Everyone's Favourite Festival!
Marking its 27th year, the guru of great and fantastically different films, this crowd-pleasing fest features these seven different category selections: Axis – now six
years old screens imaginative shorts and features; Action with lots of nail-biting, pow-power thrills; Camera Lucinda delivers marginalized
voices that dare to think differently; Genre
du pays gives a historical perspective on Quebec cinema; Documentaries de la marge – stranger than
fiction tales of odd-ball; Fantasia
Underground – big and boldly independent film-makers who take risks; Fantastique week-ends du Cinema Québecois brings
to the public locally-made shorts and some new features that put Quebec
film-makers up front and centre; and Mon Premier
Fantasia
Reviews follow
RIVER'S EDGE (Directed by Isao Yukisada) ***
Canadian premier
On the outskirts of Tokyo,
teens have a ton of skeletons hanging in their private psyche. Each character
has a burden to bear. Heroine-like Haruna seems to feel little; she's a cool cat, but everyone turns to her for
strength, especially Yamada who gets bullied and beaten up; he’s gay. His chatter-box girl friend has no
idea he is - despite how cruelly he treats her. Finally and fatally, jealousy fires her up (hinting here at her ending); she can’t take it any more. Kozue is the bad boy bully in all this and a sex
maniac. His sex toy gal - there are two - one who meets a gory-girl ending; (I won’t give away the who-done-it spoiler). It’s a sad depressing pseudo-melodramatic
take on teen angst in Tokyo
taken to its fullest. Believable and dark, death and desperation grip the tone
of this unique film. Great acting for sure; a film deserving its many awards, but the 118 minutes does lag at times.
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THE BRINK (Directed by Jonathon Li) ****
Quebec Premiere
Energy galore – as much as the gore in this Hong Kong/China killer flick. Non-stop action with all kinds of dirty plot and character
twists. Betrayal and greed makes the money go round. Fight scenes are
sensational – as riveting as the any cop plot. Max Zhang charismatically plays Cheng
– the fiercest of cops who’s totally consumed by tracking down the most brutal villain
whose greed for gold is endless. He works for a big boss and when he offs him
and many others, he finally lays his hands directly on gold bullions, he calls
his own; He now heads the smugglers; the hiding place is deep in the sea. There’s a message in the film that allof us should
heed. Despite a few non-credible character turn-abouts, the film is intensely satisfying to watch!
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MANDY (Directed by Panos Cosamtso)****
Canadian Premiere
Okay. Put a Greek film-maker with Nicolas Cage in a horror film, and you
can be sure Aeschylus elements are sure to appear, including eyes being dug
out. bloodshed, vengeance and narcissistic insanity. It’s an over-the-top plot
stunningly shot in a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of vivid hues morphing intensely
as the scary music becomes ever more manic - along with the characters
.
Red
Miller (note the name 'Red') played with excessive dramatic intensity by Nicolas Cage (well cast for
this demanding role) must track down what happened to his wife Mandy. As he
delves deep into tracking down her disappearance, he encounters the most
heinous of creatures called humans. The result is bloody hell. The late Jóhann Jóhannsson
produced a masterpiece of movie music as Miller and the malevolent motorcycle-riding gangs - clothed in the spikes fill the screen with
graphic gore and guts. Linus Roachie who maniacally heads the cult was terrific
and formidably frightening. Purgatory ws never so scary and somewhat camp at
the same time.
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WHAT A MAN WANTS (Directed by Lee Byeong-heon)***
Totally funny without being over the top. South Korean attitudes a la New York where the
director lives this romantic comedy is about over and covert cheating on wives –
even though one knows about it – and about the downside of marriage. One woman
in particular has both brother-in-law and brother vying for her. Adultery has
never been so playful, and we don’t scorn what we see, but laugh with all the
characters – including those unlucky
wives. But here’s the thing: is food more important than love? They seem to be
happy bedfellows. Seok-geun and Bong-soo steal the acting kudos!
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DANS LA BRUME (Directed by Daniel Roby) *****
Probably the most relevant film in the festival, this France/Canada
co-production is so suspenseful and true to the state of affairs in our world today. It also is a reflection on the lethal perils Paris has endured. But the nature of the film’s
death knell starts with an underground explosion that releases a humongous
amount of toxic gas which smothers almost everyone. We meet young teenage
daughter, Sarah who must spend every moment of her life inside a totally
pure-air battery-run bubble; she suffers from Stinberger. Her two parents,
Mathieu and Anna - both brilliant and courageous beyond belief - must find ways
to get their daughter new batteries to keep that bubble going. Their task
becomes daunting as they face their own unsurpassable obstacles. Both parents
have to use oxygen masks. Like scavengers, they find two. But surviving becomes
a test of strength, demanding every sinew in their bodies to hold their breath
to save their daughter before the gas rises far beyond the roof tops of the
entire city.
The movie is not without dramatic irony, especially at the end.
There is a touch of comic relief amidst the impending tragedy, when we meet the very old devoted
couple living on the top floor to which Sarah's parents escape to avoid the gas onslaught. So powerful and brilliant, this film is in the festival's Cheval Noir Competition. Unique and gripping, La Brume should be seen by
everyone (especially Trump).
The Quebec
director has crafted a film masterpiece. You’ll be taking deep breaths watching this thrilling, compelling plot piloted by two exceptional actors are exceptional:
Roman Duris and Olga Kurylenko. In fact, the entire close-knit cast is
unforgettable – as is the mist that envelops the screen and lingers with us
long after the film finishes.
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BUFFALO BOYS (Directed by Mike Wiluan) *****
In 1860, the Dutch committed a brutal genocide. Led by Captain Van
Trach, there was no peace for the oppressed Indonesians. The father of two
brothers - the family is from a royal
line - is killed. The brothers, Arana, Jamar and their uncle flee in exile.
They seek to free their people and decimate Trach and his horrid men. There are
many excellent scenes that show the brutality of the Dutch; tragedy and terror
reign. But the two brothers are triumphant at the end. This film is superbly
executed and entertaining, with much action and suspense that is totally
believable. It’s more than just a western with guns and train scenes. It’s
about justice.
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BROTHERS’ NEST (Directed by
Clayton Jacobson) *****
Canadian Premiere
Two look-alike brothers (real bros in life) head to their step-father’s
house where the boys had grown up. The older excessively manipulative Jeff has worked
out (to the inth second) the plan to follow to kill their step-father. Terry,
the gentler one of the two really doesn't have his heart in it, but lots of brotherly
convincing why he should do it win’s out. There are many secrets revealed as
the brothers spend the day at the cottage setting up the ultimate murder. Jeff
was the son who totally adored his violent dad; not so with Terry, but he never
agrees; Jeff pounces on him the minute terry has an unkind world to mutter
about his father. Black comedy at its Australian finest filters hilariously
through the film. This unforgettable movie gem graphically proves the best laid
plans go astray.
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1987 WHEN TOMORROW COMES (Directed by Jang Joon-hwan)*****
A stunning tour de force that recaptures the horrific corruption in
South Korea used by Chun Doo-hwan that turned the country into a regressive
state of repression against students and adults who objected and were portrayed
as Communists. But even the cause of democracy was crushed by his henchmen.
North Korean defector Park Jeol-won has a personal axe to grind against all
commies. He heads the office of Anticommunist Investigation. Plot-wise, a student is tortured and a huge
cover-up ensues. The Seoul Olympics is not too far off, and so all must look
good. Lawyers, journalists and student revolutionaries are murdered. What a
gripping film this is, and an important one. In this film, North Korea and South Korea could have been one and
the same.
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WHAT KEEPS YOU ALIVE (Directed
by Colin Minihan)****
Quebec Premiere
A lesbian couple retreats to a wonderful cottage owned by the family of
Jackie – the “husband” in the relationship. But Jackie’s family is dead, and
here’s the tie-in to that: anyone once married to Jackie is dead as well. What
Jules, her present wife of one year doesn’t know is she is next on the list of “fatal
accidents”.
Love scenes convince Jackie and us that this is a keeper couple,
but what awaits Jules is nothing short of cliff hanging suspense. Jackie pushes
her off a cliff, but she somehow makes it onto her feet. She is hunted down by
Jackie but escapes in the car they came in.. But Jules does two stupid things
that cost her more than a busted leg. A thrilling, terrifying movie about the
twisted mind of a psychopath – one that anyone could very well be married to. Money is the
motivator for murder here, and doubly diabolical, because a psychopath is
handling how it all plays out. Lots of gory scenes. Intense acting makes up for
the moments that fall short of credible actions. A very good film.
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THE WITCH: PART 1. THE
SUBVERSION (Directed by Park Hoon-jung) *****
International Premiere
Cold-blooded assassins burst into a hospital to gun-down young
children who are undergoing genetic engineering of the brain. One telekinetic
girl, Ja-yoon escapes. She has no recollection of the massacre,, and she is
taken in by a loving family who lives on a farm. Fast forward ten years, and
this teen can sing, tend to farm chores, aces her grades and is headed for fame
glory in a singing contest. Soon, she is being stalked by bad bloody men. The
twists and irony leave us all surprised. Themes of memory, evil ambition and
science come together to make this a thrilling Fantasia hit. No wonder it’s in
the festival’s Cheval Noir Competition. I loved this film, and can hardly wait
until Part ll comes out.
 |
| Kim Da-min |
The acting by newcomer, Kin Da-mi as the main
character is outstanding. Casting was brilliant. This director who brought us I Saw The Devil in another Fantasia year, is a genius. The violence and final daring denouement in this film is so vital to plot and character. It is utter suspense and blood-real entertainment in the most compelling way. This is a must-see
South Korean movie.
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MADELAINES MADELINE (Directed by Josephine
Decker) ***
Canadian Premiere
Madeline is
mentally ill. Her immersive theatre improve group helps her cope in some ways. Her
controlling teacher (beautiful acted by) Molly Parker is trying to bring centre
stage the raw reality behind dark scenarios and uses Madeleine’s own personal experiences
to get the theatre play she wants
She progresses deeper and deeper into
Madelines’ secrets to do this, and both become off-balanced. It would seem the
source of the young 18-year-old’s disturbing behavior is blamed on the very
worried and suffocating mother – who actually means well. We seem to enter Madeleine’s
work immediately; she's on camera in every scene too.
A well made film that
seemingly relies on improvised scenes. But is it really her teacher and her
mother who are to blame? Madeline has a violent streak. A very interesting
close-up of unusual characters. Despite the intense dark theme that never let up, wavered, this piece of film is half theatre and half film
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L’INFERNO (1911) Directed by Adolfo Padovan & Francesco Bertolini
*****
Astounding, mesmerizing, brilliant! How wonderful that Fantasia brought
the world’s oldest surviving feature-length film and the first feature ever
produced in Italy
to us all! Not only was this a first for the audience to view this silent genre restored film of superb theatrics, but we were treated to a live musical accompaniment
by the very brilliant Maurizio Guarini.
 |
| Mauricio Guarini |
This 107th anniversary film gift also gave us this genius composer highly renowned for memorable horror music scores. He's famous for Goblin, Suspiria, Deep Red and so many more movie soundtracks.
Together, we all traveled with Dante and Virgil to the depths of Hell
to witness the various tortures wrought upon those who have committed the
deadly sins and more. The writhing bodies in black and white with patina hues,
the fiery images, the grotesque scenes of Satan and his demons opening their jaws
and using their pitch forks to torment those experiencing hell’s wrath. The
various sadistic methods used - each one different depending on the sin - were
so vivid and horrific, this film was remarkably frightening. So effective was
the portrayal of every imaginable
torment, this miraculous film lingered in my mind long after I left saying my
Hail Marys. Please see this legendary masterpiece of cinema wizardry.
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DETECTIVE DEE:
THE FOUR HEAVENLY KINGS *****
(Directed by Tsui Hark)
Quebec Premiere
Epic and awesomely spectacular
scenic creativity makes this film an instant classic. It could be a Louis B.
Mayer film were it not made in China.
A magic, all-powerful sword has been bestowed by the emperor for Dee’s prowess and loyalty. Five evil villains who possess
endless magical power want to get hold of it, especially since the Empress
orders them to get it. A series of shocking events take places including a flashback
of history that shows the torturing of the old dynastic people to the present could
take over. Peace and hatred are the forces that collide here. Which one will win
out?
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BLEACH (Directed by
Shinsuke Sato) ****
(international premiere) Cheval Noir
Competition
Ichigo Kurosaki, marvellously portrayed by the flawless-looking actor,
Sota Fukushi) had a terrible tragedy happen to him involving the sudden
accident of his mother that he blames himself for. He saw a little girl by the river,
and he runs to her with his mother. All hell happens at this moment; that little
girl ends up being an evil Hollow – monster that steals souls. Fast forward to
Ichigo and we learn he sees ghosts and has great powers of strength.
One night,
he meets a roaming reaper in the guise of a girl named Rukia. That same night a
Hallow appears and with the thrust of a sword in our star by Rukia, Ichigo is
transformed into a reaper who has superpower strengths. What ensures is a
fast-action power house plot that never seems to waver one second. Reapers and
the hellish hallow of all have their face-up which pits Ichigo against the entity
and other ‘grim reapers”. Will Ichigo be able to avenge his mother’s death and save
himself and Rukia whom he wishes to have her stay with him as a human.on earth.
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FLEUVE NOIR (Directed by Erick Zonca) ****
FLEUVE NOIR (Directed by Erick Zonca) ****
Canadian premiere
A mother’s worst nightmare: when 16-year-old Dany Arnault doesn’t show up to
school one morning, his mother ably played by a distraught Sandrine Kimberlain
heads immediately to the police. The report is taken by an unkempt,
shabby-looking police commander named François Visconti. In this role, Vincent
Cassel delivers a stunning
as the alcoholic very bitter cop who not
only gets involved with the mother – believing her story completely, despite others
in the force having doubts, but is really off course with one suspect: a neighbour
who had tutored Dany, and fancies himself as a great writer. Irony is served up
deliciously for us and commander Visconti. Let’s just say the father of Dany is
never at home for a good reason, and his mentally handicapped daughter who
barely speaks knows the truth. We don’t – until the end. This film deservedly made the Cheval Noir Competition.
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INUYASHIKI (DIRECTED BY Shimsuka Sato ***
Canadian premiere
Based on a Japanese manga series, Inuyashiki garnered the honours of being in Fantasia’s Cheval Noir
Competition. This is a supernatural-based film that pits good against evil. One
night the ageing Inuyshiki is hit by a strange explosion as is a young man and
both become mechanical super-powered android, much in the vein of Robocop.
However, Inuyashiki uses his powers to heal people; the other uses his powers like
a psychopath to kill indiscriminately. Inuyashiki is almost bullied by his wife
and teen daughter. It could well be a case of elder abuse. AS his daughter gets
caught in the evil one’s destruction, her own father comes to her rescue. It
seems to be Japan's remake of Superman in many ways, this Hollywood
type film deftly pits these two compelling nemeses against one another in original
ways that rely on excellent special effects and our own suspension of disbelief
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BUY BUST (Directed by Eric
Matti) ***
Canadian Premiere
Nina Manigan, played with great intensity by Anne Curtis) is part of a tough training cop squad. She’s been transferred to this new rookie squad after having lost her own squad in a shoot-out over drugs. They are about to entrap Biggie, the leader of this huge drug ring when everything goes form bad to rotten. Welcome to the squalor of the slums of Manila. Murder, mayhem and a riot resulting in a sea of killings, perpetrated by everyone, including the locals living in these tin tumbledown dwellings show everyone is against the police and the drug kings.
It really is a bloodbath because of botched up plans, and a rat within. This fast action film graphically shows endless ways to cut up, stab, shoot, strangle, bat-beat and bludgeon those in the way. There is a Judas in the police force, but only the ending reveals who it is. Manigan saves the day of course. She’s a hero of comic book dimensions.
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ONE CUT OF THE DEAD (Directed by Shinichiro Ueda)*
Canadian Premiere
A Japanese gory film about a zombie boyfriend about to attack her
girlfriend is being made by a merciless director. He will do anything to ensure
it does not appear like she’s acting. Eventually, zombies enter the warehouse
where they are shooting, and before you know it almost everyone gets killed.
The film in two parts then shows everyone reading their parts and blocking them
in a studio. Low budget, not scary and
dull characters don’t interest us. This is not one of the director’s finest “cuts”
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RONDO (Directed by Drew Barnhardt)***
World Premiere
Whatever you do, don’t knock on door 1216 for what lies inside – after you
say the password, rondo - is your imminent death, and a gory one at that. Paul, a war vet drinks
and has no life basically. He moves in with his sister, Jill) She gets him an
appointment with a therapist who sends him to room 1216 in an apartment
complex. Sick, twisted minds torture men who are there to abuse sexually a
drugged woman. Paul witnesses the murder of one of the “clients” and he
escapes. But not for long. His father comes into the picture, but his ending is
assured in a gruesome manner. Only Jill can avenge her family’s murder, and she
does so in a most unusual way. Lots of violence and tension. The ending is a
memorable blood bath of epic proportions.
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MEGA TIME SQUAD (Directed by
Tim Van Dammen) **
Sorry fans of New
Zealand films, which I certainly am, but
this off-the-wall comedy has a silly plot but memorable lines said by
characters who are into low-level crimes and heists. One character travels through
time by means of pushing a tiny button on a magic bracelet to duplicate himself
three-fold. The acting was great, the hodgepodge gimmicky crazy, but in the
end, it’s a frivolous film without much going for it other than really funny
actors. In the end, the guy gets the girl and the money. The mid-movie mayhem
is pure farce.
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TALES FROM THE HOOD 2 (Directed by Darin Scott & Rusty Cundieff) ***
Five stores farming black prejudice in America through plot horror based
on killer gollywogs, gangsters, a channeler, and boy who sacrifices all to further
the cause of Blacks, and two vampire girls. A special robot developed by a
madman who si Trump incarnated is intent on ridding America of baddies to make the
nation safe. But a cocky Mr. Simms (Keith David) tells stories of the above. It’s
a fresh film that is well acted. The plot Sf paranoia, black oppression and
stereotyping stigmas has found a unique voice in this unusual entertaining
mad-cap film.
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NEOMANILA (Directed by Mikhail
Red)***
Canadian Premiere
Toto, a young teen, is taken in by Irma and Raul, two very poor people
caught in gang warfare who murder in order to get meth. They both like Toto,
but things become heated and complicated for poor Toto.
He can’t find money to get his brother out of prison nor anyone who will
confess to the crime he is in jail for. Irma teaches Toto how to shoot, and Raul teaches Toto that suspect and victim
are one and the same in Manila. This gritty, bare-bones dark film is raw and realistic. Violence and ominous threats
are ever-present.
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LOUDER! I CAN’T HEAR WHAT YOU’RE
SINGIN’, WIMP! **
(Directed
by Satoshi Miki)
World Premiere
Sin, Japan’s
most famous rock singer, shoots himself
up with dope in his necks to give his raucous voice more power. On stage, his
larynx bursts and blood spurts everywhere – even onto the crowd. Meanwhile,
Fuska, a young busker sings in such a tiny voice outside, everyone laughs at
her. Circumstances bring Sin and shy Fuka together and after a very lengthy
time, Sin loses his voice and she gains her strength, - thanks to Sin yelling
at her to give emotion. She becomes as
famous as Sin once was. His fate is one no one would want. I did not like this
film which is in need of much editing. Parts were so slapstick and in other
parts, it would seem the director is trying to get sympathy votes form us. Manipulative
and somewhat childish, I have no idea why this film made it to the festival’s
Cheval Noir Competition.
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GONJIAM: HAUNTED ASYLUM (Directed by Jeong Beon-sik)***
Quebec Premiere
A found-footage sleeper, this Blair
Witch-type horror film has an added twist. Horror Times is a You
Tub channel in need of one million hits to score big with the money. Ha-Joon
directs all moves from a tent near an abandoned asylum. He has sent his crew in
to try to enter all rooms, including one on the fourth floor that no one is
able to open. Those that did decades ago, never came out; they disappeared.
In fact, the film is live-streamed from the actual site, called Namyang Mental Hospital in Gonjam. Korea. The
director and his on-camera man have previously gone in to plant scary things to
make it all look real. It is a bit scary, but not until things actually terrorize
the entire group; the film has a dastardly ending. Horror Times definitely
lived up to its title. Some parts of this cheaply made film are real funny;
other parts are jump-out-of-your seat funny.
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I HAVE A DATE WITH SPRING (Directed by Baek Seung-bin) *
Slow moving and totally without pulse of a plot. The music was good though. We meet a young screen writer
by a lake who has writer’s block and he's eating his own birthday cake. We meet a
young girl who is an outcast who goes in a taxi with a vulgar mean guy. Each character
seems to meet their own doom by being enticed by another who has no good
intentions. What happens in the movie becomes the screen-writer’s inspirational
plot. He seems to survive. It's everyone's birthday and the gift each receives causes their doom except for one.
We meet a professor who contacts blisters after he kisses a sick girl
with the same ailment. The ending was silly and far fetched. The line in the
film says: “The work is doomed anyway, so let’s all go nicely.” No one went
nicely; but this film, to my mind, is doomed though it made Official Selection
at Rotterdam’s
festival. I think this South Korean film would be a good theatrical play.
To be honest, the sullen-speaking director had nothing to say about his film other than explaining what a tragi-comedy was. I think we know. But I did not hear one laugh or see one tear on anyone's face. It's the kind of film you either yawn through it or yen for more of it.
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LUZ (Directed by Tilman Singer) Bomb!
Blood and aberrant sex seem to be what the film maker thinks makes for a
good movie. Slow moving beyond painful, it makes you appreciate how difficult it
really is to make a suspenseful demonic movie.
If you are going to make a demonic possession film, it had better be
scary and believable. It should have a plot and one that we can relate to in
some way. This film is about exchanging identities in dress and in body, going
gay, and a taxi ride, and a totally disturbed girl who drives it. The film from
the beginning is a bust; it begins at a bar with a conversation that is so
unreal and silly, you’ll be begging for the bartender to hand you a drink please!
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