MAY DECEMBER (FILM)

Screenplay by Samy Burch

Directed by Todd Haynes

In cinemas from February 1

 

Reviewed by Len Power 22 January 2024

 

For those who know the popular Joseph Losey 1971 film, “The Go-Between”, that film’s arresting theme music, composed by Michel Legrand and adapted for this film by Marcelo Zarvos, plays over the main title of the new film “May December”.  It signals a similarity between the themes of both films as they look back at illicit relationships from which psychological damage may remain to this day.

“May December” concerns a couple who had a notorious affair many years ago. She was 34 and jailed for having an affair with a legally underage teenage student. Still together, the couple now seem to live a normal and unexceptional married life with their children. A television actress, who will be playing the woman in a movie about the affair, spends time with the couple to research her role.

A frequent performer in past Todd Haynes films, Julianne Moore plays Gracie, the older married woman, and the actress, Elizabeth, is played by Natalie Portman. Both give highly detailed portraits of these complex women.  At first welcomed by Gracie, the relationship between the two women subtly changes as the movie progresses.

Julianne Moore and Charles Melton

The husband, Joe, well-played by Charles Melton, seems settled and happy in his relationship with Gracie but the questioning by the actress seems to awaken issues long buried in the past.

As in his 2002 film, “Far From Heaven”, a modern day homage to the films of Douglas Sirk, the director, Todd Haynes, has made another compelling, complex film about human relationships that are outside the norm.  As much a comment on the world’s thirst for scandal, our desire for knowledge about these people is voyeuristic. The ending of the film is reminiscent of Ingmar Bergman’s study of two women, “Persona”.

Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore

This is a fine film with particularly strong performances from Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman.  Todd Haynes impresses with his tightly disciplined direction and subtle indications that, despite appearances, all may not be well under the surface of relationships.

 

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.

ON COURSE - QL2 DANCE

 

Choreography by Cassidy Thomson,

Christopher Wade, Leyla Boz,

Liam Berg, Magnus Meagher

Mia Canton, Rory Warne

and Ruby Ballantyne

Artistic Director: Ruth Osborne

QL2 Theatre, Gorman Arts Centre, Braddon to 17 December

 

 

“On Course” is the annual welcoming back of QL2 alumni and friends from full-time study at universities around Australia to choreograph, collaborate and perform new short works.

This year, seven works were on offer. Four live performances were developed, rehearsed and polished over the past two weeks and there were 3 films from alumni in Melbourne who were unable to present a live performance.

The program commenced with the three films. “We Live This Very Ephemeral Life” by choreographer and performer, Cassidy Thomson, focussed on fleeting moments that can stay with you for the rest of your life. “Warped Reality”, danced and choreographed by Mia Canton and Leyla Boz, looked at the physical manipulation of reality. “Run Point” by choreographer, Magnus Meagher, was an exploration of overcoming obstacles and working together as a team.

Mia Canton and Leyla Boz in the film "Warped Reality"

While all three films had merit, “Warped Reality” was particularly successful in its sharp film editing, use of location, choice of music and appealing choreography.

The live performances commenced with Christopher Wade’s “The Space Between” which explored how the world is perceived by an introverted person. Five dancers, including Wade, performed his vision and it was notable for the clear depiction of his theme. Finely detailed group movements, a sense of threat and a feeling of optimism in a perceptive final speech, made this an effective and enjoyable work.

“Diary Of A Teenage 23 Year Old”, choreographed and danced by Ruby Ballantyne, was a very personal work that displayed the mind of an over thinker with too many thoughts and voices for her to keep up with. Her energetic dancing with a nicely displayed nervous energy, clearly showed the state of mind of this person. It was danced with skill and humour, also showing Ballantyne’s strong and charismatic acting ability.

Ruby Ballantyne

Liam Berg’s “Therapy” followed and explored the realms of therapeutic actions that bring joy to the performer. Danced by Christopher Wade and Berg himself, this was a clever and enjoyable work with clearly defined therapeutic themes, fine dancing by Wade and Berg and a humorous ending that worked well.

Christopher Wade and Liam Berg

The final work was “Held In Flesh” by Rory Warne. His work focussed on the body as an archive – a living tapestry of intertwined lineages. Six dancers performed this demanding abstract work with skill. There were especially fine groupings and fluid movements in his choreography that clearly conveyed his theme to the audience.

This year’s “On Course” was an effective and enjoyable showcase for these QL2 alumni. They were nicely assisted by the skilled dancing of their works by senior members of the QL2 dancers.

Photos by O&J Wikner Photography 

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.

 

CHRISTMAS CLASSICS (CONCERT)

Luminescence Chamber Singers and guests

Luminescence Children’s Choir

Samuel Giddy, organ

Valdas Cameron, percussion

Directed by Roland Peelman

Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest 15 December

 

Reviewed by Len Power

 

It was a time-travelling evening of Christmas music from Medieval carols to classic Yuletide songs and traditional Nativity hymns.

Directed by Roland Peelman, the combined forces of Luminescence Chamber Singers and guest artists, the Luminescence Children’s Choir, organist, Samuel Giddy and Valdas Cameron on percussion made this a memorable evening of familiar and not so well-known Christmas music.

The concert commenced dramatically with the Chamber Singers as they entered singing down the aisle of the church, led by Roland Peelman and Valdas Cameron on drums, while Samuel Giddy provided deep resonant tones on the organ. In the gallery above and behind the audience, the Children’s Choir added their voices, producing a sound that galvanised the audience immediately.

Luminescence Children's Choir

They had begun with a 14^th century anonymous Spanish song, “Stella Splendens”. It was followed by another song from the same era “Qui creavit celum – Song Of the Nuns Of Chester”, a quietly haunting work beautifully sung, and “Eya Jhesus Hodie” with a 15^th century text and music composed in the musical idioms of the 14^th century by David Yardley in 2020. Another rousing 14^th century song followed, the Bavarian “Verbum Patris humanatur”. It was given a fine performance by the choirs.

The large program of songs included a 16^th century work by William Byrd, “Lulla Lullaby”, an arrangement by Ruth McCall of two melodies for “Away In A Manger”, “In The Bleak Midwinter” by Harold Darke from 1911 and “Gabriella’s Song” by Stefan Nilsson from 2004, amongst others.

Roland Peelman and the Luminescence Chamber Singers and guests

Samuel Giddy’s organ performance of “Swiss Carol” by Louis-Claude Daquin from the 18^th century was one of the highlights of the concert.

Other highlights included “The Song Of the Birds”, a traditional Catalan song arranged by Roland Peelman, which was hauntingly sung, and the uplifting “Gabriella’s Song” was sung with great feeling by soprano, Rachel Mink.

Rachel Mink

The concert concluded with the classic carols, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Silent Night”. The audience was invited to sing with the choirs and the result was an intense feeling of community as the huge sound filled the church, bringing this often spectacular and enjoyable evening of Christmas music to a close.

 

Photos by Peter Hislop

This review was first published by Canberra CityNews digital edition on 16 December 2023.

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs and published in his blog 'Just Power Writing' at https://justpowerwriting.blogspot.com/.