MIFF 2013 - Day 13
APPROVED FOR ADOPTION
A frank and emotionally honest reflection on the experience of being a Korean child adopted into a French family. The animation style used wasn't particularly my cup of tea, but the story slowly grows into a compelling examination of the psychic traumas that need to be overcome when you are alien to two cultures.
MICHAEL H - PROFESSION: DIRECTOR
Michael Haneke is something of an acquired taste. You'd struggle to point to a film of his you could say you enjoyed, but nonetheless they are very good. Working backwards from Amour through his entire filmography, we learn very little about what each film means to him, but a lot about the ideas he wanted to explore, and the things that drive and fascinate him as a filmmaker. He's evasive on some points, but remarkably articulate about others. Worth a look for anyone who's ever watched any of his films.
NARCO CULTURA
This was preceded by a short film called In Guns We Trust, which is really just a photo essay about the American fascination with firearms. It was interesting, but didn't tell you much you didn't know already. The main feature is far more fascinating, contrasting the grim and dangerous work of Crime Scene Investigators in Juarez, Mexico, with the Narco Corridos musicians who make a living singing songs glorifying the crimes of the cartels. Notably, the musos almost all live in the US, and stay well clear of Mexico. In Juarez, the body count now sits at roughly 10 people murdered each day. Pretty much all these cases will remain unsolved. This is an excellent film that paints a portrait of a sick culture profiting from glorifying horrific violence, while those who are actually involved in the reality of it can do nothing but mourn their dead.
THE APOSTLE
An absolute ripper of a ghost story. Ramon is a petty thief who escapes prison and ends up walking the Camino to find a village where his partner stashed some jewels. When he arrives, he's drawn into a centuries-long curse and must find a way to escape before he ends up a victim of some vengeful ghosts. Beautiful stop-motion animation, an excellent script and good music make this one of the most entertaining films of the festival.
A frank and emotionally honest reflection on the experience of being a Korean child adopted into a French family. The animation style used wasn't particularly my cup of tea, but the story slowly grows into a compelling examination of the psychic traumas that need to be overcome when you are alien to two cultures.
MICHAEL H - PROFESSION: DIRECTOR
Michael Haneke is something of an acquired taste. You'd struggle to point to a film of his you could say you enjoyed, but nonetheless they are very good. Working backwards from Amour through his entire filmography, we learn very little about what each film means to him, but a lot about the ideas he wanted to explore, and the things that drive and fascinate him as a filmmaker. He's evasive on some points, but remarkably articulate about others. Worth a look for anyone who's ever watched any of his films.
NARCO CULTURA
This was preceded by a short film called In Guns We Trust, which is really just a photo essay about the American fascination with firearms. It was interesting, but didn't tell you much you didn't know already. The main feature is far more fascinating, contrasting the grim and dangerous work of Crime Scene Investigators in Juarez, Mexico, with the Narco Corridos musicians who make a living singing songs glorifying the crimes of the cartels. Notably, the musos almost all live in the US, and stay well clear of Mexico. In Juarez, the body count now sits at roughly 10 people murdered each day. Pretty much all these cases will remain unsolved. This is an excellent film that paints a portrait of a sick culture profiting from glorifying horrific violence, while those who are actually involved in the reality of it can do nothing but mourn their dead.
THE APOSTLE
An absolute ripper of a ghost story. Ramon is a petty thief who escapes prison and ends up walking the Camino to find a village where his partner stashed some jewels. When he arrives, he's drawn into a centuries-long curse and must find a way to escape before he ends up a victim of some vengeful ghosts. Beautiful stop-motion animation, an excellent script and good music make this one of the most entertaining films of the festival.
posted by Andrew Lee at 11:39 PM
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