Around the World in 24 Films – Part I

A film festival is a cheap trip. At TIFF, the Toronto International Film Festival, viewers travel to dozens of countries from every continent in the world through the eyes of filmmakers, scriptwriters, cinematographers… In nine days, I managed to attend 24 films. Not all were to my taste but just about every one was interesting in one way or another.

Between movies I had time to think about how to rate each one. With such a diverse group of films and a diverse readership, I didn’t think a star system would be that helpful. To tell you a bit about the film, what to expect and how well the film comes off, I developed my own rating system…

Micmacs, the trailer above, was my favorite film of TIFF 09. There are a few more trailers interspersed in the reviews.

First stop on this film trip is Ireland. Then I continue through Europe, the middle east to Africa and Asia, back through the US and home to Canada. Here are the films…

Eamon – EIF – Ireland
This is the story of a young boy who monopolizes his mother, manipulates his father and, in the end, is more together than either of them. The script is excellent. Strong performances throughout but especially by Robert Donnelly, the young boy. This was made for less than $500,000 but one would never know it.

Perrier’s Bounty – EIF – Ireland
Cillian Murphy and Jim Broadbent are fantastic in this film about life and death for the marginalized of Dublin. Owing money to a loan shark, Michael McRee’s (Murphy) life runs off the rails as he tries to come up with the funds to pay. Fast-paced, light-hearted yet not short on violence, the film is a great ride. In one scene there’s a car. In it there’s a dead body, a dying guy, a suicidal woman and guy with a price on his head. It was cheery none-the-less.

Ondine – UIF – Ireland
This film is beautifully shot but unfortunately it lacks a script and falls short on a couple of performances. Writer / director Neil Jordan revealed in the Q&A that one of the objectives of the film was to write a script that included fantasy but didn’t require special effects. Well, he achieved that but for what purpose. The ending was especially disappointing. I would point Mr. Jordan to Jane Urquhart’s novel, “Away” for a story with similar qualities but greater meaning and beauty.

Cracks – CIF – United Kingdom
This is the first feature film for Jordan Scott, daughter of Ridley Scott. It’s an excellent debut. The story is of a boarding school teacher, Miss G, who inspires girl crushes amongst the students as she breaks social norms and teaches that the most important thing in life is desire. A new student arrives and Miss G’s cracks begin to show. Lush cinematography and great performances by the all girl/woman cast.

The Angel – FFL – Norway
At what point does a life that goes wrong take that turn and at what point can it be turned round again. This is a feature film debut by Margareth Olin, a documentary filmmaker. It was originally going to be a doc about a woman on the street and how she got there but friendships formed and for personal as well as story-telling purposes, fiction became the chosen mode. The story moves along and points on neglect and abuse are well made without exhausting the viewer.

Micmacs – EFL – France
*** My favourite of TIFF ’09 is Micmacs. It’s fast-paced and fanciful. It takes delight in the creativity of humanity and drives home our potential for brutality. This anti-war, anti-landmines film spends little time on the issue and more on the remarkable high-jinx of a homeless community of talented individuals that takes down two arms manufacturers. However, the point is certainly not lost and the entertainment value is high – Chaplinesque at times.

The Vintner’s Luck – FFL – France
The Vintner’s Luck is by Niki Caro, the filmmaker behind Whale Rider. It’s a lush, historic tale of passion, fortune, tragedy and love played out in a vineyard in France. If you’re willing to suspend your disbelief, you will be rewarded with a story that makes us question the narrative we choose for ourselves.

Soul Kitchen – FFL – Germany
This film seduces the viewer as the food seduced the patrons of Soul Kitchen. Surrounded by troublesome characters who just don’t support his vision as he would like, Zinos struggles as the owner of a restaurant in a warehouse. If only life could be scripted as well as this film – curious twists makes all works out in the end for its many flawed characters. The sound track is great too.

Baaria – FFL – Italy
It is long – too long – but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. Baaria is about 20th century Sicily as communist peasants fight politically to tear power away from the mafia. It is specifically about the life of one man – his experiences, his family and the small town he lives in. It’s a lush film with wonderful performances from all, especially the young boys.

The Time that Remains – F/SFL – Israel
This film is about Palestinians who were branded Israeli-Arabs. It takes place in Israel but is a UK/Italy/Belgium/France co-production. Charming direction at times but I can’t speak for the film as a whole. It gets an unusual rating from me – F/SFL. The reason is that I saw it after going to the dentist where I had nitrous oxide. I don’t know if it was that or the film that put me to sleep. (Everyone sleeps at one festival film at least )

White Material – FFL – Somewhere in Africa
This French film by Claire Denis follows the story of a woman on a coffee plantation who refuses to believe that the civil war presents real risk and focuses on getting the crop in instead. The radio urges French nationals, “white material” to leave, warning that there is no place for them there any longer. Unlike Micmacs which is playful while making its message, this film is on the heavy side – more what I expect from French film.

Road Movie – FFL – India
A delightful road movie in the American sense with Indian sensibility and India as it’s backdrop. A mobile cinema acts as our hero’s vehicle. He picks up passengers along the way, villains complicate matters, unrequited love ensues and a Fair – Ferris wheel and all — appears out of nowhere in the dessert. Charming.

More reviews coming Tuesday…

You can find additional reviews of films at TIFF here: http://TOfilmfest.ca

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