12th Shanghai International Film Festival

From June 13 to 21 the fest will screen the following movies in the Official Competition for the Jin Jue Awards.

白银帝国 Baiyin diguo (Empire of Silver), Christina Yao, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, 2009 (yes, must be seen!)
Drzazgi (Splinters), Maciej Pieprzyca, Poland, 2008
Ein Teil von mir (A Piece of Me), Christoph Röhl, Germany, 2008
Jernanger (The Storm in My Heart aka Shooting the Sun), Pål Jackman, Norway, 2009
Kærestesorger (Aching Hearts), Nils Malmros, Denmark, 2009
Kaméleon (Chameleon), Krisztina Goda, Hungary, 2008
La Fille du RER (The Girl on the Train), André Téchiné, France, 2009 (with Catherine Deneuve!)
Μικρό έγκλημα Mikro eglima (Small Crime), Christos Georgiou, Germany, Cyprus and Greece, 2008
Normal (Angels Gone), Julius Sevcik, Czech Republic and Macedonia, 2009
Nulle part terre promise (Nowhere Promised Land), Emmanuel Finkiel, France, 2008
Original, Antonio Tublén and Alexander Brøndsted, Demnark and Sweden, 2009
Romance, Guel Arraes, Brazil, 2008
La Strategia Degli Affetti (Schemes of Affection), Dodo Fiori, Italy, 2009
寻找智美更登 The Search, Wanma Caidan, China (not much info about the film but seems interesting – he’s from Tibet…)
Si può fare (We Can Do That), Giulio Manfredonia, Italy, 2008
Yeong-hwa-neun yeong-hwa-da (Rough Cut), Jang Hun, South Korea, 2008

Jury
Danny Boyle – President
Jianxin Huang (Chinese director)
Xavier Koller (Swiss director)
Komaki Kurihara (Japanese actress)
Andrew Wai Keung Lau (Hong Kong producer/director/cinematographer)
Andie MacDowell (American actress)
OH Jungwan (Korean producer)

To read synopsis for each film go here. I suggest you check the films competing for the Asian New Talent Award as there are some that could be interesting, please go here.

Really diverse films in the Competition, check trailers for most movies @ Movie On Companion

8th Transylvania International Film Festival

The TIFF 09 started on May 29 and will run until June 7 at Cluj Napoca, Romania and here are the films in competition.

A Complete History of My Sexual Failures , Chris Waitt, UK, 2008 (documentary)
A Festa da Menina Morta (The Dead Girl’s Feast), Matheus Nachtergaele, Brazil, 2009
Alle Anderen (Everyone Else), Maren Ade, Germany, 2009
Amanecer de un Sueño (Awaking from a Dream), Feedy Mas Franqueza, Spain and Poland, 2008
Bahrtalo! (Good Luck!), Robert Lakatos, Hungary, Romania, Germany and Austria, 2008
J'irai dormir à Hollywood (Hollywood I’m Sleeping Over Tonight), Antoine de Maximy, France, 2008 (comedy in English and French… sort of reality show, perhaps, trailer tells me that I probably will watch)
Kabuli Kid, Barmak Akram, France and Afghanistan, 2008
La Nana (The Maid), Sebastian Silva, Chile and Mexico, 2008
Machan, Uberto Pasolini, Sri Lanka, Italy and Germany, 2008
Gitmek: Benim Marlon ve Brandom (My Marlon and Brando), Huseyin Karbey, Turkey, 2008
Nord (North), Rune Denstad Langlo, Norway, 2009
Politist, adjectiv (Police, Adjectiv) Corneliu Porumboiu, Romania, 2009

The opening film is none other than Tales from the Golden Age, produced by Christian Mungiu.

Too many comedies in the official selection for my taste, but there are many more interesting films in all the different sections. Of course the one that gets my attention is Romanian Days, but also interesting is the film that will be screen in the Dutch Female Directors section and one documentary from Iran called 7 Blind Women Filmmakers.

To check all the films go here. Claudia Cardinale, Israeli producer Menahem Golan, Romanian actor Florin Piersic, Romanian director Dan Pita, and Romanian actor Mircea Albulescu will be recieve honos and Lifetime Achievent Awards, to read the article go here. If you want to practice your Romanian (he,he… I do!), then check some videos here, and you can see Christian Mungiu talking in Ziua 1 (Day 1).

And lucky Romanians will also have the opportunity of early watching Cannes films as The Antichrist and Fanny Ardant’s Cendres et Sang (Ashes and Blood), check news here. Oh gosh, if I could only practice my Romanian in Romania!!! I almost went once, but unfortunately I lost all credit cards in Berlin (gee, very stupid incident…) and had to suspend my trip! Well, I’ll get there eventually.

I suggest you browse the fest site as there are many interesting activities and you can watch the fest live camera.

To watch some trailers from the fest go Movie On Companion

2009 Newfest

From June 4 to 11 in NYC this fest will screen many LGBT films, many known to this blog; but readers near NYC will be able to watch films like The Baby Formula, Chica Busca Chica, Drool, Ghosted, La Surprise (Out of the Blue) and Society.

There is one movie new to the blog that seems like a strong drama.

Mississippi Damned, Tina Mabry, USA, 2009 (Check movie site here)

As always there are many gay interest movies that you can browse here; but there are also some short and documentaries that could be interesting to LG audiences.

The Young Victoria

There are many films about Queens with the name Elizabeth and a few about older Queen Victoria, but as far as I can remember there are not many films about young Queen Victoria and you can say that I’m no History buff, so this film totally surprised me when I was watching such a great love story the Queen lived and from now on my perceptions about the mostly portrayed as severe sovereign have changed forever.

I do not know the extend of the film accuracy and inaccuracy (and I really do not want to know), but one thing I know, this film is very entertaining, romantic, and quite well performed by a great cast that includes Emily Blunt (Young Victoria), Paul Bettany (Lord Melbourne) and Rupert Friend (Prince Albert) in the lead roles; has interesting editing, great costumes/period recreation and a director plus a script writer that decided to concentrate on the romance tale with minimum reference to the political battles that abound in UK History and plagued Queen Victoria before and soon after her ascension to the throne. This makes the film quite different to many monarchy related films and makes it quite interesting to watch; especially if in your cinema mind when you think about Queen Victoria, you think Judi Dench in Mrs. Brown.

I’m still thinking about: who could have guessed that Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had such a lovely and romantic story? Not me. To me that’s the story this films tells: how young Victoria meets, slowly falls in love and marries Prince Albert. Blunt and Friend have great chemistry in the screen which makes their characters romance not only credible but more “romantic” to watch.

Definitively if you’re in the mood to entertain yourself with a really romantic well-done period drama then I do recommend this film and probably you will also be surprised by the good movie quality (Martin Scorsese is one of the producers) and the great love story.

Enjoy!!

Watch trailer @ Movie On Companion

Absolutely Great News

Some of you maybe remember that my favorite serious Cannes site was arte.tv, which I browse in French regularly for “good” stuff. But today I found the excellent news about the launching of ARTE Live Web that as the site says: C’est nouveau, gratuit, légal et sans pub!!! (It’s new, free, legal and no ads)

Yes the site opens perhaps the best place in the entire net to watch “good” stuff. Here are some examples.

Des vidéos des spectacles en exclusivité et les premiers directs d'ARTE Live Web :
- le 28 et 29 mai d'Art Rock à Saint-Brieuc : Get Well Soon, Cold War Kids, Birdy Nam Nam
- le 1er juin à Baden-Baden, Le Freischütz, l'opéra romantique de Weber monté par Bob Wilson et dirigé par Thomas Hengelbrock
- le 05 juin, troisième concert de L'Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France avec au programme Chausson et Bernstein à la salle Pleyel
- le 06 juin, premier concert chanson française : Imbert Imbert de la salle mythique des Trois Baudets.

Okay no movies (-sigh-), but great concerts and even one opera that I know at least four of my known readers will not miss the opera and the concerts.

Today they have a promo with shows that will come (there will be theater too!) that you can watch here.

If you feel like watching “good” stuff now you have the place to do it and you can start by watching Cold War Kids at the Saint-Brieuc Art Rock Festival (starts in about 3 hours live!) or any of the videos they already have available here.

As you will notice at their site, it opened yesterday and we will be able to watch LIVE (en direct) many events, so now those that haven’t done it yet, will be imperative to connect your computer to a TV to enjoy the “good” stuff the best way you can.

Me, I have no idea where to start… perhaps Jazz! See you later! Oops! The first thing is to register… done! You don’t have to register to watch the videos, but this is a site that’s absolutely worth it to register and get the newsletter and whatever else they will send.

As I mentioned I browse the site in French, but the other language available is German, so you have your choice. Unfortunately there is no English, but we are talking about videos, so I do not see much problem.

Big Enjoy!!!

PSSSS… I’m finding “good” stuff

On June 5 will be available Le Journal d’une fille perdue, a cine-concert based on the 1929 film by Wilhem Pabst you can check it here.

Aanrijding in Moscou (Moscow, Belgium)

What a nice, unpretentious, uplifting, enjoyable movie this is and on top, was a huge unexpected surprise as has a few very sweet and nice lesbian interest moments. You cannot not miss this Christophe Van Rompaey debut film that I will define as a great Belgian masterpiece that has a little drama, a little comedy and a lot of romance done with the most unpretentious production values that totally fits the realistic style of this great story. This is the kind of movie that gives you hope that everything will be all right no matter what you could be living today in the negative or so-so side of life. Absolutely great!

The film is about Matty, a forty something mother of three that her husband left her for one of his younger art students about five (or so) months ago. Since the very first scene at a very impersonal and cold supermarket you can tell that she has totally forgotten about herself as her appearance and behavior denotes total abandon. But when she and her younger ones leave the supermarket, her car hits a huge yellow truck at the parking lot. This fortuitous incident will change her life forever and for the best as she will meet Johnny; you have to see the rest of the story that with great rhythm and normal pace will take into one lovely romance full of real straight forward people, as we have to remember that this is an European movie and very civilized people are portrayed, so this is not a sugary romance at all. This is what many could wish romance should be in real life and portrayed in films.

There is one particular scene that I found hilarious and made me jump from my seat yelling: Bravo!! (Which of course I never do…). It will spoil a little the movie, but I want to tell you – if you do not want to spoil the movie, please DO NOT READ WHAT FOLLOWS AND JUMP TO THE NEXT PARAGRAPH. All the characters are having lunch, Matty at the head of the table, Johnny on one side, the husband in the other side, the two younger ones and at the other end, the older daughter Vera. It is a family moment and there is one guest that hasn’t arrived yet, Vera’s boyfriend that is going to meet Matty for the first time. Johnny and the husband start to discuss and to raise their voices, Matty asks them to stop so they can eat in peace. The doorbell rings. Vera stands up and goes to see who’s at the door. The discussion reaches high intensity and in that very moment Vera reaches the dinning room with her bf, that actually is a girlfriend! Gosh, I wish I could tell you more, but you can get the idea that this is one fantastic scene that nothing that’s happening is comedy, but you will just laugh at the “surprise” you the viewer have, as no one (and I mean no one) in the table notices Vera and her girlfriend. I just loved this scene, what follows, especially Matty and Vera conversation, and the very uplifting end about a woman, Matty, that takes control of her before empty life.

Performances are superb especially by Barbara Sarafian that plays Matty and she is so good that is no surprise that she collected some honors including the Jury Award at the 2009 Mediawave Hungary fest; the film was screened at the 2008 Cannes fest at the Semaine de la Critique and was honored with the ACID/CCAS Award and the SACD Award for Best Screenwriter; it has more awards and nominations from all over the world. It took me more than a year to be able to watch this film, but honestly the wait was really worth it, as this is one movie that I’m sure that adult audiences from allover the world could enjoy as much as I did.

By the way, in case you are wondering about the movie title, Moscow is a small Belgian town district of Ghent where the movie takes place and does not move much from Matty’s apartment close surroundings, adding to the realism of the pic. Last, aanrijding is Flemish or Dutch for collision and definitively is a best title for this great movie, as is a collision what changes everything for Matty.

I highly recommend this movie, especially for many women of “certain age”, as this is a great story that many women in the world should see – but please do not forget that’s an European story and film. For those interested in the lesbian interest genre, the movie is not about anything lesbian related, but the little lesbian content is crucial for the story and leads to a fabulous mother/daughter talk that I suggest you do not miss.

Perhaps some of you can notice that this movie really excited me and yes, I loved the movie style, story and the great debut by a director that rapidly takes viewers attention and do not let you go during the entire movie. But at the end, you do not want more, as you’re totally satisfied and Happy!

Big Enjoy!!!

Watch trailer @ Movie On Companion

The Pink Panther 2

Definitively the movie has exactly the kind of comedy that I really do not like and I did watch all Peter Sellers Pink Panthers and like them, but the Steve Martin versions look more like the morning cartoons than the great Sellers movies.

So I would not get into telling how terrible this movie is because I know that there are many that haven’t seen the original Panther movies and enjoy these silly versions. So let it be in peace as probably will make as much money as the first installment.

You probably will ask, why did you watch it? The answer is really easy: Aishwarya Rai and she looks really good in this move. But I was surprised by the great cast that includes Jean Reno, Emily Mortimer, Andy Garcia, Alfred Molina, John Cleese, Lily Tomlin, Jeremy Irons and believed or not, Johnny Hallyday! Gosh such a great cast deserved a better movie that allowed them to showcase their talents.

If Aish continues to do movies like this one, I will be forced to skip watching her in the screen and wait until a video with only her scenes appears in Youtube.

But I know that some of you do like this comedy style and probably will like it as much as the first installment. Not me.

Terrible!

Watch trailer @ Movie On Companion

2009 Sydney Film Festival

From Austria let’s go to Australia where the SFF will run from June 3 to 14 and will have as the Opening Night film none other than Ken Loach’s Looking for Eric. But that’s not the only Cannes film in the Official Competition as you can see in the following list.

Altiplano, Peter Brosens and Jessica Hope Woodworth, Belgium, Germany and Netherlands, 2009
Beautiful Kate, Rachel Ward, Australia, 2009 (Rachel Ward directing! Watch trailer @ Movie On Companion)
Bronson, Nicholas Winding Refn, UK, 2009
Bumazhnyy soldat (Paper Soldier), Alexey German Jr., Russia, 2008 (Watch trailer @ Movie On Companion)
Coraline, Henry Selick, USA, 2009 (animation)
Disgrace, Steve Jacobs, Australia, 2008 (starring John Malkovich and a little lesbian interest… wow! Watch trailer @ Movie On Companion)
The Girlfriend Experience, Steven Soderbergh, USA, 2009 (I’m not sure I want to see it but watch trailer @ Movie On Companion)
Looking for Eric, Ken Loach, UK, 2009
Louise-Michel, Benoît Delépine and Gustave Kervern, France, 2008
La Nana (The Maid), Sebastian Silva, Chile and Mexico, 2009 (Yes, a must be seen for me, watch scene @ Movie On Companion)
Visage (Face), Tsai Ming-Liang, France, Taiwan, Netherlands, and Belgium, 2009 (so lucky those that live in Sydney and will be able to watch it fast…)

To check the many movies in the fest go here where you will find that the fest organized all the movies in quite an interesting way, as you can program your visit to the fest according to what you feel like watching. For example, Give Me a Kiss, Make Me Laugh, Push Me To The Edge, etc.

15th Identities Queer Film Festival

From June 4 to 19 the fest will take place in Vienna, Austria and will screen many movies known to the blog; but has one particularly elusive film from 1974 called Anna und Edith by Gerrit Neuhaus (the film, commissioned by broadcaster ZDF, was about the first German TV movie ever made featuring a lesbian relationship and is about two female insurance clerks who fall in love while fighting for better working conditions.) that perhaps some of my known readers that live around there will like to see in the big screen. Also elusive is Dos Miradas (Two Looks) by Sergio Candel.

To check the feature films in the fest go here where you can also check the shorts and documentaries.

The fest recalled me the following that I reproduce: "2009 is an anniversary year. 40 years of Stonewall."

So I know that June will be a month that could be full of celebrations around the world and hopefully, celebrations will include screenings of great genre films.

9th Milan International Film Festival Award Winners

I know that Cannes made me forget about everything else in the festivals circuit, but here comes the first news from the MIFF that recently had the awards announced.

Best Film: The 27 Club, Erica Dunto, USA
Best Director: Erica Dunto for The 27 Club, USA
Best Screenwriting: Erica Dunto for The 27 Club, USA
Best Cinematography: Marco Pontecorvo for My One and Only, Richard Loncraine, USA
Best Acting Performance Female: Renée Zellweger in My One and Only
Best Acting Performance Male: Jamie Draven in Badland, Francisco Lucente, USA

Audience Award: Picture Me. A Model’s Diary, Ole Schell and Sara Ziff, USA (documentary)

To check all the award winners go here.

A Different Story

Well, this is definitively a controversial film with a controversial story, especially for what’s happening today in America and the world. As a matter of fact when I read the synopsis I was quite repelled, but then I found out it was based on a true story and decided to give it a try with very low expectations. What triggered my curiosity was that the main female character, Stella, was “inspired” by a real life then well known American actress of the 60s that faded out in the later decades with constant but forgettable roles mainly on TV.

I have to say that with my very low expectations, this was a surprise for me, as I did enjoy this B-movie well beyond what I imagined. Especially when I compare it with other B-movies I have seen lately, as this 1978 film is really superior and is quite a surprise that in 1978 producers dared to do a movie with this theme, that nobody wants to touch nowadays.

Before I tell you about what’s all about, have to share that I know in real life quite a few people that had similar experiences (no deportation involved) in those so different –to-today decades (60s and 70s), none lived in America and most were doom to fail and eventually did, but most maintained they marriage for whatever personal reasons.

The story is about a gay man that marries a lesbian to avoid deportation back to Belgium, but they fall for each other, have a child and live happily ever after… well, after a very unrealistic incident. And I remark “unrealistic” as even when most of the story reflects a familiar to me reality, the twists and turns of the end are remarkably unrealistic in what Variety calls “severe script problem” and gee, I couldn’t agree more.

In a way the basic story for me is very similar to Gérard Depardieu and Andie MacDowell Green Card, except that in Green Card the end is adequate and sort of believable, while in A Different Story is not. Then actors in the Green Card are excellent performers, while actors in ADS were in 1978 not really well known, but have to accept that their performances -for that decade- are quite good, especially Perry King when his character was not “straight”.

I insist that for younger generations that have very little idea of what was going on 30/40 years ago, this film will be very controversial with what today are called “stereotypes” portraits of gays and lesbians (but in the so diverse community, there are many alike to the characters) and definitively is one movie that you do not need to see unless you feel like taking a glimpse of what was real life for some in those decades and wish to realize how time has change the lives of many.

Me, I’m glad I decided to give it a try, as definitively it was a surprise and made me recall stuff that all of us tend to forget and sometimes is good to be recalled how much things have changed and how much things still have to change.

Still, this is a true B-movie that in 1978 was rated R and today is not more than PG and suited to be shown on those TV channels like Lifetime; but I know that any of those channels will dare to broadcast the movie, as they do not want to infuriate today’s gay/lesbian community.

So, my best suggestion is that if you decide to give it a try, watch it at your own risk!

Enjoy.

Please Note: Couldn't find the trailer even when the DVD has the theatrical trailer.

A Thousand Years of Good Prayers

After waiting for so long –but the wait is totally worth it- this Wayne Wang 2007 film is great to watch as not only tells a puzzling story about generational gap, east-west cultural/social differences, language as reflection of a culture, repeating what you think your parents did, trying to come to terms with your past, -and more- but also lightly touches something I have always wondered about, how an ordinary individual with a strong communist belief sees the “other” system and in this case for the character is a “total mystery”.

The film tells about a father and daughter short encounter in America. After what it seems a long time of not seeing each other, Mr. Shi comes to Spokane, Washington from Beijing to try to help her divorced daughter, that according to him, her husband left her and returned to China. From the very first scene you notice that their relationship is strained, as Yilan gives her father a very cold and distant reception. The last words, cold and distant, totally describe what follows in the story, the entire movie style, the color palette, the sets, and the look and feel of the condo where Mr. Shi will spend most of his time alone trying to figure out how to help his daughter. This only changes briefly when Mr. Shi is at the park talking with Madam, a Farsi speaking older woman, and their “conversation” brilliantly exemplifies the power of communication when you have very little knowledge of the language you are speaking. The story slowly evolves into the climax, where they –and us viewers- discover some very revealing facts about what really happened to Mr. Shi and Yilan in what we can call milestone or turning moment in their lives.

As probably you imagine by now, the story evolves with a very slow pace that skillfully transmits loneliness and lack of communication between father/daughter even when they speak the same language. As a movie has great tech specs that totally contribute to the story told and not for one moment distracts you from following the plot. Have to say that I found the movie to be an intense ride, even when in the screen not much happened with words and actions, but the movie style absolutely makes you feel all the unspoken emotions. Great.

Not often I really enjoy an American indie, but this film that premiered at the 2007 Toronto fest and totally triumphed at the 2007 San Sebastian fest were won four awards including the top award, the Golden Seashell for Best Film and the Silver Seashell for Best Actor to Henry O that plays Mr. Shi, is one that definitively enjoyed beyond my expectations.

Not for all audiences as the slow pace and not much happening in the screen is not easy to sustain by many; but I believe that this film is Wang’s easiest to watch –outside his very commercial films- since his acclaimed The Joy Luck Club. So, I suggest to many of my known readers to give it a try as the story is very compelling and definitively do not agree with some that mention that the story is only relevant to Chinese-Americans, this is a very universal story about the skills of great communication with a second language and the absurdity of the lack of communication in your own language due to cultural traditions and subtleties.

Enjoy!!!

Watch trailer @ Movie On Companion

62nd Festival de Cannes Award Winners

The fest of all fests is over and well, me too, I’m sad. But I had a great time this year. Here are the winners.

Palme d’Or: Das weiße Band (The White Ribbon), Michael Haneke, Austria, Italy, France and Germany, 2009

Grand Prix: Un Prophète (A Prophet), Jacques Audiard, France, 2009

Jury Prize (tie)
Fish Tank, Andrea Arnold, UK, 2009
Bakjwi (Thrist), Chan-wook Park, South Korea, 2009

Best Director: Brillante Mendoza for Kinatay (The Execution of P), Philippines and France, 2009

Best Screenplay: Lou Ye for Chun Feng Chen Zui De Ye Wan (Spring Fever), Lou Ye, Hong Kong and France, 2009

Best Actress: Charlotte Gainsbourg in Antichrist, Lars von Trier, Denmark, Germany, France, Sweden, and Italy, 2009

Best Actor: Christoph Waltz in Inglorious Basterds, Quentin Tarantino, USA and Germany, 2009

Lifetime Achievement Award: Alain Resnais

Camera D’Or: Samson & Delilah, Warwick Thornton, Australia, 2009 (Un Certaine Regard)
Special Mention: Ajami, Scandar Copti and Yaron Shani, Israel (Quinzaine)

Short Films
Palme d’Or: Arena, João Salaviza, Portugal, 2009 – 15.52 minutes
Special Mention: The Six Dollar Fifty Man, Louis Sutherland and Mark Albiston, New Zealand, 2009, 15 minutes

C’est fini … à l’année prochaine!!!

Cannes Closing Ceremony

According to Canal+ site, the closing ceremony will take place Sunday May 24 at 18:45 France time. They have a countdown clock that as of this very moment reads: 1 day, 7 hours and 43 minutes…

Perhaps this time they could stream it live, but surely this is the place where the video will be first as happened with the opening ceremony. If you feel like watching go here.

Update

It is 6:30 pm @ Cannes local time and the Canal Plus clock reads: 8 hours and 12 minutes... no online watching for sure!!! Will have to find and follow a live-blogger or twitter or facebook or whatever!!! grrr!

THANKS TO TWITTER I found the ceremony is on TV5 Monde... and is true, just started... I can't believe I'll watch live and on my TV. Great! See you later...

Akiresu to Kame (Achilles and the Tortoise)

I know that Takeshi Kitano is not for everyone and his fans are really “fanatic” about him. I’m not his “fanatic” fan, but I believe that some Kitano’s films are really extraordinary and this is one of them. I simply LOVE this film, as not only is an incredibly good cinematic experience but also deals with something that is my passion: Art and painters. Besides, lately I have had trouble finding films that make me laugh hard and gee, did I laugh hard with this film! A great relaxing experience for me, as there is nothing to relax you better than true laughing.

As mentioned, the story is about art and painters, but you have no idea how Kitano “plays” with almost every possible side of art and does it the most sarcastic, dark and unbelievably good way I could ever imagined. No matter if you believe that what you see is fiction, reality, extreme, simple, complex, etc, he found an amazing way to express himself as an artist (he paints and all the paints in the film are his) and to touch us viewers with great food for thought about art, but also about anything that you want to do “no matter what”… Fantastic!

The story follows a character, Machisu Kuramochi, from childhood to old age; you can say that has three stages, the first when Kuramochi is a little boy and discovers that he likes painting; the second, when he's a young man and is struggling with earning money and selling his paintings; the last, when Kuramochi (played by none other than Kitano himself) is older and still struggling to live out of his painting.

As a movie, the first part is magnificent as is filmed in the classic Japanese cinema style and is set around pre-WWII (or so); the second part is glorious and you start to laugh like crazy, I believe is set around the’60s (or so); but the last part with Kitano acting just becomes extraordinary for the story and the crazy things that happen. In the movie time is irrelevant, but I wanted to give you readers an idea of the three different acts in the movie. Fabulous!

Please do not get the idea that this is a comedy as it is not. It is a quite serious drama with –for example- many people dying around Kuramochi’s long life, with very interesting and complex life decisions/issues exploration, and then most scenes where you will laugh are really dark and done in a style that for me completely recalls silent cinema and the likes of Chaplin and Keaton. I also believe that knowing about great painters will allow you to more easily understand the acidity and sarcasm expressed in this movie, which will only make you laugh harder! Absolutely Great!!!

There is too much to be said about this movie that premièred at 2008 Venice fest where won the Audience Award and was competing for the Golden Lion but I will stop here to make it shorter and different, as this movie is one that some of my known readers have to see to have a great cinematic experience that includes something that not often happens with great films, you will laugh a lot and hard!

Definitively not for all audiences as most critics’ and some viewers complain that is too long (me, I wanted more!), that’s too slow and repetitive (not me at all and could think of one or two art related issues that I could have added) and too strange (there is nothing strange in here!).

I really LOVE this film!!! Obviously I highly recommend it to those that want to have a quite unique cinematic experience.

Big Enjoy!!!

Watch trailer @ Movie On Companion

The Business in Cannes

You can say that I’m “killing” time before the Cannes closing ceremony… but feel like sharing with you some news about the business side of the industry, as we all know that the Cannes Film Festival is not only about the Competition is also about the Marché.

So if you want to learn a little about the Cannes market from the American perspective, what better source than the Wall Street Journal? If you do then go here. But these are some highlights.

As I told a friend, critics went wild in all directions with Lars von Trier Antichrist, but this film was one of the first to be bought by what the WSJ calls as “the most active buyer”, IFC Films. The USA distributor collected scores of independent films to fill its theatrical release schedule and video-on-demand (VOD) pipeline. He also got the distribution rights for Ken Loach’s Looking for Eric.

Sony Pictures Classics was also active, but was “faster” as prior to the fest got the rights for Michael Haneke’s The White Ribbon and Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky. Also got the “festival favorite” (and our prediction) A Prophet.

By the time the article was published, May 23, there were many movies that have not found a buyer and they mention Alain Resnais’s Wild Grass, Marco Bellochio’s Vincere, Agora, and The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus.

With solid sales, Film Department, Universal’s Focus, Summit International, Mandate International, and Hype Park International with movies like Twilight sequel New Moon, Unbound Captives (starring Hugh Jackman), Rabbit Hole (starring Nicole Kidman).

Then you have Variety that says that producers, buyers and sellers “found the biz experiencing deep structural changes in how business is done and money made from making movies”.

“Buyers are shifting to acquiring films a la carte instead of programming larger slates; private equity rather than debt is playing a bigger role in film financing; and distributors and sales agents are moving far more aggressively into production as a means to maintain creative control over projects and keep hold of the rights.”

The current model is vertical … the signs are a shift toward a horizontal model, where each part of the chain works together to make the film profitable and earn their cut from its sales.

To read the complete article go here. If you saw the Almodovar press conference you have a better idea about the differences between American and European author rights for film; after reading the Variety article, I’m really glad that the differences exists, as I would definitively hate the idea of Europe to start producing mainly/only commercial films where EVERYONE’s opinions tend to destroy/damage/badly-modify great stories and films.

Then not long ago I remember reading about India buyers (the largest market in the world) that declined to buy a thing if sellers did not “lower” the selling price and conditions…

But there is hope, as “good cinema” is alive and well… as long as Europeans co produce films from allover the world; for some examples browse Canal Plus Films and arte.tv sites for their co production films that are and will be on the big screen. Obviously there are many more European producers sites where you can check the great films in the pipeline.

Well, I do not want to get “depressed” reading about the (big) world depression we are currently living and the consequences to cinema. So I’ll stop and find something better to do (that will cheer me up) while I wait for the Award Winners… lol!

French Nouvelle Vague

Some of you know my true passion for French cinema that started a long time ago, hasn’t stopped and will continue to be as always as I live.

But not many have the opportunity to get to know and “understand” how great French cinema was, is and will always be. If you wish to start learning about it, -thanks to Cannes official site- I found an interesting place to start your learning, as is all about the French Nouvelle Vague and international cinema of the 1950’s, 60s and 70s. If you feel like having an immersion go New Wave Film.

Actually you should start earlier, but I haven’t found a site as good as the above to get French cinema “education” before the 50’s. Still there is another good site that has the “History of Film” since the 1930s, but focuses on American cinema. Nevertheless there are in the many sections references to French and other countries cinema. To check the site go Filmsite.

If you browse the Cannes site you will find more links to cinema related sites.

This year the Cannes site really improved beyond expectations, not only had great graphic identity, high bandwidth that allowed great videos in one place, but also opened to include and suggest information sources to cinephiles and cinema fans. Seems that Cannes really understood that Internet has become THE vehicle to reach the real large audiences. Bravo! Again, great job and Thank You Cannes!

2009 Un Certain Regard Award Winners

Today the jury presided by Paolo Sorrentino announced this section awards and here they are.

Prix Un Certain Regard: Kynodontas (Dogtooth), Yorgos Lanthimos, Greece, 2009

Prix du Jury: Politist, Adjectiv (Police, Adjective), Corneliu Porumboiu, Romania, 2009

Special Mentions
Kasi Az Gorbehaye Irani Khabar Nadareh (No One Knows About the Persian Cats), Bahman Ghobadi, Iran

Le Père de mes Enfants, Mia Hansen-Love, France and Germany, 2009

To check the official announcement go here. I’m so glad that Romania and Porumboiu are getting honors as assures that Romania cinema will continue with the wave of extraordinary movies. Great!

2009 Cannes First Awards

Today the fest announced the following awards.

The Ecumenical Jury Prize: Looking for Eric, Ken Loach, UK, France, Italy, Spain and Belgium, 2009
For its great artistic value and humorous, optimistic, and humanistic approach to a contemporary society in crisis.

Special Mention: Das weiße Band (The White Ribbon), Michael Haneke, Austria, Italy, France and Germany, 2009
The White Ribbon prompts us to be ever vigilant about the symptoms of our personal violence, which also paves the way for social and political violence.

FIPRESCI Awards

Main Competition and Un Certain Regard
FIPRESCI Award: Das weiße Band (The White Ribbon), Michael Haneke, Austria, Italy, France and Germany, 2009
Special Mention: Politist, Adjectiv (Police, Adjective), Corneliu Porumboiu, Romania, 2009

Parallel Sections
FIPRESCI Award: Amreeka, Cherien Dabis, USA, Canada and Kuwait, 2009

France Culture Cinema Prize
The 2009 prize, offering recognition to a filmmaker for his/her body of work and commitment, was awarded to screenwriter-director François Dupeyron. The honors were bestowed by a Jury headed by actress Sandrine Bonnaire. François Dupeyron was grateful and stated, "Filmmakers have a big responsibility when they permeate the spirit of their audiences…And that is why I refuse to make violent films.”

To check the official announcement at Cannes site go here. The news are not up yet at FIPRESCI site but I imagine that soon will also be here.

The FIPRESCI awards do not surprise me, as many critics praised Haneke’s work and predictions were leaning toward this movie for this award and at least one major award in the main competition.

48th Semaine de la Critique – Critics’ Week Awards Winners

The parallel section of Cannes had the awards ceremony on May 22nd and here are the winners.

Feature Films

Grand Prix: Adieu Gary (aka Adieu Gary Cooper), Nassim Amaouche, France, 2009

SACD Award: Lost Persons Area, Caroline Strubbe, Belgium, 2009

ACID/CCAS Support Award: Sirta la gal ba (Whisper with the Wind), Shahram Alidi, Irak, 2009

OFAJ/TV5 Monde Very Young Critic Award: Sirta la gal ba (Whisper with the Wind), Shahram Alidi, Irak, 2009

Prize Regard Jeune: Sirta la gal ba (Whisper with the Wind), Shahram Alidi, Irak, 2009

Short Films

Best Short Film: Slitage (Seeds of the Fall), Patrik Eklund, Sweden
Kodak Discovery Award: Logorama, François Alaux, Hervé de Crécy, and Ludovic Houplain (H5) (from another source)

To check the official press release go here.

According to the list of awards at the site, the following awards are still to be announced. They must be busy watching the Cannes films, as they have not posted since May 22 and there will be a video coming with the awards ceremony… I’ll update when the announcements appear.

Feature Films: Rails d’Or

Also from this parallel section many films are competing for the Camera D’Or.

There are some videos at the site, that if you wish you could watch here; me, no way I’ll watch as all are films that I have to be surprised by, so I read/watch nothing -haven't seen the trailers I posted here- lol!.

41st Quinzaine des Réalisateurs - Directors Fortnight Awards Winners

I’m a little bit confused, as news are not in one place. But I’ll share what I have found from the awards that have been already announced and will update if more awards are announced.

Feature Films

Art Cinema Award: J’ai tué ma mère, Xavier Dolan, Canada, 2009
Special Mention: De helaasheid der dingen (La Merditude des Choses), Felix Van Groeningen, Belgium, 2009

Regards Jeunes Prize: J’ai tué ma mère, Xavier Dolan, Canada, 2009

SACD Prize: J’ai tué ma mère, Xavier Dolan, Canada, 2009

Label Europa Cinemas: La Pivellina, Tizza Covi and Rainer Frimmel, Austria and Italy, 2009

I had no doubt that Dolan's movie had to be extraordinary!

Short Films

SFR Award: Montparnasse, Mikhaël Hers, France

To read the official release go here.

As we know the Quinzaine has reprisses and these are the cities and dates. For more info about each city screening check the site.

Paris – From May 27 to June 6
Marseille – From May 26 to 31
Rome – From June 5 to 11
Milan – From June 10 to 16
Brussels – From June 24 to July 1

I know that some of my known readers will not miss the great opportunity to watch as many as possible of the great films and the many gay interest films screened in this Cannes parallel section. Lucky you all!!

Cannes News… for the last time…

More Fanny Ardant @ Cannes

Now is about Tsai Ming-liang’s film Visage starring so many great French actors but in the photocall we have Fanny and Laeticia Casta only. Again lots of “crazy” photographers. Think I haven’t shared with you all that this film is co produced by the Louvre Museum, that’s why the film was really filmed inside the Louvre. Gosh not much Fanny, Laeticia takes the stage, why???

The interview. Has some mild spoilers, so if you do not want to know about this movie, avoid it and I will say very little here… it’s a dream… Truffaut alter ego? … Fanny talks… it’s like a puzzle… well, I already knew that this is a Must Be Seen movie for me.

Press conference. French and Chinese… hmm! … the managing director of the Louvre! … yep, it’s a “complex” movie: absolutely great!!!… the press conference is dedicated to François Truffaut … Ming-liang does not really understand French at all… it was the museum who invited him … too much info about the movie… have to stop watching or I will regret it…sorry. I really want to be surprised by this movie.

But now I understand why news articles were always mentioning the real life Truffaut and Fanny relationship… hmm! To watch the videos go here.

Also up is the video with the “steps” (red carpet) of Ashes and Blood. Nice to watch, Fanny is really gorgeous and wearing a short dress… very elegant and “different” to usual red carpet women… good!

Map of The Sounds of Tokyo

There are three videos (photocall, interview and press conference) that you can watch here.

Les Herbes Folles (Wild Grass)

If you feel like checking the trailer (well is more a scene) go to Cannes HD is in the playlist for May 20th. Also there Alain Resnais in the press conference. By the way the movie title in English is now in singular…

Enter the Void

This is another film that I do not want to know a thing about it… I want to be really a “virgin” when finally I’m able to watch it as I know that will surprise me. If you want to see the videos, they are up here.

Well, sadly, all the films in the main competition have been already screened by the time I’ll publish this post. So now is all about the awards.

I’m really grateful to the official site, as this year there was no need to go crazy and browse the net to find videos about Cannes; they had it all in one place. Thank You!

PSSSS... last minute addition.

For those that want to read Cannes predictions there are many in several languages... Some press "people" are "bored" as there are no more films... so, they're claiming for the results... I join their voices! (lol!) ... so I wonder if shall I dare to do predictions WITHOUT watching the films, just from trailers??? No way! But I wouldn't be surprised if Penelope gets best actress ... as some predictions coincide... the other actress with buzz is Giovana Mezzogiorno, that obviously I do not mind at all... and as many, I doubt that a French jury president will give the Palm to a French film again... but, if the film is good (as everybody's saying about Un Prophete) she could, after all is a very international jury. The other film with some buzz is Haneke's... hmm! from trailers I wouldn't mind at all. UK press gives the palm to English speaking films, including Tarantino (lol!)... well, we will know soon.