VIFF 2011 - Preview

There are a ton of great film festivals out there. One of the ones I really try to make an effort to get to each year is the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF).  First off because Vancouver is just about a 2.5 hour drive from home if you time the border crossing well.  Second, because it's always a great selection of truly international films - with a particularly good focus on works coming out of Asia.  If you're in the Seattle area it makes a great long weekend to hold you over until SIFF rolls around again.  Not sure how much of an opportunity I'll have to make the trip to Vancouver this year - but I'm already poking through the online schedule with a envy for our neighbors to the north.

Most of the time I've seen a decent number of films that screen at VIFF before the festival starts.  This year there's definitely some overlap with what I've seen - but less than in the past.  I count six films I've seen.  The good news is that none of them would really be a mistake to have on your to do list.  I've included some short notes on each below.

I'm hoping some of the films playing at Fantastic Fest will also be in Vancouver - so if I encounter any additional overlap before VIFF starts I will definitely let everyone know.  In the meantime would love readers to post some suggestions of things they're looking forward to in the comments.  Once I've had more time to review the online film descriptions I'll post some of my thoughts of what I'm personally looking forward to.  Though truth be told I'm not the greatest chooser - I tend to win by the law of large numbers vs the ability to pinpoint only the most enjoyable films.

Por El Camino (Brazil) - Was one of my top picks of SIFF 2011.  An uber-watchable road movie that meanders through absolutely breathtaking parts of Uruguay.  The most dangerous thing about the film is that you're going to want to book a ticket as soon as the credits role.  Like many road movies it also involves a guy and a girl.  Santiago is a former investment banker who is in the process of making changes in his life and en route to check out some property left to him after his parent's death.  Juliette is on her way to pickup a romance that started in Costa Rica.  In addition to presenting one of the least douchey investment bankers in the history of cinema the film takes us along on a relaxed and romantic trip.  The chemistry between the pair is great, the other characters are interesting, and there's always something interesting to watch.  Even the music doesn't suck.  It's a very enjoyable way to spend 84 minutes is what I think I'm trying to say.

The Sandman (Switzerland) - Bright, beautiful, romantic, and incredible bizarre The Sandman is a must see film. It would easily be one of my top films of SIFF 2011, except for the fact that it's playing at STIFF instead.  Main character Benno is an ultra-uptight neat freak who works in a stamp shop. When he's not ripping off the gullible he obsesses about his weight each morning, provides brutally critical feedback to friends about their life's work and gives untold grief to a young woman who works in the coffee shop below his apartment.  All in all a real mensch - or perhaps not. Then out of nowhere he develops and unusual affliction. He begins to leak sand. And nor just regular sand but magical instantaneous sleep inducing sand. Which similar to normal sand tastes horrible in pasta.

This explosion of essentially dirt doesn't really fit in with his other lifestyle choices. Especially when it causes his hot girlfriend to think he's bedding the coffee shop girl (it makes perfect sense in context). Even his earnest protest that it can't be true that he's hooking up with the presumably frumpier woman because "looks are important to me" fails to mollify her. Oh, almost forgot. In the meantime he's also beginning to share a recurring dream with the waitress he professes to hate.  This is a strange film - in a very colorful visual way that reminds me of a Michel Gondry creation, though more fun for me than his recent work.   If you're not sold by now there's nothing I'm going to be able to help you with...

Amador (Spain) - Marcela is an immigrant to Spain who lives with her boyfriend making a living running a not entirely by the numbers flower business.  When their key asset (a refrigerator) dies suddenly their only choice is to buy a new one for credit.  Which normally wouldn't really be Marcela's problem as the film opens with her leaving a Dear John letter for the boyfriend on her way out the door.  Except for the he ill timed realization that she's pregnant which her back home in time for supper, and forced to deal with how they'll pay for the refrigerator at month's end.  Her clear ambivalence about the pregnancy at first takes a backseat to the practical financial matter at hand.  Their solution is a short term gig for Marcela taking care of the bedridden Armador.  The position promises a payout at the end of the gig that will cover the short term emergency expense.  As you'd expect in a film like this she and Armador go from cold and frosty to kindness in the course of their first week together.  What you might not expect is Armador's sudden death soon after (in my defense it's called out clearly in the film description).  How Marcela chooses to deal (or not deal) with the death which could cause the sudden termination of the much needed employment while she struggles with what she really wants out of life drives the rest of the picture.  Magaly Solier as Marcela is extremely engaging in the quiet but central role.  She and Celso Bugallo (Amador) have a positive, believable chemistry that makes it work - even after Bugallo ceases to be onscreen.  It's worth saying for the record that this is an internal voice drama more than a Spanish Weekend at Bernie's.  There are definitely moments of humor, but it's not there primarily for the laughs.  A nice film well worth seeing.

Circumstance (Iran) - This is the sort of of Iranian film that you'll spend the entire time wondering what horrible thing happened to the people who dared to shoot in Tehran.  At least when you're not having trouble concentrating due to the beautiful women. But don't worry - it wasn't shot there (Lebanon I believe) and to the best of my knowledge everyone seemed fine when they were in Seattle with the film.  I liked the film, but was a bit overwhelmed by some of the melodrama brought by the evil brother.  It's a tale of two best friends who are in love in a physical way.  They dream about getting out of the country to an environment where their love can be open - or at least not the sort of thing that will land them behind bars.  When the wealthier friend's brother returns from rehab things take a turn for the worse.  From addict to religious fundamentalist isn't necessarily an improvement.  It has absolutely wonderful moments throughout - it's just the level of manipulation, surveillance and treachery delivered by the brother's character was just a bit much for me.  Possibly realistic, but the feeling of being bludgeoned a bit at the end hurt the experience a bit for me.  Don't go expecting a happy ending is what I'm trying to say.

Restoration (Israel) - comes to VIFF via a bunch of awards in Israel and a best screenplay award from Sundance.  It's chock full of family drama, serious acting, loving shots of restored furniture, and the dark yet rich look that's all over Israeli films these days.  If you tend to like films of that description it's worth a watch.  There's something about the story that left me less than completely sold - but I'm having a hard time putting my finger on it. But it definitely is nice looking cinematically.  Worth a watch - if only on the chance that you may be in the (apparently) large population that loved the film more than I did.  Though come back if you see it and tell me if you didn't just want to smack a key character due to a particularly (I guess) poignant business transaction in the final reel.


Martha Marcy May Marlene (USA) - I've seen the film and even interviewed the star and director.  But officially there's not that much I can say until the picture opens in Seattle.  Folks will definitely have different opinions about what the picture is (psychological healing after escaping a cult vs a straight up horror movie) and if they like the transition it takes the characters through.  But few should argue that star Elizabeth Olsen isn't phenomenal in it.  If nothing else it's worth seeing to be part of the conversation. Hopefully I haven't said too much.  


Oh - almost forgot - I have seen a few shorts.  Each of which is absolutely great.  The ones I've noticed include Brick Novax's Diary, diK, and A Doctor's Job.  See 'em all if you can.

Best of luck diving deep into the VIFF choices this year.  It really looks like there's a lot of interesting stuff in the guide.  To be safe might want to adopt my strategy, which is to see as many as possible.  Some of them gotta be great...