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Baila’s arts reviews: Film: Vancouver International Film
Festival
Hi everyone. Here are my mini-reviews for the movies I managed to
see during the 25th annual VIFF. Total screenings: 50. Total films
seen: 51. Films are ranked from best to worst.
This page has the documentaries. For features, click here.
Full film descriptions can be found at
http://www.viff.org
The White Planet**** (France/Canada). In English. Stunning
cinematography take this otherwise typical nature film to the next
level. Narration is still 20th century style, lots of shots of snow.
But the baby polar bears rival the baby penguins in March of the
Penguins.
More than 1000 Words*** (Israel) Some parts subtitled. The
daily life of Ziv Korn, an internationally known Israeli photographer
who shoots in the most dangerous areas of the West Bank, Israel
and Gaza.
To Play and to Fight*** (Venezuela) English Subtitles. Can
violin cases replace gun cases? Will a standing ovation give as
much self respect as joining a gang? Venezuela’s Youth and
Children’s Orchestra System is proving that they can, and millions
of kids are not fighting for a piece of turf, but fighting for a
seat in an orchestra. Young virtuosos and fantastic talent abound
in this film. Bring a hankie.
Sound of the Soul: The Fez Festival of World Sacred Music***
(USA) I’m not putting this film high due to any technical or
writing prowess, but just because the content – Sacred music
from around the world – makes it worth watching.
Encounter Point*** (USA/Israel) Some parts subtitled. How
two groups of people who have been caught in so much violence –
Arabs and Jews – can find some means of talking with one another
at a grassroots level.
See my interview with director Ronit Avni here.
American Zeitgeist: Crisis and Conscience in an Age of Terror***
A thorough, if unsurprising, look at how we got to today’s
War on Terror.
Between the Lines: India’s Third Gender*** (India)
Some parts subtitled. Everything you wanted to know about hijras
or eunuchs. Some born into this position. Some making the choice.
They are reviled and respected. Some hate the existence; some love
it. Very interesting.
The Railroad All-stars*** (Spain) English subtitles. What
a unique story about prostitutes along a railway line in Guatemala
City, who put together a soccer team to raise awareness about women’s
rights. They call themselves the Railroad All Stars and become known
throughout the country. I loved it.
The Root of All Evil*** (UK) Richard Dawkins is the pompous
British evolutionary biologist who’s trying to figure out why
people embrace religion in the face of science and how it has led
to the worst evils in history. Some very salient points but he comes
across as really arrogant and cites, as evidence, verses from the
Old Testament that have little relevance today.
Murch*** (USA) An interesting, straightforward account of
the tremendous role an editor plays in making brilliant movies out
of otherwise average films. I didn’t give it more stars because
it relies on a single interview with film editor Walter Murch (Godfather,
Apocalyupse Now, American Graffiti, The English Patient) The guy’s
a legend but I would have loved to see a lot more examples of what
he was talking about.
Raised to Be Heroes** (Documentary. B.C.) English and Hebrew
with English subtitles. A look at soldiers in the IDF who refuse
to serve in the West Bank and Gaza. One of the soldiers was nominated
for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Tales of the Rat Fink** (Documentary. Ontario) Some great
animated effects here in thebiography o fEd rot. Custom-car-builder,
apparent inventor of logos on t-shirts, creator of the cartoon Ratt
Fink. Good film for anyone interested in cars or animation.
Our Own Private Bin Laden** (Ontario). Iranian expat becomes
a journalist, trying to figure out what has caused the global war
on terror. Everything was pretty similar to what you’d see
in any number of war-on-terror films, but there was an interview
with Madelaine Albright that I’d never seen.
Rain in a Dry Land** (USA) We all hear about issues faced
by immigrants who have trouble adjusting to a new land; this film
goes right into their living room and follows them month to month
in their often frustrating journey. Not a bad documentary, but nothing
brilliant.
Mystic Ball** (Ontario) A self-exploratiry documentary about
Greg Hamilton’s passion for the Myanmar game chinlone, played
with a bamboo ball.
Rampage** (Australia) Nothing new to see here.
What is it Worth* (Brazil) English subtitles. Split focus
makes for a scattered film. A mixed look at slavery of old, slavery-like
conditions of today, and how bosses of non-profits scam money from
donors.
Iraq in Fragments* (USA) English subtitles. My head was
in fragments after watching this mishmash of boring, then interesting,
then mediochre film work. The director has shot “three”
Iraqs: Sunni; Shiite; and Kurdish. The stories in each are very
real, but that doesn’t always make for good film. In the case
of the first segment, where a boss, over and over and over, keeps
making fun of a boy who fails school, it’s downright tedious.
Cut! Cut!
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