The sunday line-up exemplified the Only the Best Films Make It slogan. I have seen 13 of the films that screened Sunday and all 13 were great. The Sunday line-up was evidence of the quality of this year's line-up as a whole. It shows why if one is not sure what to see, one should just see anything that piques one's interest.
Here is a quick run-down of the aforementioned 13 films from Sunday:
LEAVE THEM LAUGHING: Alternates between laugh-out-loud funny and heartbreakingly sad. The is the latest from Canadian John Zaritsky (an Oscar winner for JUST ANOTHER MISSING KID). Carla Zilberman is a comedienne diagnosed with ALS. She and her son use humour to deal with a terminal illness that is slowly debilitating her.
FAMILY TREE: Screened twice this weekend. Not much can be said about the film without spoiling one or more of the reveals. A well-told story that hits on many different family dynamics. More layered that the typical family rattled by catastrophe/major revelation film.
TWISTED ROOTS: One of five Finnish films screening at this year's CIFF; the only one that is a feature length narrative film. I have been very impressed with the three I have seen. Hope this year is a forebearer of a blossoming of Finnish cinema. Pairs well with FAMILY TREE; both focussing on family troubles largely precipitated by the patriarch revealing a secret. In this case, the onset of Huntington's Disease. Symptoms of the disease are well-replicated filmically.
PLAYTIME: In my opinion, this is Jacques Tati's best film. The influence he had on comedians that followed is evident. Peter Sellers and Rowan Atkinson would have been unable to form the classic characters we know them for if not for Tati's performance in films like this. Great to see a remastered print.
A SCREAMING MAN: Winner of the Jury Prize at Cannes. I cannot remember another film I have seen from Chad. Encouraging to see such recognition for a film from a country that produces so few films. Coming from such a different culture and political climate likely hinders the vast majority of a North American audience from fully identifying with it but it touches on universal feelings related to status and family roles.
HELENA FROM THE WEDDING: The only film playing at this time that I was going to be able to make it to the start of. Had to choose between eating a meal at the only time I would have a chance or seeing a film I knew little about. I am glad I chose the film. Nothing groundbreaking about it but is a great example of classic American indie film. At beginning it heads towards mumblecore with a bit of extra plot. When it hits its stride, it is reminiscent of the early films of Noah Baumbach and Whit Stillman without getting tied up in class commentary. Great to see Melanie Lynskey putting in so many great performances lately.
ARMADILLO: Winner of Best Documentary Feature at CIFF. This is a film that is perfect for opening weekend so people can discuss it the rest of the festival. Definitely has touched a nerve with some people. As I think over how the entire film plays out, it is arguably one of the finest examples of a filmmaker using a deft touch to avoid bias.
NORA'S WILL: Tremendously enjoyable film. Religion, family, dealing with death and other topics are addressed in a lighthearted and charming manner. It may just be the films I am viewing this year, but it seems like death is present in more CIFF films than in past years. The characters in NORA'S WILL remain respectful of death and the dead while also bringing humor to the mix.
STEAM OF LIFE: Finnish doc about saunas. I was impressed by the behind the scenes details of the technical complications of filming in saunas. Pairs well with FREETIME MACHOS as an intimate look at the angst of the Finnish male.
COLD WATER OF THE SEA: Sunday's Mavericks screening. Beautiful film from Costa Rica. Floats between two parallel stories with mesmerizing visual beauty from start to finish.
PHASMA EX MACHINA: Draws obvious comparisons to 2004's PRIMER. PHASMA EX MACHINA is a difficult film to describe without espousing my opinion of what it means. A film that really is better if you go in without expectations. A young man's parents dies and rather than care for his brother he puts all his energy into creating a machine to bring back his parents. This is a film that will likely become a bit of a cult hit when it is on DVD. May even take a couple of years. Those of you lucky enough to have watched one of the screenings this weekend, can be pleased with yourself that you saw it so much before anyone else caught on to its genius.
PEEPERS: Great turnout for a comedy at 9:30. Seeing this with such an enthusiastic audience was a definite bonus. Brisk 83 minute runtime; solid comedy from start to finish. The material lends itself to lowbrow humour but writing remains clever throughout. This was a film I had high hopes for but was wary of the possibility of it falling flat. It exceeded my expectations and delivered.
THE FAMOUS AND THE DEAD: When I read the synopsis I wondered how a Brazilian could have made a film based on my life. Turns out it is not about me; it is just a great film. Winner of a variety of awards over last two years. A treat to have it screen in Calgary.
Thirteen great films that all screened the same day. And, these are just the ones I saw. There are at least five more that screened Sunday that I have heard great things about. I hope the quantity of great films encourages you all to take a chance on films you are considering over the remaining days of the festival. This year's line-up is solid from top to bottom. If you check something out you likely will not be disappointed.
