Brisbane International Film Festival 2019 kicked it off with Judy & Punch as the opening film, and whilst I had no previous knowledge of the reference to a puppet display, I was in for a real treat. This film kicked off the festival and to be honest I had no idea of what was to come as I sat in my seat. Sure, I understood that this was a period piece and that it was an Australian film but to be honest I didn’t know much more to the film than that.
First and foremost, the cleverly arranged title hints at the twist in the tale. By placing Judy in front of Punch, as compared to the original ‘Punch & Judy’, we start to get a glimpse into the story behind the title. To put it simply, Judy & Punch is a beautiful portrayed and haunting fairytale about a woman seeking vengeance. Set in the 17th century, this story addresses issues around the justice system, ostracisation of individuals deemed to be associated with witchcraft and domestic violence. This film is hands-down powerful. As I watched this film, I kept thinking to myself: “This film is amazing”.
When it comes to film, the art of pulling in a viewer from the opening shots to the closing is quite a talent. In this case Mirrah Foulkes has done just that, pulling me in from the opening scene and not letting go until the End Credits rolling with archival footage of the very puppet show named in the title. Why I was thinking that this film was amazing was because of the experience an audience member gets from this cinematic display, and not to mention the score of the film. To start with, we enter a 17th century town by a young hooded individual going through the area, going past punch-ups and brothels, and eventually making their way to the theatre where the famous Punch and Judy puppet show is displayed for the commoners.
Through the eyes of this mysterious figure, we see the world in which Judy and Punch live in, and the kinds of people they cater to with their puppet show. At first, what starts off with light pushing and shoving from puppet Punch, slowly turns into a more violent display as the audience become more engrossed in the show. There is constant bashing of Judy and this is reflected in real life also, when at one point in the film Punch lets loose with his temper.
The interesting aspect about this film is that it is very hard to talk about without giving away the plotline. It is perhaps best seen without knowing what you are in for, and letting the beautiful scoring, the acting and the direction of the film take you along on it’s journey. With Mia Wasikowska’s superb acting, it’s hard not to be immersed in her story every step of the way. Every sound from the film, especially the way the instrumentation is arranged and the way the scoring echoes the movements of the frame, indicates to me a composer with a lot of talent and experience on their hands and this can be credited to François Tétaz.
Not to mention Punch himself, played by Damon Herriman in such a way that makes you detest the very ground he stands on (which is props to the actor as he seems like a very likeable fellow outside his role). The best part about Judy & Punch is the way the Writer and Director Mirrah Foulkes holds her film together, and shot by shot, scene by scene, we wade deeper into the depths of this twisted fairytale.
Disturbing by nature, but powerful and climactic at its core is this film. It goes to show that sometimes you don’t need to know what you’re in for, the less you know the better. All you need to do is simply immerse yourself into a world like no other. Don’t hesitate with seeing this film, see it now as I don’t see a better way to view this film then on the cinema screen. Allow yourself to go on a path of finding justice, inner peace and happiness and see a puppeteer right wrongs made by a man named ‘Punch’.
Screening Sessions:
Thursday 3rd October, 4:00PM
Australian Cinémathèque GOMA
Thursday 3rd October, 5:45PM
Australian Cinémathèque GOMA
Friday 11th October, 8:30pm
Dendy Cinemas Coorparoo
By: Joanna Letic