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August - 'Red Joan'

25/8/2019

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Our movie for discussion this month was “Red Joan”.

Everyone enjoyed the film, although some did not think it was worth a second viewing.  It is loosely based on the life of Melita Norwood, a Cold War Spy.  It was originally a book by Jennie Rooney who took Melita Norwood’s life story and turned it into a spy novel of the Cold War.  A statement made by Norwood that she hoped her actions would help "Russia to keep abreast of Britain, America and Germany" was slightly reflected at the end of the film, although perhaps not quite the same intent.  Addressing the media Joan Stanley said that her actions had been influenced by the Hiroshima nuclear bomb and her desire to keep the major countries equal and so help keep peace in the world.  This is perhaps the closest the film comes the real life of Melita Norwood.

The film was more about the people than being a spy film which made it more enjoyable than had been expected.  The story hung together well with perhaps one exception where at the end Joan’s son, who had previously rejected his mother, suddenly came out in her support.  The performances by the key characters were solid, with Judi Dench performing strongly in her role as the older Joan Stanley.  We were left wanting to know more of the story as to how Joan came back to England as the story (not the real life Melita) had her migrating to Australia with her husband.

We went on to discuss the issue around seeing films either based on real life or on books.  It was generally agreed that seeing a film when knowing the real story can detract from enjoyment as there is always a tendency to compare the film with previous knowledge.

Our film for discussion at the 11 September August class is a Late Night, (with Emma Thompson,) which screens at BPACC between 16 to 23 August.
​
Joy Shirley
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    About our Film Discussion Group

    Do you enjoy watching films?  Do you find discussing films adds to your enjoyment?   Do you find that you can better understand a movie by hearing and sharing thoughts about the film?  We certainly do.  At our Film Discussion  classes we discuss a film we have watched during the month. In 2023:
    • We will select a film screening at BPACC
    • Participants will attend the film at a time that works with their individual commitments
    • We will meet in the Library on the 2nd Wednesday at 2 pm to discuss the film
    If a participant cannot attend a specific film, they can come along to learn about the film, or add to the discussion by talking about another film they have seen.

    BPACC sell books of ten tickets for $100.00 (Meaning the films only cost $10 each) or I will have individual tickets available for $10 from a book prepurchased.  ​

    Convenor 

    Picture
    Joy Shirley 0417065351​

    Meeting times

    2nd Wednesday
    2 pm to 3.30 pm
    Benalla Library 

    Guide

    The things we will watch for in viewing the film include:

    Did you enjoy the film?  What in particular did you like?
    Was there anything that you did not like?
    What did you think about the cinematography?
    What did you think of the performances?  Any strong performances that stand out? Any weak performances that spoilt the film?
    Overall rating out of 5.

    Films over time:

    All
    A Call To Spy
    'Buckley's Chance'
    COVID 19 Virus
    Cruella
    'Death On The Nile'
    'Downton Abbey - A New Era'
    'Dream Horse'
    'Falling For Figaro'
    'From The Vine'
    'Good Luck To You
    'House Of Gucci'
    June Again
    'King Richard'
    Leo Grande'
    'Marry Me'
    'Mothering Sunday'
    'No Time To Die'
    'Off The Rails'
    'Operation Mincemeat'
    Penguin Bloom
    'Please Murder Me'
    'Rams'
    'Six Minutes To Midnight'
    'Spencer'
    'The Dry'
    'The Duke'
    'The Father'
    'The Last Duel'
    'The Railway Children'
    'Ticket To Paradise'
    'To Olivia'
    'Where The Crawdads Sing'

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We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay our respects to their elders - past, present and emerging.
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