MIFF 2009 Day 8
TONIGHT OR NEVER: "The plans for a theatre production are tested when the lead actress falls ill - who will play the role? For shy Valérie (Karina) it’s a matter of tonight or never.
As the performers scheme, bicker and flirt, chinks in relationships are exposed, and the delicate cast dynamic threatens to crumble in the face of deceit, lust, ambition and rampant cattiness."
I reserve judgement as I walked in late and slept through most of it. Admittedly I DID go to bed at 3am so don't blame the movie. Talking to others afterwards, it wasn't too bad.
ALL AROUND US: "Shoko and Kanao (played in an exceptional acting debut from author Lily Franky) do their best to hold together as their relationship evolves, and they face the many challenges life throws their way. Easy-going Kanao seems to breeze through life’s challenges - but does he have the strength to support Shoko when she most needs it?
Imbued with an inherent sense of optimism and playful humour, Hashiguchi’s tender exploration of the minutiae of a relationship makes for a revelatory cinema experience"
Excellent slow burn movie. Filled with great drama scenes and a few funny moments as well. Recommended.
CITIZEN HAVEL: "“I would like to be a good president.” - Vaclav Havel
The political life of the Czech Republic’s first president - former dissident playwright Vaclav Havel - is laid bare in Citizen Havel, an astounding access-all-areas documentary following Havel’s term as leader of the newly independent nation.
Over a decade in the making, Citizen Havel is unprecedented as a portrait of a political leader. We see Havel strategise with advisors, deal with personal tragedy and entertain visiting dignitaries (including Bill Clinton and the Rolling Stones), all under the watchful gaze of the documentary filmmakers.
“Like a real-life version of The West Wing, and just as gripping, Citizen Havel is a fascinating insight into the reality of politics.” - Time Out"
A behind the scenes doco of a politicians with 10 years of footage!!! You'll never see another doco like this, the fact that this was filmed at all is incredible. Though there really isn't much in the way of hard core "west wing" politicising going on, as it's more about lots of little slices of life. Havel comes off as a very very principled humanitarian, with great ideals, who's a bit bumbling, and naive. He seems like a funny, well meaning, all round great guy. I knew nothing about this guy before hand, and I really like him now. Great doco.
WHITE NIGHT WEDDING: "Actor-director Baltasar Kormákur (Jar City, MIFF 08) calls his modernised version of Anton Chekhov’s play Ivanov a ‘dramedy’, inspired by the likes of Pedro Almodóvar and Woody Allen.
A middle-aged professor braces himself for his second marriage, to an ex-student half his age, but as his guests flock to the wedding’s remote island locale, he starts to get cold feet. After a long ‘white night’ of drinking and thinking, will he make it to the church on time?
Kormákur's expertly juggled tone - slapstick tinged with darker and more perverse elements of Chekhov - has seen White Night Wedding become one of Iceland’s highest-grossing domestic hits."
More of a drama with elements of comedy. Not the hilarious black comedy I was expeting. Alright movie.
12 LOTUS: "Flamboyant filmmaker Royston Tan follows on from the bubblegum musical fun of 881 (MIFF 08) to once again delve into the exuberant Singaporean song culture of getai - a series of open-air concerts dominating the seventh month of the Chinese calendar.
12 Lotus follows the darker tale of Lian Hua, a girl who dreams of becoming a singer and performing the ‘12 Lotus’ - a tragic story of a woman who suffers many hardships - and whose life will end up mirroring that of the song’s heroine.
Awash with colourful, over-the-top musical numbers and stellar performances, Royston Tan’s answer to Moulin Rouge glitters with dazzling visuals and slick choreography."
Amazing musical. There's at least 13 numbers in this movie and it's incredible. Good watch.