Here's what I watched during May 8-11---these films will be playing at SIFF starting later next week. See free program guide for schedules and theatre and times.
HEAL THE LIVING--France---For me the top film of the first two weeks of screenings. Here's a drama that has lyrical scenes of mysterious, moving beauty and speaks to the mind and heart as well. More than a dozen main characters tell the story of how tragedy can become a transformative means of finding love and understanding. As heart wrenching as some moments are, the tears by the end are for joyous, unsentimental reasons. GRADE------A-
NOWHERE TO HIDE--Norway, but filmed in Iraq--A male nurse is given a small camera and told to photograph his life and family and daily living during a five year period during the dangerous civil war that invades Iraq in the wake of approaching ISIS forces. The camera work is shaky and rough during the first year, but soon becomes smoother and more powerful as the film captures the devastation the young family is going through, and we see the father/nurse losing weight and growing white hair during this period. Powerful and disturbing. GRADE------B+
GOLDSTONE--Australia--This slow burning thriller features an Indigenous detective arriving at a small isolated community controlled by corrupted citizens trying to protect an evil company. The photography is evocative and eerie. GRADE-----B
MOKA--France--Another slow burning thriller has a grieving woman seeking the driver of a car that killed her son, with plans to seek vengeance. The actors are particularly effective, and the suspense grows has she becomes closer to her prey. GRADE------B
BACKPACK FULL OF CASH--USA--The well made documentary about the state of America's public school (specifically in Pennsylvania) opens eyes as it details the privatization (private schools, charters and vouchers, and religious schools) that has a unfair effect on the most poor and struggling students. My only (minor) complaint is that much of this is quite familiar to me already, but it may be eye opening to the general public. GRADE------B
TWO IRENES--Brazil----A shy 13 year old girl discovers another student with the same name as her, and they bond over a secret relationship. Low key, subtle drama, nicely done. GRADE-----B
AFTER THE STORM--Japan--Very low key slice of life domestic drama is so gentle that I kept drifting off to sleep. Obnoxious, dead beat divorced husband becomes jealous of ex wife's new boyfriend, and tries to ingratiate himself to his son with whom he is estranged. Not much happening here, but family dynamics are interesting. GRADE-------B-
GHOLAM--United Kingdom--London Iranian cab driver tries to lead a simple life, but his past catches up to him. Actor Shahab Hosseini is very effective as a compassionate man trying to stay out of trouble. GRADE-------B-
HEDI--Tunisia--As his wedding approaches, Hedi becomes uncertain, and begins to rebel against his demanding mother. GRADE--------B-
THE HERO--USA--Character study of an aging Western actor who refuses to deal honestly with his new illness, this slow and corny drama is strictly for fans of Sam Elliott. Warning: several hand held jiggly camera scenes. GRADE----------C
PLUS---I squeezed in a viewing of the new science fiction film GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2. If you liked the first GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (2014) then you will like this story continuation, which is peppered with pop songs from the 1980s and 1990s, and features the same likable characters, plus introduces a couple more. My only complaint, which I often have in these types of films, is that the ending is much to big and chaotic---ie must kill the master of evil or the entire universe will be destroyed, so key up mega explosions and fights, but hardly any one will be killed or destroyed. GRADE--------B+
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