GOD'S CROOKED LINES/ LOS RENGIONES TORCIDOS DE DIOS

Spain, 2022, 154 minutes, Colour.

Barbara Lennie, Eduard Fernandez, Loretto Mauleon, Javier Beltran, Pablo Derqui

Directed by Oriol Paolo.

Based on a celebrated 1979 novel, this is a very complex psychological drama. It is a lengthy film. And it won several awards.

The focus is on Alicia, played by Barbara Lennie, who enters an institution, with a story about her being legally abducted by her husband who is after her money. In her interviews with various doctors, she explains that she received advice from a mysterious character, was able to get documentation so that she should enter the institution.

A great deal of attention is given to the staff of the institution, the variety of doctors, but also the patients, the sex offender called the Gnome, a mysterious set of twins, one outgoing, the other not.

But, it emerges that Alicia has promised to investigate the death of the son of a doctor, his dying in the institution.

Audiences need to pay attention to what is happening to Alicia as well as her explanations of her background, her marital situation and the money, the contact advising her, the doctor who son has died in the institution.

There is a second timeline involving a fire in the institution and some consequent deaths.

Ultimately, with meetings with panel of doctors, Alicia admits the truth about her cover, being in the institution, her investigations. The panel agrees that she is sane and can leave.

However, after she leaves, her sense of freedom, she is in a room and the person who comes in is the man she initially encountered who gave her the advice.

The audience is left with the mystery of Alicia’s identity, her plan, her mental state, the consequences.

The Wikipedia entry is very, very detailed.

John Walker MSC, accompllshed photographer

Our website is indebted to John over many years for his photos for our posts.

Peter Hendriks sent out an item in his update:

As we know, John is an accomplished photographer. What we didn’t realise was the international standing he has. I have sought his permission to include this:

For many years, I have belonged to an online photography group called Gurushots (based in Israel).  Thousands of subscribers, and we compete in regular challenges.  I have almost achieved the pinnacle (Guru), and all I now need is to win a challenge, but with sometimes 30,000 competitors, it is a challenge … but I get close!  Recently I competed in a challenge called ’The Art of Photography’.  I entered four of my images.  Whilst I was in the upper echelon, I did not win.  However, I received a notification that one of my images will be displayed at an exhibition in Berlin next month. 

In 2012 I was winding up my sabbatical and visited one of my favourite places in Paris, the Palais de Chaillot, which overlooks the Trocadero and Eiffel Tower.  Two staircases lead from the Trocadero up to the terrace of the Palais.  I was ascending one staircase when I noticed a young family ascending the other, and I snapped the attached and this is to be exhibited. 

And Hong Kong.

Superior General, Abzalon, visiting the Pacific Province, Wallis and Futuna, Samoa, Kiribati

14th February, 2023, From Robati MSC

The MSC Superior General Fr Abzalon Alvarado Tovar MSC visited various part of the Province and took the opportunity to experience the vast blue ocean countries in the Pacific, the people and their unique cultures. It is a tradition for every Superior General to take a trip to visit different communities where MSCs are working. He also has a chance to listen and empowering the Laity who are members of the Chevalier Family. 

MSC Lay Associates, Wallis

He spent one week in Wallis, one week in Samoa and currently in Kiribati for one week. He was welcomed by their unique welcome ceremonies. He will return monday next week and celebrate the Final Vows of three MSC Brothers. 

Wallis

Fr Abzalon is from Guatemala, South America. He was elected as Superior General in September 2017. 

Samoa

From Abzalon's homily

We are called to move to a model where authority and leadership is SERVICE. Not privilege. Where pastors or formators are not bosses but servants who accompany processes.

Samoa

To move to a process of deep and generative listening.

Fr Martin Everi MSC

Resolving tensions is the pope's favourite subject.   Without tensions there is no life.

"Tensions make us grow" - Do not treat tensions as a conflict.  Tensions in themselves are not conflict. It is the human way of proceeding. The resolution of tensions has to be creative. Without cancelling out the poles in tension. The clerical solution is to transform tensions into conflict.   Distinguish when I have to resolve tension and it is not conflict.

St Joseph's parish, Kiribati

Chevalier Institute, Kensington, 2023 Brochure

For two decades, Chevalier Institute has been offering Heart Spirituality, especially for MSC colleges. You will find the story of the Institute in the present brochure written by Bob Irwin MSC, Provincial at the time of the foundation.

Also in the brochure and introduction by Chris McPhee MSC, a page on Why Personal Spiritual Education by Mark McGinnity, Director of MSC Education, and on the back cover artist Amy Smart’s reflection, The Heart’s Journey, on the cover photo.

Inside the brochure a wide range of offerings for seminars, workshops, retreats.

Site address:  www.chevalierinstitute.org.au

Facebook: www.facebook.com/chevalierinst.australia

Director:  Anne McAtomney

From Indonesia to Blackburn and the Siloam program.

Yohanes

We welcome to our community this year Petrus Suroto msc, long time Chaplain to the Indonesian Community in Sydney and Yohanes (John) Purwanta MSC, formator over many years for our students in the Seminary in Indonesia who are both participants in the full time Siloam program at Heart of Life. Petrus is living in Naughton House, John in Cuskelly House.

Petrus

Provincial Council’s week-long meeting

Peter Hendriks’ update.

On Monday evening, Chris McPhee led a reflection session with the Councillors and Directors. Each person shared openly where they find peace in their lives.

On Tuesday, Chris McDermott facilitated a day on Heart Spirituality. He shared part of his journey of appreciating and deepening his sense of MSC charism, leading him more to the heart of Jesus and his own heart

The Directors spoke to all present regarding their area of ministry, and much discussion followed

Mark McGinnity – MSC Education & Joan Fernando – Business Manager

Meta Jackman – Professional Standards and Safe Guarding.

Catherine Molihan – Province Care and Assisted Living

Clare Shearman – Heart of Life

Thursday was the Provincial Council meeting. In the afternoon, Kenji spoke to us about the planning of the Provincial Chapter.

On Thursday morning, we attended a mass at Chevalier College to celebrate the opening of the school year, the induction of the new School Principal, Greg Miller, and acknowledge the high achievers of 2022.

Chris McPhee inducts and blesses Greg Miller as the new Principal.

Stephen Hackett: Stephen at the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania assembly

A DAY TO DIE

US, 2022, 93 minutes, Colour.

Kevin Dillon, Bruce Willis, Frank Grillo, Gianni Capaldi, Leon, Brooke Butler.

Directed by Wes Miller.

While Bruce Willis features in the credits, the star of the film is Kevin Dillon with constant co-star with Willis, Frank Grillo, in support, as well as character actor, Leon.

The film opens with a riot in the school, children, the authorities coming in, shooting. Officer, Connor Connolly (Kevin Dillon) is implicated. He also becomes involved in another case, another shooting, but this time the pursuit of a drug dealer. The drug dealing boss pursues Connolly, demanding that he return the amount of money that was lost because of the shooting.

This means that the main action of the film is Connolly trying to raise the money, a seemingly impossible deadline, the money and millions of dollars, the collaboration of his associate Bruce Mason (Frank Grillo), dealings with the drug dealer himself, as well as the taking of Connolly’s pregnant wife as hostage.

Connolly spends a lot of time in a car, making contacts, trying to raise the money, concerned about his wife, her being harassed by her captors.

The money is to get the money by robbing another dealer and supplying the finance as reparation and to get the release of Connolly’s wife.

In the background is Bruce Willis, police official – and, as in a number of his other films, finally revealed to be corrupt.

The kind of drama that appeals to audiences for tense police thrillers.

MANHATTAN NOCTURNE

Best, 2016, 113 minutes, Colour.

Adrien Brody, Yvonne Strahovski, Campbell Scott, Jennifer Beals, Steven Berkoff, Linda Lavin.

Directed by Brian DeCubellis.

Audiences enjoying investigative thrillers and they should enjoy this one. It is a murder mystery, not being investigated by the police but by a columnist in a newspaper. It is a mysterious disappearance of a filmmaker, rather ruthless in his filmmaking, taking advantage of all kinds of bizarre situations.

The columnist, played by Adrien Brody, is commissioned by the wife of the man who has disappeared, Yvonne Strahoski, to be something of a private eye. As might be expected, especially with some alienation from his wife, Jennifer Beals, and family, he allows himself to be seduced – later regretting that the seduction had only been a means to an end of his continuing to investigate.

The film has the eerie atmosphere of film noir, the work of the private eye in detail, his relationship with the femme fatale, the flashbacks to the memory of the murdered man, played by Campbell Scott, and the complications of involvement by the editor of the paper, unusual casting with Steven Berkoff. It also involves an elderly lady who was carer for the dead man’s father in an institution, Linda Lavin.

The unravelling of the mystery comes through various files of film – and the dead man’s bequest that the elderly lady send a film each month to his father. And, all is revealed.

A 21^st-century film noir.

1. The title and tone? The focus of New York City, at night, the darkness, melancholic?
2. The visualising of New York City, overview, buildings, streets, business offices, homes, warehouses? The night? The musical score?
3. The tradition of the noir thriller? In this vein? The voice-over, the writer and his being the equivalent of the private eye? Becoming involved in the case, the femme fatale, the mystery, murder, sinister background, lies and betrayals?
4. The character of Porter Wren, his voice-over, the introduction, the lady with her child, the background story, his column for the papers, the write-up and photos? His job under threat? Having to meet deadlines? Going to the party, the encounter with Caroline and the attraction, discussion? His being summoned by Hobbs, Hobbes and his gross manner, autocratic, threats and demands? Porter going home, his relationship with Lisa, love for the children, domestic life, her being an active surgeon, his later comments about marrying, having children, age and prospect of death?
5. The party, Caroline, beauty, her dress, seductive, talking, persuading Porter to be interested in her husband? Going to the apartment, Porter and his reactions, the articles condemning Simon and his idiosyncrasies? Porter going home, next day at the office, the phone number, resisting, calling, the meetings with Caroline, her charm, the discussions, going back to the apartment, the sexual encounter, the consequences?
6. Porter and the injunction from Hobbs, to find the missing video? The secrecy, its being sent regularly to Hobbs, his blaming Caroline? The thug’s following Porter, the threats to family, entering the house and shooting, the injuries to his children, going to hospital? Lisa and her taking the children to her family?
7. The phone call to Hobbs, Porter’s defiance, Hobbes being even more defiant and threatening, the 24 hours? Discussing the videos with Caroline, the collection, his going through them, the revelations about Simon Crowley, the bizarre video of the marriage proposal, so quickly, her acceptance, her needs, the background of her abusive stepfather, the story of the horse (and later hearing it, the abuse, the birthday gift, the stepfather shooting horse)? Crowley and his film career, his treatment of Caroline, love, demanding the questions before she could enter the apartment…?
8. Porter, his being bashed by the thugs? His continuing the search, going to see Crowley’s father, finding the camera in his room? Meeting Mrs Segal? Tracking her down, frightening her in the apartment, the discussions, the explanations of the video being sent to Hobbs? Her last copy? His watching it, the revelation about Hobbs, the physical mutilation, his relationship with Caroline?
9. Meeting Hobbs, admitting that he had seen the video, talking with Hobbs?
10. The mystery of Simon Crowley’s deaths, the demolished building, the photos? His previous visits, the mystery of the key? Going to the site, getting inside, the digging, the shards of jade? The elevator, tracking down the camera, the security?
11. The camera recording the meeting with Caroline, Simon torturing her, wanting to hear the story of the horse, her refusal, his changing her, smashing the wealthy jade gift from Hobbs? The revelation of the death, the piece of jade, Caroline stabbing her husband, then recovering the key, freedom?
12. The final meeting with Caroline, Porter and his talk about life and death, her lies, his regrets?
13. Resuming his life, the separation from Caroline – his driving past to see her?
14. An effective neo-noir?

FORTRESS: SNIPER'S EYE

US, 2022, 87 minutes, Colour.

Jesse Metcalfe, Bruce Willis, Chad Michael Murray, Kelly Grayson, Ser' Darius Blain, Natali Yura, Michael Sirow, Gabrielle Haugh, Welker White, Natalie Burn.

Directed by Josh Sternfeld.

This sequel takes up a month after the original. Audiences interested in following the events of the siege at the fortress, the confrontation with the archvillain, Bruce Willis as the former CIA agent, his son, Paul, and Kate, the assistant at the Fortress, will be eager.

Audiences are reminded with a flashback how Robert, Bruce Willis, promised to free the wife of the Arch-villain from a Russian prison and this is how this film opens. She is welcomed back to the centre as it is being dismantled by the government. Also visiting is Kate’s mother and younger sister, unaware of what really happened. Also at hand is Ed, Michael Sirow, the arch-combat hero.

Then, there is a surprise to discover that the villain is not dead, shot but wearing protective vest and returning to seek revenge. In another flashback to Paul and Kate’s escape in the first film, there is discovery that henchman, Ulysses, is not dead either.

Which means then that the peaceful atmosphere at the Fortress, with Robert, having been wounded in Russia, recuperating, is interrupted by new invasion, the same kind of confrontation, the villain at the computer to make sure that he has recovered his money, attempts at escape, the holding of Kate and her mother as hostages, but the intruders not realising that there is also the younger daughter who is able to combine with Ed as well as rescue Paul when he has been overcome.

Verbal confrontations between the villain and Robert, memories of betrayal, seeking of revenge, the wife who had informed her husband that he could invade but who promised that there would be no deaths, turns against her husband. Plenty of opportunity for Paul, Ed, Kate, to have arm to arm combat.

One presumes that the villain is dead at the end of this sequel – and not to be resuscitated for a third film.

1. Audience enjoyment of the original film, the characters, situations, money, IT, American government underground centres? Confrontations and fights? The same for this film?
2. The screenplay presupposing the original film, the references, the flashbacks to Robert’s promise to the villain to save his wife from Russia, the flashbacks to Paul and Kate escaping from Ulysses? Their deaths?
3. The Fortress, the grounds, the plant, being dismantled, the packing up?
4. Kate’s mother, Zoe, arrival, mother and daughter reunited, Zoe rather surly? Ed picking them up, the meal?
5. The wife, freed from Russia, grateful to Robert, his being wounded, recuperation and recovery, her being welcomed by the group?
6. The invasion by her husband, the surprise that he is not dead, his henchmen, working the computers and recovering the money, confrontation with Paul, his escape through the duct, Zoe escaping, his being knocked out, her helping him?’ Ed’s girlfriend being shot?
7. Kate, the thug, the sexual advance, confrontation, his being shot?
8. Ed and Zoe, the vehicle, the attack? Kate and her mother escaping the building?
9. Robert, the confrontation with the villain, Paul, the villain’s wife and her turning on him?
10. The final confrontation, death, the family reunited?

THE MAN WITH THE ANSWERS

Greece, Cyprus, Italy, 2022, 80 minutes, Colour.

Vasilis Magouliotis, Anton Weil, Stella Fyrogeni.

Directed Stelios Kammitsis.

This is a brief road film, opening in Greece, the ferry to Italy, the car journey up the east coast of Italy, through the mountains, to Bavaria.

The film spends its opening time with a sketch of the central character, Victoras, young man, revealed as a former diving champion, living alone, very keen on exercise, travelling, running, gymnastics, working with upholstery repair on a temporary basis, visiting his grandmother in hospital and her death. He is alienated from his mother who lives in Bavaria, with her German partner and new young son.

The grandson pays for his grandmother’s funeral, decides to pawn his diving medals, to go for a trip to meet his mother, using her old abandoned car. At the ferry, he is approached by Mathias, a German, whom he sees stealing a sandwich from the bar. They talk, Victoras resistant, denying that his travelling by car, only to find that Mathias knew that not to be true.

Eventually, Victoras relents and drives Mathias, still somewhat resistant, urged not to travel on the autostrada but to explore side roads, eventually turning up to an elaborate wedding celebration where Mathias was expected, persuading Victorias to join the dancing, the drinking, and an aftermath with his hangover. As they drive, Mathias asks Victoras questions about his life, Mathias speeding, pulled up, found that his license is valid, then relying on Mathias to drive.

On a bye-road, they pull up and have a swim in the lake. Some suggestions in this episode that the theme of the film is gay. When Mathias shoplifts crisps, Victoras is angry, ousts Mathias, leaving him at the bus stop, but later relating returning, eventually finding him. They stay the night at a hotel, lying together on the bed.

The couple eventually drive to Victoras’ mother’s house, where there is a birthday party for her son Patrick, Victoras angry, but his mother welcoming him. And he meets his younger brother in. Family has a huge dog and in his angry departure, Victoras injures the dog, leading to a reconciliation.

Some of the mountain scenery is breathtaking, especially the highway snaking up the side of a mountain.

And the film leaves there for the audience to speculate on the future and the relationship between the two men.

1. The title, Mathias and his questions, his answers? The effect on Victoras?
2. A road film, from Greece, the ferry, the Italian coast and mountains, Bavaria? The musical score?
3. Victoras, his character, age, diving, medals, exercise, the trampoline, running, gymnastics? Living alone? Visiting his grandmother, flowers, her death? Organising the funeral, the funeral ceremony? The phone calls, his alienation from his mother? Her leaving, erratic, going to Germany, her partner, her new son, Patrick?
4. Victoras, testing the gold metals, pawning them, his mother’s car, the decision to visit her, going to the ferry, seeing Mathias take the sandwich, the later encounter, his accusing Mathias of shoplifting? Denying he was in a car? Mathias knowing, meeting him, persuading him to let him come with him? Not on the autostrada, the side roads?
5. The two men, suspicions, gradually talking, Mathias questioning Victoras about his life? The byways, the lake and the swim? The marriage ceremony, dancing and drinking, the aftermath, dropping the young woman at her village?
6. The speeding, the police, Mathias and the translation, the license not valid, Mathias offering to drive?
7. The garage, Mathias stealing the crisps, Victoras upset, throwing them out, stranding Mathias, going back, later finding him, the hotel, the night together, on the bed? Mathias in the car, the momentary fear that he had taken it, coming back with breakfast?
8. Continuing to Bavaria, the mountain scenery, the autostrada up the side of the mountain?
9. Victoras finding his mother, the party, Helga, Patrick, Victoras angry but it changing with meeting his mother, her welcoming him, explanations? Abruptly leaving, hitting the large dog, going to the that? Returning, reconciliation, the meal?
10. And the future for the two men?