Swifting away, just by acting
I sometimes just want to watch a movie that carries me away. That releases emotions that do not really fit into the moment, but just burst out. Like laughter when seeing something sad. Like tears when laughter.
I like this moments of sublime experience. Feeling close with the depts of your own self. I must grant it to the directors and actors who accomplish this. They are the true masterpiece brought together in one single whole we call a movie.
One of the first movies that brought me into this state of mind was “Festen”. A Danish award winning movie about the celebration (aka Festen) of the father’s 60th birthday. The family is gathered and then everything goes horribly wrong. The acting was just fantastic. The words were at the precise moment and it all collapsed and florished at exactly the right moment. Just brilliant!
Since then, many movies passed, some mentionable, others just eager to be forgotten. But once in a while, one stands out. One shoulds out to be seen, remembered and seen again. “Secrets and Lies” is one of those movies. Winner of the festival of Cannes in 1996, it’s just so fantastic, so well brought and told, it couldn’t have been something else. It tells all about family intrigue, lies and secrets that should never be told or never pop up. The acting is just stunning. Brenda Blethyn is such a great actress, it goes beyond words.
I’m glad I’ve seen it. It was a complete breath of fresh air. Subtle, funny and quite touching. Made me laugh when things looked sad. Made me sad when it went better. Sublime!
