Another film about lads and music that I loved (the other being Alex Wheatle, one of the Small Axe films). One reason I enjoyed the Small Axe one is because it took place at a time and in a musical scene that I knew. The reason I enjoyed this one is because it didn't. But both are about vulnerable young lads, growing up, finding themselves through music. And they are set against particular political backdrops. Is this a genre? Anyway I like it. Partly escapism, partly the draw of politics, culture and emotional turmoil
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Alex Wheatle 2020
Particularly loved this Small Axe film because it intersects with my own, very different, life. My cool older sister had an even cooler boyfriend who was into reggae music so it always had a huge pull for me but I would have felt completely at sea in the actual scene. I lived near Brixton at about this time and was very switched on to politics. The National Front were out and about in London being utter shits. South Africa was…
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A Woman Under the Influence 1974
This film reminded me that in ancient Greek there are different words for different kinds of love - sexual love, paternal love, so on. Gina manifests so many of these loves. She exudes a crazy, endearing, alarming lovingness. And not just her. A film about love and craziness. It was only after it inspired a dream the night after I watched it that I also appreciated how its exploration of the boundary between sanity and insanity gets under your skin
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Summer 1993 2017
I loved the authenticity, the locations, the way the director picked up on the intrinsic compassion of most kids (I'm thinking about the little 'sister' here). But it was also great for the ambiguities around the main little girl. One thing that was really not explained was why the mum was so slow just to show that kid all the love she needed. Maybe a bit more character development there? Or maybe it's unexpected features like that, that make narratives gripping? The whole thing lingered in my mind for a long while afterwards. That's what I love about a good film
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