VIFF 2005 II

ok which films did I like the most, which ones will I choose?
Canada

Souvenir of Canada
Dir by Robin Neinstein.
Douglas Coupland not only is a great writer but a great "participant subject" on this documentary that's on a quest to find out the Canadian Identity. It is just great. I follow Coupland's work since Generation X.

Beowulf & Grendel
A canadian coproduction with Iceland and UK
What can I say? I like anglosaxon poems and everything that has to do with medieval poetry in general. That was my favorite subject of my second BA: Literature (first one was Communications, and yes I did it at the same time, I know I am a bookworm so? sue me!) It's a great story dealing with a troll, a witch,a... hero? and of course, a king. Anyways it's great if you like medieval stories, you won't regret it



Generally speaking

my favorite movie Thanks god I watch it twice *** my gilty pleasure*** was SKRITEK, what can I say? It just blew my mind.It was just about the craft of filmmaking. I already interviewed director Tomas Vorel, I'll publish the interview later on.


The most interesting screening of the festival was that master lecture with David Bordwell and the screening of Bonjour Tristesse.
taken place at the marvellous, super duper, comfty Vancouver International Film Centre.

Not to forget that splendid night with VIP guest Isabella Rosellini and the screening of the film "My dad is 100 years old" I specially connected to this short film, on a very funny way: I love to hug my mom's belly, since I was a kid. But since almost 4 years ago, she doesn't allow me to hug her belly, she just push me away one day, telling me she feels trapped when somebody hugs her, and asked me not to hug her anymore. :O( so, that's why I feel connected and I feel Isabella Rosellini's sadness for not being able to hug the big belly of his father.

Ok back to Films again! From Latin america:
State of Fear deserves a 5 stars review portraying social struggle before and after sendero luminoso terrorist group and Fujimori presidential times.
Also from Latin america Roma. and News from afar, I will also translate and publish that interview later on with mexican director Ricardo Bennet

But the 2 best films that really, and I mean really impressed me this year were of course: the Dardenne's brothers L'enfant and Depa mehta's Water

The most controversial film I ever attended? Sound Barrier.
I can't say I enjoyed it, because it is certainly not a movie to pleasure audiences, and a lot of people walked out.I remember I was with Kristal and Jason, Krystal sort of liked it and Jason was upset (he will hate me for saying this, but I think he is just too spoiled with commercial movies, sorry but is indeed the true)
What do I think?
1. First of all the argument with my new friends kind of reminded me a classmate who dared to say a "movie was bad, just because she didn't like it" (aka she wasn't pleased as an audience POV) which ended up in a horrible argument with my film language teacher and because of her we all payed the price with extra-homework in the middle of final terms... thanks! ):O\ .

2. I guess the intention of the film was to put you in the same situation/desperation of the boy, which the director accomplished maybe too well. I just think the scene of the tapes in too long, It would have had a better impact if he just trimmed a little that sequence other than that, it really makes you think how desperating it would be if you were deaf and/or mute. (personally something that really makes me shiver is to become blind, just to think of it, I think for me, that would be equal to death) anyways, other comment on the movie is the scene on the brigde, the elements are a little bit forced, why he ask for help in the middle of a brigde? budget problems? I mean it is just shots of big trucks not many extras to hire, just some principal actros, mmm if that is the reason, I think it is ok.
Even though this kind of attitute as a filmcritic reminded me the polemic pineapple in Nazarin, even today, there is a great controversy about that in between filmcritics, so, Sound Barrier is not the first movie to be polemic, and certainly will not be the last one.
I really liked the ending. The fact that the kid recovers his ear almost by accident is just gratifying, after all the suffering we got (the kid and the audience).

I must say, as a personal level, the director attended the screening and at some point I felt he was on a "defensive position" which he shouldn't, he must be proud of his work not matter what, and when I say this I stand up as a filmmaker. No matter if the whole world is against you! You just got to fight & show that you believe in yourself! which by the way, he did. And for that I salute him!

And at last but not least:
there's usually something @ VIFF for the rocker in you!
Punk attitude
Kind of reminded my days I used to play the guitar, a black ibanez, I still got it, like brand new :OP hehehehhe

Not to FORGET: one of my favorites directors: Takeshi kitano's TAKESHIS' Good old Takeshi, what the world would be without Takeshi Kitano?

On a more personal note:
I must say this year I couldn't see as many movies as I wanted, the reason? I am also a filmmaker and I just finished a huge project for CONARTE (let's say it is like the ministry of culture in Mexico). I remember it was one month of shooting (2 cameras) 8 shows and 1 final editing of "the best of every show" at the end it took double the time due to the fact that there were 2 cameras. 1 month to edit, and a week to do the final "best of..." what happened?
Along with that I had to buy some extra hardware and equipment for my company called Itinerante productions (which will be opening a Branch in Vancouver in the next following days) so I spent all summer and begining of september shooting, hiring, training assistants and editing endless summer nights at my studio in Mexico, why in a hurry? just to be in time to cover VIFF 2005.

Anyways as soon as I finished the editing I gave it to my clients 5 days before my departing to Vancouver, allowing them some time to make the necesary adjustments. And, as usually, they did some adjustments mostly on credits and small things like that.
So I went back to my studio (yes I was back and forward, torn in between 2 cities, at 7 hours distance. So add 14 hours to travel every week all summer! :OS ). Anyways I ended up on wednesday, review, edited and added another 90 DVD copies, that my clients requested on the very last minute...
But all the trips in between Tampico, Monterrey, McAllen Tx, Houston TX, Vancouver, etc. but all this really burned me up. :O(
At the end I had troubles in my sight. I don't know why but I couldn't focus, I was dizzy most of the time and with a sense of "out of reality" most of the time. My mother was so worry because I was locked in my studio sometimes without eating all day until night, and without talking to anyone. To finish my story, yes I finally got my paycheck heheeee! on friday, and left mexico on sunday. I can't remember which day it was, but I remember it was my birthday: September the 7th, when I attended the press conference at the Vancouver International Film Centre. Which I must apologize, because ehem, er, I was the one coughing and it really sounded like a monster was in between the audience :OS, (add a horrible flu as soon I arrived to Vancouver, on top of everything)

I remember I had to get out the Theater, I felt horrible, to disturb all the people and cameras taping, and speakers.... ugh! :OS I just went out and came back and stood besides the door, just in case...
I must add, the feature that I like the most at the Vancouver Film Centre it is not the seats but the podium with electronic adjustable sizes, it makes you go uuuhhh!!! :Oo

What more can I say? it is my second year at VIFF, and my second year reviewing films for the latin american comunity in Vancouver.

VIFF 2005

The 24th Vancouver Film Festival is just around the corner again. Prepare to watch a lot of movies from around the world, for some of them, this is the only chance to watch them.

This year there is a new Theater and at the Vancouver Film Centre as well as interesting films like
Isabella Rosellini's new short film called "my 100 years old dad", the Opening Gala will be the film Water directed by Deepa Mehta.

Closing Gala, Winner of this year's Cannes film Festival: L'enfant

From Mexico comes an outstanding documentary called Tropico de Cancer

Skritek, a checoslovaquian hiralious part comedy part grotesque
among others.



this year, VIFF is focused on reflection about "no film is completely foreign".

about this thought Brent Wheller, Creative Director, remarks:

"Some people are reluctant to watch foreign films because they assume they won't relate. These trailers erode that barrier... In reality, foregin films deal with universal themes and stories -we all felt lonely, we all have to deal with stress, and we all tendo to find the same things funny".



the 24th Vancouver Film Festival will be held September 29 - October 14 2005.

link: VIFF