First-class moron Andrew Tate gets the VICE treatment; A movie makeover worth revisiting
While he languishes in a Romanian prison on suspicion of human trafficking, a new documentary gets a glimpse inside Andrew Tate’s “secret society”.
The Dangerous Rise of Andrew Tate
SBS Viceland, Monday, 10.20pm
Former kickboxer turned “alpha male” influencer Andrew Tate built a following among disillusioned young men with his flash lifestyle (think cigars, sports cars, guns, and private jets) and brand of masculinity (think … outright misogyny). While Tate sits detained in a Romanian prison on suspicion of human trafficking, VICE has unveiled a new investigative documentary, in which journalist Matt Shea gets a glimpse inside the controversial influencer’s “secret society” and Romanian compound. In the documentary, four years in making, Shea meets Tate and his inner circle, grilling him about his public stances on women, violence, and the effect his content has on young men. Tate is unrepentant, swanning about in his fortified palace, espousing such wisdom as “the number one problem in the world is that not enough men walk around with swords”.
The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House
Netflix
If you don’t live within walking distance of a cracking Japanese restaurant, save yourself the heartache. For those who have slippery udon and steamy onigiri at their beck and call, Netflix’s adaptation of Kiyo in Kyoto, Aiko Koyama’s belovedManga series, is a delectable substitute. The Makanai, the first Netflix project from Palme d’Or-winning director Hirokazu Kore-eda (Shoplifters), follows Kiyo (Nana Mori) and her preternaturally graceful best friend Sumire (Natsuki Deguchi). When we meet them, the two are preparing to move from their bucolic home in Aomori, to Kyoto, where they will study at an all-girls house to become maiko (a trainee Geisha). Kiyo realises soon into her training that she isn’t cut out to be a maiko, but she’sa marvellous hand in the kitchen, so she’s given a chance to take over as the house cook. It’s soothing, wholesome viewing and wonderful to kick back with a group of girls sharing stories and tender moments over gorgeous food.
The Rehearsal
Binge
In The Rehearsal, Nathan Fielder’s unreal reality TV show, the cult comedian coaches real people through life’s confrontations. Volunteers, who Fielder sought out via a Craigslist post, come to him with their dilemmas — whether it be confessing to a longtime trivia team that they lied about having a masters degree, when they only have a bachelors; becoming a mother; or asking for an inheritance. He helps them prepare, by having them “rehearse” these major moments before they happen. Using actors they practice the moment at meticulously created sets that mimic the planned encounter’s location. Fielder’s theory, as he lets on in the first episode, is that he “became very good at predicting how people would react in a future situation”, and can thus bring people their desired conclusions by way of rehearsing all possible outcomes. The thing is, Fielder isn’t all that crash hot with people. This is one of the most bizarre shows (/experiments) you’ll witness. Squirmish, addictive viewing.
La Femme Nikita
SBS World Movies, Tuesday 9.30pm
One of the sexiest, most stylish films ever and a high point of writer-director Luc Besson’s remarkable canon. We meet Nikita (Anne Parillaud), our ultra-badass heroine, as a scraggy, homeless dope-head at a drugstore hold up, where she shoots a cop point-blank in the face. Instead of going to prison, the government gives Nikita a second chance — as a top secret political assassin. Everyone loves a good movie makeover, and Nikita’s is the creme de la creme. With the help of a cutthroat mentor, played by Tcheky Karyo, and an etiquette trainer, played by Jeanne Moreau, she’s transformed from a feral street punk, toa glamorous, pearls-and-all woman (and, worth mentioning, firearms expert). Parillaud is a powerhouse, nailing so many different registers — wounded, lovelorn, ruthless and calloused. Thirty years on, nothing about this film looks dated, it’s all so elegant, so French.
Black Bear
Netflix
Nine times out of 10 relying on the suggestions of the shambolic Netflix algorithm ends in bitter disappointment. Yet, we all have those nights where we can’t be arsed making our way through critic’s choice lists, and resign to watching whatever. Lawrence Michael Levine’s Black Bear, put forward under the “cerebral movies” banner, is a wicked smart movie that pays off in spades. It stars Aubrey Plaza (always a win) as a filmmaker and former actor who arrives as a guest at a remote lakehouse. The hosts, played by Christopher Abbott and Sarah Gadon, are a young couple expecting a child who have eschewed their city slicker life to move to the wilderness and fashion a lakehouse that serves as an artist’s retreat. You get the sense that their relationship is on the rocks, and Aubrey’s presence only intensifies the friction, and soon, things spiral into catastrophe. This film, filled with rug-pull moments, is not what it seems. Go into it knowing as little as you can.