Isabella Trimboli

Isabella Trimboli is a writer based in Melbourne. Her criticism and essays has appeared in The Nation, Los Angeles Review of Books, New Left Review, Meanjin and Heat Journal, among others.

Outlets: The Nation, Los Angeles Review of Books, New Left Review, Meanjin, Heat Journal, Sydney Review of Books and Metrograph Journal. 

Instagram: @isabella.trimboli

Website: www.isabella--trimboli.com

Location: Melbourne 

Movie location I call home: The burning dragon amusement ride in Le Pont Du Nord.

What was the film or experience that made you want to write about the screen?
Seeing Rik Mayall’s head get flattened in Drop Dead Fred as a kid. 

What do you think are the major issues facing contemporary film criticism?
It’s been disheartening to see so many film publications shut their doors, or become pale imitations of their past glories. 

How can film criticism stay vital in 2024?
Critics need to refuse to write the inane blabber that AI could produce, and instead put their energies into crafting beautiful, strange sentences.

What’s one piece of advice that you’d give an emerging critic today?
Do as much research on the subject you are writing about as you can and tunnel into your freakish interests.

Who’s a critic that has inspired you? Gary Indiana, Elizabeth Hardwick

Who’s a critic that everyone should be reading right now? I have been enjoying Philippa Snow’s work a lot lately!

What’s the best thing you’ve seen this year so far?
Audrey Lam’s Us and the Night (see it at MIFF!), and Laura Citarella’s Trenque Lauquen.

What’s your MIFF 2024 theme music? ‘Films’ by Gary Numan.