Hello NEON Community,
Today was a rather somber start to my festival screenings. All four films I screened had to do with grief in some regard. Though there were no real stand-outs in today’s batch, I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s screenings…and even more so, Saturday’s! Keep reading to find out more.
My first movie of the day was a poetic film that has been banned in Vietnam by their Cinema Department – VIET AND NAM, dir. Trương Minh Quý (Philippines, Singapore, France, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Vietnam) “Amidst the darkness 1,000 metres underground sparkles an intimate romance between Viêt and Nam in this mystical story of two young miners in search of a brighter future.” (taken from TIFF catalog). This gay romance takes place in part in the coal mines – which is a dark and dangerous place. Set in the aughts, this film is haunted by those who went missing or were buried in unmarked graves during the war in the 1970’s. Both Viet & Nam are without fathers, and it doesn’t go unnoticed that while many people above ground are still searching and digging for loved ones, Viet and Nam are able to freely express their love for one another in the darkness of the underground (as if they’re buried themselves). While characters often talk about their dreams, this film feels like one…it weaves images in a powerful, beautiful and eerie way. All that said, this film is not one for the masses. I must admit that I was lost on occasion as to relationships between characters, and (like most films from today), I feel it could have been shorter.
Next up was DANIELA FOREVER, dir Nacho Vigalondo (Spain, Belgium) “In the latest from Nacho Vigalondo (COLOSSAL), Henry Golding (CRAZY RICH ASIANS) soulfully portrays a bereaved man who enrolls in a clinical trial for a drug that allows him to reunite with his lost lover (Beatrice Grannò) through lucid dreams.” (taken from TIFF Catalog) This had the bones for a good film with some interesting material, and its Michel Gondry influences are off the charts. Though I liked its ultimate message that grief can truly be consuming and mess with your worldview, its attempts at whimsy and cleverness got to be too much. At close to 2 hours, I thought this one could have been shorter, too.
Though many industry folks walked out early, I seemed to be one of the few people in the audience who embraced SAD JOKES, dir Fabian Stumm (Germany) “Set in present-day Berlin, this tragicomical second feature from writer-director-actor Fabian Stumm poignantly portrays modern queer life and the perseverance required of an artist.” For the most part, I rather liked this little film. From its decisions to mostly leave scenes in a single, static, one-take shot to its writing and character development through multiple scenarios, this film is about a man who hasn’t been able to connect with many people since his last break-up (three years prior). The protagonist is raising a child with his best friend, and he is attempting to be a good father while putting himself out in the world again. It’s heartbreaking and hysterical and very honest.
My last film of the day stars Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs – THE SALT PATH, dir Marianne Elliott (United Kingdom) “After losing their home and livelihood, a middle-aged couple impulsively set out on a 630-mile walk along the southwest English coast, a walk complicated to no small degree by the recent diagnosis of a terminal neurodegenerative disease.” (taken from TIFF catalog) Anderson is particularly strong in this film – her face is face is able to convey so much torment and pain as well as love and joy. As this couple walk and encounter wind and rain and rising tides, you can really feel their struggle. This story really does make you take stock of what you have…and that it could really all change on a dime.
Based on a best-selling memoir, this 118-minute movie would make a really strong 90 film…and maybe if it gets picked up for distribution, someone could make the ending a bit more satisfying and less abrupt.
Tomorrow, I hope to see 4 films again…including David Gordon Green’s new film NUTCRACKERS, starring Ben Stiller, which was shot in Ohio with some Dayton talent…and WE LIVE IN TIME, the new film from John Crowley starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield.
On Sunday, I’ll see THE ROOM NEXT DOOR – the new film from my all-time favorite director Pedro Almodovar. Fingers crossed that he, Tilda and Julianne are all there!
Thanks so much for reading!
More soon,
Jonathan
