Hunt Angels (2006)

This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Thoroughly engrossing and astonishing in both content and style, HUNT ANGELS tells the amazing story of 30s/40s Australian newsreel style feature director Rupert Kathner and his shyster production methods. Really a valentine to the sideshow level production antics of this shadowy film pioneer whose personal vision of elevating Australian street stories to feature films by cobbling together bumpy produced / poached scenes involving a vast array of unsuitable actors is both hilarious and fascinating. By scheming his way into anyone's confidences he was able to raise (and runaway with) production money that eventually paid his way through some terrible and bewildering entertaining films: mainly THE PYJAMA GIRL MYSTERY and THE GLENROWAN AFFAIR. Presented in the docu-drama style of Australian classics NEWSFRONT and the exquisite ETERNITY, this is a charming and visually enthralling b/w drama plays like one of Kathner's own Ed Wood style features. If it is at a Film Festival near you or seen on a DVD shelf, place HUNT ANGELS atop your must see delights for 2007.

Hunt Angels opens in a really thrilling and imaginative way and continues with the same audacity, wit and visual cleverness throughout. Its about the attempts of two emerging filmmakers to well, make films. Lack of finances, state censorship and cultural cringe all create obstacles for the intrepid duo, as do their own inner psychological flaws. Great drama or romance? Not quite, more like a lively humorous and real life farce. And a fantastic insight into Australian cultural history, or lack of. Although set in the 30's and 40's in Australia the film shows how really nothing much has changed, with Australian artists facing the same issues now, of trying to tell independent local stories in the face of globalisation (read Americanisation) of culture. Its actually enlivening though, rather than depressing, and confirms and affirms your own creative aspirations. Only one shortcoming; in classic Australian masculinist style, the abandoned wife is completely silent, and the woman partner's lips seem bigger than Angelina's!

For anyone who's passionate about films and film making. This is creative storytelling at its best. The compositing of dramatic actors with archive, blended with the memorable film epics of Rupe, takes this into new realm. It's a difficult line to tread, between authentic history and creative licence. Director/writer Alec Morgan tiptoes along that line without a net, and he does it fearlessly. Ben Mendelsohn is great in the lead. No surprises there. This is a fitting tribute to one of film history's unsung heroes. There's a street named after Rupe Kathner in Canberra. He was a footnote, not elevated to the status of legends by Morgan and co. In fact,,this is a better story and film than that other celebrated legend Ed Wood. By the closing credits I just wanted to get out and get involved. Let's make a movie!

I throughly enjoyed this very clever documentary drama about an (in)famous Australian filmmaker who never let minor things such as funding stand in his way. It is told with humor and heart and the visual effects are very clever and most effective. In fact the visual design is the film's most interesting feature. The use of old black and white photographs in a two dimensional format for the actor's to immerse themselves in does wonders in creating the world our two heroes exist in. Once again the wonderful producer Sue Maslin has found herself a great project which is challenging and interesting , and Alec Morgan's obvious love of the material stands the whole thing in great stead. Rupert Kathner is Australia's Ed Wood but with a more ample dose of the rogue about him. Congratulations!