And the Oscar Goes To...

The Oscars are coming up next Sunday (Feb. 22nd) and Kirk Cooper is more excited about them than I am. Maybe it's because he has something to root for in Slumdog Millionaire. During the second part of my Feb. 14th show (see In the Mood for Love post) we talked about our picks for the 81st Annual Academy Awards. He is feeling the magic of Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire, a magic that I have never felt since seeing the film at the Toronto International Film Festival last September. To me and the few others I have met who are not enamored of the film, it is understandable why most people have enjoyed this film about two impoverished brothers from the slums of India aspiring to wealth--rags to riches stories always do well with the general public. What we don't understand is why this film has become so award-worthy. The only thing I would accept this film winning an award for is cinematography, but anything else is baffling. It's a case of the Emperor having no clothes. Everyone else is seeing the Emperor in his splendiferous, royal robes and all we can see is a naked man. Oh, well, let's see what happens on Oscar night. Maybe I'll feel the magic and underdogs Richard Jenkins and Melissa Leo will win in their categories. Yes, I voted for Sean Penn, but a win by Jenkins, whom I have long admired, would be a magical feat.

THE VISITOR


The film and actress missing for me is the French film, I've Loved You So Long/Il y a longtemps que je t'aime with a brilliant performance by Kristen Scott Thomas. I would also have liked to see Kevin Bacon nominated for his supporting role in Frost/Nixon. Kirk has a special place in his heart for WALL-E

Will you be watching? What film/actor do you think is missing from Oscar's list?

donna g's TIFF 08 Coverage: Day 8 a.k.a That's Entertainment

CONTROL ALT DELETE

Unlike last year's sex comedy, Young People Fucking, this film is funny from beginning to end, and has a social message that is very current, considering that it is set in 1999 on the eve of Y2K. Underneath the geek humour and man-CPU relations, are themes of social isolation and lack of intimacy. Why not get away from the computers and tuck your I-pods away and have a good laugh with this outrageous romp.

Upcoming Screenings:
Friday September 12 06:00PM AMC 1
Saturday September 13 10:15AM AMC 10

WHITE NIGHT WEDDING

The film's director, Baltasar Kormákur, is also directs for the stage. White Night Wedding is based on Anton Chekhov's Ivanov. While watching this film, I kept thinking that I would much rather see this done as a play. There is something about the editing and pace of the film that doesn't quite work, despite the strong cast. There is one paralell scene with the wife talking to the pastor about her failing marriage that is contrasted with a scene of the husband and his new lover. The interior and exterior photography is beautiful, and I especially like the performance of actress Laufey Elíasdóttir, who plays the wife. This film is not bad, but I much prefer another Icelandic film, Country Wedding.
Final Screening
Friday September 12 03:45PM SCOTIABANK THEATRE 2

A FILM WITH ME IN IT

I actually laughed so hard I was cackling. The Farce lives! I'm hoping this one comes to a theatre near me because I'm going again. I can never resist the caustic demeanour of actor Dylan Moran of one of my favourite series, Black Books.

ME AND ORSON WELLES

The is a point in the festival when you just want to sit back and be entertained. Well, I was there this evening at 7:15 pm, which is why I went to a Press screening of this film--not originally on my list. Christian McKayis absolutely brilliant as Welles. I also enjoyed the performance by Zoe Kazan. I find that sometimes actress in period pieces have too modern a look, but Zoe fit right in to 1937, and I loved her character. Not Linklater's best work, but I was thoroughly entertained.

donna g's TIFF 08 Coverage: Day 7 a.k.a Of Bats and Butterflies

TEARS FOR SALE


Thank you Colin Geddes for finding and programming this film. You were so right in saying the film was about "bats and butterflies." For those who appreciate adult fairy tales, caresses, strong women and gorgeous cinematography. Well worth getting up early on a Saturday morning.

Final Screening:
Saturday September 13 10:30AM CUMBERLAND 1

RADIO LOVE

DON'T GO! You know how I told you yesterday that I didn't like Slumdog Millionaire, and that I was one of the few in a huge theatre that didn't? Well, in Radio Love I was with a huge audience that didn't like the film. One lady on her way out kept saying to her friend "What a disappointment. What a disappointment..." Her friend was in total agreement.

UPSTREAM BATTLE

This documentary fits well into the "environmental" category, but it's about so much more. It's about what's lost when you devalue culture. Yes, the salmon run has been reduced from millions per year to thousands, but so have the ceremonies of the first nations people who are tied to the land and the river. The Yurok, Karuk and Klamath people continue to battle Warren Buffet's PacifiCorp, and the jury is still out. Also in the fight for dam removal are farmers who need water for irrigation and ocean fishermen. As Ron Reed said in an interview I did with he and his brother, Mike Polmateer and director Ben Kempas, he has not hear one word directly from Buffet.

Final Screening:
Friday September 12 11:45AM VARSITY 7

Air date for Upstream Battle interview on The More the Merrier (CIUT 89.5 FM) TBA

donna g's TIFF 08 Coverage: Day 6 a.k.a I'm Tired Y'all

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
My first film of the day and in a packed Press and Industry screening at the Varsity, I think I must have been one in a handful of people who did not like this movie. Great beginning with a great cast of children. Too bad they had to grow up. I have loved Danny Boyle's work in the past and am sure I will films of his in the future. Next.

As I said, lots of people will like this, so here are the upcoming screenings:
Wednesday September 10 03:15PM RYERSON
Saturday September 13 07:15PM AMC 10

PEACE MISSION
Public screening this time round. This doc is an examination of the Nollywood movie industry that has taken over the African continent, the Caribbean and North America. At the forefront of this developing film industry is Peace Anyiam-Fiberesima, a woman determined that as the industry develops, that Nollywood will continue to produce films by and for the African people.

Catch these upcoming screenings:
Wednesday September 10 02:15PM AMC 1
Saturday September 13 06:15PM AMC 9

MEDICINE FOR MELANCHOLY


Reminiscent of Before Sunrise except it's set in San Francisco and the lead actress is channeling Jean Seberg in Breathless rather than Julie Delpy. Written while the director was working at Banana Republic and made on a shoestring budget (the leads were the only ones paid), this is a sweet romance with interesting characters and dialogue. First time feature director, Barry Jenkins' use of desaturated colours brings a fresh take to this romance, while displaying San Francisco in splendor that would rival Woody Allen's New York.

I'm looking up the soundtrack because I think I want to buy everything that was played.

JESUS AND THE GIANT by Akin Omotoso


I'm glad to see Akin back at TIFF. I had a chance to interview his a couple of years ago. This new short deals with an avenging friend using religious metaphors. The whole film is compiled of still photography and is as arresting in its images as it is in it's sound mixing.

Catch both films on:
Wednesday September 10 05:45PM AMC 2

donna g's TIFF 08 Coverage: Day 5 a.k.a What's in a Face?

Iranian actress, Shohreh Aghdashloo in THE STONING OF SORAYA M.

Bahamian actress, Renel Naomi Brown in RAIN

I didn't plan on seeing The Stoning of Soraya M, but circumstances were such that I found myself at a press screening for the film this afternoon. I promised myself that I would leave if it got too heavy for me to bear. I have known and still know women in abusive situations so guaged my emotional response to the level of violence on the screen--any sensory overload and I would be out of there! Well, it just so happened that I became captivated by Shohreh Aghdashloo. Seeing her on screen reminded me of my one of my favourite actresses, Anna Magnani. The pain in her eyes and the strength of her character drew me in. We know from the beginning that she is Zahra, Soraya's aunt, a woman who remains undefeated despite her suffering. Zahra has the courage to share with a visiting journalist, the story of Soraya, how her virtuous niece was plotted against by a husband who wanted her dead so he could marry a rich girl (death being cheaper for him than a divorce settlement).

The Stoning of Soraya M is set in Iran, and the political climate of the post-Shah era plays an integral role in the film, but this is also about how evil can grow among a group of people to the point that they believe lies, and focus on self-preservation rather than the preservation of truth and human dignity. The stoning scene, when it occurs near the end of the film, is horrific (I had to close my eyes), but the scene that follows is a one of iconic triumph: through Zahra's recorded voice, the world will now know of Soraya's existence and murder. The Stoning of Soraya M is a dramatization of a true story.



While there are no scenes of horror on a grand scale in RAIN, there are scenes of how hard life can be in the Bahamas. This coming of age film introduces us to the face of Renel Naomi Brown. Her luminous, soulful eyes are as captivating as the experienced expressions of Shohreh Aghdashloo. Considering this is her first film, Renel Brown does an amazing job of expressing Rain's emotions through her eyes.

Moving from the loving home of her grandmother (following her death), Rain ends up in Nassau, more specifically a place called "the graveyard". As one character in the film says, "no one gets out of a grave." Well, Rain is determined to not live the life of the crack addicted mother (Nicki Micheaux) she has not seen since she was a baby. With the help of a school coach (CCH Pounder), Rain begins to take steps to improve her life.

THE STONING OF SORAYA M.
Wednesday September 10 02:45PM AMC 9
Friday September 12 09:15PM AMC 1

RAIN
Saturday September 13 12:15PM AMC 9

donna g's TIFF 08 Coverage: Day 3 a.k.a Can we get an editor on site?

Can we get an editor on site at TIFF to go around and trim some minutes from a few films? Last night I mentioned that It Might Get Loud was in desperate need of an editor. Well, this afternoon I saw a wonderful film that could have been an extraordinary film if a few scenes had been removed. Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love, is beautifully photographed, and the subject, Ndour, his griot family, his rise to fame and his controversial CD, "Egypt" do hold your attention, but it's way too long. Yes, I recommend the film, but be prepared to squirm through a few unnecessary scenes. The worldwide concert footage is exhilarating. If you are new to Ndour, you will see why he such a superstar. Watching Ndour remain steadfast in his conviction to sing songs celebrating Islam while some of his countrymen ban his CD based on hearsay, is very compelling. You can't help but wonder how you would react in the face of such negative press when all you are trying to do is praise your religion.
You still have a couple of chances to see the film. Sunday, Sept 7 and Friday, Sept. 12.

Aide-toi le ciel t'aidera (With a Little Help From Myself) Shines Thanks to Star Felicite Wouassi (centre)

Directed by François Dupeyron (his film Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran played at TIFF 03), who admits that he enjoys making films about outsiders, Aide-toi le ciel t'aidera is a family drama with comic elements. Actress Felicite Wouassi is well-known on stage and on screen in France, but the film's all Black cast was a first for France and funders were not lining up for this film (French television passed). Felicite is absolutely brilliant. She stole our hearts tonight at the Isabel Bader Theatre. Her screen presence reminds me of American actresses such as Cicely Tyson and Rosalind Cash. Felicite plays a mother trying to hold her family together. The family happens to be African and living in France, but the tale is a universal one. The film hasn't played in France as yet and I would be interested to see if French audiences pick up on this universal theme or if they see only the immigrant story. Aide-toi has two more public screenings:

Tuesday September 09 12:45PM SCOTIABANK THEATRE 3
Thursday September 11 11:45AM SCOTIABANK THEATRE 3

Make sure to stay for the song at the end credits. It's an integral part of the film experience.

Visit www.tiff08.ca for all Festival details.

donna g's TIFF 08 Coverage: Day 1 a.ka. There's Something About Iceland

There's something about Icelandic films that attract me. Maybe it's the austere, beautiful landscape or the sense that I'm watching something that seems close to home but isn't. TIFF Programmer, Steve Gravestock mentioned his penchant for Nordic films when introducing COUNTRY WEDDING (Sveitabrúðkaup),my first and only film on this first day of TIFF 08. Directed by Valdís Óskarsdóttir, the improvised wedding tale benefits from the skills she has honed as an editor for such directors as Lars Von Trier and Gus Van Sant. Shot in 7 days and edited over 8 months, this 99 minute improvised road trip is tightly cut, well-paced, and well-acted by a talented band of theatre-trained actors ( I especially loved Elvis and Grandma). In comparing the similaries between Iceland and Canada, Gravestock believes that "both cultures hold the conviction that the countryside is somehow purer and calmer than the city – a faith that is inevitably called into question the minute human beings show up." Go see Country Wedding. I bet you'll be picking out the family member or friend that resembles someone you know very well.

The film is also generously populated with tunes by Tiger Lillies,a group that Valdís Óskarsdóttir first heard about in London, England.

COUNTRY WEDDING
Sunday September 07 10:00PM AMC 4
Friday September 12 12:00PM VARSITY 4

My next trip to Iceland will be my Press screening of another wedding story, White Night Wedding

Visit www.tiff08.ca for public screenings and ticket information

donna g's TIFF 08 Coverage: See Early Coverage at Left