MIFF DIARY 9 - FELL

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It was back to ACMI this evening for another night of cinema. With my partner in tow we grabbed a bite to eat, drank some coffee and hung around watching people buzzing about Federation Square like angry ants. My girlfriend is currently on crutches and once again the cripple got us the VIP treatment. I have to give HUGE props to the MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL for their amazing treatment of disabled people. They have been super helpful and most generous. They ushered us into the cinema before everyone else and allowed us to choose our seats first. Tonight was the strangest screening I have attended yet. There was a really odd vibe about the audience and being amongst them felt uncomfortable. Tonight's screening was the Melbourne premiere of FELL, which is a local film, and most of the people were comprised of family & friends of the crew (we sat next to the writer's mother). It was a sell-out session and it felt much more like a private screening. Everyone seemed to know each other, people were shouting out over the crowd to one another and there didn't seem to be much consideration for other patrons. People kept leaving their seats during the film, which is a huge distraction and seems to be typical behaviour at premiers. 

FELL is a new Australian drama from first time feature director, Kasimir Burgess, starring Matt Nable, Daniel Henshall & Jacqueline McKenzie. It tells the story of a father dealing with the loss of his daughter who was killed by a negligent truck driver near a forestry plantation in the Victorian wilderness. With the driver in prison, the father leaves his suburban life behind and moves to a ramshackle hut in the bush near to where is little girl was killed. He begins working as a lumberjack and when the killer is released from prison the two find themselves working shoulder to shoulder. The killer is unaware of his workmate's identity and the film explores a deep seeded anguish and desire for revenge. Needless to say FELL is a heavy film and demands your attention. It's very much a spiritual film with much of the focus being on the father character and his inner thoughts. He is in a constant state of anguish and contemplation and Matt Nable has dug deep to deliver a powerful and affecting performance. Daniel Henshall is also excellent as the ex-con working to rebuild his life outside of prison. He is such a versatile actor and is generally great in almost everything, although this is his best turn since his debut in SNOWTOWN. Director Kasimir Burgess demonstrates a natural skill and restraint with his haunting tale of anguish and guilt. The Victorian wilderness is used beautifully and becomes a character unto itself. The gorgeous landscapes and hostile terrain provide a surreal setting for these characters to be dealing with their pain. The script by Natasha Pincus may as well have been written by an accomplished writer. You would never know it was a first time feature for her as she dares to focus on moments of reflection, favouring captivating inner-reflections & emptiness over unnecessary dialogue. This is a film that isn't about words, but rather the thoughts and actions of the characters. I am sure FALL will test some people's tolerance. It's a smart film and it is thought provoking... and it requires patience. Some may say that the story meanders, where others will say that it's eloquent and fluent. It resonated with me in a big way. It felt almost musical and transcendent and it's haunting themes cast my mind back to other films like IN THE WINTER DARK and THE HUNTER. It impressed the heck out of me and it deserves your attention. 

The marketing campaign surrounding FELL is fantastic too. Following it's MIFF screenings it will also be enjoying a short run at ACMI (with ticket prices just $10) and will be available to stream online for the same price. They want people to see this movie. They have made it affordable in an attempt to help bolster the movie-going culture. You COULD stream it but I recommend you get yourself to ACMI and see it properly. Click HERE to read more about FELL's ACMI screenings. 

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FELL TRAILER from Felix Media on Vimeo.