Day 5 of the 2011 New Zealand International Film Festival (Wellington)
Tuesday 02 August
View From Olympus
John Psathas was one of my lecturers when I studied Composition at the Victoria University Music School. So I would recommend this documentary to composers and other creative people looking for inspiration. John has such a way with expressing ideas, which you get to experience; you’ll see why he’s such a good lecturer. I wonder how people who haven’t met John would interpret the film.
I’d also recommend this doco for musicologists, lovers of modern music and/or New Zealand Music, and those interested in immigrant culture/integration and the arts.
This doco had been screened on television previously in a shorter format, which may explain the fewer number at the NZFF screening.
I’d give it a 4 out of 5.
Weekend
One of my favourites of the festival so far. Russell meets Glen at a gay bar on Friday night. They spend time together over the weekend before Glen leaves on Sunday. Their relationship is beautifully played out; the characters are layered and the performances are wonderful. It was just a really really good, sweet, film. Good jokes too: kudos to the scriptwriter.
I’d recommend it as a date movie, and not just for the LGBT community. 5 out of 5.
Busy Times 