Hello NEON Community.
Things are winding down at TIFF. Lines are shorter and energy is dwindling (especially mine)…but today had a couple nice surprises in store!
Nobody plays tormented better than Sarah Paulson…so I went to see HOLD YOUR BREATH, dir Karrie Crouse, Will Joines (USA) “Sarah Paulson returns to her home in genre work in this supernatural and psychological film from Karrie Crouse and Will Joines…In dust bowl Oklahoma of the 1930s, a mother (Paulson) nears the breaking point as she tries to protect her daughters from deadly windstorms and the impact of her own harrowing past. ” (taken from TIFF catalog) Though the set-up was great and the photography is lovely (sometimes almost sepia-toned), this film didn’t trust its own material enough. The addition of jump scares just for the sake of jump scares cheapened the experience. Though this film is not without some wonderful, haunting moments (like when Sarah is sewing late at night and sews the fabric to her skin without realizing it), I can ultimately see why Searchlight has decided to move this one directly to the Hulu streaming platform instead of giving it a theatrical release.
The next film on today’s list was fantastic! WILL AND HARPER, dir Josh Greenbaum (USA) “This heartfelt documentary from director Josh Greenbaum (Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar) follows Saturday Night Live alumni and close friends Will Ferrell and Harper Steele as they traverse the US by car following Steele’s announcement of her transition.” (taken TIFF catalog). This roadtrip doc is full of friendship, laughter, and a desire to better know a friend…it also deals with some emotional truths that many Americans have never faced. We were told at the beginning of the screening that we would be joined by special guests for a Q&A afterward…and it was delightful to process the film with the director, producer as well as Will Ferrell and Harper Steele! Harper right away addressed the fact that many people who transition don’t have the resources or the support that she has had. That said, the inner struggle and turmoil when deciding to come out was just as strong for her. I highly recommend this film. It works! (the photo below is one that I snapped during the Q&A)
My last film of the day was an unsettling and transfixing period piece. THE GIRL WITH THE NEEDLE, dir Magnus von Horn (Denmark, Poland, Sweden) “In Magnus von Horn’s stylish and audacious blend of true-crime drama and expressionist nightmare, a young seamstress trying to survive in post-WWI Copenhagen makes a fateful connection with one of the era’s most infamous figures.” (taken from TIFF catalog) At the end of the day, this is a horror film. That said, it’s not what you think of for today’s horror market. It’s beautifully shot, the script is terrific, the score is inventive…yet there’s something upsetting and potentially sinister at most every turn. It’s hard to say I “like” this film, but I do think it’s quite brilliant.
Tomorrow is my last day of films…and it’s likely going to be a short day. I’ll at least hit 30 films by tomorrow – and I’m very anxious to see Luca Guadagnino’s new film QUEER – starring Daniel Craig.
Thanks for checking in,
Jonathan
