MIFF Day Four.
Films seen:
Martin, 95 min., ACMI.
Katyn, 117 min., Greater Union Cinemas.
Not Quite Hollywood, 102 min., Greater Union Cinemas.
Martin is a 1978 "vampire" film by George A. Romero. A young man named Martin who believes himself to be a vampire goes to stay with his cousin. His cousin also believes that Martin is afflicted with the family curse of vampirism and is determined to rid him of this evil. However, Martin is by no means the "traditional" vampire; he dopes his victims before he attacks them, uses a razor to cut their wrists and drink their blood, and can venture out in sunlight. In all probability Martin is not a vampire but is mentally imbalanced; his cousin is probably just easily led.
George (we're on first name terms now that we've had three dates in three days) appeared to introduce the film and was, once again, wearing the same clothes. Unless he's got three or more of the same outfit, which is admirable. In his own words, "This is a film about a young man who probably isn't a vampire." I really like how George refuses to draw complete conclusions in and about his films, and prefers to let the audience decide for themselves. Quite obviously a critique of religion, specifically Catholicism, and lacking in the litres of fake blood with which his zombie films are replete, this is a very different film to what may be expected if you've only been exposed to his "Dead Cycle." It's also his own favourite film that he's worked on.
Katyn might be considered my first serious film of the festival, by which I mean when people died I didn't laugh. It was set in the late 1930s and early 1940s in Poland, and describes the dual German and Russian rule of the Polish people. The film shifts perspective between several army officers and their families as each tries to cope with being a prisoner of war or being related to one. The cinematography is practically perfect albeit very stark, and while mostly lacking in violence, the violence that is shown is dealt with in such a clinical way as to provide contrast with the horror that it depicts. This film moved me to hate people in general so much for what they do to each other. For a film to move me this much, as well as its other excellent qualities, I can't consider this as anything short of brilliant.
Not Quite Hollywood is a documentary about the golden age of Ozploitation cinema. It contains numerous interviews with actors, directors, and critics who were involved with this movement, as well as snippets from important genre films of the period. While the movie sections themselves are highly enjoyable, the true gold in this movie is in the interviews. With scathing attacks on, stories about, and opinions on the others involved and their films, this is an excellent documentary for everyone, regardless of whether an Ozploitation pwner or n00b. har har har.
Martin, 95 min., ACMI.
Katyn, 117 min., Greater Union Cinemas.
Not Quite Hollywood, 102 min., Greater Union Cinemas.
Martin is a 1978 "vampire" film by George A. Romero. A young man named Martin who believes himself to be a vampire goes to stay with his cousin. His cousin also believes that Martin is afflicted with the family curse of vampirism and is determined to rid him of this evil. However, Martin is by no means the "traditional" vampire; he dopes his victims before he attacks them, uses a razor to cut their wrists and drink their blood, and can venture out in sunlight. In all probability Martin is not a vampire but is mentally imbalanced; his cousin is probably just easily led.
George (we're on first name terms now that we've had three dates in three days) appeared to introduce the film and was, once again, wearing the same clothes. Unless he's got three or more of the same outfit, which is admirable. In his own words, "This is a film about a young man who probably isn't a vampire." I really like how George refuses to draw complete conclusions in and about his films, and prefers to let the audience decide for themselves. Quite obviously a critique of religion, specifically Catholicism, and lacking in the litres of fake blood with which his zombie films are replete, this is a very different film to what may be expected if you've only been exposed to his "Dead Cycle." It's also his own favourite film that he's worked on.
Katyn might be considered my first serious film of the festival, by which I mean when people died I didn't laugh. It was set in the late 1930s and early 1940s in Poland, and describes the dual German and Russian rule of the Polish people. The film shifts perspective between several army officers and their families as each tries to cope with being a prisoner of war or being related to one. The cinematography is practically perfect albeit very stark, and while mostly lacking in violence, the violence that is shown is dealt with in such a clinical way as to provide contrast with the horror that it depicts. This film moved me to hate people in general so much for what they do to each other. For a film to move me this much, as well as its other excellent qualities, I can't consider this as anything short of brilliant.
Not Quite Hollywood is a documentary about the golden age of Ozploitation cinema. It contains numerous interviews with actors, directors, and critics who were involved with this movement, as well as snippets from important genre films of the period. While the movie sections themselves are highly enjoyable, the true gold in this movie is in the interviews. With scathing attacks on, stories about, and opinions on the others involved and their films, this is an excellent documentary for everyone, regardless of whether an Ozploitation pwner or n00b. har har har.