Celia

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CKB Australian writer/director Ann Turner's first film is highly impressive on many fronts, but is seriously marred by a bizarre conclusion that goes against the film's own logic and strengths. To be sure, Turner is trying to do too many things at once. She combines 1950s social issues like communist witch hunts AND the Aussie govt's struggles to wipe out the wild rabbit population (leading to its heartlessly confiscating kids' pet rabbits as well!) AND the social impact of the many former WWII soldiers who are now trying to function as suburban husbands and fathers while repressing their terrible war experiences. All this is seen through the eyes of 8 yr old Celia, an exceptionally bright, independent natural leader who finds her beloved (and Marxist) grandmother dead in the very first scene. Celia fantasizes about the Hobyahs, malefic goblins from a popular Aussie children's book, which effectively embody the evil spirits that afflict the adults around her. Though the Hobyahs element has caused this to be labeled a 'horror' film, Celia is instead about a child coping with loss in a world run by adults who might be loving and protective one moment, and heartlessly cruel and unfair the next. Turner would have us believe that this naturally leads to Celia's ultimate wildly violent act, but it doesn't work – we cannot accept that this child who is a wonder of strength, resilience, and courage could suddenly become a psychopathic killer, or that her mother and friends would be willing accomplices. Slapping such a crude feminist moral onto the ending undermines the brilliant character study Turner has been pursuing. Rebecca Smart is extraordinary as Celia, with a mostly topnotch supporting cast. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/11/22 Full Review kevin c Celia is an Australian film about a strange little girl whose morbid imagination bleeds into her everyday life growing up in Australia. This one was pretty engaging as I never really knew much about it going in, and while watching never knew where it was headed. I enjoy movies like this that are not easily predictable. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member The US release of this film dubs our main character a "child of terror." That far misses the mark on the portrait this film paints. The time is 1957. The place is Melbourne, Australia. A plague of rabbits, the threat of Communism, an overactive imagination resulting in seeing monsters, and the average childhood bullies all converge to cause the fall from grace and ultimately shocking actions of a sweet little girl. This film is haunting and stays with you long after it's over. A well-deserved 5 stars because everyone(especially the children) give 5 star performances. Shocking, truthful, saddening, but above all, memorable. This is the horrors of the world through a child's eyes and you'll never forget it. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member Odd, engrossing little film. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member die die my darling!! Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Audience Member This is really quite disturbing at times, but you just can't turn away. Brilliant film! Rebecca Smart was a fantastic child-actor! Shame about the bunny.. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Celia

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