Filmfest 2004 - Wrap-up
So here’s this year’s list of what I think you should look for, down through to what to avoid. I have tried to rank everything, but they are of course apples and oranges, so depending on my mood swings, I would reorder the list within each section from time to time. Also, there’s a very fine line between Ehhh and Uh, Well… Why? however, is unequivocal.
FILM Where from principally Note
Features
Yes!
PALINDROMES U.S.A. Not for everyone, but brilliantly assembled commentary on U.S. mores
MOTORCYCLE DIARIES Brazil Great road trip through South America with Che Guevara
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE U.S.A. No Shakespeare scholar I, but terrifically engaging
A GOOD WOMAN U.K. Terrific adaptation of Oscar Wilde in gorgeous Italy
ASTRONAUTS Spain Intelligent and funny story about a poet getting his life back from drugs
A DIRTY SHAME U.S.A. Not for everyone, very raunchy, extremely silly, quite funny
SUMMER STORM Germany Fun gay coming-of-age story
DAYS AND HOURS Boznia and Hercegovina Slow but well observed slice-of-life comedy
CLEAN Canada/France Intelligent story about a rocker getting her life back from drugs
UP AND DOWN Czech Republic Fun collision of 3 crises, satisfyingly resolved
MYSTERIOUS SKIN U.S.A. Not for everyone, tough child abuse flick from abused’s POV
DUCK SEASON Mexico Slow but amusing day in the life of 2 bored teenagers and friends
LOS MUERTOS Argentina Slow but mesmerizing trip in the Argentine jungle
THE HEART IS DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS U.S.A. Not for everyone U.S. white trash
Yeah, Okay
ELECTRIC SHADOWS China Films play big role in small town China, slightly too schmaltzy
KONTROLL Hungary Gritty but fun underworld of Budapest subway, but unsatisfying end
WHISKY Uruguay Sssssssslow (nearly inert) but amusing look at a man who doesn’t get life
Ehhh
STEAMBOY Japan wow factor is the imagined Victorian era machinery, but heart is lacking
FERPECT CRIME Spain Too silly revenge comedy set in a Madrid department store
MODIGLIANI France/U.K. Too much bluster, too much made up in bio-pic without much art
SMALL MALL Iceland Sort-of documentary about mall workers just too dull
5 x 2 France Interesting backwards timeline, but central male character is so unsympathetic
NICELAND Iceland Histrionics a little unbelievable, international cast not explained by story
CHASED BY DREAMS India Hard to fathom combo of serious and slapstick road movie
Uh, Well…
NOTRE MUSIQUE France Heaven and Hell easily visualized, Purgatory not so easily
HARVEST TIME Russia The bad old days in Russia, before they got worse
SIBLINGS Canada Wanting black comedy about kids whose awful parents get knocked off
9 SONGS U.K. Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll and Antactica, porn with an art chaser
INNOCENCE France Allegory of childhood disconnection amplificatio ad absurdum
SHARK TALE U.S.A. Low rent washout drowns in clichιd story. Bail out!
Why?
REAL LIFE Greece funny-as-hades melodrama, so bad the Acropolis burns
DEMAIN ON DΙMΙNAGE France operates at frequency for which I have no converter
Documentary Features
Yes!
FANTOME D’HENRI LANGLOIS France founder of the French Cinematheque remembered
THREE OF HEARTS U.S.A. A New York threesome try to make a go of marriage
DOUBLE DARE U.S.A. Two stuntwomen’s careers are studied
Yeah, Okay
A SOUTH AFRICAN LOVE STORY South Africa ANC stalwarts the Sisulus remembered
ANDREW AND JEREMY GET MARRIED U.K. two Brits from opposite side of the track attract
Documentary Shorts
Yes!
BERLIN 99.00 Switzerland Wild visual assault along the path of the Berlin wall
ANACONDA TARGETS U.S.A. infrared death delivered from above in Afghanistan
Yeah, Okay
IT’S NOT MY MENORY OF IT U.S.A. the CIA deals with the release of information
WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN U.S.A. home movies of back when and way back when
Ehhh
MOUTHS OF ASH Columbia songs tell the pain of terrorism
Shorts
Ehhh
AS FOLLOWS Uruguay Growing up quickly in South America
Uh, Well…
MOZART - THE MUSIC OF THE VIOLIN South Africa black youth rejects European standards
I did not get the feeling that I had seen the Peoples’ Choice Award winner this year. In fact - I did not see any of the award winners. If you’re interested, you can find the winners here.
Anyway, it’s been another fun year. Only 355 days ’til the next! Later…
I’ll see your “aplificatio ad absurdum” and raise you an “Index Librorum Prohibitorum”.
[That’s supposed to be funny].
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Comment by Jeff K — September 20, 2004 @ 3:01 am