Wednesday, October 10, 2012

VIFF 2012 - Day 13

Beyond the Hills (Dupa dealuri)
directed by Cristian Mungiu
RomaniaRomania
Mungiu follows up 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days with another grim yet entirely hypnotic film anchored by two incredible debut performances from its young actresses. Every moment is expertly composed and staged, with long patient sequences which make full use of the widescreen frame to create an immersive atmosphere. It doesn't build as much tension as his previous film, but it's still a masterful display of acting, directing, and storytelling. One of the year's best.

Full Review
Xingu
directed by Cao Hamburger
BrazilBrazil
A loose telling of the remarkable true story of the Villas-Boas brothers, who helped to establish Brazil's Xingu National Park. Has some strong performances, and features some astonishing locations, but suffers from poor pacing. Overall it's too episodic and choppy, and the attempts at creating dramatic tension fall flat.
Leviathan
directed by Lucien Castaing-Taylor, Véréna Paravel
USAUSA
A bizarre and brilliant experimental documentary filmed aboard a fishing boat in the North Atlantic. With no background, no voiceover, no interviews, and no real story to tell, just a bunch of digital cameras placed in strategic locations in, on, and around the boat as the crew go about their work. It's an absolutely visceral experience that will either make you sick, or in complete awe of the images and sound on display. This one had a steady stream of walkouts, and was the first film I saw at the fest that got booed.

Full Review
The Shine of Day (Der Glanz des Tages)
directed by Tizza Covi, Rainer Frimmel
AustriaAustria
Covi and Frimmel's second feature film follows in the same fascinating documentary style drama (shot on 16mm) as their debut. It's a rather loose story that sprawls out with many loose ends, and many will be bored along the way or frustrated with the ending. But the acting is impressive, and the two leads share some great natural chemistry.
When the Night (Quando la notte)
directed by Cristina Comencini
ItalyItaly
Another film that takes place in a beautiful setting but fails to succeed dramatically. Comencini adapted her own novel, and she builds some excellent atmosphere using some truly magnificent visuals, but the characters are not well defined nor entirely believable and the melodrama is even less convincing.

6 comments:

365 moviesandsongs365 said...

Remember Beyond The Hills won best screenplay award at Cannes, interested in seeing that one. I'm glad to hear you think it is one of the year's best. I wonder if it stands a chance at achieving a nomination for 2013 Oscars?

The Angry Lurker said...

Leviathan is a big screen version of Deadliest Catch....

d_4 said...

Just lost here. I find it kinda funny/sad that a movie got booed at all. I'd like to show up.. just for the end of it.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

It also won for Best Actress (shared by the two leads). I haven't done a full analysis yet, there are several strong contenders this year. But from what I've seen so far, I think it definitely deserves a nomination.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I've heard of it but havent actually seen that show.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Haha, in general, I find it kind of funny that people applaud or boo at a screen on the wall at all. Unless you know the director or actors are in the audience or something like that.

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