As if the opening night’s brilliant and harrowing documentary “A brilliant genocide” (Alex Theatre), with more tears flowing than champagne, was not already enough reality checking.
Last night, the Melbourne Underground Film Festival welcomed opinion, heated debate shaking people awake. The two contentious documentaries that followed at Fad Gallery remind us that at the edge of our seats when we don’t see well, hear well, yet we know something’s not quite right, taking off our rose tinted glasses is uncomfortable.
The first film “Red Pill” (USA- 2016) is a validation for the Men’s Rights (or people’s rights!) movement because men don’t have power either; fathers lack paternity rights, men suffering from violence with no place to go that will support them, incredibly high suicide rates, funding for breast cancer versus prostate cancer and so on.
The film “Vaxxed” (USA- 2016) showed how the US government department- CDC responsible for protecting the health of American citizens, allegedly destroyed data in a 2004 study showing the link between the MMR vaccine- (Measles Mumps Rubella) and autism.
The stories of people were absolutely terrifying; their sincerity, heart wrenching. Perhaps it’s preferable when tired after a hard day to take a “Blue Pill”, sinking into the couch for entertainment and escapism, than to sit up uncomfortably after taking the “Red Pill”, considering the way we see things may be challenged or even wrong.
I’m sure there will be a few films worthy of a few laughs or a more comfortable sitting before closing night, this Friday the 3rd November. I may go and see “Urine Aid” at Fad Gallery tonight (this one may not be a laughing matter), or the uncomfortably hilarious “On the Rocks” this Thursday…
My motto is: “Take what you need, leave the rest and pondering is free”… Don’t miss out and support this unique Melbourne grown film festival. For the full program and more details check out www.muff.com.au
