Audiences are in for another cinematic treat on Tuesday October 1 as Athlone Film Club presents the intriguing, gritty, Australian film Blessed at 8pm in the Dean Crowe Theatre, Athlone.
Blessed addresses the parent-child relationship from both sides, with the events of one day in Melbourne shown from the point of view of a group of young people, then switching to their mother’s reactions to those same events.
Itis a dark, relentless and intensely serious study of errant teenagers and their preoccupied mothers. Finely acted by a large cast led by a jagged, desperate Frances O’Connor, four thematically linked stories are played out on the mean streets of western Melbourne: unhappy mothers mistrust their children, drifting children mistrust their mothers.
Director Kokkinos, known for her sexy, stylised Head On (1998 ) and The Book of Revelation (2006 ), works close to documentary realism here, with much hand-held camerawork and a street-weary look.
Experienced performers such as O’Conner, Miranda Otto, Deborra-Lee Furness, and William McInnes share the screen with a range of impressively natural youngsters.
The children steal, swear, swig bourbon; the mothers fret, mourn their lives, ignore their families.
The emotional effects of this film will linger with audiences after its viewing.
You can sign up for membership on the night and come to any screening of your choice. There will be a pre-screening complimentary glass of wine in the theatre bar preceding the screening at 7.30pm.
For further details on Athlone Film Club and the screenings this season email [email protected] or check out the club’s website, www.athlonefilmclub.com
