The changing composition of the world's oceans - acidification

The 12th meeting of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity is currently underway at Pyeongchang in South Korea (6-17 October, 2014). One of the research papers presented at the meeting has addressed the issue of ocean acidification. Acidification of the ocean, caused by increased level of absorption of carbon emissions, has often been cited and identified as major threat to the environment and marine life in particular. Increasingly the evidence of this serious threat to marine life has needed quantification which at last appears to have occured. The sea's acidity level has increased by over 26% during the past 200 years with impacts on corals, shellfish and other calcium-making organisms. The effect of acidification is most strongly felt by tropical coral reefs such as the Great Barrier Reef which is already exposed to warmer water. The impact extends beyond marine organisms and ecosystems but also to over 400 million people who depend on the ocean habitats for survival.

The link is below:

12th Meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity

Sydney Film Festival 2014 - Film Review - Of Horses and Men

Still from Of Horses and Men

Icelandic law prevents the importation of foreign horses into Iceland hence the special relationship between humans and this particular breed of Icelandic horse is the subject of a very quirky, dark humoured film by screenwriter and director, Benedikt Erlingsson.  This film is a series of vignettes against the background of a romance between two key characters, Solveig and Kolbeinn from a small village in the countryside of Iceland. Like many of the films from that part of the world, there are truly macabre scenes mixed into various parallel storyline throughout the duration of the film. In one sequence a man swims out into a coastal shipping lane on the back of his Icelandic pony to purchase illicit vodka from a large Russian fishing trawler. On his return to shore with his horse, he passes away from alcohol poisoning. In another scene, a farmer gives chase on his tractor to a trespassing neighbour (who is on horseback) but meets his demise after rolling his tractor down a steep hill. Periodically the film returns to the small, dour village chapel for the various funerals of bit part characters. Central to the film is the portrayal of humans and horses as having streaks of behaviour surprisingly similar to each other.

For those who enjoy quirky ironic humour, odd characters and the evocative landscape of Iceland, this film is a must see art-house pleasure. It is a well-paced feature with multiple unusual storylines and quality principal photography. An appreciation of small Icelandic ponies is also a pre-requisite.

Art & About Sydney - 2014

Art & About Sydney 2014 (19 Sept - 12 Oct) is in its' final week and once again has made impressive creative use of many of the city's outdoor spaces and a few indoor ones as well. The theme this year of 'endangered' is well captured and contextually positioned in the urban settings chosen for performances, art exhibitions, eye-catching installations and the ever-present use of banners. A favourite each year has been the photographic Sydney Life on the St James walkway of  Hyde Park North. This year the range of work has been expanded to encompass all of Australia represented by 22 large scale type C reproductions. Neon Nomads in Hyde Park South has a series of ti pees with visual images projected on their exteriors. For those who prefer some more vibrant action, Shaun Parker & Co present a dance routine with shopping trolleys in the Pitt Steet Mall, Martin Place or Customs House Square. It wouldn't be Spring in Sydney without Art & About.

Sydney Film Festival 2014 - Film Review - Wish I was here

Kate Hudson and Zach Branff in a still from "Wish I was here"

Wish I was here is an odd, quirky film produced, written and directed by Zach Branff who also acts in one of the lead roles. The film's production was funded through a Kickstarter campaign which is probably not surprising as it's difficult to see a commercial studio or indie film company taking up this story. A one man show it does appear in many respects with some very Jewish middle class angst underpinning the main story.  Branff's role is an actor named Aidan, aged in his thirties, largely unsuccessful and financially supported together with the rest of the family by his wife (Kate Hudson) in a tedious office job. When Aidan's father announces he is seriously ill and can no longer support the expensive education of Aidan's two children in an exclusive Jewish school, Aidan decides to homeschool them. Mixed in the family relationships is Aidan's reclusive brother (Josh Gadd) who prefers to attend Comic-Con conventions dressed as a spaceman than engaging with their ailing father.

The storyline and plotting for this film are annoyingly introverted and the hapless Aidan seems to stumble his way through the film in an almost slapstick manner which is conveniently wound-up nicely at the end. A small almost cameo appearance is made by Jim Parsons (from CBS television's The Big Bang Theory) who also plays a struggling actor trying to secure a break in the acting industry. Wait for the DVD or Blu-Ray edition for this film.

Sydney Film Festival 2014 - Film Review - Fell

Matt Nable in a still - Fell

Over the past twenty years Australian films have achieved a hard earned reputation for excellent production values but often with dark, depressing storylines and exceptional, emotionally damaged main characters - mostly seeking redemption or closure. Fell, the debut feature film for Australian director Kasimir Burgess falls within this genre. The storyline follows Thomas, (Matt Nable) whose young daughter, Lara is killed by a logging truck in a hit-and-run accident while the two of them are camping in a forest. The driver of the truck, Chris (Dan Henshall) is sent to prison but the grief stricken Thomas quietly sheds his urban life and moves to the remote town near where Lara was killed. Re-establishing himself with a new identity he moves to an isolated ruined cabin in the forest and finds work for the same logging company that employed Chris. When Chris is released from prison and returns to logging, Thomas connives to be his partner in high tree-logging work seemingly bent on revenge.

This is a film with strong atmospherics centred around the forest with minimal dialogue between the characters. The actors are well cast, centred on the two main male characters however there is excessive images of Thomas' brooding face and forest scenery. While the slow moving tension is built through the plot, it eventuates into nothing leaving the audience with an unresolved inconclusive result.

Sydney Film Festival 2014 - Film Review - Boyhood

(L to R) Ellar Coltrane, Ethan Hawke, Lorelei Linklater

Boyhood has been described by reviewers as a "groundbreaking cinematic experience" and ".. a singular film that will be watched and admired for years to come..". Precisely why someone, having seen it screened once would revisit it again is something of a mystery. Director Richard Linklater shot this film in small parts over a ten period to depict the 12 years in the life of an American family. He used the same cast members for the roles of the children (Ellar Coltrane and Lorelei Linklater) and their parents (Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette) to ensure authenticity given the passage of time. The intention is to faithfully depict the joys, sadnesses, mistakes and changing relationships for a family and to share those experiences with the audience.

The character of Mason is so annoying and opaque in the film that the old Victorian adage of 'children should be seen and not heard' would not be out of place. As the central character of the film, he is no more lovable at the beginning than at the end in the final scenes. Patricia Arquette's character drifts between relationships while the character portrayed by Ethan Hawke moves from an unstable day-to-day existence to one of more certainty. The only consistency in the film is the absolute dedication of the parents to their children. Boyhood is more of an experiment in film-making technique and method, beyond which it does not merit further attention.

Sydney Film Festival 2014 - Film Review - The Tale of Princess Kaguya

Princess Kaguya with her attendants

The Tale of Princess Kaguya is an exquisite animation mixing simple watercolour and coal drawings with soft hues, delicate lines, and minimalist storybook imagery. The masterpiece of 78-year-old Isao Takahata, co-founder of the renowned Studio Ghibli, this film once again demonstrates the supremacy of Japanese animation in this art form and fable-telling, often overlooked due to the populist anime genre. The story is based on the 10th Century folklore story 'The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter' and follows the life of a mysterious golden princess discovered as a baby by a woodcutter within a random bamboo shoot. Kaguya, as she is named, revels in the natural beauty of the world around her in the isolated wood where she is raised by the woodcutter and his wife. The woodcutter is again gifted by the bamboo with an abundance of gold and fine silks which he interprets as being a sign of Kaguya's 'divine royalty'. With this wealth her adoptive parents proceed to transform her into a princess and provide the life for which they feel she is destined. Many suitors including the Emperor himself try to win Kaguya's hand but she is interested in none of them, thinking only of her childhood sweetheart back in the woods.

Princess Kaguya's time on Earth is limited and in her despondency she sings to the Moon and thus summons the celestial host of which she is a part realising only too late that her attachment to Earth and her adoptive parents is strong. Alas on the fifteenth night of the lunar month, the celestial delegation descends from the Moon to collect her. The Tale of Princess Kaguya has a moral lesson which transcends time, culture and society and is effectively portrayed in a emotionally evocative animation.

Sydney Film Festival 2014 - Film Review - In Order of Disappearance

Shoot-out at the snowplow shed - In Order of Disappearance

Scandinavian films, particularly from Norway, Sweden and Denmark often use satire, irony and unpredictable extreme violence to great effect in dark humoured storylines leaving audiences unsure as to whether to laugh or be shocked. Thus it is with In Order of Disappearance from Director Hans Petter Moland, a film which moves a fast pace with drastic results. The storyline follows Nils, (Stellan Skarsgard) who runs a snowplough through the mountain roads of Norway in Winter and his quest to avenge the murder of his son by drug dealers. Nils uncovers the trail of his son's murderers leading to the vegan drug-gangster 'The Count' and along the way various members of the Count's gang are dispatched by Nils by different creative methods with the advantage of heavy machinery and beginners luck. Unaware of Nil's quest, The Count assumes the other local crime group run by the Serbian mafia are responsible and a turf war breaks out between the two groups until it becomes obvious that another party is involved. Bruno Ganz is 'Papa', head of the Serbian mafia, Pål Sverre Hagen is hilarious as 'The Count' and together with Nils form the three protagonists in the plot. A film for those who appreciate Norwegian humour.

Sydney Film Festival 2014 - Film Review - Begin Again - Keira Knightly

Keira Knightly (guitar) Mark Ruffalo (headphones) Begin Again

As far as a feel good, light, fluffy film, Begin Again falls within that category of story and genre. Is it a music drama film or a music comedy film ? At various times it could be either or neither. Or perhaps it's just meant to showcase Keira Knightly's ability as a singer with an acoustic guitar. Screenwriter and director John Carney has provided the perfect 'lost souls find direction with each other' theme with this story: Gretta (Knightly) has flown to New York with her songwriting partner and boyfriend Dave (Adam Levine) when a major label offers him a contract. Soon after he abandons her for the trappings of fame and a friend convinces Gretta to do a live performance in a small down market music bar. Enter disgraced record executive Dan (Ruffalo) who, down on his luck, happens to chance upon her in the bar and is captivated by her musical ability.  With his music industry contacts, Dan manages to record a demo album with Gretta in the open air which embraces New York's sounds and environment. The two of them rediscover their direction through the experience. If nothing else this film demonstrates that Keira Knightly has quite a lovely melodic singing voice.

Sydney Film Festival 2014 - Film Review - Snowpiercer

The front of train and engine compartment in Snowpiercer

Snowpiercer is a Sci Fi film with a strong social critique built into its theme whilst maintaining a high level of violence which often characterises South Korean films. Director Bong Joon-Ho (who also directed the monster movie The Host) has delivered a visually impacting film with an experienced cast including Tilda Swinton, John Hurt, Chris Evans, Jamie Bell, Ed Harris, Octavia Spencer and Song Kang-Ho. The storyline concerns the last refuge of humanity following an experiment to halt global warming which plunges the world  into a new ice age. The sole survivors on Earth are crammed into a giant multi-level train known as Snowpiercer which perpetually circumnavigates the globe with the poor located in the back of the train while the wealthy live in splendour in the front compartments and carriages. After many years the poor stage a rebellion to take control of the train and share the resources.  As they battle their way forward through various compartments, there are a number of quirky images and social observations which come to light (a carriage with a night club with stoned patrons, while another has a sushi bar are some of the sights).

The film is in multi language format, mainly English but with Korean, Japanese and French using English subtitles. The use of high end CGI is impressive and with extensive sets and a large cast, the film has high production values. It is a quirky film with a mix of images that seem reminiscent of Mad Max, The Road, Soylent Green, and various other end-of-world films and books. This is a film which is more of an acquired taste rather than an immediate winner.