I’m sorry for being so behind on my postings for TIFF… I realised soon enough that time management and multi-tasking while sleeping very few hours is not my forte. I’ve decided to do my TIFF review in parts; I’ll try to break it up by programmes rather than days. In no particular order…
City to City
A very interesting look at cinema from Israel. Part one focuses on the years between 1932 and 1978 . It was my first early morning film; I felt like I was going to class… an interesting one at that. Having little exposure to Israeli films, I found interesting to see how the early films were heavily influenced by Zionism. It wasn’t until later on in the 60’s and onwards that films became more about the individual’s experience. A good introduction to films from this area.
Contemporary World Cinema
Rabia — I was able to meet director Sebastian Cordero and the female lead Martina Garcia. Please read my “Getting to know…” post coming up.
Gala Presentations
A last minute ticket and I was able to see the film that eventually won the People’s Choice Award at this year’s festival. The story of a teenager girl, Precious Jones, who has suffered from sexual, physical and emotional abuse. A great performance by lead Gabourey Sibide and Mo’Nique as Precious’ mother. Director Lee Daniels and the actors bring us a very raw, powerful story which will have you laughing, crying and hoping for some good outcomes for Precious. The hype the film has received is well deserved.
Another last minute film… Director Jan Kounen brings us back to 1913 where this relationship began to form. Coco Chanel became fascinated with Stravinsky’s work and the man himself after attending the premiere of The Rite of Spring in Paris. Chanel is played by Anna Mouglalis and Stravinsky by Mads Mikkelsen both of whom deliver decent performances. The two personalities are strong but somehow they have deep admiration and care for one another. I liked the film’s music (of course, it’s mostly Stravinsky’s); its style, costumes and set design. The film could have been edited in some parts. I learned something I didn’t know about the relationship between Chanel and Stravinksy but it’s not the most memorable film.
Mikkelsen attended the second screening I was at for a Q&A session as did Kounen. Mikkelsen talked about learning Russian phonetically in preparation for this role. Out of the two leads; he was the most believable in my opinion. Kounen described a little bit about the sets and how he chose patterns for interiors to showcase Chanel’s sense of style. I appreciated some of the information they shared with the audience and appreciated them showing up at the theatre before 11am on a Saturday morning.
Vanguard
Enter the Void — I was able to meet director Gaspar Noé. Please read my “Spotlight on…” post coming up.
I enjoy watching music documentaries because you get an on-stage and backstage view of the artists. In this film, Emmett Malloy brings us on tour through Canada with Jack and Meg White. The film has an intimate feel and it’s shot in the White Stripes’ signature colours: black & white and red. I liked seeing them in concert at the various towns and venues in part of Canada most of us haven’t seen like the Yukon and Nunavut. The interview parts with Jack doing most of the talking and Meg quietly agreeing/disagreeing were amusing. The music of course, spoke for itself.
After the film, Malloy did a short Q&A. Most of the audience was comprised by White Stripes fans and by their loud applause, it was evident they enjoyed the film. One dissenter had to make a comment about Malloy’s filming style; claiming he “used every trick in the book.” He was quickly booed by the crowd… I thought it an unnecessary comment even if that’s how the man felt. The documentary was more about the music and the great many Canadian places the band got to visit. The rest is just aesthetics.
Yonge-Dundas Square
The closing concert film at YDS this year was this very educational and entertaining film by Benjamin Franzen and Kembrew McLoud. Using first-person accounts of music industry insiders and artists, the directors create a discussion about creative rights, artistic expression, and of course, money. The two sides of the argument are represented: those who feel sampling is a “lazy way to make music” and others who support it as a novel way to listen to something that’s been around for year… in other words, creatively using certain parts of a
track to give it a new life or dimension.
The directors were on hand to talk about the film after it screened and those who stayed behind at the square were treated to a live performance by Chuck D (from Public Enemy), Eclectic Method (a group of three pop culture VJs) and Clyde Stubblefield (James Brown’s awesome drummer). The performance lasted over an hour; very high energy with great visuals provided by eclectic method… Chuck D took time to greet the crowd and pass the microphone around. It was too much that we forgot how chilly it was that night.
