In December, Rialto Channel celebrates World Cinema with Rialto World, a season that continues through January, focusing on one country each week with films on Tuesdays and Wednesday evenings at 8.30pm. It’s your passport around the world and an opportunity to meet the hottest new writer-directors on the scene today. Mexican film Abel kicks off my highlights this week.
In December, Rialto Channel celebrates World Cinema with Rialto World, a season that continues through January, focusing on one country each week with films on Tuesdays and Wednesday evenings at 8.30pm. It’s your passport around the world and an opportunity to meet the hottest new writer-directors on the scene today. Mexican film Abel kicks off my highlights this week.
Starring Christopher Ruiz-Esparza & Karina Gidi
Directed by Diego Luna
Premieres Tuesday 3rd December, 8.30pm
Remote record here
Abel is the confident and highly impressive directorial debut from the Mexican actor turned filmmaker Diego Luna, who made a name for himself starring in Y tu mamá también and Milk. Abel tells the story of an emotionally disturbed 9 year-old who after spending two years in a mental hospital without speaking returns home to his family. Much to his mother and siblings surprise, Abel begins to speak, but its quickly becomes clear that he’s taken on the role of their missing father. When his father makes an unexpected return home though Abel’s behavior becomes even more erratic, and his family fears he may have another breakdown.
Screening the following night (Wednesday 4th December, 8.30pm) is the work of another Mexican actor turned writer-director, Luis Estrada. Released in 2010, gangsta epic El Narco does little to dispel Mexico’s reputation for being overrun with drug dealing terrorists, and it wasn’t the sort of film Mexican authorities wanted released during their bi-centennial national celebrations. Attempts to stop El Narco being released failed, and this tragic, melodramatic and violent film went on to be a critical and commercial success in Mexico.
Starring Kori Cioca, Jessica Hinves & Trina McDonald
Directed by Kirby Dick
Premieres Thursday 5th December, 8.30pm
Remote record here
The revelations of sexual abuse in the American military in this investigative documentary are shocking. An estimated 30% of servicewomen and at least 1% of servicemen are sexually assaulted during their enlistment. What makes this story hard to digest is that this abuse doesn’t come from the enemy, but fellow American soldiers. The film follows a group of idealistic and patriotic women whose dreams of serving their country were destroyed by violent sexual assaults who are working hard to restore their lives and seek justice. The Invisible War examines this abuse, but more importantly it reveals the systemic failure of the military legal system to hold the perpetrators to account.
Starring Ann Dowd & Dreama Walker
Directed by Craig Zobel
Premieres Saturday 7th December, 8.30pm
Remote record here
When Craig Zobel’s second feature film screened at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival it caused quite a stir. There were a lot of walkouts, and hostility and boos were reported at the Q & A session afterwards - which meant Zobel could consider it a job well done. Compliance tells the true story of how a female fast food manager was conned by a prank caller posing as a policeman. The manager was encouraged to take aside a 19-year-old counter girl (Dreama Walker), who has been accused of stealing from a customer, conduct a strip search, and have her guarded by men who were encouraged to sexually assault her. The film explores the power of authority on normal people’s moral values and common sense; unfortunately there’s nothing comfortable or reassuring about watching human nature at play. This is an unflinchingly and confronting drama.