A Gritty, real tale about daughterly love
It would be a mistake to regard Monika Petrillo's quirky and genuine "Flyabout" as merely a great flying yarn and scenic travelogue about Australia--though her film is eminently both of those things. On its deeper level "Flyabout" is the tale of a grown daughter reckoning with her father, accepting the disappointments of life and relationships and then bravely flying on regardless. You'll love the way "Flyabout" tells your family story too. The in-air cockpit footage is great, especially when Monika encounters her first rain storms and difficult crosswind landings and her father has to trust her to be a better pilot than him. I also especially enjoyed the gritty and uncut gem quality of the filming--this is Monika's video blog of a remarkable aerial journey across Australia. This, plus Monika's heartfelt but unpretentious narration, is a refreshing break from the slick and overdone docu-videos from too many of today's film-makers. You don't have to be a pilot to love this one...
Inspirational Story for all ages
As a pilot and world traveler myself, I enjoyed this movie and how it intertwined so many different themes into a cohesive yet enjoyable documentary. I have not been to Australia (yet), so I got to live precariously through Monika's travels, and better yet, at altitude. Far from a tedious travelogue, the drama between family members will interest anyone who isn't drawn in because of the amazing panoramas, the beautiful music, the flora and fauna, the narrator's introspection, and of course, the aviation angle.
If I have described the film somewhat cerebrally above, I am happy to add that the movie can be enjoyed by all ages. As the founder of an organization using women in aviation to inspire girls to achieve their full potential (Girls With Wings), I endorse this movie as a way to educate girls on all they can achieve. Flyabout is the perfect "vehicle" for doing so. My 6 year old niece sat curled up next to me on the couch as we watched the entire movie. She was riveted,...
Quite a journey indeed!
I loved this movie! It's a great combination of heartfelt personal story and exciting adventure. The filmmaker/narrator takes a trip flying a small airplane around the continent of Australia with her father. The trip has its ups and downs--both in the flying department, and the intergenerational one. The footage of Australia and its sights is amazing, and the story is told very, very well. There is upbeat music, fast-paced editing, and some very personal observations by the woman herself. People who love small-plane aviation will find this movie irresistible. And so will anyone with a dad!
What makes the film a real success is how well it weaves together a good narrative (windy landings, mechanical delays, wildlife encounters) with the theme of being on a "walkabout" and trying to listen to one's own inner voice. When the trip was over, I felt like I could really see inside the filmmaker's head--and that is what I call truly personal storytelling! I've recommended...
Click to Editorial Reviews
No comments:
Post a Comment