Reviews from previous
years of the Film Festival
DIE POLIZISTEN THE
POLICEWOMAN
Directed by Andreas Dresen GERMANY
Film
synopsis: Anne, fresh out of the police academy, is assigned to
a port city in eastern Germany. She is posted to a neighborhood of drab
high-rise apartment buildings, shopping malls and gray streets. Single,
27, no beauty but not unattractive, Anne has no ties; it's a new town
and she's hoping to make a fresh start. It doesn't take her long to
learn that the life of a police officer is a daily struggle with bureaucracy,
not to mention criminals of all varieties and degrees of seriousness.
Anne finds herself affected by her encounters with people struggling
to survive and she doesn't find it easy to keep the emotional distance
that her profession might require. THE POLICEWOMAN is a portrait of
police work that eschews car chases and sensational murders in favor
of grit and realism, the true heart of inner city law enforcement. Review:
The grainy film stock and handheld camera give it a real documentary
feel which suits this drama perfectly. The lead actress delivered a
stellar portrayal of a strong yet vulnerable character. A simple "story"
but nonetheless gripping due mostly to our heroine's big heart, clumsiness,
and her humanity with others. Recommended: 7 Stars!
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KALT IST DER ABENDHAUCH
COLD IS THE EVENING BREEZE
Directed by Rainer Kaufmann GERMANY
Film
synopsis: Charlotte has waited almost a whole
lifetime for the man she always knew was the right one for her: Hugo,
her sister's husband. In the meantime she has lived her own life, survived
the war, a husband and a lover, given birth to three children, and all
the while kept a skeleton in her closet. Now, over 80 and her days clearly
diminishing, she meets the love of her life again. This obsessive passion
is fulfilled when Hugo confirms that he has also realized that there
was only one true love in his life. Charlotte has no regrets: "It
may take a whole lifetime to have just five minutes of happiness."
Narrated in a series of flashbacks, the film is a love story and a family
drama. The basic theme the impossibility of having the love of
one's life and yet be united a whole life long is profoundly
romantic and universal.
Review: A fantastic cast and a story richer than dark chocolate.
I laughed and I cried! Packed full of symbolism and universal truths.
An amazing film that covers the spectrum of emotions because of the
eccentric characters and immense scope of the story. It had love, loss,
murder and dummies dressed in dresses. Wow! Highly Recommended: 8
Stars!
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HARRY, UN AMI QUI VOUS VEUT DU BIEN HARRY,
HE'S HERE TO HELP
Directed by Dominik Moll FRANCE
Film
synopsis: Michel and Claire are facing a tough
vacation. They're in a heatwave and their three small girls are cranky
and always in their hair. The work on the rickety farmhouse they've
been restoring for the past three years is still unfinished and they're
stressed out all day. Enter Harry. At a highway rest stop, while washing
his hands, Michel encounters an ofd classmate he really doesn't remember.
But Michel obviously made a major impact on Harry, he can not only recite
poetry Michel wrote for the school newspaper, he also used to date his
ex-girlfriends. Before Michel has a chance to object, Harry manages
to invite himself and his voluptuous, dimwitted girlfriend Plum over
to their vacation home. Harry is troubled that Michel, overwhelmed by
the tasks of daily life, has stopped writing. He decides to help. But
Harry's notion of help is a bit peculiar.
Review:
The characters were well played and I was really
intrigued initially by the unfolding events but when the tone of the
film abruptly changed it lost me. Suddenly things didn't quite work
for me...some may call the twist Hitchcockian but I just call it unsatisfying.
Marks for the performance of the actor who plays Harry and the overall
pace, albeit a slightly uneven one. 6 Stars
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RELATIVE VALUES
Directed by Eric Styles UNITED KINGDOM
Film
synopsis: France, 1954. The Earl of Marshwood
romances beautiful Hollywood star Miranda Frayle, unaware of the consternation
their impending marriage is causing both his mother, Felicity, the Countess
of Marshwood, and Don Lucas, one of Hollywood's most attractive but
highly-strung stars and Miranda's former love both on screen
and off. Back at the family's stately pile, it turns out that Felicity's
maid Moxie is actually the long-lost sister of Miranda. The family sets
about concocting a story to remake Moxie's image. But Moxie is distraught
when her sister fails to recognize her, and tells terrible lies about
her childhood. Adding fuel to the fire, Don has pursued Miranda and
arrives at Marshwood desperate to reclaim his "gal", who is
both flattered and mortified to see him. Felicity realizes that Don
fits perfectly into her own little plan...
Review:
A terrific comedy! Some hilarious characters and the
actors played the stereotypical high society set in over-the-top perfection.
I laughed out loud and it seemed to end way to fast due to the nonstop
action. It was nice to see Julie Andrews again too! This film is an
almost perfect little package. It's light but it's too fun, the 50's
were great! Recommended: 7
Stars!
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QUI NON IL PARADISO THIS IS NOT PARADISE
Directed by Gianluca Maria Tavarelli ITALY
Film
synopsis: Renato Sapienza drives an armoured
truck for the postal service, every day collecting valuables from the
regional branches and transporting them to the main post office. He
makes his rounds accompanied by his good friend Walter Taranto and an
escort of two police cars. One day eight billion lire disappear. Inspector
Lucidi, an honest, hardworking cop, is determined to find the guilty
party. All clues point to Sapienza, who has disappeared into thin air.
We flashback into the memories of the main protagonists; Renato Sapienza,
luckless, a dreamer who sees himself as a vagabond poet; Claudia, a
young waitress who falls in love with him; Walter , Sapienza's best
friend, who would never say no to him, even at the risk of going to
jail. The plan is set. Nothing can derail it...but the truth is sometimes
not what we think it is, and reality not what we dream.
Review:
You can't help liking everyone in this well crafted drama;
both the good guys and the bad guys are given such identifiable qualities.
I like the way we progress day by day into a police investigation and
as the plot twists it doesn't ever seem implausible. I was really tensed
up throughout this unexpected thriller about the dream of breaking out
from life's monotony. Recommended:
7
Stars!
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STATE AND MAIN
Directed by David Mamet UNITED STATES
Film
synopsis: When a film production company invades
a quaint New Hampshire town to make a film , the town's inhabitants
are all too ready to jettison its pastoral grace for a taste of showbiz
glitz. Part Hollywood satire, part comedy, STATE AND MAIN follows screenwriter
Joe White whose values are put to task when he witnesses a heartthrob
movie star's indiscretion with a local teenage girl. The movie's smooth-talking
director and aggressive producer pressure Joe to put aside his convictions
for the sake of the film and his future writing career. Meanwhile, Joe
falls for a local bookseller who challenges him to stand up for the
truth. Adding to the writer's troubles are the hard-to-resist temptations
posed by the sexiest member of the cast and constant hassling from the
town's starstruck mayor and his wife.
Review:
This had such potential but I found the jokes were a bit too obvious
at times. The relationship between the two main characters didn't seem
plausible to me. Having said that I must give credit to the fact that
there was always something going on, it never dragged, but some of the
motivations seemed a bit unclear. It did have some real choice moments
though! 5 Stars
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ZOOM
Directed by Otto Alexander Jahrreiss GERMANY
Film
synopsis: Wanda is a call girl living in Berlin.
Though she doesn't know it, her shy neighbour Waller is constantly watching
her through the viewfinder of his video camera. Waller uses the tapes
to blackmail her customers, and regularly slips part of the proceeds
into Wanda's mailbox. One day Wanda and Waller meet, by chance, in the
hallway. When Waller tries to pry into her life, Wanda turns him away.
She has enough problems of her own. Her husband is blackmailing her,
using their son as a hostage to force her to turn tricks for him. But
Waller persists, and when he finds out her story, he proclaims himself
her guardian angel. He promises her a new, better life. The first thing
he does is break her out other life as a prostitute against her
own will. Then he takes her on one final trip...
Review:
Great editing and a super lush film stock made
this a visual feast with the deep colours and unusual transitions setting
an intense mood. The story could have been exploited alot better; the
deadpan delivery of the actors kind of made me stop caring and some
situations weren't adequately explained. A bit long in parts but for
the visuals you might want a peek. 6 Stars
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MY MOTHER FRANK
Directed by Mark Lamprell AUSTRALIA
Film
synopsis: Fifty-one-year-old Frank has created
a safe, secure, somewhat bizarre, world for herself and it's
boring her to death. She's an eccentric, dry-witted, overprotective
mother with a bad memory, living her life through her grown-up children.
Everyone thinks Frank should get a life from her friend Jean
who wants her to open a dress shop, to her mentors/tormentors, two 80-year-old
nuns. Her son David tries to get her to enroll in a course somewhere.
After initial resistance, Frank decides to go the same university that
David attends. Soon the two separate worlds of mother and son collide.
When Frank is temporarily ejected from the university for inadvertently
cheating, it seems things can't get any worse. And then they do.
Review:
This is a real winner! It's got an amazing cast working with a super
script and every character was well played and marvelously cast. It
has so many truly funny moments that are completely off-the-wall and
then in a flash turns around and hits you with an unexpected dose of
reality making this one fantastic ride. I'm still feeling good from
it! Highly Recommended: 8
Stars!
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THE NINE
LIVES OF TOMAS KATZ
Directed
by Ben Hopkins UNITED
KINGDOM
Film
synopsis: A
man crawls out of a hole near a London expressway wearing clothes from
another century. His name is Tomas Katz. He hails a taxi and after a
brief conversation with the driver, something odd happens Tomas
Katz is now wearing the driver's clothes and is driving the cab. The
taxi driver is now dressed as Tomas Katz and is standing on the shoulder
of the highway. Katz-as-taxi driver heads into London and picks up the
Minister of Fisheries and takes him to a press conference. By the time
they arrive at their destination, the Minister has been transformed
into the taxi driver and Katz has become the Minister. On it goes, a
sequence of character exchanges in which the Tomas Katz takes on the
appearances of the people he encounters. A gradually increasing chain
of anarchy and chaos begins to engulf the city.
Review:
This film completely blew me out of my mind! Saying that
it is like Monty Python meets Brazil doesn't do it justice. This is
the most refreshing work I've seen in ages. Fabulous characters with
surreal dialogue, poetic charm, a mesmerizing soundtrack, innovative
visuals, a story that is chillingly dark and hilarious make this my
choice for Festival Highlight! Absolutely unbelievable. Imagination
beyond the beyondo! Very Highly Recommended!
9
Stars!
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IL
PREZZO
FATAL
RUN
Directed
by Rolando Stefanelli
ITALY
Film
synopsis: Romano
and Alba are traveling across Europe headed for Amsterdam. Once a literature
teacher, Romano is now an alcoholic and a desperate man, living off
his girlfriend Arianna. Driven by pride he accepted a Job smuggling
a large quantity of hashish from Amsterdam to Rome by car. Arianna refused
to accompany him so, needing a convincing cover, he recruited his former
girlfriend Alba,who knows nothing about the real reason for his invitation.
She believes he has recovered from his personal problems and this is
their chance to start over. At last they leave; France, Germany, Austria,
Holland. It doesn't take long for Alba to realize that this isn't going
to be a second honeymoon...
Review:
This didn't do it for me. We only touch the surface of the characters
and their reactions to situations seem unrealistic. There were alot
of unnecessary scenes and it got stagnant and convoluted at times. The
tension level was way underdone and this turned an interesting premise
into a rather pale show. 5
Stars
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CRONICA DE UN DESAYUNO A BREAKFAST
CHRONICLE
Directed by Benjamin Cann MEXICO
Film
synopsis: A theatre-of-the-absurd portrait
of a Mexican family at the end of the millennium. The father, back home
after a long stay in the United States, remains locked in his room while
his meek wife is subject to anxiety attacks and would like nothing better
than to drop everything and move away. No wonder. Their daughter is
suffering from some secret pain, their oldest son is a transsexual who
dreams of beating his father, the middle son suffers bouts of paranoia
and the youngest and most normal is still stuck with childish dreams
of dragons. Then there's the girl next door, the taxi driver who travels
nowhere, a would-be suicide and a breakfast that isn't ready...
Review:
This takes twisted insanity to a new level! The acting
in this is awesome; it's not easy to portray crazy twisted psychos but
the cast scored big. Definitely not for the feint of heart or stomach
(some violence) this is a surreal whirlwind that was so intense and
imaginative it completely stunned me. Suffering and mental disorder
never looked so good! Very
Highly Recommended! 9
Stars!
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WOMAN ON TOP
Directed by Fina Torres BRAZIL-UNITED STATES
Film
synopsis: Beautiful Isabella possesses extraordinary
culinary talents that melt the palates and hearts of men wherever she
goes. When she meets the handsome Tonino, Isabella puts aside her dreams
of becoming a famous chef abroad, to cook at his Brazilian restaurant.
But Isabella has a physical handicap. Since birth she has been plagued
by motion sickness and she can only manage its symptoms by being in
control of her motion. This proves too much for her macho husband and
Isabella decides to join her childhood friend in San Francisco. Before
long, through a series of miraculous events she becomes an overnight
sensation as the sexy host of a television cooking show. But Tonino
hasn't given up on Isabella...
Review:
A great comedy with the magical qualities of a fairy-tale!
It's a mystical musical love story with some quirky characters and alot
of delicious food and spicy relationships. By no means profound the
film still manages to underline the importance of faith and integrity
in our lives. It reminded me of the song-filled feel-good films from
a generation ago when people were motivated by their hearts. Charming.
Highly Recommended: 8
Stars!
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EPOUSE-MOI MARRY ME
Directed by Harriet Marin FRANCE
Film
synopsis: Oriane's marriage with Hadrien had
gotten off on the wrong foot when she chose him over her previous boyfriend,
who just happened to be Hadrien's best friend. The jilted boyfriend
didn't take it well and jumped out of a window. Now the marriage is
on the rocks and Oriane is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. At wit's
end after the latest argument with Hadrien, she consults a fortune teller,
hoping to hear that all's not lost between them. But the only things
the crystal ball can see is infidelity and separation. Oriane won't
hear any of it. She wants a happy ending. The soothsayer consults his
ball again and the same prediction shows up. Oriane rejects this vision
of the future as well. Destiny, shmestiny; she's going to shape her
own future the way she wants to.
Review:
A neat little comedy with refreshing, realistic
performances from a unique and atypical cast who were able to deliver
a great mix of dark emotional highs and lows. Some really unexpected
humour here and it was nice to see the older woman getting the younger
guys for a change. It took me on a trip from the city of big laughs
to the town of teary eyes more than once.
Highly
Recommended: 8
Stars!
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CUBA FELIZ
Directed by Karim Dridi FRANCE-CUBA
Film
synopsis: El Gallo, is a street singer. He
has a dream, and he pursues it across Cuba. This is the land of musical
legends: salsa stars, rappers from the poor urban districts, extravagant
old-time orchestras, bolero singers, jamming jazzmen, mystical drummers,
village merrymakers. On the road, in trains, backyards and bustling
streets, music blends with his errant life as El Gallo translates these
moments into songs he knows by heart. In the course of his wandering
through Cuba, Santiago, Guantanamo, Camaguey and Trinidad, the singer
meets a musical people who welcome him as a brother and play with him
at the drop of a hat. When his trip is over, the dream ends and El Gallo
finds himself back where he started, with a cigarette in his mouth,
watching the freighters come and go in the port of Havana.
Review:
I desperately wanted to like this film, and maybe I wasn't in the right
mood, but it seemed like a documentary film where you don't really learn
anything. I really wanted to know the story behind all these wild musicians
but instead all we get is a document of the music. Still, the scenery
was great, the people were real characters, and the tunes were sweet.
Could be worth a look though.
4 Stars
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PEIXE LUA MOON
FISH
Directed by José Alvaro Morais PORTUGAL-FRANCE
Film
synopsis: Early one morning in the summer
of 1999, a week before her wedding, Joao realizes that she doesn't want
to get married after all. The preparations are well under way, the invitations
have been sent out long ago and to top it all Joao thinks she's pregnant.
Faced with this dilemma, she does what she always does when she needs
time to think she drinks. In all other respects, Joao is a good
girl, despite having been neglected. Her mother died years ago and her
two brothers have left home. The father is a vet with political ambitions,
who has little time for his daughter. When Joao drinks, things tend
to happen quickly, and not always for the best. So she does what she
always does when things are going badly: she runs to Gabriel, the "family
friend", who finds it hard to say no.
Review:
The most un-likeable people gathered together on screen
in a totally incomprehensible story that somehow manages to completely
ignore devices like plot, continuity, and reason. What's with the guys
dancing in blue pyjamas? I cannot fathom how this film was actually
in the Official Competition of the festival. It got one star because
the film didn't break in the projector... otherwise it would have gotten
two stars.
1 Star: Pee-yewww
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2004