I don’t want you to think I’m bossy, but the one film you must not miss this month is........
I don’t want you to think I’m bossy, but the one film you must not miss this month is the Israeli film Lebanon. It screens for the first time tomorrow (Tuesday 11th October, 8.30pm) so I’m not giving you much warning, but if you search Lebanon in our wonderfully helpful new website you’ll get the details of repeat screenings over the next few weeks.
Directed by Samuel Maoz, the reviewers at the NZ Herald placed Lebanon at number 7 on their must-see list of 2010. Inspired by his own experience as a tank gunner in the Lebanon War, Maoz’s film is shot entirely from inside the claustrophobic interior of an Israeli tank, as four terrified soldiers blunder their way through the first day of Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon.
Lebanon is an anti-war statement and Maoz’s overriding message is that war is hell; refreshingly though, he doesn’t patronise the viewer with his views of right and wrong. A very cleverly shot, powerful and intense film, it’s often compared to Wolfgang Petersen's Das Boot, or the animated masterpiece Waltz With Bashir. This is the first opportunity to see this Venice Golden Lion Award winner on television, so get on-board for a total emersion in this extraordinary conflict.
Also featuring this week on Rialto Channel is John Little’s documentary on legendary martial artist Bruce Lee; Bruce Lee: A Warrior’s Journey (Thursday 13th October, 8.30pm). Hugely influential in both the Hong Kong and Hollywood film industry, Lee was a cultural icon who tragically died at the age of 32. Little, a Lee aficionado, uses rare behind the scenes footage, interviews, and action sequences from Lee’s last and unfinished film Game of Death. It is a fascinating showbiz story, regardless of whether you’re interested in martial arts.
And finally, don’t forget that this month our Directors’ Showcase features work by French director Henri-Georges Clouzot, and this Sunday we’re playing one of his greatest films, the 1955 Bafta Award winning Wages of Fear (Sunday 16th October, 8.30pm). Once again, without wanting to be bossy - don’t miss it!
Francesca