A Film Unfinished: A Nazi propaganda film in the making (encore screening)

On Tuesday, September 28th, I took in A Film Unfinished, a compilation of found archival footage documenting the conditions of the Warsaw Ghetto during the second world war. I've seen several films that deal with the subject of the Holocaust. I've seen the images of emaciated bodies being dropped into mass graves, read survivor journals and the Diary of Anne Frank. I even wrote my undergraduate thesis on the Holocaust writing of women. While each piece of literature, each interview, each documentary offers additional insight into this dark period, A Film Unfinished provides a unique and deeply interesting entry in the library of Holocaust study.

Filmed in the months leading up to the relocation of Ghetto residents to Treblinka, A Film Unfinished juxtaposes haunting images of starvation, suffering and death against the carefully orchestrated scenes shot by Nazi propagandists. These staged scenes, shown from different angles through multiple takes, paint a bizarre and painful picture of life inside the Ghetto. Interspersed with archival film footage, journal entries, official reports and trial transcripts, the film also captures the memories and reactions of childhood survivors as real and fraudulent scenes play across the screen.

Journal entries made by Adam Czerniakow -- head of the Warsaw Judenrat -- outline details of the filming, narrating many of the images found in the four reels, lending credence to the verdict that these images were indeed manufactured. Elaborately-staged dinner parties, nights at the theatre and traditional Jewish rituals, including an infant's briss, are directed by members of the SS and preserved in cellulose by hired cameramen.

No one knows the intended purpose of the film, but there are those who speculate it was shot to reinforce the Nazi belief that what they were doing was justified -- that the alien Jewish traditions were reasons to fear and hate the people as a whole. The film depicts apparently wealthy Jews turning a blind eye to those in need; women in fine clothing scoff at begging children while well-heeled businessmen step over decaying corpses lying discarded in the streets.

Anyone with an interest in World History, the Holocaust or Nazi Propaganda is sure to find this an engaging and worthwhile watch. The initial audience feedback from the Tuesday night screening was so positive, CIFF is giving festival-goers a second chance to see it.

You can catch the encore presentation of A Film Unfinished at The Plaza on Friday, October 1 at 4:45pm.

Daydream Nation: A Promising Canadian Feature

I’m a huge fan and advocate of Canadian coming-of-age films; C.R.A.Z.Y. is one of the best, and last year’s Victoria Day was probably my favorite screening of the whole festival. However, I’ve got one beef with them: where’s the girl power? Generally, the protagonist is a young man battling with puberty, peers, pretty girls, and parents. Gosh, wouldn’t it be fresh to see a film that gives the feminine perspective of growing up and all it’s complications? Well, as luck would have it, the film Daydream Nation takes a dark and daring chance, centering it’s racy narrative around female teen Caroline Wexler as she ruffles feathers in her small, Canadian hometown.

I won’t give away too many plot points, suffice it to say that Daydream Nation, directed by Michael Goldbach, is a innovative re-working of the dramatic teenage films we’ve all grown to know and love. I’ve got my ticket, and can’t wait to see if Caroline can navigate the turbulent waters of adolescent angst as effectively as her more popular male counterparts. If the theatrical trailer is any indication of this film’s potential, I’m sure Ms. Wexler will do just fine. Check it out below:



Daydream Nation plays Saturday, October 2nd, at Eau Claire #2 at 5:00PM. Get your tickets at the CIFF box office location, or online. It’s true that our country makes great films - let's get out there and support them so that creative Canucks like Mr. Goldbach can keep them coming.

Let Me In: A Refreshing Spin on a Tired Genre

Vampires. A popculture phenomenon in recent years that I'm sure has a number of you readers already rolling your eyes at the thought. Our TV stations and friendly neighborhood cinemas have been pumping out vampire hits as fast as they can ranging from the highly romanticized and shamelessly cheesy Twilight Saga to HBO's gory and envelope-pushing True Blood. I too was part of the vampire jaded camp for quite some time. I admit, I read Twilight and shamefully have seen all three movies. But there was never any really oomph or spark to this series (other than Edward's apparently glittering abs) that left any lasting impression.

Robert Pattinson starring as Edward Cullen in all his vampiric glory.

As an avid horror fan I was seeking something a little darker, a little less polished and a whole lot more bloody than the average vampire fare had given me in recent years. I was steadfast in my preference for zombie movies and apathy towards vampire films.. up until I saw one little foreign film at CIFF in 2008 that changed it all.
Which film was that? You may be wondering. (Even if you weren't wondering I'm going to tell you anyways.)
Well fellow film buffs, the film was: "Låt den rätte komma in" Swedish for "Let the Right One In." The film was so many things other vampire films of late were not. Refreshing, tragic, eerie, poignant - and of course, gory. It showed that horror could be both a work of art and leave you feeling jumpy and nervous walking to your car afterwards in the dark.



The film takes place in a suburb of Stockholm in the 1980s and centers around a young boy named Oskar who is a victim of constant bullying at school. A strange young girl named Eli and her father move into the apartment next door and the two develop a bizarre yet strong friendship. We soon learn that Eli is not the timid and innocent pre-teen that she appears to be, and in fact has been 12 years old for a loooong time.

Let the Right One In was a haunting and beautiful film, and has justly earned a spot on my list of favorite films of all time. So where does Let Me In fit into all of this? Well, it is a Hollywood remake of this beloved Swedish film, and stars a number of breakout young stars. Most notably, Chloe Moretz who starred as Hit Girl in the underrated comic book movie Kickass. But I digress. From the trailer it is apparent that Let Me In has taken strides to make itself a memorable movie in its own right while remaining faithful to the original Swedish text and film. Let Me In takes places in a small town in New Mexico in the 1980s and follows the burgeoning relationship between the young loner Owen and the mysterious new girl, Abby.

Chloe Moretz as Abby in Let Me In

Like all of you, I will be seeing this movie for the first time tonight and I couldn't be more excited. Let the Right One In has become a cult-classic in its own right, and it will be interesting to see how director Matt Reeves (of Cloverfield fame) puts his own spin on the beloved story. Be sure to pick up tickets to this show now, as it's certain to be a full house. You can purchase tickets either online at calgaryfilm.com or through the Festival Central box office in Eau Claire. The film plays tonight at 7pm at Eau Claire Market. Jump at the chance to see this movie before it opens in theaters later this week. See you there!

Red White & Blue: Twist and Turns of Torture and Tragedy

If you’re a procrastinator, and by some tragic circumstance miss out on tickets to tomorrow night’s amazing Black Carpet Gala: I Spit on Your Grave (PS: There are still a few tickets left!) - never fear! There is no need to stay home and pout whilst staring at The Exorcist for the 400th time, there is a better option! The winner of the Best Film award at the Boston Underground Film Festival, and Best International Feature Film at the Fantasia International Film Festival is a sure way to get your Friday night fright on. Red White & Blue is an American thriller that combines awkward romance, mental instability, enormously bad luck, and a cast of emotionally compelling characters in a story that will guide you through the psyches of different perspectives - some which are touching and tragic, others which are incredibly disturbing.

After losing her job, sexually promiscuous and bitter Erica is on the brink of being evicted. Thanks to the kindness of older neighbour, Nate, she is relieved to find work at the local warehouse where he is employed. Nate is drawn to Erica despite her coldness, and Erica is eventually intrigued by Nate’s kind, but mysterious nature. The two share a complicated, awkward, yet well-intentioned attraction to one another despite their differences in age and past experiences. Meanwhile, on the other side of town, a garage band is lead by enthusiastic rocker and loving son, Frankie. He balances his musical ambitions and sexual exploits with the care of his mother who is battling cancer. Thanks to a past sexual encounter with Erica, the world of Frankie and his band clash violently with Erica and Nate - leading to a horrific climax of violence, torture, and tragedy.

I absolutely loved this film. For the first hour you may wonder why it has gained a place in the Late Night Line-Up, as it closer resembles a dark, indie-romance in the beginning, but it’s inclusion in CIFF’s horror series will become gut-wrenchingly apparent once the third act rears it’s ugly (and entertaining) head. That is not to say that the movie is dull and motionless until the violence sets in - quite the contrary. The characters are complex and fascinating, and the film takes a welcome amount of time building the personalities of the players in way that makes the final act strikingly powerful. It perfectly balances drama and brutality, treating the audience to a moving, intense, and at times despicable, tale of unfortunate love and circumstance.

As the token horror junkie, I feel compelled to add that Red White & Blue is MY PICK for favorite Late Night Feature of CIFF 2010. It plays on Friday, October 1st, at the Plaza at 11:30 PM. Pick up your tickets at the CIFF Box Office location, or online. Don’t miss out - successful horror/dramas such as this are few and far between!

Gabi on the Roof in July

GABI ON THE ROOF IN JULY is a refreshing look at young adults, wanting freedom, and fun, without all the responsibility. A young college girl, Gabi, visits her older brother who is trying to get his art career going in Brooklyn. Gabi's free spirit turns out to be another piece for her brother Sam to worry about as he struggles at getting his life together while making ends meet.

Gabi's character in the film is free spirited, and in many ways just young. There is no concept of maturity although, she feels she is mature and pretends to engage in adult acts. She really is just a child, and is looking for support and guidance from her older brother. Gabi's has had a hard time dealing with the separation of her and Sam's parents, and accepting her father's new partner. Gabi is hoping to get support from her brother however she ends up seeing him act out the same way as their father.

The story looks at Gabi's relationship with Sam as she explores art herself in her unique way. Sam's art work which pieces together society, and social decay is beginning to take off. The uniqueness of Sam's art with regards to behavior mimics the decay of Gabi and Sam and the ability to make clear wise choices. The characters desire for something fresh, fun and new is there, however the lack of commitment or dedication are not present. Gabi is a great girl, and as I mentioned she acts exceptionally free, and this freedom is a way for her to learn about herself, although some of how she learns is not conventional. She really is looking for someone to understand her and be there for as a male role model, and Sam needs to step up to the plate to replace that father figure.

Gabi and Sam both do and say things that will leave you thinking societal decay with respect to young people. However being not so old myself (depending on your perspective) the decay is from within due to deeper issues that need to be resolved. I personally would never be as free as the characters in this film, and I am sure there are many others out there that are similar to me in thinking, and behavior, however that is why we enjoy the arts, and do not necessarily create them. We can see fresh new ideas and concepts through a different light which often come from much experimentation, and experiences in life, that some of us will never experience due to our own boundaries, and limitations.

For a fresh fun look at artistic youth through an independent lens check out GABI ON THE ROOF IN JULY on Saturday October 2nd at 4:45 at Eau Claire or on Sunday October 3rd at 9:00pm at Eau Claire.

The Last Lovecraft: Relic of Cthulhu Had this Horror-fan in Hysterics

It can be hard deciding whether to laugh or scream when it comes to scary movies, and that’s why horror and comedy make such a lovely genre pair. Horror-comedies have been around for decades - literally. The first one was a silent film in 1920 titled Haunted Spooks. Of course today we’re more familiar with films like Evil Dead, Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice, and Idle Hands, but the American film The Last Lovecraft: Relic of Cthulhu takes this melded genre to a new level. Part buddy flick, part road movie, part supernatural thriller - think of this film as Road Trip meets Alien.

In the depths of the ocean, a monster lies dormant. For Cthulhu to be roused from years of slumber, the two separated pieces of the relic key must be brought together in order to unlock his underwater tomb. The earthly cult of Cthulhu has found one half, and with the help of a supernatural army of fish-people, they are on their way to the location of piece number two. Unfortunately for Jeff, an average cubicle-bound office worker, he has been given the task of guarding it due to a hereditary link to infamous horror novelist, H.P. Lovecraft. He and his co-worker (and best friend), Charlie, call upon their old high school’s token geek, Paul, to learn more about the ancient beast and the consequences of the relic being joined. They are tracked down by the cult’s army and the three unlikely heroes soon find themselves on the run from Cthulhu’s vicious descendants. If they can keep the relic in two pieces, they will save the world from violent destruction and certain doom. If not, we’re all fish food.

You really get the best of both worlds with this one. The laughs are many, thanks mostly to Paul, whose character bears a striking resemblance (physically and behaviorally) to Zack Galifianakis in The Hangover. The bumbling trio never seems to find a cohesive mode of defense - much to the delight of audiences. As for the horror - blood, battle, and beasts are aplenty. Sci-fi fans will also be pleased with the creature designs and costume effects. If you like to laugh, or love to scream (or never know which to do), this film is for you!

The Last Lovecraft: Relic of Cthulhu plays Thursday, September 30th at the Plaza at 11:00 PM. Get your tickets at CIFF box office locations, or online. Make sure you bring a box of tissues - whether you’re wiping tears of fright or fun is up to you.

Suzuki Picture a Promising Force

Force of Nature: The David Suzuki movie has it's Western Canadian premier tonight at the Plaza. From the looks of it this will be a very popular one, even with an Albertan audience. Unlike other films of a more radical nature, such as this year's 'green screen' series highlight Dirty Oil, which has already caused it's share of controversy, this movie seems like it will be much more quaint, quiet, and introspective. The film is a movie about the man himself, his legacy, and much of it is in his own words, in a documented "final speech". Scenes from this speech or seemingly woven into scenes from Suzuki's past to create what seems like it will be a moving biography, and one which maintains an influential message for decades to come. In this sense the film seems like it will draw a fine line between honouring the past and encouraging the future. Both a humble send off to the man that we all have come to know, and an re-instillment of his passion for change, and to leave a better world for generations to come. Suzuki, a revered scientist, broadcaster, and environmentalist, has aged, and he has undoubtedly gained a reservoir of knowledge, reason, and wisdom over the years. This movie will hopefully capture all of that into a single sitting, one that in my opinion, will be well worth while.

You can catch Force of Nature tonight at 7:00 PM at the Plaza in Kensington.

Tickets are on sale online, at the festival centre in Eau Claire Market, and may be available at the door. Get your tickets before the show if this is one you want to see! It's sure to be a popular one!

Would you like a little faith with your coffee?

Faith, Fraud and Minimum wage follows small-town girl Casey (Emily of New Moon’s Martha MacIsaac) as she struggles to strike a balance in her life. After her sister Meg (Kate Lavender) is left in a coma following a vehicle accident the year before, Casey turns her back on her faith, much to the chagrin of her highly-religious, ultra-conservative Maritime town. Heartbroken by the tragedy, Casey’s father, played by well-known Canadian actor Callum Keith, spends his waking hours at Meg’s beside hoping and praying for a change in her condition.

Frustrated by her job at Krowne Donuts, her father’s absence, and the strained-yet-playful relations with her coworker – local football hero and boyfriend of her arch-rival – Jansen (Ricky Mabe), Casey tosses a cup of Krowne Donuts 100% Arabica coffee on the outter wall of the donut shop. The ensuing mania that takes place, when the coffee stain bears a striking resemblance to Jesus Christ just days before Christmas, throws Casey's world into further chaos.

With Christmas creeping ever closer, the appearance of the holy image gives the town instant notoriety, drawing in worshipers from across Canada and the United Sates. Taking advantage of the sudden rush of visitors, both Krowne Donuts and Casey’s family Christmas tree lot – conveniently located in the adjacent lot – begin to receive a rush of Christmastime income.

As the image attracts more and more of the faithful, the aspirations of local business man -- and Krowne Donuts owner --‘Uncle Bob’ (Don Allison) begin to conflict with the modern views of recently-appointed Father JJ (Andrew Bush). But when Casey’s father begins to believe that the coffee stain Christ is a sign that Meg’s health will be restored, Casey is torn between her practical need for money and her moral obligation to the town, her father and herself.

Equally touching, entertaining and funny, Faith, Fraud and Minimum Wage is a creative commentary on society, capitalism, faith and what it means to be faithful. MacIsaac and Keith are heartbreakingly believable, suffusing the film with an emotional quality that extends beyond the screen to the audience.

Don’t miss the Alberta premier of Faith, Fraud and Minimum Wage Thursday, September 30th, 7pm at The Plaza.

Me, Too (Yo, tambien)

The Spanish film Me, Too (Yo, tambien) tells the story of Daniel Sanz (Pablo Pineda), the first Down’s Syndrome individual to graduate from University in Europe. After studying teaching and education psychology, Daniel takes a job as an assistant in the General Office for Disabled Persons and forms a friendship with coworker Laura (Lola Duenas). The two quickly become close, and it’s not long before Daniel falls in love.

As a result of a vigorous education, Daniel is ‘more advanced’ intellectually and developmentally than most individuals with Down’s Syndrome. His thoughts on art, politics, culture, history and literature surpass those of most of his coworkers, but in spite of his insights, he is still largely considered childlike. At more than 30 years of age, as his brother and sister-in-law expect their first child, Daniel struggles with his own desire to fit into mainstream society, find love and one day start a family of his own.

Me, Too depicts love in a variety of forms, from the tradition and comfort of long-time married life, to the purely sexual and areas between. The film raises questions of a disabled person's right to choose and whether they have the capacity to make decisions about their own lives and bodies.

With that in mind, Me,Too isn’t so much about acceptance and treatment of disabled persons, but rather the universal search for love. People yearn for love and acceptance regardless of whether they graduate university, have a career, or need help tying their shoelaces. Me, Too plays on feelings we all experience – fear of fitting in and being accepted, and the desire to find someone to love who loves us in return.

Daniel faces the same challenges of any individual searching for love, and through it all, he’s hopelessly and determinedly optimistic. Me, Too is a touching, humorous twist on the traditional love story that is certain to appeal to all audiences.

Catch the Canadian premiere of Me, Too at the Globe Theatre on Thursday, September 30th, or the encore screening Saturday, October 2nd at 2:45pm.

New Low

In the mood for an American Indie flick, well NEW LOW may be just the light comedic drama you have been looking for.

Adam Bowers gives us a look into an all too common story that many, many women can relate too. For all those men out there, perhaps this comedic look into the search for relationships may actually give you that sense of commitment that normally leaves you running for the door.

In the film Wendell is in search of a relationship, for what we are not sure of but I am assuming it is to fill his time. He is twenty some, and has no plans for the future, no hobbies, and no interests. Vicki who we meet in the film lets Wendell know about his lack of appeal to women however she herself is willing to overlook it. Wendell however, although willing to get involved in a relationship is not willing to overlook some of the odd and unconventional pieces of Vicki's life.

The story I'm sure you have seen in your lives, or the lives of friends, where one person in the couple is looking for something better, better than they really can get. Not to say we should not strive for the stars, however often we lose a really good thing because we are not happy with the great stuff before us. We are human, and easily blinded by the next more prettier, shinier thing, even if we can not afford it, or it is beyond our means. This film is an entertaining reminder to go home and tell the people in your life how much you love and care for them, and that you would never trade them in for anything.

You still have time before the festival wraps up, so get out and catch NEW LOW on Sunday October 3rd at 6:45 pm at Eau Claire.