Margaret

Anna Paquin is the lead (pictured at left), a teenager, and she’s simply sensational.  She shows at least 4 authentic – but different – selves throughout the film and she convinced me every time.  Wow.

Kenneth Lonegan is clearly on a mission.  Make that missionS.  The too-many-to-name subplots all add wonderfully to the flow of the film and each has its own compelling raison d’être.

Can you imagine a film that, albeit briefly, exposes the Israeli genocide but doesn’t take sides?

Don’t let that throw you off.  The heart of this film is the emotion it shows and evokes, while portraying the heart of civilization for what it is: devoid of feeling and proudly so.

Every adult is shown to be living a lie and I’m not sure that was planned.  Meanwhile, adolescence is sympathetically portrayed as a time of exploration (at least for the civilized) and despite a few male-centred slips by Lonegan, the women – both young and old – shine through it all.

This is a BIG production which makes this film all the more remarkable.

Parents in particular will benefit hugely.  Not so much for any lessons it lends, but simply because there are two who seem stereotypical.  There’s the permissive mother who is so well acted; she explodes when pushed but with her career flourishing readily gives up the role she signed up for before birth.  Then the absent father who diligently goes through the list of cerebral items to discuss each phonecall but is devoid and deathly afraid of emotional depth.  To whom does a teenager turn?

And then there’s the raging volcano in almost every character: Alice Miller must have consulted from her grave.  They are all likeable and lovable and have childhoods that haven’t healed.  And their socialization has trained them to change positions the instant someone else agrees with them.  A brilliant portrayal…no wonder Hollywood doesn’t know what to do with this film!

The overt sleaze comes in the form of exposing the legal world for what it is; the less overt surrounds the cops.  The only marketing sleaze I’m aware of is the title of the film; not that it’s sleazy, just that it may get a few folks to view it repeatedly to get it.

There’s still more, it’s that full.  Margaret will ring in the New Year at the Vancity Theatre from January 1 to 5, and if you want a resolution to improve your life, see this film and let it inspire you to:

• become an even more committed parent,
• heal your childhood wounds,
• treat the teenagers in your life with more respect and admiration, and/or
• move beyond the confines of civilization.

Ring in the New Year at any of these showtimes at the Vancity Theatre in Downtown Vancouver:

January 1st @ 6:30pm

January 2nd, 4th, and 5th @ 8pm

Although the content is hilarious and a serious critique on civilization, be warned that Godard’s film are incredibly intellectual; this ain’t Hollywood folks!

Weekend in particular was made to make the film experience difficult to simply sit back and get lost in the story. Part of its hilarity (at least to me) was the how Godard constantly interrupts his own film!

But as advertised, the traffic jam is incredible and full of irony and allegory.

Impressively to me, especially given when it was made (1967), Godard goes to great lengths to undermine the burgeoning sexual exploitation of women in film and civilization. It wasn’t obvious to me at first, but the fact that the lead actress was used in sexualized commercials and other films may help understand this aspect of his work. Clearly he failed, but that there was an attempt at all is inspiring to me.

Perhaps the greatest irony of all to me is that Godard tried to use film to undermine film. Sound familiar? Surely, technology will save us from climate change/pollution/tyranny/etc, n’est-ce pas?

If you’re up for an evening with your thinking cap firmly on, check out Godard’s film to end all film Wednesday (Dec 14) at 9:05pm and Thursday (Dec 15) at 9:15pm.

Return of Sergeant Lapins is a whimsical but all-too-real tale from Latvia about a soldier recently returned from Iraq with Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome.

It has a few fun cinematic twists (some of which would be even more effective if they weren’t so obvious) and the acting is lean but effective.

To me, it humorously portrays how insane civilization is, through the lens of a man too-easily considered crazy… and how birds of a feather (civilized in this case) flock together despite the facts.

Return of Sergeant Lapins plays at 6:30pm tonight.

Right after, Stricken strikes from the Netherlands.  It grabbed hold of me and I really wanted to see it get somewhere, but I was wholly disappointed.

It’s just another fantasy from a straight, white guy’s perspective that adds a huge heaping of Hollywood emotion at the end.  If you need a good cry, do see it as I doubt anyone can get through it without shedding loads of tears.

But the absence of the child of the marriage until the very end simply rings hollow and/or portrays an empty reality.  If it’s mission is to portray the 1% as completely self-centred, it succeeds, however, why subject anyone to this, isn’t it obvious already?

At about 9/9:30pm the emotional release begins; the film itself starts at 8:10pm.

And if you haven’t heard yet, Monday is the day that your dollar store items from China (and many, many more goods) take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday capitalism when the ports all along the coast of North America are occupied and shut down for the day.  For an inspiring short film calling us to action, check out the link below:

West Coast port shutdown announcement

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=OGqncu3wlEI

Katrin Laur has created a deeply moving film that has challenged my deepest beliefs.

The Graveyard Keeper’s Daughter is about a young girl (Lucia) with two disappointing parents.  Her father seems loving and able, but he doesn’t believe himself to be a capable parent.  Lucia’s mother is a total disappointment, unable to do most anything but drink alcohol.

The setting of the graveyard makes for wonderful scenes and a make-believe paradise for Lucia and her angel.  I love how Lucia disregards what some may regard as important issues but is as capable a guardian for her Down Syndrome friend as anyone could be.

I think the film does an amazing job of portraying stereotypes with as little commentary as possible (with the understanding that stereotypes are judgments in themselves).  As the girl’s life spirals downward with her parents, it would be easy to simply write them off and condone the teacher/social worker/state’s intervention and forget about it.

But, as Lucia makes clear, there is no better place for a child than with her parents, that is, both of them.  And Estonia, as in Canada, provides no support for parents with challenges that they’ve inherited from their own parents.  The solution there, as here, is to remove the child and toss away the parents.  Even a quick look around will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that this solution only creates more problems, for the child and for the state.

The next film I’ve seen and can recommend is called Lapland Odyssey, a funny film from Finland.  It plays on Thursday, Dec 1 @ 6:30pm.

I got the sense that the filmmakers wanted to do more than just have a laugh in their portrayal of a young man who is charged with the mission of getting a digital tv converter for his partner…or ex-partner if he fails!

Behind the goof-ball antics and silly humour, I saw some rare on-screen love between friends.  Some real, I support-you-because-I-know-how-easy-it-is-to-lose-it love (aka unconditional), which likely is due to the opening sequence which informs us of the long history of suicide in another land that successfully shuns civilization (don’t worry, you’ll likely laugh at that, too).

Intentionally or not, I saw some uninspired young men initially fail at a consumption mission, but then transform when life got real.  I also enjoyed the nuances: small town hellos, exposing the lack of confidence behind sexist behaviour and a root of immature behaviour.

It’ll be tough not to laugh your way through this one…it’s perfect for anyone needing to beat the winter blues!

Following Lapland Odyssey on Thursday at 8:20pm is the Danish film The Red Chapel, which looks like another hoot!  Hope to see you at that one…

Tonight, Miss Kicki shows at 8:20pm.  I don’t remember a Swedish film I didn’t like and this is no exception.

The two leads, a mother and son, are outstanding.  Their deeply emotional journeys, of course held within in this civilized tale, are conveyed convincingly and eloquently by these actors.

The hollywoodish ending doesn’t undermine what most of the film builds, thankfully.  The universal story of a child trying to love a parent unconditionally is met by yet another parent lost in the sea of civilization.  The stereotypical lack of communication then leads the child to wild assumptions that hurt so deeply, the only way to survive is to cut and run.

Blending into this is a beautiful but bleak portrayal of Taiwan; I’m astounded how it could pass for anywhere in North America or Europe.  The poison of our culture is truly global.

However, the human spirit rises up through these civilized shackles yet again, and this Swedish film shines.

Saturday, November 26 at 8:20pm: Miss Kicki
The British film In Our Name preceeds Miss Kicki at 6:30pm; here’s a taste of that one:

British filmmaker Brian Welsh’s strongly acted sophomore feature puts a fresh spin on the coming-home story of an Iraq War veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Njuta Av!

Tonight, Little Rose starts it all off at 6:30pm.  This Polish film is an exceptional spy-thriller that exposes authoritarian rule for all that it is.  It also exposes the lead actress, who is exceptional despite her beauty.

As a parent, I appreciated the portrait of one child, who also knew what was going on despite the manipulations of those older around her.  Her initial precociousness is easily understood from the film that follows and although the film does not delve on this, I really enjoyed how authentically this part played out.

The March 1968 Student Riots in Warsaw are what this film leads up to and attempts to shed some light upon.  I’m assuming this is a hidden or misunderstood part of Polish history, and although the film plays favourites with the West, I think the role of the child sends the message that regardless of the issue and judgments made, its how one models what one strives for that ultimately matters.

A sumptuous film that will take you away…I’m looking forward to the rest of this 2 week European “vacation”!

Little Rose plays tonight only at 6:30pm

Saturday night at 8:20pm, Miss Kicki brings Sweden to the fore of the festival.

This story of an alcoholic mother given a chance to reconnect with her teenaged son is simple and direct but also takes us to Taipei and a glimpse into the culture in that cosmos.

I’ll be writing a more complete review soon, but in the meantime, enjoy the sun, the Occupations, and the Critical Mass, all before Little Rose takes us away to the EUFF!

Rainforest

According to recent history and what’s left (87 of 91 watersheds have been clearcut to date), the filmmakers predict that the last remnants of ancient (1000 years +) forest will be gone in less than 15 years.

Filmmaker Richard Boyce will be presenting this film with Chief Adam Dick, both of whom appear in the film.

My daughter was engrossed with the film.  We loved when a camera person suddenly defied gravity, but mostly we were in awe of the images.  We live in a forest, but this film showed us how different an ancient forest is from a stand of trees or even a natural forest that is just beginning again (and yes, a hundred years old is just beginning again).

If you have a love of nature, I’m guessing you’ll enjoy this film immensely.  It mixes gorgeous imagery with stories of the recent past that will horrify and excite you.  But it, and the festival, finish very soon.  Let’s hope the same is not said of the ancient Rainforest.

2 screenings remain for Rainforest:

• Tonight, Tuesday, Oct 11th 9:15pm @ Pacific Cinematheque
• Tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct 12th 3:20pm @ Empire Granville 7 Th 5

I’m happy to report that my prediction of Mama Africa being the film of the festival for me is true as I write to you.

The music of Miriam Makeba was alive throughout the film and her political work amazed me.

She was a huge international star and as close to royalty as any contemporary African has gotten, but she never lost touch with reality, ensuring everyone around her was fed (by her!) and simply teaching her daughter and grandchildren by role modelling.

Despite the powers trying to label her as “political,” she always maintained that she never sang political songs, she only sang and spoke the truth.  This point was highlighted when she exposed the racism in the USA publicly with a very simple observation.

I always know when a film moves me by the tears rolling down my cheek.  Mama Africa had them rolling almost from start to finish, so make sure your hanky is ready if you react similarly!

1 screening remains for Mama Africa:
Mon, Oct 10th 6:45pm @ Empire Granville 7 Th 2

All I can say about 18 Days is Wow!

Well, okay, here’s a bit more.  I’ve never seen such a determined work to document and understand an event.  That the event is the toppling of the Mubarek government in Eqypt makes this work so much more impressive to me.

The film looks at this event from 10 different perspectives and none of them particularly obvious to me.  This diversity of viewpoint made this long time activist think and think again and I believe will speak to most non-active folks deeply.

I do want to warn you: the first of these shorts was easily the toughest for me to watch, but once the film was done, I really appreciated how it was portrayed.  All of the rest include women and are much easier to watch, so don’t walk out during the first.

The precision and eye to detail truly impressed me.  Case-in-point: I love how the baseball bat’s sound mimicked exactly the sound of a electronic message being received.

I really encourage folks that haven’t demonstrated to watch 18 Days to see how their own kind responded to the Eqyptian Revolution.  It could very well inspire you to change your life!  If it does, there’s plenty of opportunities as I write:
http://www.occupytogether.org/    http://occupyvancouver.com      http://occupywallst.org/

2 screenings remain for 18 Days:

• Sun, Oct 9th 9:15pm @ Empire Granville 7 Th 4
• Tue, Oct 11th Noon @ Empire Granville 7 Th 4

And if you haven’t seen the reviews for these films yet, please click and enjoy a feasting of films this Thanksgiving weekend:

Paul Goodman: he may change your life, too…

Hey boys, this one is for you!

Wiebo’s War wages on…

Oh Amador!

Turns out any gay or bisexual activist could be inspired by him as well as anyone in the intellectual left.  He seemed to be a leading edge parent at times, too, although I wouldn’t classify anyone who parented as he did now that way.

Prolific yes, both sexually and literally, as he indulged proficiently in both everyday it seems.

He may be the first person to have called for the banning of private motorized vehicles in NYC, simply because it would be much more efficient and enjoyable.  How an out anarchist survived the 40s, 50s, and 60s is a remarkable achievement in itself, especially given his very large audience of the time.  Maybe it was his touching poetry?

And he is credited with co-creating the Gestahlt form of Psycho Therapy that my mentor Alice Miller healed herself partly with.  Certainly a huge step in the healing direction for those of us brought up in this civilization.

I really appreciated how this film presented as many sides of Paul Goodman as it did, not covering up his civilized imperfections while still revelling in his achievements.  His wife and two daughters appear and really ground this work as well.

This is an enjoyable history “lesson” that anyone could enjoy.  Unfortunately, if you haven’t seen it yet, you won’t at this year’s film fest unless they add another screening.