On this page: GUNDA | LADDIE | STEELERS

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The silvery cinematography and skilled camerawork prevent us from watching this as if it's a nature documentary. Instead, we're encouraged to see these critters as heroes in a grand drama that plays out in often amusing everyday style. The adorable piglets are hilarious, with their perky ears and busy playfulness, such as when they try to work out how to catch the rain in their mouths. Watching Gunda nudge them along is oddly engaging, as is how they pounce on her when she dares to lie down. So the extra-long final shot has a heartbreaking kick.

There's an intriguing mixture of domesticity and wildness in these animals, as their instincts drive them into the rougher unkempt parts of the farm, where they confront the fences with curiosity and perhaps even yearning. While watching this friendly fauna, Kosakovskiy is making subtle but pungent comments about their roles in the human food chain. So the film can be read as a paean to veganism. And there's the irony: if all humans were vegan, no one one would raise these gorgeous creatures.

underlying themes

11.Apr.21

This remarkable chronicle of cinema history includes a number of key moments when Laddie took on the system, such as suggesting that the hero of Alien should be a woman. He repeatedly hired women to work in a men's world, such as getting Betty Thomas to direct The Brady Bunch Movie. He was also involved in turning The Rocky Horror Picture Show into an enduring mega-hit. And the story of how he stuck his neck out to get Star Wars made needs to become a movie on its own.

Filmmaker Ladd-Jones adds a lovely personal touch, speaking about finally getting to know her dad when she accompanied him to work, something Laddie never got to do with his own father. Alan Ladd Jr was a groundbreaker who wanted to produce the best possible movies, making the difficult decisions when projects lost studio support or went over budget. Each movie mentioned provides priceless stories that leave us wanting more, so surely there's enough material here to produce a companion series. Movie fans would devour that.

themes, language, violence

12.Apr.21

Conversations with Nic, Simon and Drew are remarkably honest, sensitively guided by Ashton-Atkinson to explore meaningful issues like homophobia, depression and parental expectations. These are essential discussions that the film delivers in a pointed way without ever preaching. Each person's story is intimate and involving, mixing warm humour with big emotions that are grounded in earthy honesty as they explore unusual ways team members provides support and encouragement to each other.

Experiences these people recount, including Ashton-Atkinson's, have a strong impact. And of course most of the other players have also taken journeys that involved facing prejudice from loved ones before finding a whole new family on the pitch. They're also serious competitors competing at the top level of their sport while challenging stereotypes about masculinity. And in their down time, they definitely know how to have fun. All of which helps us root for them as they progress through the tournament, because it means something to us too.

themes, language

16.Apr.21