(2010) 88 min Rated M Dir: Yu-Hsiu Camille Chen
Cast: Nicola Bartlett, James Hagan, Nina Deasley, Melanie Munt, Arielle Gray
In the midst of an Australian summer, we meet three sisters. Nina is widowed with two young children. Anna is an aspiring actress unhappily married to a filmmaker. Christine is a med student who is yet to fully come to terms with her sexuality. When their mother Susan’s breast cancer returns, the family is faced with choices and the reality of their last Christmas together. Our lives are the sum of our decisions and there is always a determining event along the journey.
Little Sparrows is 100 per cent Western Australian made and won the Outstanding Drama at the 24th WA Screen Awards, the 2010 DigiSPAA SPAArtan Award for Best Digital Feature Film and has screened at numerous film festivals around the world.
Did you get emotionally involved with all the characters?
How did you feel about the way Susan's husband dealt with the situation?
8 comments:
An asposite and thoughtful choice for Seniors On Screen. I was particularly taken by the style and shape of the film; the naturalistic lighting, limited camera positioning, readily identifiable dialogue and the character centric story presentation. There was an oriental touch in the cut away sequences focusing on nature providing symbolism but also a chance to reflect on the story so far. Well done all associated with the film particularly the director for a singular vision.
Graeme
A touching and realistic story showing how family dynamics can affect each individual differently.Beautifully filmed.Such wonderful local talent.Congratulations.
Cheryl
I could not take this film seriously. It was an expose of close up facial expressions and the long silences which are so common in Australian films just added to the boredom. None of the characters interested me in the least. There has been so many excellent films made around death and dying and this film maker did not encapsulate anything like the depth needed to tackle such a serious subject.
A good representation of a family coping with the impending death of a loved one whilst dealing with their own demons. I liked the way the mother was portrayed as being quietly strong during her illness and still so supportive of her "Little Sparrows". Excellent cast, stellar performances.
Freo Leo
Parts of the film moved me, whilst other aspects seemed lacking and at times annoying. The close ups initially drew me in but then when used so repeatedly interfered with the flow and depth of the film. The portrayal of Susan's husband felt shadowlike, there but not there somehow.Though the film left me somewhat thrown, overall I'm still glad to have experienced Little Sparrows. Love to hear more comments from others.
As a mother I found the film vey moving and the dialog between mother and daughters powerful and touching. The filming showed poetic virtuosity,
and is a credit to the wonderful cast with their very natural acting style and the film director who seems particularly gifted. It is great to discover we have such wonderful local talent.
Julie
A mixed reaction, The local venues and the very natural acting of the daughters and the recognition of familiar local settings were excellent. The story which in its subject matter evoked sympathy in actual fact lacked cohesion. I even drifted off to sleep for a brief moment. I am a woman, so not saying this because of my sex. All the men and particularly the poor old husband were mere cutouts and their lives of no consequence. The crazy getting of the sparrows tattoo supposedly of "great significance" struck me as emotional grandstanding.
Some fine technical points but not a film I's see a second time or recommend to a friend.
While the title was a bit of a mystery to me I found it interesting that the film chose to focus on the dying woman as still such a strong, pivotal character in her family - the one that each of the daughters turned to for support and wise guidance in the ups and downs of their own lives. A very positive, intimate and uplifting film. I also applaud the acting of all the performers.
Maggie
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