Animal Farm
Based on the George Orwell novella of the same name, this story about farm animals revolting against their human owner, running him off his land and home, the animals establish order, only to be overthrown by a dictator who makes their lives near impossible. The famouse line 'All
animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others' starts off as a rule (the first part) that the animals live by but as the pigs start to take over the farm, moving into the farmhouse, dressing in human clothes, the latter part is added. The freedom the animals hoped for decends into a chaos, with executions, banishments and the sad death of Boxer. Unlike the novella, the film has a slightly brighter end, I'm guessing this is due to the fact animation was seen as something for children to watch BUT the animated film although brilliant, its violent and grim. Maybe not something for the children to watch.
Dark River
Based on the novel 'Trespass' by Rose Tremain, sheep shearer Alice returns to the farm where she grew up after her father dies. She was told that she would inherit his tenancy but ends up in a legal battle with her brother who also stands to inherit. Having not seen each other in years, the siblings find it difficult to live with each other, with secrets from the past, the reason why Alice left years before and the relationship they had with their father clouding over any future the have. Its depressing to watch, a slow build up to the grim ending, plus the 'secret' why she left? Well, that revealed in the first 15 minutes and hangs over the rest of the film like a dead sheep.
God's Own Country
Continuing the British farm films, ending on a positive note too, God's Own Country is a beautifully made film. Johnny lives day to day working on his family's farm and getting drunk in the local pub and engaging in rough casual sex. As the farm needs extra help during lambing season, Johnny's dad hires Gheorghe, a Romanian migrant worker. Johnny is at first hostile towards Gheorghe but eventually two become intimate. Having not experienced a loving relationship before, Gheorghe shows Johnny how to be tender, breaking down his emotional barriers. A brilliantly written love story that doesn't feel run of the mill.
