Hi Leanne here. One of the nicest things about writing a regular newsletter (during COVID in particular) has been the resulting community conversations and feedback via email that have also then carried over to new in-person conversations and neighbourhood meetings whenever we’re back to face-to-face interactions.

Even though we can’t all catch up in person all the time it has been so lovely to get to know new people and start building local connections in different ways.

Patrizia and her mum come to mind. They’ve been enthusiastic about our (sporadic) exploration of things to watch on telly … and recently (end of lockdown 4 I think it was) after an online conversation about the Kanopy app, Patrizia provided her own list of recommended movies 🍿 for me to share with you all.

If you haven’t downloaded it yet, Kanopy is an app you can access with your library card. You download it in the App Store (or via the library website) and enter your Darebin or Yarra library card number. And then you can watch 10 movies a month for free. There are really great international/world cinema movies on there. And lots of quirky arthouse type films, along with documentaries … Kanopy pitches itself as ‘thoughtful entertainment’.

Anyway, here’s what Patrizia wrote …

(And perfect timing for lockdown 5 hey?)

…. I haven’t watched many movies on Kanopy either but I have watched a few that I enjoyed. They have plenty of great movies. Here are some that we liked...

Their Finest

Romance/War

When the British ministry plans to release propaganda films during a war, Catrin is hired as a scriptwriter. She along with the film's crew makes a film.

With Gemma Arterton and Bill Nighy.

A United Kingdom

(An incredible true story) Romance/Drama

On the eve of his return from his studies in London to Bechuanaland where he is to become king, Prince Seretse Khama falls in love and marries Ruth Williams, a white woman from south London. Bringing Ruth home causes a major international outcry.

Rosamund Pike and David Oyelowo

Sophie and the Rising Sun

Drama/Romance

Sophie, a young woman from small-town South Carolina, falls in love with a Japanese gardener in 1941. A wave of misguided patriotism and prejudice sweeps their community after Pearl Harbor, leaving Sophie with no choice but to risk her life for love.

Julianne Nicholson and Takashi Yamaguchi

Perfect Strangers

Mum said this Italian movie was good …

During a dinner party, seven friends decide to play a dangerous game. The attendees place their cellphones on the table and agree to make all texts and calls public in an attempt to prove that they have nothing to hide.

Facing Windows

Another good Italian MovieRomance/Drama

An unhappily married woman (Giovanna Mezzogiorno) befriends an old man (Massimo Girotti) and spies on a handsome neighbuor (Raoul Bova). A haunting film on memory, love and loss.