LIFE ABOVE THE CLOUDS #2 (Germany/Italy)
Continuing off yesterday's post for Life Above the Clouds #1, today's program took us to the White Mountains of Crete where an urban man heads to the mountains for several months of solitude herding sheep, and then to the Fjords of Norway. Keep an eye out for it on tv, aside from the sweeping mountain shots, this program would be very television friendly. If you've got a large wide screen tv, even better.
3/5 no longer playing at VIFF
DONOVAN'S ECHO (Canada)
Yes, friends, this lovely first feature from director Jim Cliffe, who also co-wrote the script, is Canadian film, though you would never know it without looking for little clues. Poignant and rich, this is the story of Donovan Matheson, in a stellar performance by Danny Glover, who returns to his home after 30 years. Last time he was there, his wife and young daughter were killed in a car accident. This time, something else draws him back. He examines his diaries from back then and draws startling conclusions as to why he's returned when coincidences and more deja vu happens that ties him to another woman and her young daughter who shares the same name as his own little girl. Part thriller, part spiritual journey, the superb cinematography and score will sweep you up as the real world fades away.
4.5/5 sadly this film is currently no longer screening at VIFF, but cross your fingers that we will see this on the big screen again.
LOW LIFE (France)
A group of young adults are just trying to live their dreams in a bleak world. The main storyline appears to be Carmen falling in love with Hussain an Afghan student who is an illegal immigrant, after falling out of love with her former boyfriend Charles. A lot seems to happen and a lot seems to not happen as the numerous storylines actually muddle the above plot rather than support it and depict the setting of the film.
1.5/5 Luckily this film does not play again
FREE HANDS (France)
This debut from Brigitte Sy is based on a true story about a woman who falls in love with an inmate as she is making a film with a group of prisoners at a prison just outside of Paris. The set up is a little slow and the love affair quite secret, sometimes we can't even tell on screen. Not a happy ending as Barbara gets swept into a drug dealing plot that Michel is part of and then banned from seeing and writing to each other, before marrying in prison. The feeling on this film seems to be a split. While an interesting concept, the level of drama could be higher.
2/5 plays Thursday October 13th at 3pm
MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE (USA)
Elizabeth Olsen (sister of the Olsen twins) stars in this psychological drama about a young woman who's escaped a cult and moved back in with her sister and brother in law. Having been accustomed to a cult style of living, she has to learn new rules that is restrictive and opposite of her past. There is an intertwining of her past and present lives as she slowly breaks down, but refuses to tell her sister what happened to her. Despite an interesting trailer, this doesn't quite end with any satisfaction or acceptance. Analyze how you will.
3/5 plays Friday October 4th at 3pm
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