Friday, September 6, 2013

2013 Venice International Film Festival: Day 10

Venezia 70 Competition Jury (Jiang Wen, Carrie Fisher, Virginie Ledoyen, Martina Gedeck, Andrea Arnold, Pablo Larraín, Bernardo Bertolucci, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Renato Berta) © la Biennale di Venezia
  • Day 10 - Friday, September 6

  • Screening today:

    The final film in this year's competition lineup, from Algeria co-produced by France, Es-Stouh (The Rooftops) by Merzak Allouache.

The veteran director's latest film is one that explores the troubled complexities of Algerian society. It is set amongst the rooftops of a working-class neighborhood in Algiers.

Screening out of competition, from Japan, 許されざる者 (Unforgiven) by Lee Sang-il.

From the Japanese born Korean director, a remake of the 1992 Clint Eastwood western, set in late 1800s Ezo (Hokkaido). It stars veteran Japanese actor Ken Watanabe.

Venezia 70 Competition Film
The Rooftops
directed by Merzak Allouache
Algeria, France, 94'

Synopsis:
Bab el-Oued, a working-class neighborhood of Algiers. On one side the bay, on the other the city. While time is marked by the muezzin’s call to prayer, five stories intersect, even if only for a moment, on the same number of terraces over the course of a whole day.
Critical Reception:

"A series of cleverly interwoven dramas that go deep inside the social fabric to reveal how frazzled and violent it has become." Deborah Young (The Hollywood Reporter)
Venezia 70 Competition Film
許されざる者 (Unforgiven)
directed by Lee Sang-il
Japan, 119'

Synopsis:
The Tokugawa Shogunate has just collapsed, and the Ainu aborigines strive to settle the land alongside the newly established government. Jubei Kamata, is a relic of the Tokugawa Shogunate. During the Shogunate, his name alone terrorized Kyoto as he slew countless loyalists in the name of the Shogun. After the fall of the Shogunate, he fought in a series of battles, then vanished from sight following the fierce War of Goryokaku. More than ten years have passed. Jubei has fathered children with an Ainu woman and lives in a secluded hamlet, barely eking out a living. Poverty leads Jubei to abandon his resolve to bury his sword. Once again, he finds himself ensnared in a life of violence. With his former comrade-in-arms, he confronts hypocrites who profess to represent justice. Again, in this new era, a vicious circle of violence begins.
Critical Reception:

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1 comment:

Unknown said...

I'm intrigued by the idea of a remake of "Unforgiven" told in a Japanese style w/ Ken Watanabe in the Clint Eastwood role. I think it'd be one of the better remakes.

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