Secret City

There are some films that make you angry because they tell you things you didn't know and make you feel that you've been cheated - this is one of them.

I'd heard of the Corporation of London but only in street signs. To find out that they're a centre for tax avoidance, they have people in Parliament and their role in causing the financial crisis made me furious and eager to find out more.

The film has a really useful historical contextualisation for the first part, using a wide range of interesting interviewees whilst weaving in a tour of the city and plenty of really good archive footage. It leave you in no doubt as to where the City's power is derived from historically.

The human-interest angle is explained by "victims" of the Corporation whose attempts simply to be democratic were thwarted as well as by reflections of Vicars (yes, really - some of the most interesting characters in the film), workers and of course the human impact of the current crisis.

There were one or two problems with camera focus on occasion but then if it's true (as I heard at a Q&A) that it was done with no money at all, I can forgive them that as it fits with the aesthetics of radical documentary anyway. The music is sufficiently haunting to stay with you for a few days, which is a great effect.

It's a really complex film in many respects, which means I had to watch it more than once to really understand but I'd recommend it really highly to anyone who wants to really understand what's going on in the world and why!

The movie claims to "investigates the power wielded by the Corporation of London over British economic policy. " However, they never really do that! They claim it happens but offer no proof of how these corporations have altered British policy for their own good other than turning London into a banking center, which in the film they admit may have saved the city of London after it was ruined in wwii. There is no link about how these companies are destroying peoples lives, or are doing anything "mischievous". This is absolutely little evidence if any at all that would even lead one to logically conclude such happenings. There is some neat history in it that most non British people might not know, but if you are looking for an actual argument in the movie, it is lacking. It's more theater than anything else. Noted by all the little clips and trailers that have little to do with anything they are trying to prove and take up a good bit of time in a short 70 minute film. My conclusion is they needed filler space for their lack of any argument. Yes the city of London is a square mile inside of what is commonly refereed to as London. Yes the people living there get no votes and it is run by corporations. OK fine nice points. But how has this been directly linked to anything, other than just saying yes it's there and we want to blame it with no real reasons given for blaming it? Where are some smoking guns. Where is the meat of the "Look what they are doing" type. Instead we see occupy wall street kids out there dancing as they wear designer jeans and play with their iphones having no real clue what they are even doing. Nothing about this is compelling and the history provided the film is murky and poorly strung together at best. There are much better documentaries to watch about the evils of global capitalism and what they are doing to decent people then this one. I wouldn't waste my time with it if I would have known it was this bad.

It's nothing hard hitting but more light entertainment without worrying too much about the details.

My biggest gripe is the terrible Arabic accent and dialogue taken place between main Lebanese Australian characters in the 2nd season. From all the Arab immigrants there you've think they'd employ someone on sight with knowledge on the language or culture.

If somebody can dream up these scenarios you can bet the governments everywhere have already done it. Vote out all demorats in the usa. This movie blows.

My Review- Secret City

I only found out about this terrific series while scrolling through Netflix search and noticing the impressive Australian cast including Anna Torv, Jackie Weaver ,Marcus Graham, Sacha Horley Alex Demitriades and Dan Wiley among others.

Right from the impressive title credits , which I think not by accident reminded me of House of Cards I was hooked . The camera sweeps over our National Capital Canberra to a suspenseful dramatic soundtrack by composer David Bridie and gives the impression that there's a Political swamp needing to be drained under its impressive monuments.

The first series of 6 episodes is suspenseful, intelligent and beautifully directed by Emma Freeman . Watching Anna Torv as Ace Canberra news reporter and main star Harriet Dunkley I was struck by her resemblance and style ,so similar to Cate Blanchette , Anna Torv owns this role and is very impressive. She uncovers plots of espionage and betrayal and intrigue in the National Capital involving Chinese spying and Political corruption. Jackie Weaver is outstanding as usual in the role of Catriona Bailey the Attorney General and powerbroker in a role spookily reminiscent of a certain ex Policeman and now one of the most powerful ministers this country has ever known. The thrilling action and intrigue in Secret City can hold its own worldwide and is a worthy match for similar overseas series like House of Cards .

Series 2 Under the Eagle I've just started to watch on Foxtel and although under new direction seems to keep up the standard so far.

Amusingly it begins with a brand new charismatic Prime Minister Ewan Garrity 2 years later replacing Alan Dale as Prime Minister Martin Toohey in Series One .

Logie Award winning actor Don Hany (Ali's Wedding, Tangle) plays new Australian Prime Minister Ewan Garrity. This seemed very appropriate as Australia has had so many Prime Ministers recently and this series also has a Jacque Lambi inspired character in Danielle Cormack as Karen Koutoufides, Independent MP for Wakefield, South Australia.

This is a really impressive series