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tasrod
Reviews
Birthday Boy (2004)
Just when you thought you were over animation
Just when you thought you were over animation, along comes this priceless gem of a film. Both the story, and the animation style are refreshingly original and beautifully told. I saw this film at a touring program of Australian Film School graduate films last year. It's seeming simplicity belied the incredible amount of time spent in bringing this story to life. The "Birthday Boy" wanders through streets of his Korean village and plays on his own. The little boy has so much character and is like no other character I've seen on the screen before. It was a very vivid story and has remained with me since then. I hope it goes well overseas and at the Oscars, imagine a quinella, following Adam Elliots "Harvey Crumpet" win last year !!
Whale Rider (2002)
A film to give hope in these fearful times
I have seen Whale Rider twice, after seeing it with a good mate I then took my 10 year old niece. The beauty and impact of this film is in the strong story of tradition colliding with modern ways and the exquisite performances from the entire cast. The story reveals itself in gentle rural scenes and in dramatic human emotion. The young actor playing the lead role is perfect and this film is terrific for the whole family, probably for kids over 9 years old. It is great to see our Kiwi neighbours making films of survival and beauty in dealing with the clash of indigenous and white populations.