MIFF 2018 - Day 13

Chris The Swiss

Anja is a documentary filmmaker who wants to understand how her cousin Chris, a journalist, died while covering the war in the former Yugoslavia. What emerges is a complex portrait of a very stupid man. Young and naive, thrillseeking, or maybe more. He moves from covering the war to joining a paramilitary. Somehow he thinks he'll write a book about their atrocities, and ends up being killed by them. It's depressing and upsetting stuff, but gives insight into how people can become capable of appaling violence.

Everybody Knows

A solid little thriller cum soap opera as a girl is kidnapped at a wedding which triggers the exposure of old family wounds, resentments and secrets. The end is disappointingly conventional given how unusual the focus is prior, with a lazy reveal that seems unnecessary. But it's a fun ride.

First Reformed

Could anyone besides Paul Schrader make something this off kilter and genius? Tackling environmental apocalypse, the corporate takeover of religion, hope, despair, and faith, this is a singular vision and bloody awesome. Surgically analysing the problems, corruptions and conflicts of mega church religion vs the older traditions of the faith in a few spare scenes is amazing to watch. Plus, anything that quotes Thomas Merton gets extra points from me. The end will either inspire or frustrate, but I loved every minute.

American Animals

A highly inventive documentary slash dramatisation of a highly unusual heist. Directed with brio and digging into the motivations of the four boys involved, it also reckons with the damage they did. It draws out the end way too much, with bad slomo set to Leonard Cohen, but otherwise this is a really good watch.