by Cookie N Screen
If you sat people down and really spoke to them, you’d find a story worth documenting. Sure, not all tales would suit big screen outings. But whether it’s short form or not, there is no denying that people are interesting creatures who recant hilarious, terrifying or adventurous tales over a beer or two. When you speak to the older generation, you’ll find that they have truly lived. The older you are, the more you have lived - literally. And in this day and age, it is good to sit down, and look back over all the spectacular years that people have lived - enriching the world now with their bewildering lives. Turned Towards the Sun focuses on the magnificent life of Michael Burns.
If you sat people down and really spoke to them, you’d find a story worth documenting. Sure, not all tales would suit big screen outings. But whether it’s short form or not, there is no denying that people are interesting creatures who recant hilarious, terrifying or adventurous tales over a beer or two. When you speak to the older generation, you’ll find that they have truly lived. The older you are, the more you have lived - literally. And in this day and age, it is good to sit down, and look back over all the spectacular years that people have lived - enriching the world now with their bewildering lives. Turned Towards the Sun focuses on the magnificent life of Michael Burns.
Michael “Mickey” Burns is a man who has lived remarkably. Born in 1912, he was initially taken in by Hitler, socialism and the Nazi’s but soon discovered the viciousness beneath the party. Though he, until his death, regretted meeting Hitler and supporting his ideals, Burns would later become part of a team dedicated to helping the French against the Nazis. He was caught and survived in the rest of the war as a POW. On top of this, he saved the life of Audrey Hepburn, became a committed Marxist and did amazing things since. The movie follows his reunions with old squad friends and the French towns that he saved.
At the centre of this film is the real life character of Michael Burns and is the soul and heart of this documentary. Just look at the life he has left in that paragraph above. Reading that, you wouldn’t have guessed that over decades, he led an astonishing live. On the backdrop of him travelling from coast to coast, this is a heroic man who did extraordinary things over the course of 97 years. Based on his autobiographical book, the man at the centre is not captured truly by his own words. Because at an older age - he is a charismatic character who is still prim, funny and full of rigorous vitality!
At the centre of this film is the real life character of Michael Burns and is the soul and heart of this documentary. Just look at the life he has left in that paragraph above. Reading that, you wouldn’t have guessed that over decades, he led an astonishing live. On the backdrop of him travelling from coast to coast, this is a heroic man who did extraordinary things over the course of 97 years. Based on his autobiographical book, the man at the centre is not captured truly by his own words. Because at an older age - he is a charismatic character who is still prim, funny and full of rigorous vitality!
The problem is that there is nothing here but stories and images and while that may seem like a “erm, it’s a film” moot remark, it’s just not as interesting as everyone involved would like it to be and that’s doing the famed Mickey Burns a shameful disservice. It’s slow and plodding with only the interesting Mickey to keep it all together. There are also moments of Mickey’s life that aren’t embellished on, particularly his bisexuality during war-time. Though this is an interesting life, it is one that seems abandoned on the backdrop of poor direction and predictable imagery.
That being said, you’ll go into the film learning a little bit more about a figure who led the most captivating and beguiling life. It’s through his eyes that you see the life of Britain throughout the war and that's where the story is evocatively told. As he meets people from his past and present, before his death in 2010, it is important to remind yourself about how fulfilling life can be over the course of decades. Just a few steps down an unmanned path could lead you to some phenomenal escapades. Venture into something new and exciting, talk to a stranger and wonderfully capture life while you can.
Because that is exactly what Mickey Burns did.
Turned Towards The Sun is out on DVD today!
That being said, you’ll go into the film learning a little bit more about a figure who led the most captivating and beguiling life. It’s through his eyes that you see the life of Britain throughout the war and that's where the story is evocatively told. As he meets people from his past and present, before his death in 2010, it is important to remind yourself about how fulfilling life can be over the course of decades. Just a few steps down an unmanned path could lead you to some phenomenal escapades. Venture into something new and exciting, talk to a stranger and wonderfully capture life while you can.
Because that is exactly what Mickey Burns did.
Turned Towards The Sun is out on DVD today!
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