We all have our stories to tell, and one of the best mediums to spread the word is through Film. The Caribbean like most communities are constantly saturated with North American, Western and European images in their media. Not since the release of films such as Dance Hall Queen (Jamaica) has there been a significant impact on film and the film industry in the Caribbean. In recent years, Trinidad and Jamaica has produced notable Caribbean soap operas, but as you can imagine there is a greater need for artistry and dialogue through films and television to give voices to other stories.
Michelle Serieux & Storm Saulter
New Caribbean Cinema (NCC) is a collaboration of 8 young Film Makers (two of which I met at an industry event) from throughout the Caribbean who, combine their talents, perspectives and artistry to help each other produce feature length films and other projects. The movement which touts a New Wave, New Style and New Directors is a much needed revolution for Caribbean film and media industry. NCC has gone beyond most collaborations by not depending and waiting on government funding but by pooling the resources and talents of its members to produce and direct shorts in an effort to create a final featured length film.
I met two of the Producers/Directors of NCC, Storm Saulter (Jamaica) and Michelle Serieux (St. Lucia) who spoke candidly about the film industry or lack there of in the Caribbean and advocated the need for support by the public. Both directors were enthusiastic about their venture and the crowd response at the reception to their trailers and shorts were equally encouraging.
Visit the site below, view the Trailers/Shorts and Support New Caribbean Cinema
About Author:Khamal Murray is a major in Bioethics & Health Studies at the University of Toronto, a published journalist, as well as the Editor/Writer with TheJuxtapositionApe Blog and a contributor to online News Mag Alternavox & Science Mag LifeofALabRat.
Arts & CultureComments Off on TIFF 2011 Director Spotlight: Sebastián Brahm
Roman’s Circuit is the first feature film for director Sebastián Brahm. The film introduces us into the world of neuropsychologist Roberto Roman, who proved as a young man that memories physically migrate within the brain when made conscious. Ten years later he spends a semester as guest Professor at his alma mater in Chile. Coming home means Roman must face parts of his life that perhaps he had chosen to forget…
During TIFF, I had an interesting chat with Brahm and producer Gregorio González. Brahm first explained the concept for the film – “Sometimes you build a story of yourself that highlights some memories and hides others that do not fit that well [with that story]. I thought the moment when one of thosehidden memories comes back had cinematic potential and started to think how could that happen and began reading.”
Brahm does not have a background in neuropsychology but did some reading about this… “these type of things have always interest me,” he said. After working on the script, which took about ten year on and off, he got advise from biology professors.
Brahm didn’t want it to be a film that was “pseudo-science nor a cheesy science-fiction film.” He wanted it to be real with something interesting for the audience… “more like a thriller perhaps”. Without giving much away about the film, I’d have to say it has moments where you may not be sure if what you see really happens or if it’s a memory from Roman’s point of view. It’s an interesting concept albeit challenging to follow at times. Brahm knows some people are going to love the film. Yet, others may not but as he said, “it gets people talking, which is part of the reason in making in this film.”
We talked a bit about the cast in the film. Cristián Carvajal plays Roman. Brahm shared that “[Cavajal] is known for doing physical roles. But he works well in this film because he seems restricted and contrived. He suffered a lot during the filming of the lecture scene… there was a lot of scientific information in it.” He comes across well in this role. Overall, Brahm is “very glad with the casting… Alexis Moreno as José Luis is the ‘rogue’ and also Roman’s former rival and friend. He has a lot of potential.” Yet his life did not quite turn out so well.
In terms of González’s involvement in this project, it turns out he’s been friend with Brahm for some time. González has a background in science and academia and when he read the script, he was “fascinated by it.” He agrees with Brahm that “all the characters are well cast. They’re very spot on and it’s also because they had great direction.”
González believes “the structure of the script is great and very happy to be involved in this project. We are confident that we’ll find an audience for this film. It’s a film that may leave you with some questions but that’s good… because it will keep the audience ruminating about it and may want to go back to it. It’s a film that’s very different from what people expect coming from Chile.”
Roman’s Circuit will go on to the Valdivia International Film Festival in Chile. They are looking into a domestic release in Chile also; this is still the very beginning for this film.
Brahm hopes “the audience thinks, reflects about their own memories after seeig this film… it’s a challenge. It’s a game with the audience because I like people to be engaged.”
Arts & CultureComments Off on TIFF 2011 Spotlight: Juan of the Dead
Juan of the Dead Producers Gervasio Iglesias, Claudia Calviño, Inti Herrera & director, Alexander Brugués.
Even before TIFF began, Juan of the Dead/Juan de los Muertos was creating a buzz for being a zombie film from Cuba! After reading the film’s description and seeing its trailer, I automatically had it on my list.
Hours before the film premiered, I had the opportunity to chat with the film’s director, Alexander Brugués. Here is what he had to say about the making of Juan de los Muertos/Juan of the Dead.
“I have been a fan of zombie films since I was a kid,” said Brugués when I asked him about the concept behind the film. In writing the script, “it was a balancing act. I wanted it to reflect how Cubans react to problems but at the same time it had to be a good zombie film… it needed some action, some laughs, some scares. [It had to be balanced] especially since I was fulfilling my childhood dream.”
Brugués wanted the film to show how in Cuba, “when things get real bad we gotta do something.” He wrote the film with the lead actors Alex Días de Villegas and Jorge Molina (Juan and his best friend, Lázaro) in mind. “The rest of the cast came together quite naturally. For example, the character of China was written differently but Jazz Vilá made it his own. The whole cast just worked out very well.”
Filming in Havana was fun but also difficult at times. ”We had great weather during filming and we major parts of the city shut down for us to shoot. But it was also kind of tough to film because there was a lot to shoot. Not to mention the extras had to spend a lot of time in the sun [in zombie character].”
By the way, the extras are all Havana locals. Brugués explained to me how they had a “zombie school” for them, where they learned everything about zombies. They learned how to walk, groan, and all that comes with being a zombie. They were all very enthusiastic. “They’re the real heroes” since they endured long hours getting their make up done and then filming afterwards.
In terms of the project as a whole, it took Brugués about two or three years from beginning to end. The writing process took more time as “I had a flood of ideas that I wanted to put in the script.” The end result is a well-balanced zombedy, as I’ve heard it being called.
The actual world-wide premiere was here in Toronto. When I mentioned to Brugués that there was a lot of buzz about the film, he said he’d heard about it. He was excited but also said that “I don’t want to focus too much on that. I am hoping audiences just have a great time and truly enjoy the film. It should be fun!” And fun it was!
Arts & CultureComments Off on TIFF Midnight Madness Kicks It Off with The Raid
The Midnight Madness (MM) programme at TIFF has quite the reputation among action and martial arts fans as bringing us some the freshest, most kickass films from the around the world. Last night’s opening film delivered every possible punch, kick, knife, machete and gun wound we could think of. I think I’m still recuperating!
The Raid is set in a drug infested apartment building in Jakarta. One of the local police lieutenants gathers a SWAT team to take down drug lord Tama.The take down is not as easy as it sounds as Tama has several men to call upon including the infamous Mad Dog (Yayan Ruhian). Two SWAT teams that will not bow down to Tama and his gang are Jaka (Joe Taslim) and Rama (Iko Uwais). The film starts off with Rama readying himself for the take down then moves to non-stop, adrenaline-driven action! Taslim and Uwais make a great team and their fighting skills are impressive to say the least. The fighting style in this film is that of silat, also known as pencak silat, a martial arts style unique to Indonesia.
Director Gareth Evans (Merantau, 2009) wrote the script with the main purpose to showcase the silat style. The film’s bone-breaking, face-kicking action is unapologetic of its nature. For those of you who enjoy major action and love martial arts, this film will not disappoint. The fight choreography by Uwais and Ruhain is impressive in their inclusion of weapons and execution of every move. What is great in The Raid is that no only the “good guys” kick butt; Tama’s gang can deliver and deliver they do!
The long camera shots give us a taste of the intricacy involved in silat fighting. Yet the rest of the film is filled with stunts that will have you drop your jaw many a times. During the premiere at MM, the audience cheered so much through the film that some of us left almost with no voice. The fight in the drug lab and the last bout in the film will leave you stupefied.
I’ve heard that Sony Pictures Acquisitions nabbed rights prior to the films premiere and also Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda has come on board to do a new soundtrack. Here is hoping for a North American release at some point. Evan’s film is sure to become a cult film and its stars Uwais, Taslim and Ruhain will definitely be fan favourites. They’re already on my list!
For more news on The Raid, visit director Gareth Evans’ webpage.
Arts & CultureComments Off on TIFF 2011 Review: Into The Abyss
In his unique approach to story-telling, Werner Herzog brings us the story of two young men (Michael Perry and Jason Burkett) accused of a triple homicide in Conroe, Texas. We come to know both of these young men, their victims, the victims’ families and also others who have been involved with the legal system in this state, where capital punishment is enforced routinely.
At the opening screening, after a standing ovation, Herzog addressed the audience and told us that he is most definitely against the death penalty. He mentioned growing up in Nazi Germany as the reason why. Into The Abyss, however, is not about taking one side or the other. It is more about the details of such crime, its perpetrators, their histories and how their actions have affected so many others. There are many details about the crime that may be too much to see or hear for some but Herzog does balance these with conversations with people not involved in the crime but who’ve worked in the prison and even with a reverend who visits inmates on the day of their execution.
There are moments in the film that make you mad, that make you question how things get so desperate that people resort to murder and there are moments where you’re trying to understand that Perry and Burkett have also being victims of living an impoverished upbringing with absentee fathers and involvement with the law by various male relatives as well. But there are other parts in the film where Herzog allows us to exhale and laugh. We come to see that all of those affected by this ridiculous crime are only human.
As Herzog said in the Q&A session afterwards, these young men “are human. The crime they’ve committed is monstrous.” He went on to explain that he was not trying to make a documentary only about the crime but also about those who survive the victims…their family. He also wanted us to learn how capital punishment is not necessarily a solution, as demonstrated in his conversation with the reverend and the man who worked in Huntsville Unit, where the executions take place. All in all, the film creates a dialogue and makes you aware of your own views on the topic. Whether you agree with the Herzog or not, Into the Abyss will definitely raise questions and create dialogue. For a clip of the film, go here.
Directed by Gavin O’Connor, Warrior is the story of two brothers – Brandon & Tommy (Joel Edgerton & Tom Hardy) – amateur MMA fighters who are still trying to deal with the emotional scars from growing up with an abusive and alcoholic dad (Nick Nolte). Brandon is forced back into the cage because he’s about to lose his home where he, his wife (Jennifer Morrison) and two daughters live. Tommy has just returned from a mission in Iraq (he’s a Marine); has lost a friend and has promised to take care of his friend’s widow and children. Tommy needs a trainer and is forced to ask his father, Paddy Conlon, to help him train for a major battle (Sparta) in order to win five million dollars. Of course, Brandon finds out about the Sparta battle and decides he, too, must fight in it. Without giving anything away, you will certainly see the brothers fight each other at Sparta.
This is what you need to know about the plot. The brothers’ stories are told somewhat independently of each other except for the second half of the film, where they are forced to meet again and confront each other and their father in their own way. Nolte is great as the now, recovered alcoholic Paddy. Hardy plays the explosive son; it’s hard for him not to given that he had to care for his dying mother then joining the Marines. Edgerton is believable, to a point, as a physics teacher struggling to keep his family afloat after having paid medical bills for his daughter’s heart condition. The Conlon men are all trying to survive; that’s for sure.
Like others who’ve seen the film, I’d have to agree that this is more than just a “fight” film. However, I will agree with Rogert Ebert in that it can be rather Rocky-like at times. We all root for the good guy and want him to win and in Warrior, we want both Conlon brothers to win. Like Rocky, they both have anger and deep sadness within them. And like Rocky, we expect them to somehow deal with these issues inside the cage or out. Part of the fighting scenes are also reminiscent of this year’s documentary Fightville; showcasing UFC’s Dustin Poirier and his trainer Tim Credeur – two very solid guys who also juggle MMA fighting and families.
At times feeling a little too cliché and at others a bit forced, Warrior still delivers in the realm of action and drama. The film is over two hours but it does not feel long. Fans of MMA and general drama/action film fans will enjoy the film.
Arts & CultureComments Off on TIFF 2011: Hye’s Suggestions
Every year, I try to come up with a reasonable list of films to see at The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). This year, I’d say it looks quite reasonable… My list may not include films from all programmes but I hope you venture out to see something outside your comfort zone, if you can.
This list contains a few documentaries from the Real to Reel programme, some Midnight Madness films, some films from the City to City programme among others. In no particular order, here is my list thus far…
Life Without Principle “Hong Kong auteur and festival favourite Johnnie To, returns to TIFF with his latest film, Life Without Principle, a suspenseful drama starring Denise Ho, Lau Ching Wan and Ritchie Yen, that takes a hard look at Hong Kong’s money obsessed culture through three characters whose destinies will cross over one fateful day.”
“As the specter of sectarian conflict looms over a village in the Lebanese countryside, women of different religious affiliations band together and resort to most innovative and surprising schemes to save their community from surrendering to violence. A heartfelt and charming musical follow-up feature to director Labaki‘s widely successful Caramel.”
Las Acacias “Pablo Giorgelli’s feature debut unfolds almost entirely along the fifteen hundred kilometres of highway that links Asunción, Paraguay, to Buenos Aires, a route that Rubén (Germán de Silva), a trucker with thirty years under his belt, knows well. Yet Las acacias disregards the pervading road-movie convention of decorating its journey with predictably unpredictable characters and instead detours, focusing its energies on the exchanges that transpire within the confines of Rubén’s cab – conversations that quietly accumulate into something tremendously moving.”
Alois Nebel “This moody Czech gem, about a train dispatcher haunted by memories at the close of the Cold War, uses rotoscope animation in black and white to look back on still resonant moments in history. Destined to become a classic of the form.”
“From Malaysia’s thriving indie scene director Dain Said crosses cultural and genre boundaries in his latest film. Both realistic and stylish, Bunohan is a complex story of murder, passion and haunting memories for three estranged brothers and their ailing father.”
Girl Model “Young Russian girls join a modeling agency to seek work in Japan, but get caught up in an unregulated system that reveals an unseemly side of the fashion industry.”
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory “For 18 years, filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky have followed the case of the “West Memphis 3″ who remain in prison for murders despite strong evidence pointing to their innocence. This new film revisits the case and presents surprising new information.”
Undefeated “A high school football team in inner-city Memphis gains an inspirational coach and aspires to win the first playoff game in the school’s 110-year history.”
Urbanized “This stylish and inspiring documentary from the director behind Helvetica and Objectified examines ideas about cities and urban design with examples from around the world and interviews with architects, politicians, artists and city planners.”
The Island President “President Mohamed Nasheed governs the small territory of the Maldives, but he’s capable of wielding a large influence over anyone who watches The Island President.”
“Trust filmmaking legend Werner Herzog (Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Grizzly Man) to bring a unique approach to the crime story. This powerful documentary traces the legacy of a triple homicide in Texas, from the victims’ families to a man on death row.”
The Student (El Estudiante) “The graffitied halls, run down classrooms and surrounding streets of the University of Buenos Aires provides the ideal location for Santiago Mitre’s briskly paced debut, The Student. Mitre brilliantly exposes the backroom dealings and negotiations in the murky world of student politics, a microcosm for the world at large, in this fictional account of a young man’s discovery of his talent for politicking through his seduction of an assistant professor and activist.”
In Conversation With…Francis Ford Coppola “The director of The Godfather films, Apocalypse Now, The Conversation and this year’s Festival premiere, Twixt, Francis Ford Coppola is one of cinema’s most impressive and unique voices. This is a rare opportunity to witness a conversation with Coppola, peppered with plenty of audience interaction.”
“This rigorously structured and visually engrossing essay film explores Argentina’s fractious modern history through the words of writers – both founding fathers and oppositional voices – who lay buried in Buenos Aires’s famed Recoleta Cemetery.”
The Loneliest Planet “A local guide takes a young couple through a backpacking trip across the Georgian wilderness.”
Smuggler “In this wacky and shocking comedy, a failed actor is forced to work smuggling dead bodies and contraband in a world full of underground bankers and crazed fashionista yakuza killers. “
The Raid “A swat team is trapped in a rundown apartment block filled with heavily armed drug dealers and killers.”
Sleepless Night (Nuit Blanche) “A cop races through a packed nightclub, dodging drug dealers, and corrupt cops in a mad chase to rescue his kidnapped son.”
The Day “A band of survivors must fight to keep humanity alive in a bleak post-apocalyptic world.”
“Fast, fun and hilarious, Alexander Brugués’s 2nd feature film, Juan of the Dead, gives a decidedly Cuban touch to the zombie genre when an outbreak hits the island on the anniversary of the revolution. Juan and his friends are determined to conquer the un-dead, reported by the government as being unruly Americans continuing their quest of undermining the regime. Brugués’s fresh take on the genre is both hilarious, and politically acute.”
Michael “Michael, a mousy insurance salesman, keeps an under-aged boy locked in his basement, while doing his best to appear ordinary to the outside world. Provided they don’t come knocking on his door.”
So there you have it…Most films will have two or up to three screenings. If you check online, via phone or in person, it may help to know the following:
OFF SALE = Not necessarily sold out; some tickets may become available. Check daily.
RUSH = Technically sold out. Show up up to 30 minutes before the actual screening for a chance to get in.
If you need help planning your schedule around work, screenings with friends and so on, I highly, highly recommend using tiffr.com. These guys have made it super simple for you to narrow down a shortlist of films, linking it to the TIFF website and also generating a schedule for you…super easy! I did not need my Excel list this year!
For full details on screening times, film descriptions and box office information, visit tiff.net/festival. Happy TIFF’g!
Arts & CultureComments Off on Have You Been to the Toronto Reference Library’s Appel Salon?
The Toronto Reference Library (TRL), a part of the Toronto Public Library, was one of the first places I visited when I moved to Toronto many moons ago. The Library has undergone some great renovations the past few years and the addition of the Bram & Bluma Appel Salon for events was a great idea. The “Appel Salon is a place where writers, thinkers, movers and shakers come together for discussions, debates and more.” It is located on the second floor of the Toronto Reference Library.
I have attended some great talks and events at the Appel Salon, so I thought it great to share what’s in store this September with the rest of you. But before I do…
Just a FYI: Free tickets required for all events – Free tickets become available four weeks before the event. As most events are free, it is their policy to overbook. In case of a full program, your reservation may not guarantee admission. Unclaimed reservations will be released to standby customers ten minutes prior to the start of the program. It is recommended that you arrive early.
Celebrated actor Brian Dennehy sits down with Toronto Star theatre writer Richard Ouzounian to speak about his return to Stratford, after an acclaimed run at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin. He also looks back at his remarkable career, which includes television, film and a two-time Tony Award-winning run on broadway (for Long Day’s Journey Into Night and Death of A Salesman).
Kevin O’Leary, the star of CBC’s Dragon’s Den and The Lang & O’Leary Exchange discusses how you can turn your entrepreneurial vision into a lucrative reality through hard work, focus and the right guidance.
Arts & CultureComments Off on Open Roof Festival Season Finale this Thursday!
This Thursday (September 1st) will be the last installment of Open Roof Festival this season! That evening they will present The Junction who will get the night off to a rocking start. If you’re not sure about this band, check out their latest music video on their website. The film that night will be the documentary Eco-Pirate, The Story of Paul Watson, a man on a mission to save the planet and its oceans. Eco-Pirate was a top 10 audience award winner at Hot Docs 2011 and is a must see film.
I heard that you may want to bring an appetite as Cheesewerks is selling grilled cheese sandwiches that evening and Earth and City will also be there with some raw vegan delights. And do not worry, you can also purchase a frosty Amsterdam beer and popcorn. For advance tickets and other info, visitwww.openrooffestival.com.
