Jaffaroll

"The Trust Fall" is a documentary written and directed by Kym Straton chronicling the 'trials' of Julian Assange from his time at Melbourne Uni to his present incarceration at Belmarsh Prison, London. It is presented as he fights extradition to USA for publishing classified information embarrassing to the US government about various episodes in the overseas wars of the US Empire. In particular there is a confronting helicopter video, called Collateral Murder, showing the slaughter of innocent civilians and photographers in Iraq.

There is discussion of the role of the press and numerous interviews of supporters and observers including the late John Pilger, Daniel Ellsberg and Tariq Ali. Much is made from the US side that he is not a "journalist", I think hair splitting. I would consider Journalism within his job description and while there may be a mix of drives within us, I think he did feel this stuff should be "out". The documentary is about and for Assange -and this must be taken into account. Reading 'around' there are some contrary views. However noting the strong support from Daniel Ellsberg, who I have tremendous respect for and ditto others like Tariq Ali, I came away with more sympathy for the subject and feel he is being badly treated. Whatever you decide, he has been punished enough! Julian's wife is eloquent and passionate. The various leaders of the involved major countries do not look that good in this.

As a doco it is a bit long and too venerating, particularly at the end where it soars away. I expected Julian to change water into wine. But the film is interesting, informative and topical. A lot of good work has gone into it. See it! Make up your own mind. Come November the freedom of the Press may be even more important.

'Priscilla', based on the book "Elvis &Me", tells the story of Priscilla Beaulieu, from when she was a 14-year-old schoolgirl (?1959), with her stepfather and mother in Germany till her breakup with Elvis (?1972). She is played by Cailee Spaeny, (25) who looks much younger and does a wonderful job. She is very believable as a winsome starstruck young teenager swept off her feet by the rockstar. You feel for her. A credit to the actress and the director is the subtle transformation from naive youngster to a slightly more worldly wise, battle scarred young wife. Cailee should be in contention for the awards scrum. Jacob Elordi too was impressive as Elvis. The King does come across as a bit weird but maybe was in love with her in an odd way, "a doll to keep at home?" Oh, those boys from the S'arth.

After this had been going for a while, I started to feel uncomfortable with the spectre of an older man (24), preying on a schoolgirl of 14. Why am I paying to watch this? But then I thought of the bleak, Russian dramas, which I cannot miss. Maybe I don't expect a "Hollywood" movie to be slow, discomforting, and subtle. - Ahh - how refreshing - Subtlety - after sitting through Holdover and Poor Things.

Music ok, sad there was no Elvis, apparently licence problem. Sofia Coppola has again made an interesting movie. She has resisted caricature and extravagance and there is some European slow pace and restraint. Maybe some signs of a woman at the helm. I thought worth seeing.