The 35th Annual Portland International Film Festival has begun. It runs through February 25. For film fans this one is loaded. There are 140 films from 36 different countries — 93 are features and 46 shorts.
Portland isn’t that far from Tri-Cities art film lovers. This entry reviews a few films from the first weekend and Monday. I’ll be posting reviews throughout the series until its conclusion February 25th.
Friday, February 10
It’s Friday and though you’re just now reading this, if you want to catch some of these, Portland is a mere three hours away.
A Cat in Paris — France
Friday’s best offering is A Cat in Paris. It also plays again on Saturday.
A Cat in Paris has a cat in it. And a cat burglar connected to the cat and a kid, who is connected to the cat but not the cat burglar. At least they’re not connected until the cat and the cat burglar get tagged by the film’s villain and his cohort who just happens to be the kid’s caretaker. The villain is an ultra nasty gangster out to steal a precious work of art. Oh — and he’s the man who killed the kid’s dad.
The kid’s mom is in charge of the police squad desperate to hunt him down.
American animated features tend toward commercially viable flicks like things from Dreamworks, Disney and Pixar. You know, Toy Story, Cars and sequels, Shrek and sequels, etc. That’s not to say these films aren’t excellent. They just don’t have the sophistication of the better animation features from Europe and Japan.
Like Tales of the Night — reviewed below and showing on Sunday — Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol have created a most clever masterpiece. It’s part heist flick, part love story, part action flick, a full time comedy and — in the end — all around entertaining. This is an absolute must see and is one of the best film’s I’ve seen all year.
Mr. Movie rating: 5 stars
Not rated. Probably PG for some mature themes. It plays Friday, February 10, Saturday, February 11 and again Thursday, February 16th. For theaters and times go to http://festivals.nwfilm.org/piff35/schedule/
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
Almanya — Welcome to Germany — Germany
How important are immigrants to a society? Very according to Almanya — Welcome to Germany — a delightful and comic character study from Germany. The immigrants in focus are Turks. After 45-years in Germany, Huseyin and his bride decide to become German citizens. Their kids long ago took the step and their grandchildren know nothing of their Turkish heritage and are Germans.
Almanya weaves the story of how Huseyin and Fatma marry and how the entire family ends up in Germany, and the how the children ended up adapting to a foreign land. It then connects those themes to Huseyin’s purchase of a house in his native Turkey. He expects the entire family to drop what they doing and go to Turkey and help fix the place up.
They do.
The love and life of Huseyin and Fatma and how their children became Germans is told in fabulous and funny flashbacks. As Huseyin and Fatma’s story unfolds their grandchildren and even their children begin to truly understand them. Writer/director Yasemin Samdereli’s tale is marvelously written and quite funny. It is a unique melding of an inner-family culture clash with world views past and present.
Mr. Movie rating: 5 stars
Not rated. Probably PG-13 for mature themes. It plays Friday, February 10, Saturday, February 11 and Sunday, February 12. For theaters and times go to http://festivals.nwfilm.org/piff35/schedule/
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
The Salt of Life — Italy
Writer/director Gianni Di Gregorio stars in his own movie. He plays a man who has retired. He’s married but required by duty to dote on his wealthy mom. The guy could really use financial help from her but she’s in the throes of dementia and blows the bucks on other things.
His wife still works so he’s more house husband and errand boy than useful. His attorney buddy thinks he ought to find a young, beautiful woman and have an affair.
Gianni’s character kind of leans that direction with interesting, unexpected and comic results. It’s dull daily Italian retired life done in an unconventionally and non-dull and very funny way.
Mr. Movie rating: 4 stars
It plays Friday, February 10 and Sunday, February 12. For theaters and times go to http://festivals.nwfilm.org/piff35/schedule/
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
Breathing — Austria
A young orphan has been in juvenile detention for a long time. Murder — an accidental one — is the reason. He’s supposed to find work. Every job is a failure and nothing seems to work out. It’s mostly his fault.
Kogler is close to 19 and his parole hearing is coming. Without a job, he’s going to stay in jail. Then he gets work at the city morgue. His job: pick up bodies.
One pick up gives Kogler a clue to the identity of his mother. She abandoned him at a very early age and he spent most of his life in orphanages and foster homes. Both the clue and the job lead the young man in unexpected, and important directions.
Actor Karl Markovics (Counterfeiters) writes and directs his first movie. It is a dark, moody character study with exceptionally good acting. Markovics’ only flaw is a film that is almost too thoughtful and moves just a bit too slowly.
Mr. Movie rating: 4 stars
Not rated. Probably PG-13 or maybe even R for mature themes and language. It plays Friday, February 10 and Sunday, February 12 and again Tuesday, February 14th. For theater and time go to http://festivals.nwfilm.org/piff35/schedule/
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
Declaration of War — France
Romeo and Juliette meet. They’re highly entertained that they share the first names of the famed lovers. Love naturally blooms. They have a child. He isn’t quite right. A tumor.
Doctors, surgery and disaster follow.
Valérie Donzelli and Jérémie Elkaïm are brilliant as parents facing the worst possible nightmare. How they deal with setbacks, heartbreak, disaster and well-meaning friends and parents is a delightful, and at times even funny little story. While it gets a bit long, and the problems get rather repetitive, the performances from the two lead actors keep you hooked and keep you going.
Mr. Movie rating: 3 1/2 stars
Not rated. Probably PG-13 for mature themes. It plays Friday, February 10 only. For theater and time go to http://festivals.nwfilm.org/piff35/schedule/
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
Forgiveness of Blood — Albania
Two families in a small Albanian town get tangled up in feud over access to a road. One family needs to cross the land to save time on its bread route, a route that was open to all when it controlled the land. Now that the road is in the hands of the rival family, it is closed.
That leads to a confrontation and to murder.
In Albanian society — at least in rural areas — Kanun law rules. It’s an ancient code that basically says eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. One family member is killed, the family of the deceased has a right to take the life of a member of the family that killed their family member.
The police try, but have very little control over such actions.
The young sons of the man who committed the murders must stay indoors and out of sight. They are targets. Women are not. Only men. That means the daughter must drop out of school and take on responsibility for the family business.
Director Joshua Marston’s film takes a fascinating look at the toll blood feuds in Albania and like countries has families. The older family members talk, talk, talk about how to patch things up, and who would be best to negotiate a permanent peace. But it’s all talk. And it’s all too slow. Though they live in a very small town, the kids are cognizant of the world being much larger, and more advanced in thought and life style. They don’t get the protocol of such things and just want it done and over.
The oldest boy — and to a certain extent, the daughter — do not understand the father hiding out and putting himself first. They think he should fight the charges or go to jail so they can be free.
And the boy wants to open an Internet cafe and is in love with a young girl at school. Basic house arrest is pure torture.
And basically, so is Marston’s movie. Once the kids are locked up, the story just goes in frustrating circles. It made me feel like I, too, was under house arrest.
Mr. Movie rating: 2 1/2 stars
Not rated. Probably PG-13 for mature themes. It plays Friday, February 10 and Sunday, February 12. For theater and time go to http://festivals.nwfilm.org/piff35/schedule/
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
The Fairy — France
Part fantasy, part reality and all love story, The Fairy is a terrific comedy packed with fun, and often unexpected twists and turns. Dom is the night guy at a small hotel. Fiona drops by and wants a room. She has no luggage and no shoes. Fiona tells Dom she’s a fairy and he can have three wishes.
His first is for a scooter because his bicycle broke down on the way to work. And as a second wish, a lifetime supply of gasoline. He didn’t have time for a third and said he’d get back to her.
An incident later knocks poor Dom out. When he awakes there’s the scooter and Fiona gives him a key for a lifetime supply of gasoline. Later she disappears and he, now in love with her, decides to do all that is necessary to find her.
That is the basic plot. It grows ever more complicated as the film unfolds. The Fairy is written and directed by the three main characters, Dominique Abel, Fiona Gordon and Bruno Romy. Their comedy is sometimes sophisticated. At other times it is more slapstick. Either way, The Fairy is original and clever and one hell of a lot of fun.
Mr. Movie rating: 5 stars
Not rated. Probably PG-13 for mature themes. It plays Friday, February 10, Saturday, February 11 and Tuesday, February 14th. For theater and time go to http://festivals.nwfilm.org/piff35/schedule/
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
Saturday, February 11
These are films in addition to films from Friday’s reviews that are also playing on Saturday.
Bullhead — Belguim
Bullhead is the very definition of gritty. It’s dark. And mean. And merciless. Set in Flanders, Bullhead follows the mafia’s influence in the nation’s meat and dairy industry. Illegal hormones mean more profit — and of course — more danger to public health.
It’s something the police work hard to stop.
Jacky is one family’s muscle. He’s a complete beefcake and a bit loose mentally. Jacky learns about a cop being murdered and is suspicious that another crime family — one that wants to partner with his — is responsible. That connection connects Jacky with a childhood friend who is one of the few human beings that knows about a horrible tragedy from the man’s past.
Tremendous tension is created by director Michael Roskam as you learn how Jacky and his friend Diederik are connected, how the crime families clash and how the cops are closing in.
The film also features exceptional performances from Matthias Schoenaerts who does Jacky Vanmarsenille and Jeroen Perceval as Diederik.
This is one of the festival’s better films and is a top-notch thriller.
Mr. Movie rating: 5 stars
Not rated. Probably R for violence, mature themes, language. It plays Saturday, February 11 and Tuesday, February 14th. For theater and time go to http://festivals.nwfilm.org/piff35/schedule/
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
Snows of Kilimanjaro — France
A union leader gets laid off from the job. Michel didn’t have to be laid off. The man’s leadership position meant he could have kept his name out of layoff lottery. As a pure socialist, he thought it only fair that everyone be treated equally.
As the film progresses, Michel is shocked to learn that the younger workers in the workplace, and some of those laid off with him don’t share his ideas of equality or the social ideals that he fought for in his working career.
Then comes the robbery. It’s brutal. A precious wedding anniversary gift of a trip to Kilimanjaro and money to enjoy the ride are taken. Who took it is shocking. That knowledge also places Michel and his wife on a path to question what they really believe, and forces them to decide whether they want to actually practice what they have preached for so many years.
The Snows of Kilimanjaro is a deep and interesting character study that takes a bunch of unique, and surprising — yet not really surprising — twists and turns. The theft of the gift eventually becomes a unique gift of its own. Along with the excellent story is two superb performances from Jean-Pierre Darroussin and Ariane Ascaride.
Mr. Movie rating: 4 stars
Not rated. Probably PG-13 for mature themes. It plays Saturday, February 11, Monday February 13 and Thursday, February 16th. For theater and time go to http://festivals.nwfilm.org/piff35/schedule/
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
Where Do We Go Now? — Lebanon
Where Do We Go Now is almost a perfect title for a film that really has nowhere to go. It’s set in Lebanon. The Christians and Muslims of a remote village are friends and have gotten along perfectly for centuries. When the Lebanon Civil War begins, they still manage — in spite of a small incident here and there — to peacefully co-exist.
The fragile peace eventually cracks and almost completely breaks down. The women of the village concoct all sorts of schemes to keep their men from killing each other. One idea is to bring exotic dancers to the village to perform for their men.
Other ideas equally idiotic.
The idea behind Where Do We Go Now has potential. Most Westerners know very little of the daily life of the average people, living average lives, in areas where radicals rule and death is the result. An effort — via fictional film — to teach about how the people in villages like this manage to maintain their sanity and their love and respect for each other is a great idea.
It just doesn’t happen here. Instead the film gets completely silly and wanders here and there, getting mostly lost in its own plot mess, until the intense, and then really dumb and completely unsatisfying climax.
Mr. Movie rating: 2 stars
Not rated. Probably PG-13 for mature themes. It plays Saturday, February 11 and Monday February 13th. For theater and time go to http://festivals.nwfilm.org/piff35/schedule/
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
Sunday, February 12
These are films in addition to films from Friday and Saturday’s reviews that are also playing on Sunday.
Goodbye First Love — France
Not sleeping well. Need a cure for your insomnia? Goodbye First Love might do the trick. Lola Creton is Camille, a young woman in love. She’s given herself to her boyfriend Sullivan. Camille’s devotion to Sullivan is humorless, and by the book. She gets no joy from their “love.” Outside of the sex, neither does he.
And he feels penned in. Sullivan wants to explore the world. She wants them together now and always.
So when he ignores her wishes and leaves on an extended trip to South America, her world is shattered. He sends letters at first. Then they slow down and eventually stop. Camille has no idea why or what ever became of Sullivan.
After several of years of sulking she’s in school studying architecture. Sullivan more or less forgotten, she falls in love with an older man who is also her mentor and professor. Life is good. Camille is happy. Then she bumps into Sullivan.
One description of Mia Hansen-Love’s movie is that she captures the “agony and ecstasy of adolescence.” Agony is a definite. Her film is agony. It’s ponderous and crawls so slowly that you actually feel like you’re really living the eight years between Sullivan and the new lover.
That wouldn’t be so bad if something actually happened in that eight year interim. Nothing does. You also don’t get much out of the film when she and Sullivan reunite. And the film’s abrupt ending is the most painful of all.
In spite of Creton’s excellent performance, you should not even say hello to Goodbye First Love.
Mr. Movie rating: 1 star
Not rated. Probably R for nudity and sex. It plays Monday, February 12 and Friday, February 17th. For theater and time go to http://festivals.nwfilm.org/piff35/schedule/
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
Tales of the Night — France
Tales of the Night is animation ace Michel Ocelot’s latest and greatest. The animation style is shadow puppets. And they are exquisite. Ocelot’s series of stories start in a theater at dusk. A boy and a girl and a director discuss stories they want to tell. As the stories are written, the boy, the girl and the director design sets, make the costumes and set up the sets.
Then they perform their skits.
In all there are six of the most clever, and entertaining animated shorts you’ve seen in decades. They’re set in Europe during medieval times, in Tibet, Mexico’s Aztecs get a visit, so do the plains for Africa and so is the Land of the Dead.
Each story is original and features a unique moral.
This is a great film. One that hopefully will not be buried in festivals such as this one but that will find light and support, and wide release. Like A Cat in Paris that opened on Friday, this is one fabulous, and original piece of animation.
Mr. Movie rating: 5 stars
Not rated. Probably PG for mature themes. It plays Sunday, February 12, Wednesday, February 15 and Saturday, February 17th. For theater and time go to http://festivals.nwfilm.org/piff35/schedule/
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
We’ll post more Portland International Film Festival reviews on Tuesday.
