On this page: THE ETERNAL MEMORY
IN RESTLESS DREAMS: THE MUSIC OF PAUL SIMON | SMOKE SAUNA SISTERHOOD

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Alberdi cleverly flickers away from these close-up moments to archival clips, most notably Augusto's reports about the true situation in Chile during these turbulent years. This includes his riveting speech about how important it is to retain emotional history alongside facts and figures. There are also wonderful snapshots and footage of the family over the years, including key events and offhanded playful moments, plus pristine newly filmed scenes of Augusto and Patricia in their family home.

All of this material swirls together to provide an unusually astute portrait of this couple, their relationship and their importance to their country's historical narrative. With its homemade camerawork and free-association structure, this is a fresh, engaging and hugely involving documentary that has something important to say about how various aspects of memory play into our sense of identity on both personal and national levels.

themes, language

5.Oct.23 lff

There's a sense that Gibney takes this same approach in assembling the film, using the Seven Psalms recording sessions as a framework on which to hang a chronological narrative divided into two “verses”: Simon's duo and solo years. And the extended running time offers a chance to include not only a huge amount of music but also key sideplots involving Simon's complex relationship with Garfunkel, his marriages to Carrie Fisher and Edie Brickell, and his work in film and television.

All of this has pointed resonance in the context of these spiritual new songs. And running through everything, the film is tracing Simon's own personal journey from childhood in Queens through distinct chapters of fame in the folksy 1960s and starry 1970s to becoming a champion of global artists who isn't afraid to challenge the powers that be or reveal his soul. And it's properly cinematic, so there's real power in seeing this presented in a single sitting with a communal audience.

themes, language

7.Oct.23 lff

The film is beautifully shot, largely in extreme closeup as these women sprinkle water on the embers or whack each other with birch leaves. Sometimes they simply lounge naked in the grass singing. They speak with relaxed honesty, laughing warmly and listening intently while sharing a range of engaging anecdotes and observations on everything from birth to death, including a harrowing account of a rape. Beyond the sauna, the camera captures other social gatherings, with food, folk music and dancing.

Issues of body positivity echo throughout the conversations, speaking about watching older sisters developing while they waited, or realising they had the wrong shape to be, for example, a ballerina. One woman discusses discovering that she's gay and the complexities of telling her family. And they share a lot of comments about the power men try to wield over their bodies and lives. Cut off from the world, these woman are able to reassure each other, celebrate their strength and sweat out the pain and fear.

themes, language

26.Sep.23