BIFF2024: The Moon is Upside Down (2024)

Follow the journey of three different women who have one major thing in common: they’re all looking for happiness, a sense of belonging, and purpose. Firstly, there is Natalia (Victoria Haralabidou), a mail-order bride from Siberia. Natalia travels to Aotearoa to marry MacIntosh (Jermaine Clement), and the two hope to launch a cafe at MacIntosh’s petrol station. However, the petrol station is in the middle of nowhere, and creating a stunning cafe seems nearly impossible given the station’s current condition. Intimacy and romance are also an evident concern, especially as MacIntosh has allowed his sister Hilary (Robyn Malcolm) to live with them.

Secondly, we are introduced to a hard-working anaesthetist named Briar (Loren Taylor). While her workload is non-stop and hectic, she finds solace in nightly internet video calls with a man named Tim (Robbie Magasiva). However, Tim is also Briar’s sister’s ex, and the relationship is still a secret from her family. Despite this, they plan a meeting filled with hopes of passion and romance. However, things don’t go as intended after a few unexpected surprises.

Additionally, there’s Faith (played by Elizabeth Hawthorne) and her husband, who own several apartments. While Faith’s husband is away, she receives the sad news that one of the apartments they recently purchased has a deceased tenant inside. Although Faith is completely shocked and puzzled by the news, she begins to feel compassion for the situation and the stranger. Taking it upon herself, Faith embarks on a personal journey to ensure that this stranger is given a proper farewell from the world, regardless of the cost or effort involved.

The Moon Is Upside Down is a mixture of comedy and drama. The first half is filled with many awkward and crude moments, yet the second half and its conclusion are pretty dramatic and heavy. The film is Loren Taylor’s feature-length directorial debut. Taylor also plays the character of Briar in the movie and wrote the story.

The elements of drama in the story work wonderfully here, and the comedic moments are either acceptable or passable. As a story, the film successfully introduces the three main leads well. They all differ from one another, yet there is a minor connection and similarity. As a viewer, you can’t help but be compelled by each of their journeys and desires. You also want to know whether or not each character will have excellent outcomes or more troubling woes. I couldn’t help but wonder if our leads would, at some point, interact with one another by chance.

The main performances are consistently convincing and believable, and the supporting cast has some great moments. I enjoyed the script and performances and everything in these areas felt well-executed. However, I struggled with the pacing and specific outcomes of the stories. I wished certain parts had more information, clarity, and detail. It also took a while to understand how the story would unfold. We were not only introduced to the three main characters but also spent a significant amount of time in their world as they strive to overcome challenges in a chaotic and painful environment that sometimes feels like a bad dream. While the final act had well-acted and dramatic moments, I still longed for a grand finale and closure.

Overall, The Moon Is Upside Down delivers a touching and compelling film with three leads who differ in their current journey and struggles yet all share something. It was acted well, and the dialogue felt raw and realistic. Aspects of comedy didn’t leave a lasting impression so much as the dramatic elements. While some characters get clear conclusions and dramatic scenes, I couldn’t help but want more from the finale, and some details felt unfinished or cruel, leaving viewers hanging without knowing more. It’s worth it for the drama alone and the various surprises that take place unexpectedly along the way, and it’s most certainly a terrific feature-length debut from Loren Taylor.

The Moon is Upside Down (2024) will be screening at BIFF2024! For session times and more information, please check out the link here: https://biff.com.au/

7.3/10

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

21st October 2024
Written by Peter Walkden

THANK YOU FOR VISITING!

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Ferrari (2023)

Set in 1957, Enzo Ferrari (Adam Driver) is an ex-race car driver and the current owner of a well-known Italian car company. However, Ferrari is currently in hot water due to the lack of sales. Enzo's wife, Laura (Penélope Cruz), also works with him as a business...

Dream Scenario (2023)

Paul (Nicolas Cage) is a biology professor with a wife and two teenage daughters. There are multiple challenges for Paul, including trying to fulfil his long-term dreams of writing and publishing a book. Many around Paul live a life of success and wealth, but for...

The Shift (2023)

While sitting at a bar and drinking alone, Kevin (Kristoffer Polaha) meets his true love, Molly (Elizabeth Tabish). Instantly, Kevin is smitten by her to the point he is willing to make significant changes in his life, such as taking a deeper step into church and...

The Boys in the Boat (2023)

In the 1930s, Joe (Callum Turner) is studying to become an engineer at university. Financially, he is struggling to make ends meet as he pays off school fees. Unsuccessful at finding a job, he is sleeping in his car each night. Joe hears of a paying job for the...

Coup de Chance (2023)

When Fanny (Lou de Laâge) walks along a busy street, she soon hears her name being called out from afar. A man approaches her, claiming to know her from high school. At first, Fanny is surprised but soon learns the man is Alain (Niels Schneider). Once upon a time,...

Wonka (2023)

After seven years of living on the ocean, Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet) has decided to say farewell to the sea and start afresh in a city over the horizon. Willy Wonka is a skilled magician and chocolate maker with determined dreams of opening a brand-new chocolate...

Merry Little Batman (2023)

It's the Christmas season in Wayne Manor, and the only thing that six-year-old Damian Wayne (Yonas Kibreab) wants is to fight crime with his father, Batman, aka Bruce Wayne (Luke Wilson). On Christmas Eve, Bruce decides to give Damian his present early. Damian eagerly...

Wish (2023)

When he and his family are attacked, Magnifico (Chris Pine) decides to start afresh somewhere safe. Travelling far, far away, Magnifico and his wife find an island where they can begin a new life, welcoming others to join them and live in harmony. In time, a new...

Time Addicts (2023)

Denise (Freya Tingley) and Johnny (Charles Grounds) are a pair of good mates who are lovers of all things drug-related. Both Denise and Johnny are eager to get some more drugs, having recently run out and needing a quick fix. However, when it comes to finances,...

Master Gardener (2022)

Narvel (Joel Edgerton) cares for the garden at the luxury home of Mrs Haverhill (Sigourney Weaver). During his preparations of the garden for the Spring Charity Auction, word is received that Mrs. Haverhill would like to speak privately with Narvel. Upon their...

Candy Cane Lane (2023)

It's Christmas time, which means a critical thing for family man Chris (Eddie Murphy): the opportunity to enter one of the most exciting contests of the year. Chris will again compete with his fellow neighbours, all of whom will decorate their homes to the best of...

Silent Night (2023)

After witnessing the brutal murder of his son during a drive-by shooting, Brian (Joel Kinnaman) instantly chases after the men involved. However, during a showdown, Brian is gunned down and badly wounded. The results of the chase and his wounds leave Brian recovering...

Slotherhouse (2023)

Emily (Lisa Ambalavanar) is a young student in a sorority house who lacks the confidence to raise her hand in the upcoming election for sorority president. While shopping at her local mall, an incident occurs, and she meets a stranger who has animals for sale,...

It’s a Wonderful Knife (2023)

It's Christmas Eve in the small town of Angel Falls. Winnie’s (Jane Widdop) Christmas holidays are less than pleasing. The city is dramatically changing due to the town's mayor, Henry Waters (Justin Long), who is continually forcing people out of their homes due to...

Trolls Band Together (2023)

Long before Branch (Justin Timberlake) ever met Poppy (Anna Kendrick), Branch was a member of the famous pop band "BroZone". Made up of Branch and his brothers, the band was doing well until they had a disagreement before a massive performance. The arguments and...

The Old Oak (2023)

TJ Ballantyne (Dave Turner) owns “The Old Oak”, a pub in a village north of England. The pub has seen better days and relies on a small group of regular customers who visit often. It's also evident that the community members have never recovered from the loss of the...

The Skeleton Key (2005)

Caroline (Kate Hudson) is a skilled nurse, continually exhausted from witnessing facilities and workers treat patients as disposable. Seeking a healthier environment, Caroline quits her current position and seeks alternative employment. After perusing the ads in the...

Uproar (2023)

In the early '80s, Josh (Julian Dennison) is a seventeen-year-old high school student. Each day at school, Josh does his best to keep to himself, keeping his head down to avoid conflict with fellow students. Life for Josh has its challenges. Not only is he constantly...

Christmess (2023)

Chris (Steve Le Marquand) was once a famous actor, featuring in many hit films. However, a growing addiction to alcohol changed everything for the worse. Not only did Chris find himself in rehab, but over the years, he has become highly distant from his only daughter,...

The Royal Hotel (2023)

Two backpackers and good friends, Hanna (Julia Garner) and Liv (Jessica Henwick), are having the time of their lives as the cruise ship they are currently travelling on enters Sydney, Australia. However, their wild times of travelling and partying halt when Liv...

Thanksgiving (2023)

It was supposed to be just another Black Friday sale in a large retail store located in Plymouth, Massachusetts. However, the actions of several people from the community led to something terrible occurring during the opening of the retailer, ending with tragedy,...

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)

Sixty-four years before Katniss’ The Hunger Games (2012), young Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) is attempting to earn a scholarship with great rewards. On the day Coriolanus expects to receive the prize for all his strenuous efforts, unexpected changes are made to the...

Interview: Madeleine Dyer / A Savage Christmas (2023)

Walkden Entertainment (aka Peter Walkden) had the honour and pleasure of chatting with Madeleine Dyer, director and co-writer of A Savage Christmas (2023), which is available in Australian Cinemas from November 16th. After years of estrangement, trans woman Davina...

Next Goal Wins (2023)

The American Samoa soccer team is famous but for all the wrong reasons. They are known for their tragic losses, including the embarrassing defeat by Australia in which American Samoa lost 31-0. Conversely, Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) has been sacked from...

The Marvels (2023)

Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) continues to protect and serve all in our universe. A new enemy named Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton) has arisen, seeking a pair of powerful ancient armbands that she hopes will restore her home planet, Hala. While Dar-Benn...

Shortcomings (2023)

In a Californian cinema, a new film is introduced during a film festival, and among the audience are Ben (Justin H. Min) and his current partner, Miko (Ally Maki). As the film credits roll, Ben is utterly unimpressed, while his partner and the audience around him are...

The Dive (2023)

Two sisters, May (Louisa Krause) and Drew (Sophie Lowe) are spending the day together by driving and heading to a mysterious location. While driving, the pair engaged in basic catch-up conversation and got up to date with their present lives. Soon, May and Drew arrive...

Scarygirl (2023)

The Keeper (Anna Torv) is seeking a rare mythical octopus and is currently offering various bandits and bounty hunters a high-paying reward. While the reward is impressive, the only problem is that it's nearly impossible for anyone to find one! After a brief...

When Evil Lurks (2023)

In a small remote village, we follow a pair of brothers, Pedro (Ezequiel Rodríguez) and Jimi (Demián Salomón), who hear strange noises from afar. Working together, the pair investigate, discovering that a demon has heavily infected a man, and it is ready to give...

Hot Potato: The Story of the Wiggles (2023)

I would be utterly speechless if you told me you've never heard of the greatest band in Australia. This band, many would claim, is like The Beatles but made for toddlers. You may have heard of The Wiggles, Anthony (The Blue Wiggle), Murray (The Red Wiggle), Greg (The...

Night of the Hunted (2023)

Alice (Camille Rowe) is travelling a long distance home after attending a work conference. Spending the night at a hotel before another long day of travel, Alice receives a phone call from her partner at 2 a.m. in the morning, confirming that she will make it to her...

A Savage Christmas (2023)

It's Christmas Day, and following tradition, the Savage family is all coming together in a sweet home in Australia. It's no secret that the family has had challenges and past disagreements. Nevertheless, the Savages have decided to come together and celebrate the day...

Monolith (2022)

A mysterious man opens the film with a narrative, telling viewers how he wants to share a secretive story, revealing that there was something different about his family when he was a young child. In this story, he shares critical details of a stalker who claims to be...

The Crime is Mine (2023)

The film opens with an upset and frustrated woman named Madeleine (Nadia Tereszkiewicz), who is leaving a luxury house and walking home. Returning home to her roommate, Pauline (Rebecca Marder), Madeleine reveals that her audition for the upcoming performance was a...