Thomas Mao / 607

607 is a short film, preceding the feature, Thomas Mao. The best thing I can say about this one, is that it's short. What can I say - it was badly filmed bad performance art. And as with all my experiences with bad performance art, I sat there bored, hoping it really was quite insightful and interesting but maybe I just wasn't getting it. One can hope..

Thomas Mao was an excellent contrast to this opener in that there were certainly many aspects of this film I did not understand - but it always kept me engaged, often while laughing out loud. Employing a subtle, stylish surrealism, Thomas Mao explores borders in 4, possibly 5, likely many more different ways. But it's definitely "out there," and not for the classically-restricted. To wit, this conversation between two grey-haired, richly-clad asian women was overheard upon leaving the theatre: "The next film we're seeing is also Chinese, but much more traditional," met with the other woman's deep sigh of relief. ha!

Family Tree

I've always felt North Americans were a bit like adolescents, compared to our adult parents in Europe. Family Tree reinforces this belief. The genre is a North American favourite: family dysfunction and skeleton-filled closets. But this film felt a lot less voyeuristic than these kinds of films can sometimes seem (not unlike being unable to tear one's eyes away from a train wreck). It explored its tangled depths with sophistication, throwing in some important social issues to flesh it out. This was an excellently crafted drama. And fans of Wagner will love it all the more..

Rise, Ride, Roar

ok, this one was a bit of a gimme, given that it chronicles one of the best concerts i've ever been to. Rise, Ride, Roar is about David Byrne's most recent tour (the one i saw in new zealand). and there's frankly not much the documentarians could have done to make me *not* like it! ok sure, i might have made a few different editing choices. but the filming was fantastic and i really loved being able to see the show from so many new angles. and ok sure, i might have included more interviews/talk time with David Byrne, but that's only cuz i'm completely fascinated by him. same for Eno, for that matter. all in all, the film did an excellent job of capturing the gorgeous energy of the show, and i totally know what i'm asking santa to get me for xmas, so i can watch it again and again and again and again and again..

Philosophies of Life (shorts)

this will be the hardest review for me to write. partly because my momma always told me if i don't have anything nice to say, i shouldn't say anything at all. and also cuz i really, really like the programmer and i'm terrified he'll see this review and i would hate to upset/hurt him in any way. but.. yea. Philosophies of Life was not the best way to spend 2 hours of my life. it had its moments, to be sure, but they were sadly sparse. i really liked the first one (The Legend of El Limbo), a ridiculous little comedy. (although the sound was a horror show, being pumped out way too loudly for its capacity, and crackling through the speakers. this unfortunately happened with more than one of the shorts.) and i really loved Mathias, Mathias, a funky animated short from Hungary. overall though, let's just say i'm pretty sure most of these were made by students. who will probably grow up to be really fantastic. some day.

Single Man

Single Man is exactly what it bills itself as: a bawdy sex romp. it's good, dirty fun for the whole family. it's silly, it's crude, and it features one of my favourite film fest quirks: the occasional really badly translated subtitle. at times, it was obviously a mistranslation. at other times, however, i suspect the bad grammar was an attempt to convey the character's poor grammar in the original language. maybe i'm being too generous, i don't know. what i do know is that this was just good, light-hearted fun, and everyone left the theatre with a sly smile.

An Ecology of Mind / A Simple Rhythm

another case where i really, really loved one of the two medium-length-features in a double bill, but not so much the other one..

A Simple Rhythm was a slow and satisfying journey through some interesting ideas of interconnectedness. but most striking was the imagery. the filmmaker, Tess Girard, has an incredible eye for light and manipulates it with gentle genius. at times, the images were so striking, i found it challenging to follow the words. this is definitely one i will have to try to see again. and again.

An Ecology of Mind was fascinating in many ways, and tackled a subject i very much look forward to sinking my teeth into. and i suspect many people will love this documentary. it has a slick stylishness that will appeal to.. i'm not sure who, actually. watchers of W channel maybe? people who like norah-jones-esque muzak? it was just a bit too polished and.. struggling with words here.. a bit too common-denominator for my tastes, i guess. maybe i'm turning into a doco snob. who knew!

Get Out of The Car / Indian Boundary Line

this was a double feature of medium-length films. i'll reiterate: i'm no film buff, so i can't say what the "official" name of this genre is. i'm going to call it "moving photography," where there is a high emphasis on cinematography, with lingering shots that offer an experience not unlike looking at a photograph. only, it moves a little, and is accompanied by text or music.

the first film (Indian Boundary Line) was not my most favouritest movie ever. it felt a little like an over-worked, somewhat tedious student project, complete with ridiculous and painful over-pronunciation of read materials. there were definitely moments of real interest, though.

Get Out Of The Car, however, was brilliant. it was executed far more stylishly than the first, and with a superb sense of humour. i'd even watch it again, and i definitely recommend it.