pollnagollum Reviews

Ten Pound Poms (2007)

A really great documentary

[10/10 · 28 December 2007]

The tricky subject matter of British migration to Australia and the controversial 'White Australia' policy is handled with great aplomb. The old photographs and archive are cleverly brought to life using remarkable computer trickery and the journey of the migrants engaging and at times absolutely heartbreaking. As a Ten Pound Pom myself, I can relate to many of the stories and anecdotes told by the characters in the film. Ten Pound Poms just been voted the Australian documentary of the year by the Sydney Morning Herald. I would definitely agree! An important film about an almost forgotten part of our history that should be seen by everyone in Australia.

Policing the Pacific (2007)

Following RAMSI (the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands) as the Australian led mission attempts to bring peace to the troubled Pacific Islands.

[10/10 · 17 January 2007]

A timely and politically important four-part series, Policing The Pacific is a Film Australia initiative in association with SBS Independent and over the four weeks period, details the adventures and challenges that Australian Federal Police encounter in their quest to bring justice and peace to the islands of the Pacific traumatized by civil war.

Australian Federal Agents have policed the Solomon Islands at the invitation of its Prime Minister since 2003. They join the multinational police force known as RAMSI (Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands) beneath swaying palms, on white sandy beaches. This place looks like tropical paradise but has been torn apart by ethnic violence during a four year period of civil strife. During this time rival paramilitary gangs have raped, kidnapped, tortured and murdered, yet the perpetrators often remain at large, sheltered by their local communities.

This series follows several Australian Federal Agents deployed to the Solomon Islands, where they patrol the streets of the capital Honiara, the remote and dangerous Weather Coast and outer islands that rarely, if ever, see law enforcement. The four episodes provide edge-of- your-seat, real-life drama as Australian and Pacific police risk their lives in the battle to end lawlessness in the Solomon Islands and East Timor.

The Making of 'Jump Britain' (2005 TV Movie)

A unique behind the scenes look at how the production team achieved the impossible....

[10/10 · 25 January 2005]

Jump Britain should not be viewed without looking at this fascinating one hour documentary which brings you behind the camera and delves deep into the production of what seems on paper an almost impossible task....get permission to put some blokes on top of some of Britains most well know landmarks AND then get them to agree to jump over stuff whilst a film crew record it all! It is testament to those involved that we get to see Sebastien Foucan et al 'free-run' on stunning and diverse locations such as the Walls of Derry, the Giants Causeway, Edinburgh Castle and of course the stunning Millennium Stadium jump.

The programme features interviews with the crew and cast and provides a revealing insight into the complexities of making such a programme. The production crew really pushed the parameters of what is possible and as a result Jump Britain delivered and more.

Jump Britain (2005 TV Movie)

A generation defining piece of stunning television.

[10/10 · 8 January 2005]

Jump Britain looks at how the urban sport of Parkour (Free-running) has developed in the United Kingdom in the period since Sebastien Foucan and co. took on London in the prequel to this stunning piece of television. J:B examines one of the UK's fastest growing urban sports and meets the people behind its incredible growth. It also follows Sebastien Foucan as he PK's across Britain (Channel 4 insisted on the geographically and politically incorrect title before you ask!) performing on some of the most iconic and spectacular locations imaginable. Indeed, it is hard to fathom how the production team managed to talk anybody into allowing this to happen at all - in one sequence Foucan runs across and then jumps a gap in the retractable roof of the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff! Simply mind blowing. It would seem that this documentary may prove to be a defining moment in the development of Parkour, not only in the UK but globally. Its simplicity is its greatest attraction but for all its balletic grace, a certain degree of philosophical pretentiousness remains. Trying to justify and rationalise their chosen activity seems to form their greatest obstacle and a hunger for sustained media attention will invariably further drag Parkour into the mainstream. You get the distinct impression that despite vehement protestations that is exactly where those behind this activity in the UK wish it to go.

J:B is simply a stunning and possibly generation defining piece of television. Like the birth of skateboarding and roller blading, this feels like you are witnessing the birth of something very big indeed...