The Australian Dream (15)
Directed by Daniel Gordon
★★★★

WITH the world rising up in the wake of the heinous murder of George Floyd comes this film calling out racism in Australia, explored through the inspirational and extraordinary story of former professional Australian rules footballer Adam Goodes.

A dual Brownlow Medallist and named Australian of the Year in 2014, Goodes — an indigenous player — describes the relentless racial abuse and negative press he received after refusing to put up with the racist boos and slurs he experienced at matches, which eventually made him walk away from the sport he loved.

“He in the minds of some had committed the great sin of the black man who complains,” states one of the many indigenous players, journalists and family interviewed in Daniel Gordon’s moving and eye-opening documentary.

Examining race, identity and belonging, it questions the celebration of Australia Day, which marks the birth of a nation built on the massacre of its native indigenous population.

An awe-inspiring and heartbreaking film

Released digitally on June 12.

Artemis Fowl (PG)
Directed by Kenneth Branagh
★★★

FILM-MAKER and thespian extraordinaire Kenneth Branagh brings the magical world of young criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl to the screen in this colourful and action-packed — but not so faithful — adaptation of Eoin Colfer’s beloved work.

The Irish author has described the Artemis Fowl series of eight books as “Die Hard with fairies” but this origin story, set in Ireland, is more Men in Black with a sprinkling of Harry Potter thrown in.

In it, newcomer Ferdia Shaw is 12-year-old Fowl, who is forced to hunt down a secret society of fairies to help him find his missing father (Colin Farrell).

He captures Holly Short (Lara McDonnell), a fierce member of the fairy special forces, and embarks on a battle of wits with her boss Commander Root (Dame Judi Dench, channelling a gruff David Bowie in a gender-reversing role) as he encounters other magical creatures.

An engaging Shaw imbues Fowl with the smarts, inquisitiveness and cunning of a young criminal prodigy and that carries the film, while the delightful Josh Gad provides the light relief as a giant dwarf with height issues who looks like a cross between Jason Momoa and Hagrid.

This could be the beginning of another money-making franchise for Disney. Only time will tell but if it encourages kids to read the books, then all the better.

Available on Disney+ from June 12.

Citizens of the World
Directed by Gianni Di Gregorio
★★★★

THREE sprightly pensioners hatch a plan to leave Rome and move abroad to make their pensions stretch further in this heart-warming comedy about migrants and growing old.

Over seven days, former Latin teacher the Professor, played by co-writer and director Gianni Di Gregorio, Giorgetto (Giorgio Colangeli) who barely makes ends meet and free-spirited hippie Attilio (the late Ennio Fantastichini), who yearns to recapture his youth, discuss pooling their funds and researching their hare-brained scheme.

In an absurd yet hilarious scene, they visit a former economist to advise them on where best to go. And they also befriend Abu, a young immigrant, who knows the real price of living the (Italian) dream.

Against the backdrop of a sun-drenched Rome, Gregorio serves up a delightful slice of life with three lovable characters played superbly by a trio who seem like they have been friends for years.

You can’t help wanting to see what happens to these guys next.

Available on Curzon Home Cinema from June 12.

Banana Split (15)
Directed by Benjamin Kasulke
★★★★

THIS charming coming-of-age teen comedy with a fresh twist features Hannah Marks, who co-wrote the script, as April.

Having dated Nick (Dylan Sprouse) for two years she has broken up with him and has struck up an unlikely friendship with his new and stunning girlfriend Clara (Liana Liberato).

Meanwhile Clara and Nick’s best friend Ben (Luke Spencer) are caught up in the subterfuge to hilarious effect as the girls go to increasing lengths to hide their growing friendship from Nick in this modern take on the love triangle.

With a witty and smart script brought to life by delightful performances all round, could Marks be the next Greta Gerwig?

Watch this space.

Available on demand.

You Don’t Nomi (18)
Directed by Jeffrey McHale
★★★

IS PAUL VERHOEVEN’S salacious Showgirls a cult masterpiece or a masterpiece of crap?

That’s the question explored in Jeffrey McHale’s new documentary by a chorus of film critics and avid fans who dissect the biggest film flop of 1995 which won seven Razzies for worst film the following year.

Including archive film interviews with some of Showgirls’ cast and crew, it’s a hugely entertaining analysis about a film that’s so bad it isn’t good.

It probably won’t change any minds. It’s still misogynistic and with racial undertones — all the black characters seem to exist to enable Nomi (Elizabeth Berkley) to achieve her dream — and in the end doesn’t quite live up to its clever title.

Available on demand from June 12.

Virus Tropical (15)
Directed by Santiago Caicedo
★★★

THIS is a gentle and haunting middle-class coming of age tale set in Ecuador and Colombia around the time of drug scene in the 1980s and 1990s.

It is a black-and-white animated adaptation of the autobiographical graphic novel by Power Paola, aka Paola Gaviria.

It tells the story of Paola (Martina Toro and Maria Cecilia Sanchez), the youngest of three sisters born to a psychic mother (Alejandra Borrero) and a former priest (Diego Leon Hoyos), who soon leaves his family to return to Medellin.

Hilda (Borrero) is forced to bring up her girls single-handedly and so decides to move to Cali in Colombia where Paola is bullied at school due to her Ecuadorian accent and demeanour.

The film alternates from Hilda to Paola’s point of view, until Hilda leaves her daughters to go back to Ecuador, never to be seen again. The drama then focuses on Paola, who is being looked after by her middle sister Patty.

Co-written by Gaviria, this is a quiet reflection on life, sexual awakening and growing up in a turbulent time. Although nothing dramatic happens, the film somehow still holds the attention, though much more could have been said about the girls’ father, an errant priest.

If it wasn’t for the striking visuals, this would be much ado about nothing.

Available on demand.