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The Choral Movie Review

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 16:08:25 +0000

As music becomes less and less of a communal experience these days, something important is getting lost. Its ability to rally people and make them feel part of something larger than themselves is also on the wane. There were times in past when it was a social glue and was almost universally inclusive. With this new paradigm in mind, The Choral has an important underlying message.

Set in 1916 during World War 1, a local choral society is losing members to the war effort. When the choirmaster quits to joins the military, a replacement must be found. The man chosen is Dr Henry Guthrie (Ralph Fiennes), an unlikely choice. His homosexuality, Germanophilia and atheism divide the members of the small town. He is, however, excellent at his job and eventually whips the ragtag group into shape.

This lengthy transition forms the backbone of the film, and as we get to know the townspeople, we see them as inherently kind and thoughtful. The hurdles they overcome are played for humour effect with an undercurrent of social relevance. It’s presented in a way that’s far from preachy. This makes for a rather inviting time.

Quintessential British, with that charm and understatement intact, The Choral touches on a subject that seems to be fading from the public’s consciousness: the life-affirming nature of group led music and its creation. That there is a solidarity that forms when people from different walks of life unite for a common musical purpose is a subject that should never fade from public view.
Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/SonyPicturesAUS/

2024 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival – Blitz Movie Review

admin — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 16:39:09 +0000

There are horrors that humans inflict on other humans that just boggle the mind. The atrocities that happened during World War II were as bad as any known in history. Blitz is set during one of those times and highlights the disregard for human life that was all too common during that global conflict.

Even though The Blitz lasted a little over eight months, the indiscriminate nature of the bombs that fell on London during that time struck terror into the hearts of its citizens. The bombs indiscriminately killed men, women and children and the UK government began a program to send the children (sans parents) to points North for their safety.

Young George played by newcomer Elliott Heffernan is a precocious child from a mixed-race couple. The now single-parent mother Rita is played by Saoirse Ronan. They live in a flat along with her grandfather Gerald (Paul Weller). When the time comes for George to be sent away for his safety, Rita’s world turns upside down.

The matter-of-factness that director/writer Steve McQueen brings to the screen emphasizes the actions of the human participants and Ronan and Heffernan deliver. McQueen uses the human cost of the bombings to supercharge the emotions of normal people in harrowing times. These raw human emotions on full display make this film an unforgettable experience.
Rob Hudson

The 2024 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival returns to cinemas in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Byron Bay and for the first time, Ballarat, this November with a star-studded line up. The specially curated program features tender dramas, action packed thrillers, comedy, documentaries and retrospectives, starring some of Britain’s most well-known faces including Saoirse Ronan, Andrew Garfield, Florence Pugh, Ralph Fiennes, Jude Law and Tim Roth.

Blitz Screening Times
Palace Barracks Brisbane
Saturday 16th November – 3:40pm
Sunday 17th November – 5:50pm

Palace James St Cinema
Sunday 17th November – 4:20pm
www.britishfilmfestival.com.au

German Film Festival 2023: Sisi & I Movie Review

admin — Tue, 02 May 2023 16:56:33 +0000

History has not been kind to women who tried to live outside the norm of their time. Empress Elisabeth of Austria or Sisi (Susanne Wolff) was an island onto herself. Entitled to be sure but also filled with ideas that ran counter to her age. With little need for her husband after the birth of their children, she spent most of her time away from the royal court.

The movie revolves around her relationship with Countess Irma Sztáray (Sandra Hüller) who started as her lady-in-waiting but became much more. The film begins after the period when Sisi gave birth to the royal children and focuses on the time she spent away from her husband on Corfu, an island off the coast of Greece.

During this separation, she was able to indulge her every whim and led a hedonist lifestyle where all those around her had to indulge her outside take on life and its responsibilities. Everyone had to abide by those esoteric wishes or they would soon be replaced. Irma was able to adhere to the dogma better than most.

Covering the last days leading up to the death of Elisabeth of Austria, Sisi & I delivers its own highly stylised version of the truth. It differs substantially from the historical account of those final events. Diversion aside there is sadness at its core as the woman who could seemingly have it all never had what she really wanted.
Rob Hudson

Sisi & I Screenings in Brisbane:
Palace Barracks
Thursday 4 May 3:15 PM
Monday 8 May 5:45 PM
Wednesday 10 May 7:00 PM
Thursday 11 May 5:45 PM
Sunday 14 May 6:40 PM
Saturday 20 May 3:30 PM

Palace James Street
Sunday 7 May 11:00 AM
Tuesday 9 May 3:20 PM
Tuesday 16 May 8:20 PM
Thursday 18 May 2:50 PM
Tuesday 23 May 1:10 PM

The German Film Festival runs in Brisbane from 3 – 24 May and will take place at the Palace James Street and Palace Barracks cinemas.

Click here for more information about the festival, or head to the official website for more information and to book your tickets!
www.germanfilmfestival.com.au