Film: Monster (Kaibutsu)

Tonight, another Japanese film (!) - this is Monster (Kaibutsu), and the closest showing seemed to be in the BFI, which I booked because, as is typical there, it was nearly sold out. Having said that, the remaining tickets didn't seem to have sold, earlier today.. It's about a little boy who causes trouble at school, and the fallout of that. Another early start, so I booked for dinner afterwards in Ping Pong, for a change!

I was very glad not to have to wait long for a bus - the rain is biblical, and has been all evening! Alighted, sploshed along to the cinema - I was a little early, and a little damp, so treated myself to one of the excellent hot chocolates in their cafe. I got the last table. And with impeccable timing, they opened the house just as I was finishing it! And then I promptly forgot where the Studio is.. I swear, every time I come to it, I think it's upstairs - and it's not, it's right across from the box office! I just don't come here often enough. Happily, the usher spotted my mistake before I went in.

Of course, one of the best things about seeing a film here is the free film notes you can pick up as you go in - always worth a read. For this film, the critic likened it to Rashomon in its different perspectives on the same story. Unlike in that film, however, in this one no-one's really lying about what happened - they just all see things from different perspectives, and as the story is retold, we get to see different scenes that might change our perspective too.

As you might expect, the three perspectives come from the kid's mother, who hears her son is being abused and can't understand why nobody is doing anything about it: from the teacher, who sees things from a totally different perspective: and, of course, from the kid, who is living in completely his own world, and wants to keep it as private as does any kid, from the world of grown-ups. And, as the film notes also point out, it raises interesting questions about how much we really know about our kids' lives when they start school, and we start not seeing them for most of the day. And by the way, the kids have some very childish reactions that the adults in the film just wouldn't sometimes expect, and they would do well to remember that kids' logic doesn't work the same way as that of adults. So, things aren't always what they seem..

Well done, Japan - two excellent films in as many days! Delighted I saw these. And so back out into the rain to the restaurant, happily just a short walk away - I'd taken their latest available booking, which just coincided perfectly with the end of the film; in fact, I was a little early. But I was seated before too long, and fed quickly - I was about the only person there using a knife and fork, but sod it; I knew if I tried to use the supplied chopsticks, my dinner would likely end up on someone else's table! And it was very nice. Again, afterwards I quickly caught a bus - which dropped us short, but lo, again I didn't have to wait for long for a replacement! Made it in time to shop, too - all in all, a satisfying evening.

Tomorrow, we're headed for a team lunch in All Bar One, to celebrate the latest product release! And in the evening, I'm headed to The Divine Mrs. S, in Hampstead Theatre, with Up in the Cheap Seats - this is based on a real life actress, the most celebrated of her time, back in the day when women had few rights, including over their own careers, so her agent and husband make all her decisions for her. And on Thursday, heading back to Ireland for Easter.

I'm just spending the bank holidays there, flying back on Monday - so after that, next Tuesday, I'm back with CT at Shoreditch Balls for Stage Time, the Improv Variety Show.

On the 3rd, I'm back with Over 40 Living the Life - and for the first time, joining them on their "Gastronomical Tour" of countries alphabetically. That evening, it's Azerbaijan! and we're headed to the Land of Fire restaurant. Hmm..

And on the 4th and 5th, back with CT - and the Backyard Comedy Club! Always a great atmosphere..