The 37th International Film Festival Rotterdam
By James McCaskill, DC Film Society Member
The 37th International Film Festival Rotterdam is over but the work of the festival continues. This festival is renown as an incubator of young cinematic talent. For years they have assisted young directors financially through the Prince Klaus Fund and Hubert Bals Fund. In recent years CineMart has helped these up and coming directors find international distributors. The past few years they have extend their outreach to assisting young film critics; this year bringing four under 30 year olds to Rotterdam to work closely with IFFR to hone their skills.
This year, as in the past, IFFR brings top quality international independent, innovative and often experimental films. It remains a major venue that discovers and nourishes film talent. Hundreds of filmmakers and other artists present their creations to a discerning audience--the Dutch see more films each year than any other European people. IFFR is justifiably proud of its international reputation for launching new films and talent from Asia, Middle and Eastern Europe and Latin America.
2008 finds IFFR with a new director, Rutger Wolfson, who is continuing to bring top feature, short and documentary films. He focused on Free Radicals, a science term that describes those special molecules or atoms that occasionally provoke fierce reactions. Wolfson uses the label for filmmakers and artists who idiosyncratically and energetically follow their own course.
The Audience Favorites
1. Persepolis (Marjane Satrapi, Vincent Paronnaud, France, 2007). This outstanding animated film has played in the DC area.
2. Estomago - A Gastronomic Story (Marcos Jorge, Brazil/Italy, 2007). International Premiere. There are those who eat and those who are eaten. The simple thirtysomething and anti-hero Nonato works as a chef in order to get on with life and love until he finds out that he cannot escape the hard lessons of life that way. A delightful fable about power, sex and food.
3. 2KM2 - A Square View (Carl van Hees and Ardre van der Hout, Netherlands, 2008). World Premiere. A documentary about life in a contemporary large city (this was filmed in Rotterdam). The image extends much farther than the limited area where it was filmed. While there is flow of one migrant group replacing another the color and form of the city changes all the time, we slowly get to see the underlying constant.
4. Song of Good (Cordero de Dios, Lucia Cedron, Argentina/France/Chile, 2008). Family drama grippingly links two periods from recent Argentine history. When the affluent 77 year old Arturo is kidnapped during the financial crisis in 2002, his daughter is forced to return to Buenos Aires after living in exile since 1978. The past is echoed in the present, re-shaping the way current events are understood.
5. My Brother is An Only Child (Mio fratello a figlio, Daniele Luchetti, Italy, 2007). This film was a favorite from the Toronto International Film Festival. Drama with warm comic undertones about the contrast in political convictions of two brothers from an Italian working class family. After many clashes and the sad climax, there is room for more mature mildness. This film won four Donatellos (Italian Oscar).
6. No Country for Old Men (Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, USA, 2007).
7. War, Love, God & Madness (Mohamed Al-Daradji, Iraq/UK, 2008). World Premiere. A documentary about the making of Ahlaam, the second feature length film shot post-Saddam Hussein Iraq. The young idealistic Iranian filmmaker returns to his birthplace to realize his dream in bizarre and almost lethal circumstances. The film documents the incredible risks confronting filmmakers in "liberated" Iraq.
8. Alone in Four Walls (Allein in view Wanden, Alexander Westmeier, Germany, 2007). A documentary about a Russian reform school for very young delinquents who have often committed serious crimes. Paradoxically enough, despite its stern nature, the institution offers them the boundaries and structures that make it possible for a child to be a child. Childhood is never going to be theirs as 90% return to crime.
9. Let the Right One In (Lat den ratte Komma in, Tomas Alfredsson, Sweden, 2008). World Premiere. While an outer suburb of Stockholm is plagued by ritual murders, 12 year old Oscar could do with some help coping with bullies. Help arrives in the form of a new neighbor. Moving and cofusing variation that also blows new life into the age old vampire story. At times gruesome, shocking and scary but also about growing up, friendship and fate. Comments from my interview with the director follow.
10. TBS (Nothing to Lose, Pieter Kuijpers, Netherlands, 2008). World Premiere. Kuijpers fifth film is an oppressive and worrying yet also stylishly directed drams. Holland's most talented cabaret artist, Theo Maassen, shines as an excaped psychiatric prisoner who thinks he was wrongly jailed. On this odyssey to justice, he kidnapps a teenage girl.
And the winners are . . .
Each year an award is made to the audiences favorite and juries select winners in other categories. This year the audience and the young people's jury (comprised of five under 20 year olds) went to Satrapi and Paronaud's Persepolis.
Tiger Award is given to first or second filmmakers and this year the three chosen were: Wonderful Town by Aditya Assarat (Thailand 2007) "for its amazing imaging through the film and a fresh perspective on the disaster of Tsunami. This film is a societal mirror in which we see Tsumani's loss in different layers. The jury also liked the unconventional ending of the film." Flower in the Pocket by Liew Seng Tat (Malaysia, 2007) "because of its well considered and award look in the world of children. The actors are chosen correctly and guided and directed properly. The film as an excellent visual expression." Go With Peace Jamal (Ma salama Jamil, Omar Shargawi, Denmark, 2008) "for its strong directing and acting work. By showing narrow shots, the director chooses an appropriate style in order to present restrictions in a closed society." Each of these films receives prize of 15,000 Euros and a guaranteed broadcast by Dutch public television.
Dioraphte Award is a new award and is given to a film supported by the Hubert Bals Fund. It went to Mutum by Sandra Kogut (Brazil, 2007). the jury said, "With its condensed emotion and boundless energy, this precisely directed and acted film tells the story of a harsh world with genuine urgency. It is uncompromising in its vision and unsentimental in its treatment."
FIPRESCI Award is given by the international association of film critics. This year their award went to The Sky, the Earth and the Rain (El cielo, la tierra, y la fluvia, Jose Luis Torres Leiva, Chile, 2008).
Films that stood out from the 30 plus films that I saw and are highly recommended: Song of Good, Greg King, New Zealand, 2007) Seven Day Sunday, Niels Laupert, Germany, 2008) and Tale 52, Alexis Alexiou, Greece, 2007) in addition to audience favoriters Song of Good and Let the Right One In.
Other films that I liked are Shanghai Trance and Kenedi is Getting Married.
I interviewed several directors; following is an extract of their comments about films that were at the top of my recommendation list:
Niels Laupert (Seven Day Sunday): This film is based on a real murder. "I was shocked when I read an article by a journalist for Der Spiegel. The journalist just told the facts, did not explain anything--that was what motivated me. In every second movie you have 'lean cuisine,' you feel OK and they explain everything; editors want an explanation. When you explain you justify. My aim was to have actors who were the same age--16 years old. In the research process I made it to the prison to interview the guys and have 16 hours of interviews." Seven Day Sunday tells the true story of two juvenile murderers--two 16-year-old Polish lads who made a bet to kill the first man who came along. But the first man survived. They learned from this assault and killed the second man who crossed their path. The two were tried as adults and sentenced to 25 years in prison. This is a powerful film and was one of my top picks at this years IFFR.
Alex Alexiou (Tale 52): "I wanted to make a low budget film," the director told me," because it is impossible to raise money in Greece. I promised myself to make a film that is made in one location, but had to add two more locations during the filming. I wanted to make a film that took place inside someone's head. I really like people who are driven by obsessions, a strong feeling and emotions. I am fascinated by a person who is trapped in his own mind, cannot wake up in the real world and is always in a state of constant day dreaming. The initial idea is a person, imagine you are sleeping and cannot wake up--the dream becomes reality." The disappearance of his girlfriend drives the rather shy Iosonas to despair and brings delusions in his fragile mental makeup. A psychological thriller without redemption. The director uses a strong visual language.
Greg King (Song of Good): "If you want redemption and serious growth you must take responsiblity for your deeds. The little things that Gary did to make amends will not make it. Someone trying to change their life is a universal theme," director King told me. This was the second time I have intervied him for several years ago I interviewed this New Zealand director on his first film, Christmas. "I know addicts and this film is based on their stories. People who at age 40 are still living in their childhood bedrooms or living in a car. I did not want to make a drug movie. Did not want to make a rape scene. Gary is used again and again in the film. He is shit on by his buddy."
Calendar of Events
FILMS
American Film Institute Silver Theater
The AFI concludes its series of films by the Coen Brothers in early March with The Big Lebowski and The Man Who Wasn't There. The Ingmar Bergman retrospective Part I also ends in March with The Seventh Seal and The Virgin Spring. Part II of the Ingmar Bergman retrospective begins March 15. A series of films starring Robert Mitchum begins March 21.
From March 7-17 is the "New African Films Festival" with an Ousmane Sembene retrospective. Films include Ezra, Juju Factory, Faro, Goddess of the Waters, Clouds Over Konakry, Hip Hop Revolution and more. The Ousmane Sembene series includes Faat Kine, Moolaade, Black Girl, Camp de Thiaroye, Guelwaar, Ceddo, Mandabi and Xala.
Films presented as part of the Environmental Film Festival include Godfrey Reggio's Qatsi Trilogy Koyaanisqatsi, Powaqqatsi and Naqoyqatsi, plus The Big Country and The Unforeseen.
Freer Gallery of Art
A series of recent films from Sri Lanka begins on March 2 at 2:00pm with Against the Tide (Sudath Devapriya, 2004). On March 7 at 7:00pm is Fire Fighters (Somaratne Dissanayake, 2004); on March 9 at 1:00pm is Sankara (Prasanna Jayakody, 2006); and on March 9 at 3:00pm is The Tender Trap (Anuruddha Jayasinghe, 2005).
"China: Three Views" is a short series of recent films from China. On March 14 at 7:00pm is Electric Shadows (Xiao Jiang, 2004); on March 16 at 1:30pm is Summer Palace (Lou Ye, 2006); and on March 21 at 7:00pm is Still Life (Jia Zhangke, 2006), the last one as part of the Environmental Film Festival.
National Gallery of Art
"Istvan Szabo's 20th Century" ends in March with Mephisto (1981) on March 1 at 2:00pm, Colonel Redl (1984) on March 1 at 4:30pm, and Hanussen (1984) on March 2 at 4:30pm--Istvan Szabo will be present at all three.
Three of Alexander Sokurov's recent films will be shown starting with The Sun (2005) on March 9 at 4:30pm. On March 15 at 2:30pm is Elegy of Life: Rostropovich Vishnevskaya, a documentary the husband and wife team of Mstislav Rostropovich and Galina Vishnevskaya. On March 15 at 4:30pm is Alexandra (2007).
"In Glorious Technicolor" features three newly restored classic films. On March 29 at 2:00pm is I've Always Loved You (Frank Borzage, 1946); on March 29 at 4:30pm is Leave Her To Heaven (John Stahl, 1945); and on March 30 at 4:30pm is The Barefoot Contessa (Joseph Mankiewicz, 1954).
Special events include "Max Linder Cine-Concert" on March 8 at 3:00pm, a program of six short films with music accompaniment by Octuor de France. On March 16 at 4:00pm is "Silvestre Revueltas: Music for Film" with The Wave (1936) and Vamonos con Pancho Villa (1936). On March 22 at 1:00pm is Profit motive and the whispering wind (John Gianvito, 2007).
As part of the Environmental Film Festival is Radiant City (Gary Burns and Jim Brown, 2006) on March 22 at 2:00pm and Garbage Warrior (Oliver Hodge, 2007) on March 22 at 4:30pm.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
On March 6 at 8:00pm is a program of film fantasies by Georges Méliès. On March 13 at 8:00pm is Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation, 1982-89 introduced by filmmakers Chris Strompolos and Eric Zala.
National Museum of African Art
On March 29 at 2:00pm is Baba Mandela (2002), about communities in Kenya whose livelihoods are destroying the resources on which they depend for survival. A discussion follows the film.
National Museum of the American Indian
For Women's Heritage Month is a program of documentary films by Native women from varied communities. The films show daily March 26-31 in two sections starting at 12:30pm and 3:30pm.
National Portrait Gallery
On March 21 at 7:00pm is The Story of Lady Bird Johnson (Grace Guggenheim, 1992), shown as part of the Environmental Film Festival. Grace Guggenheim will introduce the film, followed by discussion with Bess Abell, Lady Bird Johnson's social secretary.
Smithsonian American Art Museum
On March 2 at 3:00pm is Searching for Angela Shelton (2004) in which one Angela Shelton set off across the country to interview other women named Angela Shelton. After the film there will be a discussion with the director.
As the first of a series on Film Noir, is the classic Sunset Boulevard (Billy Wilder, 1950) on March 26 at 6:00pm.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
On March 19 at 7:00pm is The Water Front (Liz Miller, 2007) about the water wars in Highland Park, Michigan; part of the Environmental Film Festival.
In the "Sisters in Cinema" series on March 26 at 7:00pm is a program of new video work created by DC students and other youthful filmmakers from around the country.
Films on the Hill
Two feature films are presented in conjunction with the Environmental Film Festival have land use and abuse as their theme. On March 21 at 7:00pm is Trail of the Lonesome Pine (Henry Hathaway, 1936), the first outdoor film shot in Technicolor, starring Henry Fonda and Sylvia Sidney. On March 22 at 7:00pm is Come and Get It (Howard Hawks and William Wyler, 1936) with Edward Arnold as a timber tycoon and Frances Farmer in a dual role. On March 26 at 7:00pm is The White Rose (D.W. Griffith, 1923) starring Mae Marsh and British matinee idol Ivor Novello.
Washington Jewish Community Center
On March 3 at 7:30pm is The Champagne Spy (Nadav Schirman, 2007), a documentary about a Mossad agent living a double life. On March 17 at 7:30pm is His Wife's Lover (Sidney M. Goldin, 1931) a newly restored "first Jewish musical comedy talking picture" starring Ludwig Satz. On March 31 at 7:30pm is an Israeli film Bittersweet (Doron Benvenisti, 2007) with the director attending.
Pickford Theater
As part of the Environmental Film Festival is Chinatown (Roman Polanski, 1974) on March 17 at 7:00pm.
Goethe Institute
The Goethe Institute takes part in the Environmental Film Festival with The Cloud (Gregor Schnitzler, 2006) on March 18 a 7:00pm.
Continuing with the Michael Haneke retrospective, on March 3 at 6:30pm is Fraulein (1984); on March 10 at 6:30pm is The Rebellion (1993); on March 13 at 6:30pm is Who Was Edgar Allan? (1984); on March 17 at 6:30pm is Three Paths to the Lake (1976); and on March 24 at 6:30pm is Variation (1983). More Haneke films are at the Austrian Embassy and French Embassy.
National Geographic Society
Films shown as part of the Environmental Film Festival include Hunters of the Northern Ice (Wade Davis, 1006) on March 18 at 12:00 noon, Dirty Secrets (Rob Whittlesey, 2008) and Most Dangerous Catch (David Elisco, 2008) on March 19 at 7:00pm, The Eleventh Hour (Leila Conners Petersen and Nadia Conners, 2007) on March 20 at 7:00pm. Check the website for more.
French Embassy
On March 20 at 7:00pm is Time of the Wolf (2003), part of the Michael Haneke film series.
As part of the Environmental Film Festival is Animals In Love (Laurent Charbonnier, 2007) on March 16 at 4:00pm.
On March 12 at 7:00pm is The Secret of the Grain (Abdellatif Kechiche, 2005), winner of numerous awards.
The Japan Information and Culture Center
As part the Environmental Film Festival is a show of the Japanese cult film of the giant lizard who destroys Tokyo Gojira (1954) on March 13 at 6:30pm.
On March 26 at 6:30pm is Swing Girls (Shinobu Yaguchi, 2004) with a special music performance at 5:00pm by members of the Tateshina High School band (the inspiration for the film) and the Georgetown University jazz band. Reservations are required.
National Archives
"For a Better America: The New Deal on Film" is an all-day film festival of US Government produced Depression-era films, starting at 10:00am on March 15 with part I: "Urban Life and Culture" including The Road Is Open Again, Hands, Dawn Strikes the Capitol Dome, We Work Again, The Fight for Life. Starting at 1:00pm and presented as part of the Environmental Film Festival is part II: "The Land and Environment" with The Plow That Broke the Plains, The River, Power and the Land, The Land Starting at 4:30pm is part III: "The Projects" with Work Pays America, The City, Valley of the Tennessee, The Columbia.
As part of the "Running for Office" series of films is State of the Union (Frank Capra, 1948) on March 1 at noon.
On March 5 at 7:00pm is a screening of Nanking (2007) with producer Ted Leonsis to talk about the historical research involved in making the film.
Embassy of Canada
On March 11 at 7:00pm is Edge of Eden: Living with Grizzlies (Jeff and Sue Turner, 2006), part of the Environmental Film Festival.
National Museum of Natural History
On March 15 at noon is a day-long program of short films for the Environmental Film Festival, also on March 16 starting at noon and March 22 at noon.
The Avalon
Films shown as part of the Environmental Film Festival are The Price of Sugar (Bill Haney, 2007) on March 16 at 4:45pm and All In This Tea (Les Blank, 2007) on March 16 at 2:30pm.
For the "Lions of Czech Cinema" screening this month is Bored in Brno (Vladimir Moravek, 2003) on March 12 at 8:30pm, an award-winning comedy.
On March 2 at 8:00pm is a Turkish film Stolen Eyes, about an impossible love between a Turk and a Bulgarian.
As part of the French Cinémathèque series is Demented (Laurent Achard, 2007) on March 19 at 8:00pm.
On March 16 at 10:00am will be a show of The Ritchie Boys, an award-winning documentary about military interrogation, presented by the Washington School of Psychiatry.
The Corcoran
As part of the Environmental Film Festival is Waste-Food: Environmental Movements in Design (Rob van Hattum) on March 13 at 7:00pm. The film, about American architect and designer William McDonough and German ecological chemist Michael Braungart, will be followed by a discussion with director Rob van Hattum and architect Lance Hosey.
Embassy of Austria
The Embassy of Austria takes part in the Michael Haneke retrospective with the made for Austrian TV film Lemmings Part II on March 4 at 7:30pm.
On March 10 at 7:30pm is a documentary Vienna's Lost Daughters (Mirjam Unger, 2007) about eight women who fled Vienna in 1938 and who now live in New York. Reservations are required.
Smithsonian Associates
An IMAX film, Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk (2007), is presented as part of the Environmental Film Festival on March 20 at 7:00pm.
The Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
On March 1 at 8:00pm and March 2 at 3:00pm the Baltimore Symphony will accompany Charlie Chaplin's City Lights (1931).
Cine-Americas
On March 2 at 2:00pm is Imaginum (Alberto Mar and Isaac Sandoval, 2005), an animated film from Mexico. On March 5 at 6:30pm is Frida, Naturaleza Viva (Paul Leduc, 1988), a biography of the Mexican artist. On March 9 at 2:00pm is Magos y Gigantes (Andres Couturier and Eduardo Sprowls, 2003), an animated feature film from Mexico. Reservations are recommended.
FILM FESTIVALS
