SIFF Report June 5

Saturday was such a good day for me, that I took off Sunday for biking, shopping, dishes, laundry and sleep. Here's what I saw that day.


A FEW DAYS RESPITE----------GRADE A-
Splendid small film about two men who are lovers, trying to escape from Iran, through Italy to France, where the older one finds work with an aging lonely, sympathetic woman, who has eyes for him, not knowing he is gay. There is a lot of tension and feeling that passes between the three protagonist, and the film is subtle yet engrossing and quite moving.

12 ANGRY LEBANESE: THE DOCUMENTARY----------GRADE A
Riveting and insightful story of Lebanese prisoners who participate in a dramatic workshop to present the play TWELVE ANGRY MEN before their peers, family and outsiders. The experience works not only to trigger reflection among the actors, many of whom have been in prison for more than 20 years and never had much self worth, but also to change the hearts and minds of outsiders and government officials towards prisoners.

CLINK OF ICE----------------GRADE A-
Perhaps the most audacious and wry French comedy of the decade, the film starts off slow, with a wealthy, smart writer drinking himself to death since he has just lost his wife, child, lover and has a mental block towards writing. He is soon visited by a man who claims to be the human incarnation of his cancer, and this cancer man is going to stay with him until the end. Suddenly the film takes off in all directions, with family, servants and friends weighing in on the situation--some can see the "cancer" (since they will someday be affected, too, apparently) and others cannot. Soon his faithful housekeeper has her own cancer following her around--even to bed....A wild, kinky, off the wall film, most amusing if you can get into it. Director Bertrand Blier (GOING PLACES, BEAU PERE, GET OUT YOUR HANDKERCHIEFS, MENAGE, etc) is back on top again!

TERRI---------------------GRADE C+
The day was pretty great until this American teenage coming-of-age would be comedy/drama about a fat teen who only feels comfortable in his pajamas (even at school),who lives with and takes care of his uncle who seems to have some form of dementia, and he likes to kill mice to feed to a large bird.....John C. Riley is the assistant principal who tries to befriend him by being logical, honest, and open, to varying results. The teens who populate this movie are very weird, interested in sex, drugs and alcohol (per norm) but in vacant unappealing ways. Tired stuff.

BURKE and HARE-------------Grade B
Set two hundred years ago in England, two hapless grave robbers discover that it is easier to murder than to rob graves in order to make a living. The comedy is sometimes broad but usually good natured, and the film is generous with developing some charming and delightful characters, which make for an easy going good time.