The Ghost Writer, camping, and Film Weekly
by Toby Woollaston
Just got back from Melbourne. Had a fantastic time. Saw The Ghost Writer on the plane ride back. I had completely forgotten that it was a Roman Polanski film, so it was good to see the film objectively without it being coloured with this knowledge. I found it an entertaining film, a page turner of a movie if I can borrow the literary term.
Now I’m off camping for a week so I’ve armed my iPad with a few films, namely A Prophet by Jacques Audiard, a film I’ve been meaning to see for a while. Will report all when I get back.
In the meantime Film Weekly has their latest podcast up. You can listen to it here. This week Jason Solomons talks to James D’Arcy on his role as King Edward VIII in Madonna’s directorial debut W.E., while artist/film-maker John Akomfrah stops by to discuss his latest project The Nine Muses, a docu-essay on the immigrant experience.
tobywoollaston.com 
I really enjoyed this film, the simplicity of its style and the strange plot resolution. It had a muted, intense feel to it that I haven’t encountered in any other film. I’d like to see more of Polanski’s films (and less of his name in print for all the wrong reasons!).
Muted! I was rummaging around my mind for a word to describe Ewan McGregor’s performance. He was wonderfully muted which curiously served the film well. Thanks Shalome!