EIGHT DEADLY SHOTS
Each year, the IFFR shows a couple of very rare & almost forgotten masterpieces from the film archives worldwide. This year, Mikko Niskanen’s EIGHT DEADLY SHOTS from 1972 was screened in its ultra-rare 5h+ original version. Many Finns call this the greatest Finnish film ever and who am I to disagree? An unforgettable experience to say the least!
THE DAY HE ARRIVES
Hong Sang-soo is regarded as the Woody Allen of South Korean Cinema. THE DAY HE ARRIVES is another one of his engaging films about intellectuals and their struggling relationships. As Tony Rayns states: “Sometimes riotously funny, sometimes tremendously moving, sometimes both at the same time.”
ABRIR PUERTAS Y VENTANAS
A rather depressing but intriguing film about three sisters taking different approaches to moving forward following their grandmother's death.
L’APOLLONIDE - SOUVENIRS DE LA MAISON CLOSE
A charming but bitter French film that depicts life in a Paris brothel at the turn of the 20th century. The soundtrack features Lee Moses’ immortal “Bad Girl” and The Mighty Hannibal’s “The Right To Love You”. How’s that for sheer genius?
APUDA
This 145-minutes documentary film about a middle aged single man who cares for his dying father in the wilds of Yunnan feels like the Chinese equivalent to a Pedro Costa movie. One of the true revelations of this year’s IFFR! Read more about it here.
HELLO, MR TREE!
Since its screening, I can’t get this dark comedy that explores the politics of China's rapid urbanisation out of my head. A real festival gem produced by Jia Zhangke.
I WISH
A beautiful film about childhood desires and imaginative adventures. One of Kore-Eda’s best!
PATIENCE (AFTER SEBALD)
I hope to spend an entire post on this brilliant documentary about the German-born England-based writer W.G. SEBALD (1944-2001).
TWO YEARS AT SEA
An enchanting film shot on 16mm and blown up to 35mm about a man who lives alone in a ramshackle house, in the middle of nowhere. Awesome! Read more about it here.
LIVING
A fascinating grim Russian fairytale where all hope is abandoned. This movie left me dumbstruck.
