Film DVD Reviews www.list.co.uk/film Kids
Kids www.list.co.uk/kids
has been compared to Goodfellas; it’s a comparison that does the film few favours. Extras include making of documentary. (Tony McKibbin)
DRAMA/SATIRE HEROSTRATUS (15) 142min (BFI Blu-ray & DVD retail) ●●●●●
Don Levy’s criminally overlooked 1967 media satire predates Sidney Lumet’s thematically comparable Network by ten years. When subversive young poet Max (Michael Gothard) hires an advertising company to turn his planned suicide (by jumping) into a spectator sport things soon get out of control and the poet’s bid for celebrity status is soon revealed. Playing off a vague
assimilation of the Faustian legend and satirising the inherent capitalism that was behind Swinging London, Don Levy’s little seen film is a wonderful rediscovery. Haunting and odd and reminiscent in parts of the work of Ken Russell (aside from the fact that Gothard had already been in Russell’s The Devils) and visually of Donald Cammell and Nic Roeg’s work together, Herostratus is ripe for rediscovery. This two-disc set includes a
THRILLER NO 3 (15) 108min (Third Window DVD retail) ●●●●●
In one scene in this Korean gangster movie we’re introduced to a character called Ashtray, aptly named for the way he will open up someone’s head with this clearly hazardous object. Whether it is the fishhook in the vagina in The Isle, the live octopus eating in Old Boy, or the general mayhem in Sympathy for Mr Vengeance, Korean cinema has certainly put itself on the cinematic map with a splat.
The central character Tae-Ju (Han Suk-kyu) wants to make it big, and with a show of violence he’s managed to work his way up to number three in the gangster hierarchy but wants pole position. The chief problem is that gangster number one is none other than the man who wields the ashtray. Other nuisances are of a more benign nature: his partner wants him to forego the violent life, and fancies herself as a poet (perplexingly writers Rimbaud and Woolf are also thrown into the mix). This 1997 film, available here for the first time, is one of shifting registers that
No 3
number of Levy’s short films, a 1973 interview with Levy discussing Herostratus (the only known recording) and an illustrated booklet with newly commissioned contributions and original documentation. (Paul Dale) DOCUMENTARY THE SORROW AND THE PITY (E) 249min (Arrow DVD retail) ●●●●●
Sometimes it takes an outsider to uncover the secrets and lies at the heart of any community. Frankfurt-born filmmaker Marcel Orphuls did exactly that to the people of Clermont-Ferrand in this, his 1969 documentary. Originally made for French television, The Sorrow and the Pity chronicles the Nazi occupation of France from 1940–1944, using propagandist newsreels, rare footage and interviews with French Resistance fighters and former German officers as well as government officials, war veterans and ordinary citizens. Focusing in particular on the occupation of the small French industrial city, Orphuls unblinkingly returns to issues of anti- Semitism and xenophobia prevalent in French society at the time. Arguably the daddy of the epic documentary form, Orphuls’ long Academy Award-winning trawl through one community’s shame deserves a place in anyone’s collection, lest any of us forget. This is the film that inspired Claude Lanzmann to make his seminal Holocaust documentary Shoah and Errol Morris to work in the way he does. Pay some respect. Extras include an interview with Orphuls. (Paul Dale)
Events are listed by city, then type. Submit listings at least 14 days before publication to suzanne@list.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Suzanne Black. Glasgow Activities and Fun FREE A Mouse Took a Stroll . . . Until Mon 1 Feb 2010, 10am–6.30pm; Fri & Mon 10am–7pm; Sat/Sun 11am–5pm. Cranhill Beacon, 200 Bellrock Street, 276 1591. Come along and meet a sly fox, a wise owl and a clever wee mouse. But there’s someone else, with claws and teeth and a big appetite . . . who does he have his eye on? Suitable for young children and families. Doctor Who: Cult Comics Sat 22 & Sun 23 Aug, 11am–noon. Free with exhibition ticket: £7.50 (£4.50). Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. Draw your own sci-fi comic with an exciting adventure for your own characters. Ages 8+. Doctor Who: Fantasy vs Reality Sat 22 & Sun 23 Aug, 11am–4pm. Free with exhibition ticket: £7.50 (£4.50). Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. Armour and weapons always look great on the TV, but how do they compare to the real thing? Suitable for families. Doctor Who: Reality vs Imagination Sat 22 & Sun 23 Aug, 11am–4pm. Free with exhibition ticket: £7.50 (£4.50). Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. TV monsters aren’t quite as alien as you think. Drop in and see some insects close up for an idea of where the inspiration for some of the scariest ones comes from. Doctor Who: Sci-fi Scarves Sat 22 & Sun 23 Aug, 11am–4pm. Free with exhibition ticket: £7.50 (£4.50). Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. Drop in to learn some basic knitting skills and contribute to the large scarf project. Ages 6+. Doctor Who: Time Travel Tour Sat 22 & Sun 23 Aug, noon. Free with exhibition ticket: £7.50 (£4.50). Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. You can time- travel with the best of them at the Kelvingrove: visit the Ancient Egyptians, the dinosaurs and all sorts on this 30 minute tour. Suitable for all ages. Doctor Who: Cult Craft Sat 22 & Sun 23 Aug, 2–4pm. Free with exhibition ticket: £7.50 (£4.50). Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9508. Learn sewing techniques while making an amazing anti-fear appliqué cushion. Daleks will never be a problem again. Ages 10+. Book in advance. Doctor Who: Stars and Planets Tour Sat 22 & Sun 23 Aug, 3pm. Free with exhibition ticket: £7.50 (£4.50). Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. A fun and informative jaunt through space to find out how the solar system works. All ages. Latte and Paint Tue 25 Aug, 11am. £4. Tapa Coffeehouse, 721 Pollokshaws Road, 554 9981. Painting activities led by Busy Bees Craft Studio. FREE Toddler Time Fri 21 Aug, 11.30am–noon. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. Bring the wee ones along for a morning of songs, stories and fun. FREE Weekend Mechanics Alive! Activities Sat 22 Aug, 11am–1pm. Scotland Street School Museum, Museum of Education, 225 Scotland Street, 287 0500. Fun, hands-on activities related to the fascinating Mechanics Alive exhibition. Suitable for children aged 5+. FREE Saturday Art Club Sat 22 Aug, 10.30am–1pm. Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Exchange Square, 287 3050. Art activities run by a different art educator each week relating to the art on display with drawing, collage, sculpture-making and games. Parents can get stuck in too. Ages 3–12.
FREE Back to the Drawing Board Sun 23 Aug, 2–3.30pm. Museum of Transport, Kelvin Hall, 1 Bunhouse Road, 287 2651. Drop into the museum and have fun at this creative workshop where you can sketch some of the objects on display. FREE West of Scotland Highland Cattle Club Show Sat 22 Aug, 10am–12.30pm. Pollok Country Park, Pollokshaws Road. See the prettiest beasts in the west of Scotland as they enjoy their moment in the spotlight. The judging starts at 10.30am (approx) in the Bothy Field. See www.glasgow.gov.uk FREE Burrell for Families Sat 22 Aug, 2pm. Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 287 2564. Experience Glasgow’s wildlife, inside and out. Books FREE Linda Tennant Sat 22 Aug, noon. Borders Books, Fort Retail Park, 390 Provan Walk, 773 2910. Linda Tennant introduces the world to Polly & Meril & the Wicked Spell. Ages 4–8. FREE Bob Stewart Sat 22 Aug, 2pm. Borders Books, Fort Retail Park, 390 Provan Walk, 773 2910. The Devil’s Creature in the City of the Dead is Bob Stewart’s newest book for teenagers. Meet the author and hear all about it.
Outside the cities Activities and Fun FREE Pierrots, Puppets & Pictures Until Sat 17 Oct (not Sun), 10am. North Ayrshire Museum, Manse Street, Saltcoats, 01294 274059. An exhibition exploring travelling shows of cinema, puppet and variety theatre featuring the work of Harry Kemp and John Blundall. FREE Baby Bee Until Thu 27 Aug (not Mon), 10am–5pm; Sun 2–5pm. Paisley Museum & Art Gallery, High Street, Paisley, 0141 889 3151. Aimed at pre- school babies and children, Baby Bee is a delightful interactive exhibition experience that tells the story of a little bee and her adventures on her journey home. Music, storytelling and natural history exhibits combine to keep little ones mesmerised. Mugdock Superdog 2009 Sun 23 Aug, 2–4pm. £1. Mugdock Country Park Visitor Centre, Craigend Visitor Centre, Craigallian Road, Nr Milngavie, 0141 956 6100. All shapes and sizes of pooch are welcome to have a go at the agility course, but beginners only please! In aid of Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre. FREE Sunday Craft Session Sun 23 Aug, 2pm & 4pm. National Museum of Rural Life, Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, 0131 247 4377. Get crafty and make something to take home. FREE Den Building Wed 26 Aug, 1–3pm. Mabie Forest Car Park, Mabie Forest, Dumfries, 01387 860247. Learn how to make a shelter out of the natural environment with help from the rangers. Ages 8+. Children must be accompanied.
Theatre & Dance Potato Needs a Bath Sat 22 Aug, 2.30pm. £4.50 (£3.50; family ticket £12). Carnegie Hall, East Port, Dunfermline, 01383 602302. A gentle and original show aimed at 2–4 year olds all about potato, who’s got mud on his face and needs a bath. From award-winning company Shona Reppe Puppets. Storytelling FREE Rhymetime at Bridge of Allan Library Fri 21 Aug, 10.30–11am. Bridge of Allan Library, Fountain Road, Bridge of Allan, 01786 833 680. Stories and rhymes for little ones of 0–2 years. Wednesday Parent and Toddler Session Wed 26 Aug, 1pm. FREE with admission: £5.50 (£4.50; under 12s free). National Museum of Rural Life, Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, 0131 247 4377. Song time, story time or craft time for the young ‘uns – drop in and find out which session is on, or phone 0131 247 4369.
20–27 Aug 2009 THE LIST 33