When Nabokov’s novel Lolita came out in 1955 in Paris, 1958 in New York, and 1959 in London it was Scandal. It was ironic, it was an instant classic. The tragicomedy told by the unreliable narrator Humbert Humbert relates his obsession with 12-year-old Delores Haze, his “Lolita”.

Commonly mislabeled as an erotic novel, Lolita can be more accurately categorised as a late-modernist surrealist piece. But this complexity is a point that is arguably missed in the finished film.

The film production was arguably interfered with at all levels of production. The script itself was written by Nabokov, but the copy he submitted to the studio ran 400 pages long and called for a seven-hour film.

Die-hard fans wanting to experience the nature of this art in its purest form should consider reading the later published full-length screenplay Lolita: A Screenplay (1974)

Kubrick further laments his restrictions in producing Lolita below-

“…because of all the pressure over the Production Code and the Catholic Legion of Decency at the time, I believe I didn’t sufficiently dramatise the erotic aspect of Humbert’s relationship with Lolita, and because his sexual obsession was only barely hinted at, many people guessed too quickly that Humbert was in love with Lolita. Whereas in the novel this comes as a discovery at the end, when she is no longer a nymphet but a dowdy, pregnant suburban housewife; and it’s this encounter, and his sudden realisation of his love, that is one of the most poignant elements of the story. If I could do the film over again, I would have stressed the erotic component of their relationship with the same weight Nabokov did…”

We bring you this review of Kubrick’s Lolita in light of the upcoming Stanley Kubrick Film Festival at Cinema Nova in Melbourne, which you can check out here.

The latest in Taika Waititi’s body of work has brought us the charming new film Hunt for the Wilder-people. And we at Database, are bloody excited.

Though the Australian and New Zealand film industries have grown exponentially over the last decade, they remain relatively small in the scope of the global marketplace. The most recent release from New Zealand Auteur Taika Waititi (Dir. Boy, Eagle vs. Shark, What We Do In The Shadows) is an important reminder that this corner of the world has important, funny, compelling stories to tell.

A delinquent foster child (Julian Dennison) and his foster Uncle (Sam Neill) go on the run from a corrupt child services agent in the New Zealand Bushland. The film is full of rich cinematography, upbeat edits, and charming characters. With a 100% on RottenTomatoes.com this film has been received warmly by critics and audiences globally.

But probably the most admirable thing about Waititi and his body of work is that though he is internationally recognised as one of the best indie filmmakers in the Asian Pacific region right now (The New York Times recently likened him to Wes Anderson). Taika Waititi’s work is not concerned in pleasing the global market, he makes films for his own people by his own people. As a result of his genuine integrity and loyalty to his home industry of New Zealand Waititi’s filmic voice has quickly become a recognisable and important one in the Australian/ New Zealand independent industries.

Hunt for the Wilder-people is an inspiring reminder that we can and should be primarily concerned with telling our own stories through film, and that those stories are of interest and value in the global market-place.

Melbourne has a wealth of film festivals and film related events coming up before the end of 2016. From film festivals to special screening events, there is never a shortage of things to do for the film aficionado. We’ve written a guide to 5 events we think are worthwhile paying a visit two before the year comes to an end.

1. LAVAZZA ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL
Palace Cinemas are once again hosting the Lavazza Italian Film Festival, ending on the 9th of October. The festival includes award winning films from, by and about Italy. Be sure to catch the closing night event at The Astor Theatre, Palace Cinema Como or Palace Westgarth, where they are screening a restored classic, Roman Holiday.

2. BEN-HUR
The Astor Theatre is hosting a screening of Ben-Hur on Sunday the 25th of September in 70mm Print. Don’t miss the chance to view this classic Hollywood feature in this classic Melbourne venue. Details here.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL AUSTRALIA
Beginning on the 29th of September, EFFA is a facilitator of social change and connects audiences to organisations and people that support environmental change. In its 6th year, the event is running until the 7th of October and you can check out our blog post on it here.

4. STANLEY KUBRICK FILM FESTIVAL
Cinema Nova in Carlton are hosting a Stanley Kubrick Film Festival, screening everything from Fear And Desire to Eyes Wide Shut and 2001: A Space Odyssey, the festival has screenings from the 6th of October until the 19th of October. Be sure to catch these classics on the big screen.

5. TOKYO STORY
Swing past ACMI from the 6th of October to catch a screening Toyko Story, the 1953 Japanese film from director Yasujirô Ozu. Hailed as a great achievement in cinematic history, the film still has positive ratings more than 60 years after its release and is a classic of Arthouse and international drama. Purchase tickets here.

The Other Film Festival (TOFF) begins in Melbourne this week, screening films and hosting talks and forums by people are deaf or disabled. The festival aims to break down barriers and screen films in an accessible manner, meaning the screenings are all captioned and audio described and the venue is accessible. The festival begins on Wednesday the 28th and closes on Friday the 30th of September and is being hosted at The State Library of Victoria in the Melbourne CBD.

The opening night begins with a forum on the subject on diversity in Australian TV and is followed by 3 short films/documentaries. The remaining days of the festival host a mix of screenings and talks all with the intention of creating a culture of inclusion and representing people with a disability on screen. Since its commencement in 2004, TOFF has broken down barriers in the film industry and been a success in educating audiences through talks, workshops and educational film screenings.

The Other Film Festival is an important reminder that we as a creative industry should try to be inclusive of all people, not just in the representations we place on screen but in our own networks. TOFF is a free event, although booking is essential, and one that is recommended for all Melbourne creatives looking to change their perspective on disability.

The Environmental Film Festival Australia begins in Melbourne this week, it’s an important festival that aims to inspire audiences to consider their impact upon the environment and our think about how their lives impact upon the future of the natural world. Opening night at ACMI is on the 29th of September and kicks the festival off with the film When Two Worlds Collide, directed by Heide Brandenbergand and Mathew Orzel and runs until Friday the 7th of October. The film is the story of a Peruvian environmental activist who takes on businesses destroying the Amazon, not the website, the rainforest.

The Environmental Film Festival Australia is more than just a film festival, it’s a chance to connect Australian audiences with organisations that promote environmental change and introduces Australians to panellists and filmmakers that support positive personal and organisational environmental action. Go along to the festival to learn about the world and the positive way in which you can change it, something we at Database Productions wholeheartedly support.

Many of the screenings include panels to discuss the film and the environmental issue it presents. Our Melbourne-based readers may be particularly interested in one film that is close to home, Tunnel Vision. The film is a documentary on the highly debated East-West Link project and the protests and movement that began to stop its construction.

Currently in its 6th year, the festival began in Melbourne in 2010 and has since expended Australia-wide.

The Below Five Zero Film Festival is happening in Melbourne this October. Opening on Friday the 7th of October, the festival only accepts and screens films made with a budget of or less than $50,000. The team behind the festival set out to encourage filmmakers with low or no budget to enter their films and get the chance to see them on the big screen. The Below Five Zero team believe, and we at Database quite agree, that there is a lot of hidden talent in lower budget productions and want to showcase it to a larger audience.

The festival is being held at The Backlot Studios in Southbank and the festival as a whole is very much in its early stages, however it is still an event worth supporting. It is a chance to support local filmmakers who are building their careers and broadening their skills with limited resources, something most filmmakers can relate to.

The festivals website promotes the message “do the best with what you’ve got” and provides an honest, personal account from the festival’s creator, Mekelle Mills. The festival closes on Sunday the 9th of October and, keeping with the low and no budget theme, does not have an entry fee

In its second edition in 2016, the Alliance Française Classic Film Festival brings 5 classic French films to audiences across in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. This year’s theme is “Les Blondes” and celebrates 5 illustrative actresses who all, in their own way, impacted upon French cinema and popular culture. The festival is being held in Melbourne in the iconic Astor Theatre over the 4th to the 6th of November and is an event not to be missed for Francophile audiences. The festival is showcasing Cesar and Rosalie, Casque d’Or, Viva Maria! Lovers Like Us and Breathless. With an opening night event held before the first screening on Friday the 4th of November.

The Alliance Française is celebrating the work of the unforgettable actresses Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve, Jean Seberg, Romy Schneider and Simone Signoret. Their work not only earned them a multitude of awards in the film industry but gave them the presence and respect that cemented their statuses as social and fashion icons.

The festival is a chance for cinema fans to experience classic French films in a cinema environment and form an appreciation for “Les Blondes” that form the 2016 theme.