using his
talent in an almost haunting way. The use of facial expression in
this one-man show is extremely powerful, Gulpilil showing the
complexities of Charlie with ease.
Shot on location across the Northern
Territory, including Darwin, we are privy to both the run-down areas
of closed communities and the natural beauty of Arnhem Land. The
latter is a beautiful part of Australia rarely seen in cinema, de
Heer exploiting it for our benefit.
The film is let down by the second
half, where the pace is slowed right down to drag things along. But
this third collaboration between de Heer and Gulpilil, after The
Tracker and Ten Canoes, was rightly a Cannes Film Festival
hit. Gulpilil's Un Certain Regard Best Actor win affirmed the
strength of their professional relationship as well as a great
individual performance
It is a film Australians should make an
effort to see, not only to understand the difficulties faced in
indigenous communities, but see our country's film-making talent at
its finest.
Rating: 4/5
Monday, July 28, 2014
*This is about the finale. If you're like me and have been delayed in watching it, don't read this.*
Before I left on my overseas trip I had been frantically trying to watch the second half of the final season of How I Met Your Mother. I was keeping up with the States, then fell a bit behind.
I left, and was then reminded multiple times while away, that I had failed to get the final double episode under my belt. It killed me. And others too, who so badly wanted to discuss the ending...
I made it one of my weekend's priorities to finish this chapter of modern television. I've been back more than a week and am yet to turn on my actual TV, but got on the web for this. And WOW. I know I'm behind everyone else here, but I need to have my two cents because this is one of my favourite shows and I'm upset it's over.
Not one to really pick out the way something is heading, I didn't see this coming at all. I hadn't read rumours about the Mother - Tracy - dying, and I've been watching the last few seasons sporadically thanks to my persistence in dealing with the airing on Australian free-to-air television (that won't be happening again...).
What got me the most stumped from this is just how quickly the news of Barney and Robin's divorce was announced, and then not really discussed. And you didn't even have the time to digest it before 50 other things were flung at you to deal with. Like fans were quick to point out, it stumps you because you'd just watched a whole season revolving around their wedding day. For nothing.
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| One of the simpler memes to arise from the finale. |
Then there's the actual ending. For the show was not really about how Ted met his kids' mother at all, but his love for Robin - which really, we all thought had been properly shut down some time ago with her constant rejections.
My idea was that the whole premise would end when he said 'and that kids, is how I met your mother'. But it kept going and I think therein lies the problem. I get that people die and you have to move on, but I don't know that this would really happen. If it does for some people fine, but these two grew apart in those years so why would Ted still be pining for her? Because the love of his life died so he can go for her now they're old and alone? You'd think them getting together in the end would be a marriage of companionship as opposed to love (certainly from Robin's side).
Reactions as collected by the Sydney Morning Herald give a pretty good picture of what viewers thought. Other blogs also described disappointment and sadness at the ending. I'm still not really sure how I feel about it. But I'll be honest and say that there were good parts to it. Namely Barney's reaction to meeting his daughter, which was probably a little cheesy in reference to previous use of his words but also quite touching.
Having slept on it, I've realised just how much the show grew up. Yes, that final episode was rushed, but there was a life past nights at MacLaren's Pub for all of them. It was a little difficult to watch. When so much revolves around something, like season nine with the wedding, and then its whole ideal is shattered, it's a metaphor for the way some things really go in life. In a way shit got real more than ever before.
I can't say I'm totally happy with the ending, but I see its merit. It was good television for the fact most didn't see the twists coming - something becoming harder and harder to achieve these days. And that's what satisfies its creators at least. It should satisfy us, but I'm calling it to say this will divide people for a really long time.
Now that I'm happy to talk about it, I want to see what people think about this with it not being so fresh. Please comment and let me know what you thought!
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Yesterday was my birthday. I'm 25 now.
If you don't know much about me you may do after reading this post. I mulled hard over how to structure this, but figure list stories are so in trend right now that I should follow suit. So here are, in no particular order,
25 Things Katina Has Learnt In Her 25 Years Of Existence
1. Travel makes life experience all the richer.
I have just returned from a trip through part of South America; after that, two very different trips to Europe/Egypt and Australia/New Zealand venturing, I've travelled enough to know there's always more to explore, always more to learn. I would not be the person I am today without seeing these parts of our world.
2. Family is forever.
I'm very lucky to be close with my family. Mum is my best friend. The people who have raised me have done a wonderful job and I hope I've done them proud.
3. Never forget where you come from.
This works on multiple levels. Despite the odd snigger or harsh remark, I've always been extremely proud to hail from Adelaide, South Australia. The city is no Sydney or Melbourne, but it shouldn't try to be because it has its own great charm. And on another wavelength, learning about how my grandparents came to make success for themselves in Australia after migrating from Greece... they have amazing, humbling stories that make me appreciate and embrace my heritage.4. Don't try and act like your father. You'll hurt yourself.
At three or four years old you make foolish decisions. Sneaking into the bathroom during the night, grabbing dad's razor and shaving your face doesn't end well.
5. Don't concern yourself too much with who's cool or not. You'll hurt yourself.
In the 1990s you had to watch for tree branches in the schoolyard potentially being flung into your cheek... wanting to play with the boys and being rejected left a permanent scar. Only physically; mentally I'm fine, thanks for asking. Slippery paths are also not good for seven-year-olds who want to run away from someone. They cause broken arms.
6. Romance is a myth for some.
We'll leave it at that.
7. Absence from home makes the resolve grow stronger.
I have grown in such an integral way since leaving Adelaide at 22, dealing with physical and mental problems as I've adjusted to entering the journalism industry. It's not been easy, and something I don't admit easily. But I have become a such stronger person as life continues to unfold and I try to figure out what my next step may be.
8. It's easy to discover who your real friends are.
I love my different groups of friends dearly, and they know who they are. But in some instances, attitudes post-high school, travelling and moving brought out sides to people you wouldn't expect, and it was an eye-opener for me to see that even with Facebook connecting can go out the window in seconds.
9. You have to make the effort. No silver platters.
In relation to #8, friendships are double-sided so blame can never be placed completely on one side. But making an effort also concerns pursuing other things in life. Sometimes I've been slack in that, and it's something I'm still learning to take control of.
10. When in doubt, chuck some Kylie Minogue on.
She's good at making people happy. Her songs are often relatable to moments in life. I love her stuff to bits. Don't be hatin'.
11. Toilets can be dodgy. Anywhere, anytime. And to throw toilet paper in the toilet is quite the luxury.
Parts of Europe were memorable for dodgy toilet seats as a constant. Peru's squat toilets and the uncertainty of where to place paper was frustrating. We in Australia have fantastic relievers.
12. People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
It's a beautiful saying that I first heard from a friend I had in Dubbo. Unlike her, I sometimes struggle to accept it - but do understand the value of meeting every person I do.
13. Things can be different to what you might be looking for.
This is a prime example of that:
14. Some men really do have their shit together.
I've not had many solid male friends in my lifetime. But growing up, you still notice things. In the last year, I've met a number of men in very different situations. And while some have left me flabbergasted (to say the least), others have shown their absolute awesomeness. It gives me the slightest hope that I can one day land someone of that calibre.
15. Meanwhile, you think you have things sorted, but really, you don't.
I'm happy with where I am right now, but at the same time I always want something more. Is never being 100 per cent content a showing of growth and learning, or uncertainty? That I'm still not sure of.
16. Don't expect much from people - you set yourself up for disappointment.
Although I understand it, I'm still working on cementing this one. It covers friends, crushes, the lot. It's worth noting here that you don't need to be in love to have your heart shattered.
17. Be the bigger person - which sometimes means not to say everything you feel you have to.
Sometimes there are people in the world who will refuse to see your point of view. You might have to agree to disagree. Or let them have what they think is a win by not revealing all your cards. Stick it to the man, but also show some reserve.
18. Karma will get you.
You might not know why, and a lot of it is in small doses, but it's there hanging over you.
19. Mercury retrograde is real.
Astrology is something most take with a grain of salt. But I've written on Mercury going retrograde before. After a number of instances where I've travelled and encounter massive delays (including my World Cup tour which I only just discovered), as well as entering jobs with different proposals to what actually ends up happening, I'm a firm believer in this astrological phenomenon.
20. Harry Potter kicks arse over any other book series.
Seven books. One wizard. Adventure. Suspense. Fun words like Quidditch. While I will still always advocate The Baby-Sitters Club, Harry has a special place in my heart.
21. There's no such thing as a stupid question.
Journalism 101. If you need to know, you need to know.
22. I believe there is a God. Although sometimes it doesn't feel as if there's anyone/anything around.
I don't go to church much. I don't preach my religion to anyone. Though there is a part of me that is proud to believe. And sometimes it's hard when you feel completely alone, but someone - or something - is always there. It just takes a while to realise.
23. Things generally have a way of figuring themselves out; everything happens for a reason.
I've always been a bit of a panicker, even when someone was late to pick me up as a kid. But things work out how they're meant to, and usually pretty well. And while you don't know what the reason for something happening might be, there is one. Otherwise why would anything happen?
24. Film can be the most powerful medium of storytelling with the right creative licence.
And also an open mind. My love for cinema has grown in turning from an adolescent into an adult, and the different ways in which we interpret stories is a wonderful thing. Hooray for the originality out there, but superhero franchises do still have their place. And I appreciate all of it dearly.
25. I've had some pretty amazing experiences with my writing. I can make it as a journalist.
Luck is an understatement with the opportunities I've had. I'm proud to say I've written from the Cannes Film Festival and this year's World Cup, and it gives me confidence of one day continuing to write big-scale material.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
I have returned to Australia. I have lots of different things I want to write about on this blog. But to start slowly...
Today marked my official return to reality when I stepped into the newsroom about 8.47am. It not only felt strange because of my near-two-month absence, but also that I've been given 9am shifts for the week. I can safely say this hasn't happened since about week three of my time at the NT News...
There have been more changes in the
office than I was aware of, and I was alerted to one change that
directly affects my role. I don't think it's official yet so I won't
reveal anything, but let's just say I'm actually pretty excited about
it.
Today marked my official return to reality when I stepped into the newsroom about 8.47am. It not only felt strange because of my near-two-month absence, but also that I've been given 9am shifts for the week. I can safely say this hasn't happened since about week three of my time at the NT News...
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| My desk was tidy enough because I'd thought to clean around it before leaving. |
It's been a whirlwind few days since
returning to Australia. I first handled a blustery Sydney – but as
I'm finding each time I visit the big smoke, the day was lovely... filled with wonderful people old and new in my life, and productive
shopping to boot. I was even given a beautiful early birthday present
which welcomed me home so nicely.
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| I'll be trying the tea out later Carina, thank you lovely! |
I'll
admit though, I have slight post-South America stress disorder.
There's no denying that. I get all gushy every time someone asks me
about it, then I can't believe I'm back in Darwin and at work... back
to regular life. I miss everybody. I miss the continent. Articles
about Colombia – where I didn't go and apparently should have –
keep popping up. And then there's the wristbands. I can't bring
myself to cut them all off. I've had this problem after previous
trips, but I wasn't in such a job as my current position with any of
those. I wore a long-sleeved blouse to work today in case I needed to
step out for a story and cover up (to look professional, y'know?).
But tomorrow could be the day for them to go... it's my special day
of the year so it could be a poignant moment.
As
for the holiday itself? There are so many stories. I hope to share a
few of them on here soon. Know that for now they are swimming in my
head, most smiling at me. Happy times far outweighed the sad and they
are the ones that stick.
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| There was one more to come after this... |
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