MIFF 2016 - Day 2

The Red Turtle

A man washes up on a deserted island, and his every attempt to escape is thwarted by a giant red turtle. To say more would ruin the many pleasures of this gorgeously animated film. It's not hard to see why Studio Ghibli became a co-producer, it's a beautiful bit of humanist magic realism. Isao Takahata was a producer and it's very much in line with his sensibilities. But that shouldn't take anything away from the director, Michael Dudok de Wit who is a serious talent. It's just wonderful.

The Eagle Huntress

The story of Aisholpan, a 13 year old girl in Mongolia who wants to become an eagle hunter like her father and grandfather. And in doing so she will become the first female eagle hunter ever. It's a feel-good documentary about a girl with a supportive family taking on something that's assumed to be outside her ability, due to her being a girl, and excelling at it. There's a bit of what feels like artificial drama, as her success is signalled early on, but it's so joyful and spirited I didn't really care. It's one to take your daughters to, here's a role model for them.

The Neon Demon

Nicholas Winding Refn's latest is probably going to frustrate fans of Drive, but if you liked Fear X or Only God Forgives, you're gonna love this one. It's heavy on the symbolism, full of beautifully composed images lit strikingly, rich with weird characters and dialogue, and pretty much bugnuts crazy. I loved it, though there were a few people walking out, the cannibalism and necrophilia didn't go over well with everyone, but it's not hard to see Refn giggling in the corner. This is a very dark satire of the fashion industry, meshed with Refn's love of Jodorowsky and his own uniquely trippy vision. It's not subtle, but it's a hell of a fun ride.

MIFF 2016 - Day 1

Weiner

A funny, nuanced and honest look at a politician who became a walking punchline for his sexting. But there's more to him than that, and the film opens with him famous for something other than his infamous photography skills. You see what a passionate and powerful political speaker he could be. And then it all comes crashing down. Twice. And you get to see the second scandal up close. It's sad, because it's a portrait of a highly intelligent and gifted politician brought down by his own flaws. But more than that, it's the portrait of a husband and wife working their way through forgiveness and reconciliation, and being forced to walk the same path again. It doesn't pull any punches, but the filmmakers also manage to treat their subjects with respect.

Under the Shadow

This superb horror film set during the Iran/Iraq war sees a mother and child terrorised by djinn, along with Iranian religious police, bombings and family drama. The horror intensifies as more and more friends and neighbours flee the bombings, leaving the two alone with a supernatural evil. The parallels to Iranian isolationism, not to mention some of the sexual politics, put this apart from your run of the mill creepfest. There's some incredibly creepy moments, and plenty of jumpscares, but it has plenty of depth. A great way to cap off day one of the festival.