A Sample of the 2001
St. Kilda Film Festival Reviewed
by Fiona A. Villella
June 2001
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The Big House (Rachel Ward, 2000, 35 mm) | |
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Rachel Ward’s latest short film offering comes again laced with excellent production values and an impressive ensemble of actors giving excellent performances. Her work confirms that a director with a good understanding of the craft of acting is in turn able to elicit excellent performances. Perhaps, on this count, she deserves the Best Direction Award granted her by the Festival. This is generally a well-realised film – a rounded story, a strong sense of place, good use of the score – that is overall rather modest and understated. However the internal value system of the script is rather odd – blatant male nudity, male sexuality, and involuntary homosexuality sits alongside a warm and fuzzy humanism. At the centre of the narrative is the relationship between Sonny and Williams. The former is ‘protected’ from the evil intent of the other inmates in return for some company on those "lonely nights". Sonny obliges, as he really has no choice. In turn, a friendship blooms especially when Sonny returns the favour of ‘protection’ by teaching Williams how to read. At the centre of this film is the strange yet beautiful bonds that can emerge between men. But the real question, and the most daring, which the film poses but refuses to answer is what about a sexual relation between father and son (as Williams’ son later replaces Sonny)? Would this also be grounds for a glowing humanism? | |
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Source: www.sensesofcinema.com/contents/01/14/stolen_moments.html |