Honey (MA)
Directed by Valeria Golino
Honey (Jasmine Trinca) works for an underground group which helps terminally ill people to die with dignity. She is young and attractive and lives alone in a house by the sea not far from Rome. Starting each day with a vigorous swim in the ocean, she lives a solitary life. The only exceptions are that she meets up with her boss, who she must have known in medical school, and she has a disturbing relationship with a married man. Even when she is among people, she blocks out distractions by listening to her music. Euthanasia is a controversial issue but the beginning of the film shows that Honey is truly an angel of mercy, helping people to end their lives rather than continue suffering. It is not until Honey hands over the powerful dose of barbiturates to retired architect Carlo (Carlo Cecchi) that she finds out that he just wants to end his life because he is depressed. Immediately questions arise as to what are the rules for wanting to end a life and who has the power to decide? Determined to persuade Carlo that he doesn’t need to end his life, Honey spends time with him and they develop a tense but caring friendship.
Fresh from Un Certain Regard in Cannes, Golino’s intriguing film screens as part of the Lavazza Italian Film Festival running 10 – 23 OCTOBER at Cinema Paradiso and Luna on SX. There are 26 feature films and documentaries, and the opening and closing night films are both filmic love letters to the spectacular city of Rome. The festival launches with ‘The Great Beauty’ and closes with Fellini’s ‘Roma’ (1972) – accompanied by cocktails, Connoisseur ice cream and live entertainment. Information about films, program details and tickets are available on the Luna Palace Cinemas website.
I Am A Girl (M)
Directed by Rebecca Barry
Rebecca Barry travels to Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Cameroon, Afghanistan, India USA and Australia to talk to girls about what it means to be a girl in the 21st century. Feminism may have promised equality and sought a better and fairer world for women but the reality is that girls make up almost a quarter of the world’s population and still face the greatest discrimination of any group in the world. The inspirational tales tell of family, self-hood, womanhood, motherhood, birth, death, aspirations, doubt and transcendence. The documentary celebrates “coming of age” events such as graduating from school, motherhood or marriage. As a day on earth transpires from dawn to dusk and into the night, Manu, Kimsey, Aziza, Habiba, Breani and Katie tell stories of strength, resilience, bravery, humour and hope. Don’t miss the opportunity to talk with Rebecca Barry who is coming to Luna Cinemas on 18, 19 and 20 October.
Lovelace (MA)
Directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman
How young do you have to be to not have heard of Linda Lovelace? In 1972, she was the poster girl for the sexual revolution after starring in the famous porn film Deep Throat. This pornographic film about fellatio was actually scripted and had enough jokes in to get mainstream release. Linda (Amanda Seyfried) escaped from her conservative parents (Sharon Stone and Robert Patrick) by marrying the charismatic Chuck Traynor (Peter Sarsgaard) but she was really so innocent about the world. There are two contradictory stories in this film – the story of Linda Lovelace and Linda Lovelace’s story. After only 17 days in the porn industry, Linda was to be defined by that for the rest of her life, and she reveals the dark truths in a book she wrote titled ‘Ordeal’. This brilliant biopic shows that the sexual revolution was still full of misogyny, abuse, coercion and double-standards.
Thanks for Sharing (MA)
Directed by Stuart Blumberg
Addiction is complex and Stuart Blumberg (who scripted The Kids Are All Right) has managed to cram a multitude of issues into this Manhattan drama. At the centre of the action is a support group for sex addicts. Mike (Tim Robbins) is the most senior member, reminding us that addictions can be multiple. Adam (Mark Ruffo) has been sober for 5 years, thanks to his support group and his mentor Mike, and finding it a difficult to start a healthy relationship. Adam in turn is trying to mentor Neil (Josh Gad), a young doctor whose addiction is spiralling out of control. Didi (Alecia Moore, otherwise known as Pink) joins the group and shakes things up and Adam meets Phoebe (Gwyneth Paltrow) who is a breast cancer survivor with issues of her own. Chemistry between the characters is wonderful in this hilarious romantic comedy … that doesn’t always have to be sexual.
Rush (MA)
Directed by Ron Howard
Formula 1 racing is the most dangerous sport in the world. Each year starts with 25 drivers, but not all will survive the gruelling season as they try to defy death while driving around in increasingly fast circles. This exhilarating true story delves into the explosive rivalry between James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Nikki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl), which climaxed in 1976. It is the charismatic, handsome English playboy versus the reserved, dour Austrian; the daredevil versus the statistician; McLaren versus Ferrari. With the adrenaline pumping for nearly all of the film, archival footage seamlessly blends with re-enactments as Hunt and Lauda push each other the extremes needed to be world champion. There are glimpses of the glamour, the politics, behind the scenes mechanics and the drivers’ personal lives, but the film is all about the fierce competition between these two men … and their growing respect for each other.
Lezly Herbert
