5 July 2020

Films

I watched two great films on the television this past week. "Touching the Void" (2003) was on Channel 4 and "Leave No Trace" (2018) was on Netflix. They were both cinematic labours of love - beautifully crafted and perhaps not really intended for mass market success.

"Touching the Void" is a docu-drama which tells the story of two British climbers who got into serious trouble on a previously unclimbed mountain in The Andes called Siula Grande. With strenuous effort and courage Joe Simpson and Simon Yates managed to conquer the icy peak but it was as they were descending that trouble struck. Joe Simpson's survival with a badly broken leg was all about determination when death seemed more likely. 

One night - in a delirious state - he could not dismiss a particular pop song from his head. It just kept playing over and over, goading him - "Brown Girl In The Ring" by Boney M.. He didn't even like that song.

I found "Touching the Void" - if you will pardon the pun -  a truly gripping experience. The reenactment of the climb and the descent was both breathtaking and very believable.

"Leave No Trace" is set in the Pacific North West of America. Directed by Debra Granik, the film focuses chiefly on two survivalists - Will played by Ben Foster and his daughter Tom played by Thomasin McKenzie. They live in the woods, not really part of society.

We suspect that Will is a war veteran, plagued by memories of Iraq or Afghanistan or possibly Vietnam. It is never fully spelt out for us and that seems deliberate. There are other questions that hover in the air - about the past and the future. They also remain unanswered.

However, "Leave No Trace" is an excellent film in my opinion. There's tension and fear in the air and who knows where Will is running to. He doesn't even know himself. Mark Kermode, the British film reviewer, called it "a work of overwhelming, understated power that quite simply took my breath away". I can see where he was coming from with that.

33 comments:

  1. The first photo is enough for me. Crevasses are scary unpredictable places.

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    Replies
    1. Same here, Red. My stomach did a little somersault.

      Still, who doesn't like to be scared every so often, particularly when sitting on the sofa.

      U

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    2. At least it is scariness based on real life experience - not some ridiculous zombie movie.

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    3. "real life experience" - that's the scary bit, YP.

      U

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  2. Thanks for the reviews. I've been looking for a new film to watch on Netflix and "Leave No Trace" sounds like a good one.

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    Replies
    1. I hope you enjoy it Bonnie. Mark Kermode said it is "flawless".

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  3. Leave no trace is one of those quietly wonderful movies that gains popularity through word of mouth . Best film ive seen in a while

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    Replies
    1. When Mark Kermode praises a film that normally means it is worth watching.

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  4. I watched Leave No Trace a week or so ago. Excellent film, one of the best I've seen recently.

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  5. I can't bear the agony of people stuck in icy places, too cold. But have been toying with the idea of returning to Netflix, which has a lot of junk amongst the pearls.

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    Replies
    1. There is a pile of crap films on Netflix but within that pile there are several gems.

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  6. I haven't watched a film since some time last year. Perhaps when the winter comes.

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    Replies
    1. I have seen the film "When The Winter Comes". Set on The Isle of Lewis starring Brad Pitt as Graham Edwards who stirs a rebellion and leads the Isle of Lewis army in battle against The Isle of Harris.

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  7. i think I saw "touching the void" way back. With films and books I enjoy them in the moment and soon forget all about them.
    A couple of nights ago I watched "Top End Wedding". It was very enjoyable and light but not quite fluff.

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    Replies
    1. I just looked up "Top End Wedding". We might give it a whirl if it is on Netflix.

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    2. I look forward to your comments if you see it

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  8. Leave no trace sounds good. As a new netflixer, I may give it a go one of the next week nights when my eyes prefer not to read after a long day at work.
    Thank you for the reviews, they tell enough but not too much.

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    Replies
    1. I didn't want to give too much away.

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  9. In the years BC (before kids) we used to like the so-called art-house cinemas showing foreign and non-mass-market films which almost always made a stronger impression than the multiplex stuff. Were you watching these films in planning your next walk in the untamed wilderness around Sheffield?

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    Replies
    1. I have just come back from a three hour walk in Bradfield Dale. Fortunately, I was not touching the void but I did indeed leave no trace.

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    2. Must have a strong bladder.

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  10. Thanks for the two film recommendations YP. Television is not very good at the moment. I think we have watched every Escape To The Country.

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    Replies
    1. Everybody has different tastes don't they?

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  11. Good recommendations! We're always looking for something new to watch.

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