Australian Cinema is quite undervalued. In present times of English-speaking film world, Hollywood rules the roost with some smatterings of European cinema; Australian cinema remains less appreciated than it deserves.
Not just films but TV shows are a league apart. Some must-watch shows like Rake, Fisk, Colin from Accounts, are popular but do not make it to everyone's to-do list.
I must also give a special mention to Deadloch, which is so underrated in popular culture despite being a diamond find. It is mystery and dark comedy wrapped in the format of a dreary European mystery thriller set in a small town fighting a large Corp. Definitely a laugh riot.
Coming back to films, I was delighted to find Monolith online. I am constantly looking for something akin to mindfuck or something that grips you till the end. An investigator/podcaster comes receives an anonymous email about a Black Brick and follows the trail which leads her to some uncomfortable revelations and truths. While researching the story she finds herself falling into a singular vortex of self-analysis and fear of turning into the story herself.
There is only one actor in whole film and she carries the film brilliantly. The format and structure of the film - a single person forced to stay alone and only interaction is through audio. Battling claustrophobia and horror and psychological onslaught while trying to salvage your identity and reputation, one begs to question if all this is real.
The film also poses some philosophical questions of trauma, guilt and redemption.
This is a must-watch for all horror, psychological thriller fans. You might be able to guess a few things but not all..
