Cleanflix (From L-R: Co-directors Andrew James & Joshua Ligiari along with Robert Perry and UVU Professor Phil Gordon)
Slowly I’ve recovered from 10 solid days of movie-watching. This year, I managed to see 30 films and screened four others outside of the theatres. Here is my list of the 10 films that stood out for me this year. My taste is a bit varied but I did see more documentaries and midnight madness films this year; hence, I was unable to take in many others I had on my list. In alphabetical order, here they are…
The Art of the Steal
A documentary by Don Argott, which neatly dissects the story of how the Barnes art collection has been “mismanaged” and profited from against Dr. Albert Barnes’ the last wishes. If you saw the Barnes collection when it was on tour in Toronto in the 90’s, like me, you may have not known about the crime that was taking place at the time. The film will definitely shed light on a convoluted story and make you question who has the right to control such art collections… you will also question who does art really belong to?
If you are art fan or connoisseur, you will find this film very interesting and eye-opening. If you are keen on legal issues, this will also intrigue you. The film could easily fit into an art history or law class. I have just read the film has been picked up by a distributor, IFC. Hopefully, it will get a wider audience besides the film festival circuit.
Cleanflix
I saw this documentary with a friend of mine and we both enjoyed it very much. The film is the work of Andrew James and Joshua Ligiari. At the premiere screening, they mentioned that they had not known each other prior to making the film. From the film, you wouldn’t know it. The film starts with the story of a small Utah-based edited movie company, which sold “clean” versions of many Hollywood films. Their success was enormous; however, soon Hollywood took notice and the legal battle began. James and Ligiari also introduce us to how his “clean movement” gained much support from the Mormon community.
The film is not just about creative license issues but also about cultural ideals. I particularly enjoyed the various interviews with Utah residents and their view of the issue. There is also some commentary by filmmakers and their concerns with these “clean” versions of their films. The film contains humour, drama and of course, lots of material to ponder about.
Daybreakers
A midnight madness selection, Daybreakers (directed by Michael and Stephen Spierig) was a blast. The film is set in the year 2019, a time in which vampires are the majority and humans are almost non-existent. The cast includes Sam Neil as a bloodthirsty corporate mogul; Willem Dafoe as Elvis, the leader of a group of “survivors” and Ethan Hawke as a vampire and a chief blood researcher who is at odds with his work. Anything more and I’ll give away the point of the movie.
I saw this film during the midnight time slot with a few friends. Some of these friends jumped off their seats a few times… Yes, there are parts in this movie that will take you by surprise. This makes it much more fun and enjoyable. The special effects work really well. The lead actors were awesome and the cinematography works well in creating the sense of darkness and later on, the possibility of change. The release date for Canada is set to January 2010. This film was the runner-up for the Midnight Madness Cadillac People’s Choice Award, so don’t just take my word for it. Many of us enjoyed this vampire film.
L’Enfer D’Henri-Georges Clouzot
Another documentary I enjoyed for various reasons. The film is the work of Serge Bromberg and Ruxandra Medrea. Bromberg was able to introduce the film on opening night of the festival. He described how he attained permission from Clouzot’s widow to use the footage from L’Enfer; a film that Clouzot had worked on in 1964 but was never completed. In the film, Bromberg and Medrea interview members of the crew that clearly tell us how disastrous the filming was. The story was supposed to be about a jealous husband (played by Serge Reggiani) and his lovely young wife (played by Romy Schneider). Clouzot had clearly envisioned how he’d depict this man’s state of mind during his jealous outbreaks by using superimposed images in full colour along with other special effects of the time. In reality, the crew only filmed for three weeks and there aren’t many narrative shots but Bromberg found many test shots where Clouzot used light, colour, costumes and other props in a very stylistic and almost distorting manner.
I don’t think I was the only who got lost in these images. In them, Clouzot’s perfectionism was apparent. They are meticulous and one easily gets absorbed in them. This film gave us a better idea of Clouzot’s creative mind. I’m not sure if it will get distribution but I was glad to have seen those images on the big screen.
Google Baby
A documentary by Zippy Brand Frank addresses the issue of outsourcing surrogacy to India to assist couple who for whatever reason cannot have a baby on their own. The director takes us to Israel, the US and India. The brains of the operation, a young man named Doron, lives in Israel. Doron had a baby girl via surrogacy and when friends begin to ask if there’s a less expensive way to do this, he comes up with the idea to use sperm and egg donors from the US and implant the resulting embryos in the wombs of Indian women who need money for better living condition for their families.
The film will make you think of several issues; ranging from capitalism, race and parental responsibilities. I had a lot of mixed reactions after seeing this film. The filmmaker was available for a Q&A session after the screening and she explained that most people will have various reactions to the film depending on which side of the issue one is coming from. She also explained how parents-to-be “shop” for specific donor types called “premium donors” be it because of race, IQ or another characteristic. I found it eye-opening and definitely made me question my open-mindedness about reproductive rights.
My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done
Werner Herzog’s “other film” at this year’s festival. I will be honest from the get-go; some will either like this film and others will not. If you are a fan of David Lynch, you will most likely enjoy it. If you like Herzog’s filmmaking style, you may like this film. If you are looking for a simple story (i.e. beginning, middle and end) or something with a quicker pace and lots of dialogue, most likely, you will not enjoy this film.
The film is loosely based on the true story of a son who killed his mother; a man that was clearly mentally ill. Michael Shannon plays the son, Brad. The murdered mother is played by Grace Zabriskie. Willem Dafoe is the homicide detective, eager to get into Brad’s mind with the help of his fiancée, played by Chloe Sevigny and Brad’s theatre director Lee Meyers, portrayed by Udo Kier. The story unfolds soon after the murder as Herzog tries to explain Brad’s actions and state of mind.
The reviews I’ve read are mixed, which goes with my statement above that this film will be liked or hated. It can feel tedious at times but for the most part, it worked for me. I found humour, drama and honesty in a Herzog sort of way. Plus, I liked a lot of the camera work that reminded of me of Lynch’s work.
Precious: Based on the Novel “Push”
The pre-festival hype of this film helped in making it the Cadillac People’s Choice Award. Produced by Oprah Winfrey and directed by Lee Daniels, Precious is the story of Precious Jones; a teenager pregnant with her second child who has dealt with sexual, physical and emotional abuse. This basically sets the tone of the film. Daniels’ film and the performances by Gabourey Sidibe as Precious and Mo’Nique as Precious’ mother received great accolades at the premiere at Sundance earlier this year.
Daniels and the cast make the movie real. At the screening I attended, I heard people laugh, cry, sigh and gasp at various parts of the film. The performances draw you in; the audience empathizes with Precious but also with her mother… to a point. I thought I would be exhausted after seeing this film but at the end, I left feeling like alright. Daniels, Sibide and Mo’Nique have created a film that leaves an impression… a good one. The film opens later this year.
Rabia
This film, directed by Sebastián Cordero is a co-production from Spain and Colombia. This is the story of Latin American immigrants Jose Maria, a construction worker, and Rosa, his girlfriend who works as a live-in maid for a Spaniard family. Jose Maria has an altercation with the foreman where he works, which results in tragedy. Jose Maria then decides to hide in the attic of the house where Rosa lives and works; of course, unbeknownst to Rosa… The result is a voyeuristic view of Rosa’s experience; not knowing where her boyfriend’s gone or if he’s coming back… as well as, the family dynamics of Rosa’s employers. Jose Maria living in the attic becomes like a prison as well; thus, creating more drama within the film.
I like the film for various reasons. I enjoyed Enrique Chediak’s camera work; to me it adds to the sense of confusion and desperation Jose Maria is experiencing living in hiding. The house in which most of the film takes place becomes a character as well… it is falling apart not unlike the family that lives there. I also liked the seeing characters I normally don’t get to see on film; that of Latin Americans living abroad. Last I heard, the film had not been picked up for distribution but we’ll see if it gets picked up soon.
A Town Called Panic (Panique au Village)
A Town Called Panic is another Midnight Madness selection directed by Stéphane Aubier and Vincent Patar. This Belgian animated movie had me laughing all the way past 1AM… as MM programmer, Colin Geddes described it in his introduction: “this may be the weirdest, quirkiest film at all of TIFF this year.” And you know what? It was for me, at least. There is a sort of story, which main characters are Indian, Horse and Cowboy. The mayhem ensues when Indian and Cowboy decide to build a barbecue for Horse’s birthday; except they ordered too many bricks! The rest, well, I’m not sure it will make much sense to write here… You can catch a glimpse and see what all the laughing is about here.
All I have to say is, if this ever comes out, go see it! It’s unlike any feature you’ll get to see; you’ll laugh even if you’re not sure why. With animated films you know there’s a great deal of work that goes into them and I can only imagine how much was done for this film. I think you’ll appreciate it for its humour, creativity and for not taking itself too seriously.
Vengeance Q&A (From L-R: MM Programmer Colin Geddes, director Johnnie To and To's colleague and translator).
This is a film by Hong Kong director Johnnie To whose films include Full Time Killer (with Andy Lau), Election, Election 2 and Mad Detective. In this film, To casts French rock icon Johnny Hallyday as Costello, a former French assassin turned chef who goes travels to Hong Kong to avenge the murder of his daughter and her family. Alongside Hallyday are “To regulars” Anthony Wong, Lam Ka Tung and Lam Suet, who become Costello’s allies. As Costello begins to lose his memory, the question becomes what’s the point of revenge if you forget who’s wronged you and why?
I have enjoyed To’s films since I first saw Full Time Killer in 2001. In Vengeance, the plot is a backdrop for the great cinematography. To’s direction drives this film. The action is not cheaply thrown around; it is methodical… carefully thought out. There are few non-stop gunfights but when there are, be ready. Overall, a cool, collected action film.