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Reviews
Moon (2009)
Great sci-fi debut from a promising director
Sam Rockwell is the sole human caretaker of a clean energy mining base on the moon, due to go home in two weeks, when strange images start to haunt him. Is he just a little homesick, or is something strange happening? A simple premise, and in the hands of amateurs this $5m budget sci-fi indie flick could have turned into a predictable series of space clichés, but the inspired acting of Sam Rockwell and the creative force of Duncan Jones (formerly Zowie Bowie, and a near-ringer for his dad) turn it into a compelling, thoughtful film dealing with issues of technology, corporatism, loneliness, human identity, and long-distance love. I saw this tonight at a British Film Institute screening in London, which included a Q&A with Duncan Jones. He explained some of the challenges and solutions of creating low-budget, meaningful science-fiction films in a world populated by Transformers and a powerful but largely safe mainstream sci-fi industry. His obvious devotion and keen knowledge of science fiction shows through in the film's homages to classics of 1970s/1980s sci-fi, retaining the darker feel of those times while bringing the story right into the 21st century. This is a must-see. Fans of this film will be happy to know he is working on another sci-fi project called "Mute" set in a futuristic Berlin, and one doesn't need to read the zodiac to be certain this is one director whose star is definitely ascending.
East/West: Sex & Politics (2008)
From Russia With Love
At one stage in this film, somebody jokes that in Russia, nobody cares if you're gay or lesbian or straight - the only thing that matters is oil and money. But belying this is the soon apparent truth that while some in the Russian gay community are willing to live quietly in the shadows of clubs and bars, the few prepared to organise a gay pride march through the streets of Moscow are condemned, arrested, punched and spat at.
Modern Russia, like modern China, is a country that has had to adapt quickly to changing global economics. But a strong economy and aggressive government don't disguise the fact that much of Russia seems to have been reluctantly dragged into the human-rights-for-all-yes-even-gays 21st century. This, along with an ambitious orthodox church, and blatant police disregard for law are just some of the difficulties faced by the marchers, led by organiser Nicolai Alekseev.
Through footage of the marches, and personal interviews with the people involved, this film sets about showing the already-free gay communities of Europe and the US just how much work is still required in parts of the world to achieve equal rights for all.