I'm sure we'll be hearing a lot more from the writer, director
team of the Tsoulis sisters, born in Greece and raised in
Adelaide. From its very opening sequences with its beaty
independent music soundtrack, this is a hip little film with dash
and flair and a lot of positive feminine energy. Obviously made
to entertain, it still has a lot of soul and plenty to say.
Although it was made in New Zealand, it was written with support
from the SA Film Corporation by Anne Tsoulis mainly from her
observations of life in Melbourne's St Kilda, so it feels local
and relevant.
Siggy is a working-girl who shares her flat with an agoraphobic,
Lester. She cares for him though she draws the line at bringing
him the milk he craves. At work her pathetic pimp says he loves
her but she fends him off and continues with the unsatisfying and
degrading employment that she's so good at. There is a close
friendship between all the women though, and when a chance comes
their way to rip off the boss they all pitch in.
The lead roles are so well-performed that this low budget film
rises high above expectations. Jodie Rimmer dominates the screen
with a vivacious presence far from any stereotype. Her character,
Siggy, is a powerful model of modern young womanhood, sexy,
intelligent and streetwise. Carl Bland also stars as the
fear-gripped Lester who doesn't open his mail and hasn't left the
flat for months though he longs to go to Tibet. He looks like a
loser but Siggy's energy and love easily extends to his
character.
They are surrounded and well-supported by better-known actors
like Michael Hurst, Rena Owen and Lucy Lawless who have small
parts in this warm community of normal misfits. Careful costuming
is used beautifully to establish the characters and it's all
well-captured by cinematographer, Ruwe Harre.
It's a light and often hilarious story about unexpected events
changing lives and bringing happiness. Edgy, modern and
heartwarming it's neat and anarchic with lots of surprises and
good social content and comment. Independently distributed,
you'll have to catch it while you can.
