Film Festivals 2005
Once again the wide world of cinema offers a cache of captivating films. From France the delightful 'Look at Me', Tony Gatlif's 'Exils' and horror/slasher 'The Ordeal'. 'Hotel Rwanda' and documentary 'Darwin's Nightmare' unlock some of Africa's darkest secrets while from Hong Kong came the diverse '2046' and Stephen Chow's comic tour de force 'Kung Fu Hustle'. From the US, Gregg Araki's disturbing 'Mysterious Skin', 'Birth' with Nicole Kidman and understated Southern pot-boiler 'Undertow'. Stand-out documentaries also included 'Wal-mart: The High Cost of Low Price', the incredible 'DiG!' and from North Korea a fascinating insight with 'A State of Mind'.
Three Dollars (2005)
6.3/10
Director: Robert Connolly
Starring: David Wenham, Sarah Wynter, Frances O'Connor, Joanna Hunt-Prokhovnik, Nico Bille...
Sophomore effort from Aussie director Robert Connolly re-teams him with David Wenham ('The Bank') who plays Eddie, a public servant and father to six-... Read more
The Ax ( Le Couperet ) (2005)
7.4/10
Director: Constantin Costa-Gavras
Starring: Jose Garcia, Karin Viard, Geordy Monfils, Christa Theret, Ulrich Tukur, Olivier...
Based on the novel by David E. Westlake, this dark satire on the competetive job market stars Jose Garcia as Bruno Davert, a man who, two years after... Read more
Grizzly Man (2005)
7.8/10
Director: Werner Herzog
Starring: Timothy Treadwell, Narrated by, Werner Herzog
Timothy Treadwell was a self-styled crusader for the Grizzly Bears of Alaska. After spending 13 summers living with and recording the animals he love... Read more
Banana in a Nutshell (2005)
7.1/10
Director: Roseanne Liang
First generation Chinese kiwi, Roseanne Liang began this documentary as something to keep her mind off the fact that her traditional Chinese parents w... Read more
The Future of Food (2005)
7.8/10
Director: Deborah Koons Garcia
This provocative, award-winning documentary offers an in-depth investigation into the disturbing truth behind the unlabelled, patented, genetically en... Read more
Thumbsucker (2005)
6.6/10
Director: Mike Mills
Starring: Lou Taylor Pucci, Tilda Swinton, Vince Vaughn, Vincent D'Onofrio, Keanu Reeves,...
Striking the perfect balance between adolescent awkwardness and black comedy, this film stars Lou Taylor Pucci as a neurotic 17-year-old whose coping... Read more
Broken Flowers (2005)
7.2/10
Director: Jim Jarmusch
Starring: Bill Murray, Jessica Lange, Julie Delpy, Sharon Stone, Tilda Swinton, Jeffrey Wr...
Bill Murray is at his deadpan best in this typically understated comedy/drama from unique auteur, Jim Jarmusch. Emotionally stilted Don Johnston (Mur... Read more
Mad Hot Ballroom (2005)
7.5/10
Director: Marilyn Agrelo
Each year the New York Public School system sponsors a dance competition for 10 and 11 year olds who have learned traditional ballroom dances like the... Read more
Sedition (2005)
Director: Russell Campbell
This fascinating documentary tells the sobering account of New Zealand's WW II conscientious objectors who fought against legislation and stuck to the... Read more
Wal-Mart: The High Cost Of Low Price (2005)
6.8/10
Director: Robert Greenwald
The shameful practices of the USA Wal-Mart corporation, and their impact on family-owned businesses and private citizens, are put under the harsh micr... Read more