Aftersun (Wells, 2022) is only $2.99 at AroVision
AroVision, the video-on-demand version of Wellington’s venerable video store, is celebrating their second anniversary this week and for another couple of days they have some recent releases at the low-low-low rental price of $2.99.
My selection is the wondrous Aftersun, Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio as father and daughter on holiday in the Mediterranean, shadows over them both.
I reviewed Aftersun for RNZ At the Movies and said this:
The way the film expresses time – as non-linear – everything hazily accessible all at once is so beautifully handled. It’s not metaphysical but it is mesmerising. The storytelling requires our understanding that time’s passed – and is passing – but it doesn’t rely on simple techniques like flashbacks or voiceover. We just travel with it, we are carried.
Shot on grainy 35mm by Gregory Oke, whose previous work, like editor Blair McClendon, I am unfamiliar with, is beautiful. The Turkish heat, the water, the skin tones – all beautiful. I haven’t felt like this about a film since Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight blew me away six or seven years ago.
I usually steer clear of “this film will destroy you” hyperbole but … this film will affect you, no question. It’s worth it.
My RNZ colleague Simon Morris interviewed writer-director Charlotte Wells here. It’s great.
Periodically, I will remind you that digital rental is an absolutely worthwhile option when the Netflix buffet – and all the bacteria that a buffet brings with it – doesn’t serve you. And, if you are going to rent, choose a local supplier first.
There’s a startup cost in terms of time but AroVision has all the apps and you can play their content anywhere.
Meanwhile …
I added some more speakers to the home setup this week and we are now 7.1.4 Atmos compatible. Cinemas are still winning in the couch v theatrical contest but it’s getting closer all the time.
