Archipelago **** written and directed by Joanna Hogg
BFI London Film Festival: General Release (Curzon) expected April 2011
Part of Joanna Hogg's movie grammar was clearer after watching her second film Archipelago on Friday evening:
** she determines the conversation but allows the actors to ad-lib
** she prefers nature's noises than a soundtrack
** she dwells on the neuroses of upper middle class families
** her shots dwell over long to draw you into each frame
** she draws you in to the unrequited sexual tension(s) of the characters
Archipelago is set in the Scilly Isles which are tightly knit islands (and quite small) where time has stood still. A family goes back to a favourite cottage to spend some time in late Autumn when the weather is wet and windy to congregate to say goodbye to its eldest son (aged 28) who is going overseas for a late gap year.
She is working on her third film which she said would be very different. It could be the making of her.