Back at a full slate of films today as the rain bookends the beginning and of Day #12 at VIFF. Hopefully the rain will ease off, otherwise numerous festival goers have opted for films in the same building to avoid heading outside and waiting in line again for re-entry. After a long line at the pass entry ticket table day, it was a mad dash over to the Pacific Cinematheque for Life Above the Clouds #1.
LIFE ABOVE THE CLOUDS #1 (Germany/Italy)
Part of a European tv series, this program combines two episodes detailing life in remote mountain areas of Europe. Today we watched "A Fairy-Tale Valley in the Carpathian Mountains" and "A Monastery in the Pyrenees". The first depicting life for those still living off the land in Romania, what life is like living in isolation as they only meet in the valley for the market and church services. The second tells the story of 4 hermit monks living in a monastery 1200 meters above the town below, how silence is the rule and seclusion from the outside world. Things are changing though as slowly they begin to reopen the monastery to everyone for sanctuary. Breathtaking cinematography of both locations as the mountains are blanketed in mist and mystery. With interesting stories, this is a program to catch if you can when it appears on TV.
3.75/5 this program is no longer playing at VIFF, but the second combination of locations, including episodes on the fjords of Norway and the White Mountains of Crete will be playing TODAY Tuesday October 11th at 1045am at the Pacific Cinematheque.
KOOKY (Czech Republic)
This film wasn't my first choice today, but with pass tickets gone for Policemen, Kooky was not a disappointing replacement but rather a little gem that I would have otherwise missed. Going for an English dub, this film is a combination of live action and puppetry about a stuffed toy Kooky who is dumped into the trash by the family of a boy with asthma and needs to find his way home - an idea a little reminiscent to the latest Toy Story. Writer/Director Jan Sverak's version though utilizes a child's imagination to bring Kooky's adventures and journey to life, keeping it light but sophisticated enough that adults enjoy it and not overly sophisticated for children. Beautifully done and may surprise you with great characters, chases and music.
4/5 plays Tuesday October 11th at 7pm
NO ONE KILLED JESSICA (India)
Based on a true case of a girl's murder and the acquittal of her murderers, this is an explosive film that hits every beat as it depicts the corruption of the Indian police, government and legal system, as Jessica's sister Sabrina places hope in the law for justice. Justice that isn't served after a lengthy trial, and catches the heart of news anchor Meera who raises the issue of injustice that moves a country demanding justice. For once, religion is forgotten as the people band together behind a girl, outraged that her murderer got off despite confessing.
A must see film if it's not already on your radar as the film is rich, showing us who Jessica was, her sister's plight and a plan to utilize the media and bring on a reopening of an open-shut case that officials tried to sweep under the carpet. Despite the heavy content, there are moments of breathing particular in the frequent use of music (which actually pushes the duration of the trial into a compact several minutes). Some may find it a bit too Bollywood, but make no mistake, there is no love story and no big dance sequences.
4.5/5 plays Thursday October 13th at 915pm
HAMLET (Canada)
So begins my night of Canadian films, this is an adaptation by Bruce Ramsay who also stars in this. This version of Hamlet is set in London in the 1940s all in one location - a mansion of sorts (Hycroft as some Vancouverites might recognize). Kudos go out to the cast and crew for shooting the entire film in 3 days as they used 4 Canon 7D cameras. Great taking from several talented Canadian actors. According to the write up, claustrophobia is the motif here, I would have liked to see it more edgy and dark, some of the cinematography made it a look a little too flat and normal. Fans of Hamlet, check this one out, otherwise maybe pick something else.
3/5 plays Wednesday October 12th at 250pm
COMFORTING SKIN (Canada)
A well crafted debut by writer/director Derek Franson about a young woman Koffie whose lonely life is turned rightside up and upside down by a tattoo that first nurtures and then turns into a something like a jealous lover. Victoria Bidewell anchors this piece with a haunting performance as Koffie through loneliness, despair, confusion, happiness, wariness, and torment. The story starts of a bit slow in the set up but picks up pace as the influence of the tattoo grows. Great visual effects work on the tattoo, bringing it to life as it moves across the skin, lingering and disappearing. One area that needs improvement though is sound, at times we struggle to hear the dialogue, especially that of the tattoo's which is generally soft to begin with, and there seems to be an overuse of music that overpowers sections of the film and drowning out dialogue that we need to hear.
3.5/5 plays Wednesday October 12th at 115pm
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