THE POOL Reviewed by GREG KING
Documentary
Director: Ian Darling.
Located on the edge of the famous Bondi Beach in Sydney, the Bondi Icebergs pool was established in 1929 and is steeped in history. It is estimated that over 250,000 people swim there every year. It is also the most photographed swimming pool in the world.
In his long career, award winning documentary filmmaker Ian Darling has previously profiled famous Australians such as singer/songwriter Paul Kelly and AFL player Adam Goodes, whose career ended in controversy, so it is not surprising that he turns his gaze on this iconic swimming pool. Darling spent one year filming the famous swimming pool and its regular patrons.
Many of the pool’s regulars reveal their own personal stories and share what the place means to them. But The Pool is not just about the diverse people who regularly swim there. The film is about the sense of camaraderie that they experience, and it celebrates the sense of belonging and community and connection that it offers. As one regular remarks: “Social interaction is important, the best possible cure to aging.”
The Pool is a visually cinematic treat as cinematographer Ben Cunningham, a veteran of tv work, has captured some stunning imagery here; he uses multiple cameras and drones to immerse the audience in the atmosphere of the pool and its surrounds. He captures tumbling waves, rainbows and the graceful movements of the swimmers as they move through the waters. The snippets of interviews and the wealth of footage has been deftly edited together by Darling’s regular collaborator Sally Fryer.
The Pool also features a hypnotic score from Paul Charlier that complements the superb soundtrack of 60s guitar driven surf inspired music and they enhance the mood of the material.
★★★
