SIFF Screenings--Best Bets---STILL LIFE, TANGERINE, THE DUNE, LIVING IS EASY w/EYES CLOSED, BEGIN AGAIN, I ORIGINS

Obviously some of the screenings below may be over, but there is a week following SIFF were the BEST OF SIFF will feature some of the best films, and some will be opening throughout the summer.
Listed in order of preference.

GRADE     A

STILL LIFE--Small, quiet, sad British film about a government employee who tries to find friends or relatives of people who have died alone---often there is no one, or if some are found, they have no interest in the remains of their kin.  Just as his job is becoming redundant, he thinks he may have found some family of a lonely alcoholic man who died a few weeks earlier.  The pacing and simple style is perfectly calibrated, and there's some wonderful tension created, along with some laughs.   But the most astonishing sequence comes in the form of a "triple whammy" at the end, that literally sucked the air out of the theatre, sending tearful film goers out into the lobby, emotionally exhausted but joyous.  This is the WOW film of SIFF so far.

TANGERINES--Beautifully structured Estonian film set during the 1992 conflict that pitted neighbor against neighbor, this has a poor wood working farmer who nurses two wounded soldiers, each from opposite sides of the conflict , in his home.  A perfect combination of character, tension, action and technical finesse, it's both moving and profound.

J'ACCUSE--An epic 2 hour 45 minute silent French film by Abel (NAPOLEON) Gance, made in 1919, with powerful directorial tableau, an involving plot, and astonishing creativity.  Filmed just after WWI, film deals with a love triangle among two soldiers who love the same woman, and the townspeople who become involved in their troubles.  An amazing experience.

INTERNATIONAL MALE--An excellent collection of shorts set in countries like Sweden, Iran, South Africa, United Kingdom and the U.S., about homosexual experiences and prejudices.

GRADE   B+

THE DUNE--Leisurely French film creates some tension when a ready to retire police man tries to solve the mystery of a nameless, speechless man, who may or may not have something to do with the officer.

LIVING IS EASY WITH EYES CLOSED--Charming, ultimately magical Spanish film set in the late 1960's about a Beetle enthusiast teacher trying to meet his idol John Lennon who is on a movie set nearby.  On the way he picks up a pregnant teen, and a runaway teen who trying to escape from his cruel father.

BEGIN AGAIN--US film by creator of the popular film and stage play ONCE.  In spite of some hand held camera work, the film is energetic and excitingly different in telling the story of love lost and found and how to take chances to create artful music, which is featured prominently on the soundtrack.  Down on his luck music producer is portrayed by a gritty Mark Ruffalo with a great deal of skill, and the excellent and likeable cast includes Keira Knightly, Catherine Keener, Hailee Steinfeld and Adam Levine.

GRADE B

I ORIGINS-  Lots of fascinating ides float through this intriguing mix of spiritual and religious themed fantasy science fiction film.  After a shaky start, story get progressively better although the ending is left disappointingly open to interpretation, as a scientist tries to prove or disapprove that :the eye is the doorway to the soul."

GRADE B-

GERONTOPHILIA--Unusual French Canadian drama of an older teen who becomes sexually and emotionally attracted to an older man under his care at a senor care facility.  It's not explicit, but it raises some controversial issues, while staying fairly sex positive and cheerful.

SOLD--This is a slick and sanitized film of a 12 year old Tibetan girl inadvertently sold into prostitution by her impoverished father to a Calcutta based procurer.  The human trafficking theme is important, but this film is so watered down that it looses some power.

GABRIELLE--Sympathetic French film of young handicapped adults getting ready for a singing concert.  Central character doesn't want her sister/caretaker to leave for India, and wants to be together with her boyfriend, another handicapped singer, although the young mans mother is very much against it.  Unfortunately, an excessive hand held camera technic detracts from he emotional moments.

GRADE  C+

REMOTE CONTROL--Exotically and nicely filmed in Mongolian city of Ulan Bator, a young teen runaway squatting on a roof top, uses a remote control to watch the TV of a beautiful woman across the street.  He also dabbles in petty crimes.  The film is watchable but feels pointless by the end.

GRADE  C

A PATRIOTIC MAN--Dull Finnish film about drugging during the Olympic by Finnish cross country skiers.

STRAY DOGS--Master Tsai Ming-liang's newest film features even longer takes (most 5 to 20 minutes long) than usual, trying the patience of his most ardent fans.

X/Y--Predictable and shallow story of love but mostly sex between rich 20-somethings, set in New York City.  One from each coupling goes on to have sex with another--a circle of sex--a style which started in LA RONDE more than 50 years ago.

IGNACIAS M.--From Spain comes a lively character with AIDS who has had an interesting life, fascinating friends, and amazing jobs in the art field.  For some reason, most of this talky film deals with his academia, philosophies, and bragging, in interviews that are incredibly boring.

ELSA AND FRED--Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Plummer star in this dull, tired chestnut of old age love.  MacLaine is particularly annoying due to her penchant for exaggeration and lying.