The Fall (2006 Tarsem Singh)

How did this huge and slightly nutty film get financed? It was shot all over the world and must have had an enormous budget. It's extremely good to look at.

Dan Gilroy, Nico Soultanakis and Tarsem wrote the script, which has broken-armed immigrant Catinca Untaru (who's breathtakingly good and charming as hell) befriending embittered stuntman Lee Pace, who starts to tell an elaborate story to pass the time and to enlist her help in killing himself. As time goes on, the story begins to reflect real events, notably the burning of the girl's house and death of her father, and the betrayal of the stuntman by his girl; characters flit from story to reality.

Shot by Colin Watkinson. Ends up with a montage of great silent stunt work.

Started a lengthy chat about how great some young people are in films - Jodie Foster and Tatum O'Neal - yes, but also the girls in Wrony and Spirit of the Beehive, John Howard Davies in The Rocking Horse Winner, Jean-Pierre Leaud in 400 Blows, Mitchum looking after the kids in Night of the Hunter, Hayley Mills...