Rosemary Blight Movies
- 2008
The inimitable Julien Temple (The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle, The Rolling Stones: Live at the Max) headlines this unusual, offbeat documentary portrait of an eccentric Australian icon. Arthur Stace endured a grueling bout with alcoholism, and then - upon attaining sobriety - spent 40 years of his life inscribing the word "eternity" on the streets of Sydney. With The Eternity Man, Temple tells his strange life story. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- 2007
Filmmaker Michael Davie explores the transformative power of music in this documentary concerning an incarcerated South African felon who's hardened façade slowly begins to soften after he joins the prison choir. Jabulani Shabangu is an inmate at Leeuwkop Prison - South Africa's largest penitentiary. Though the angry Shabangu preferred isolation during his early days at Leeuwkop, his outlook seemed to change once he began singing in the prison choir. Organized by kindly former bank robber Coleman Mgododlo, the choir provides the prisoners with a confidence-boosting sense of brotherhood that helps them to endure the hard times behind bars while preparing to venture back into the outside world. As the annual inner-prison choir competition draws near, Shabangu and the rest of the singers at Leeuwkop prepare to sing their hearts out and make Mgododlo proud. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
An already-unstable household becomes a virtual battle zone when the son of a risqué comedienne and a has-been singer finds mom meddling in his love life in director Cherie Nowlan's dysfunctional romantic comedy. Twenty-one-year-old Tim Dwight (Khan Chittenden) comes from a peculiar family; his mother, Jean (Brenda Blethyn), is a bawdy stage comic renowned for her scatological sense of humor and his father, John (Frankie J. Holden), is a faded country-music star who now works as a low-rent security guard. While dad is busy trying to revive his flat-lined career, mom spends most of her time doting on Tim and his developmentally disabled brother, Mark (Richard Wilson). Upon meeting the beautiful Jill (Emma Booth), Tim believes his may have finally found the woman of his dreams. Unfortunately in Jean's eyes there is only room for one woman in Tim's life, and that woman is his mother. As Tim's relationship with Jill grows increasingly serious, the stage is set for a battle royal between the woman who once gave him life and the prospective mother of his future children. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brenda Blethyn, Khan Chittenden, (more)
- 1999
Fresh Air, which focuses on ordinary moments of everyday life, is an original hybrid of urban comedy and kitchen-sink drama. It is also a realistic depiction of relationships among lovers, friends, and family in the multi-cultural environment of a big city. The protagonists are three thirty-something housemates with artistic aspirations. They have no career, no children, and no substantial income, but they enjoy life. The question is: for how long? Jack is a third-rate filmmaker who has just lost his job, but he does not care because he never enjoyed it anyway. He dreams of being a hero: a fireman, a football player, or perhaps a guitarist in a rock band. He loves racing through town on his motorcycle. On the other hand, his girlfriend Kit is a conscientious pedestrian and an enthusiastic user of public transport. Kit plays the accordion and works part-time in an Asian deli to pay for her painting. Jack and Kit share their house with Kit's best friend E., a part-time student and musician without a job or a band. Director Neil Mansfield, who took six years to write the film, takes a humorous yet sympathetic approach to the dreams, doubts, and pleasures of the so-called Generation X. The use of jump cuts, photographs, and film fragments gives the film the structure of a collage. Fresh Air had its world premiere at the 1999 International Film Festival in Rotterdam. ~ Gönül Dönmez-Colin, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nadine Garner, Bridie Carter, (more)
James Bogle directed this Australian psychological thriller adapted (by Bogle and Peter Rasmussen) from the novel by Tim Winton. Living on their farm for 30 years, Maurice (Ray Barrett) and Ida Stubbs (Brenda Blethyn) have never recovered from the loss of their child, smothered by a cat. Elsewhere in the valley are pregnant, spaced-out Ronnie (Miranda Otto), abandoned by her lover, and lonely misfit Laurie (Richard Roxburgh), a fan of Jim Reeves recordings. Fear brings these four together when an unknown predator starts slaughtering local livestock. Shown at the Sydney Film Festival (Opening Night). ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brenda Blethyn, Ray Barrett, (more)
- 1995
This Australian film, created in anticipation of a papal visit, pays tribute to Sister Mary MacKillop, the nun who co-founded the then controversial Sisters of St. Joseph an order dedicated to teaching children of many faiths in the mid-nineteenth century. Her story is told through a combination of commentary and vignette. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
