STEAMPUNK CONNECTION (Directed by Anne Deniel) ***

 All over the world a fascinating community is reviving Victorian costume, items and more, making it a part of their lives.  The documentary follows a trio of devotees in five different countries.  Wonderful eccentrics champion the cause of using technology to create all kinds of dress and accessories that conjure up past times. Imagination is key to what motivates them.

 These people have formed a great community, and what better way to connect than to relive the past with a Victorian reference. I have to say that the people are so creative and superb in what they create. They want to live time travel in a most unique way, and they do it colourfully.

WHITE SNAKE (Directed by AmpWong and Ji Zhao)****

There are snake catchers who must abide by the evil General's lust to have them, and they bring him inner power. Demons are a foot and they like to destroy humans. Only thing is the two protagonists are like star-crossed loves: one is a demon and a snake; the other is human. Love beyond any obstacle, good versus evil and scary unknown lands, make this extraordinary Chinese animation film mesmerizing.  Not a dull moment in this epic masterpiece. The effects are enchanting, often  ferocious and always dazzling.

KINGDOM (Directed by Shinhuko Sato) *****

In 255 B.C. China was divided into seven kingdoms. One brother rules in Qin, a powerful kingdom, which he took illegally, having mutinied against his own brother, Pio who was a young boy and was left the kingdom. Pio goes in exile and ends up meeting Shin. Both are slaves to a mean farm owner, but both train to become the best generals on earth to fulfil their dreams. Pio is taken away by a soldier to join the army. This is not-stop adventure and fighting with revenge and rightful ownership of the throne. It is wildly entertaining with a great plot, fabulous character acting and wit. This massively epic film is an all-round thrill to watch. A must-see. 

THE GANGSTER, THE COP, THE DEVIL (Directed by Lee Won tae)

One of my favourite films ever!

Murder abounds in the city of Cheoman. Tae-suk, a no-nonsense policeman knows these brutal killings are the work of a serial killer. His force doesn’t buy it. The gangster, Dong-soo (marvellously played by Don Lee) is himself attacked, but he survives the stab wounds. He joins forces with Tae-suk, but both are extremely weary of the other. One wants revenge for the stabbing in any horrid way he can conjure; the other wants to find the killer and bring him to justice via the courts.  Full of intrigue and suspense, the two hunters for the killer called K are on the war path. 

This action-packed non-stop witty film is a plot pleaser that has all the twists and corrupt turns one expects in Korea these days. Dynamic in dialogue, character and crime, this film is a blockbuster classic. This was my Fantasia thriller favourite.  Interesting that Sylvester Stallone will be playing the part of Dong-soo; also interesting that Dong-soo did not make it in the United States, so he returned to South Korea where he made it big time.

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THE PURITY OF VENGEANCE (Directed by Christoffer Boe) *****

     A great plot based on one of the worst moments in Danish history the sterilization of women considered to be troubled, defective and then some. It happened in the early 20^th- century and ended by government decree in 1967. The plot puts two unlikely partners together, one Muslim – the other born in Denmark. The tall Muslim partner is about to be promoted and it would seem his partner does not care. Their names are Carl and Assad. When they encounter a gruesome scene of four skeletons, trapped behind a wall -- all seated at a table with jars holding some of their innards a huge can of worms are opened and the story opens on past events that slowly reveal the true story about how these skeletons got there. Based on the best-selling novel this film, the highest-grossing in Denmark’s history shows an ugly side to the Scandinavian state hailed as a modern-day utopia by most. It’s a skeleton that has come out of this country’s closet –so to speak.

SHOOTING THE MAFIA (Directed by Kim Longinotto) *****

SHOOTING THE MAFIA (Directed by Kim Longinotto) *****

This compelling documentary shines a great lens on the Scilian photojournalist, Letizia Battaglia. Once an actress,  she marches to her own drum. She is fierce, brave, honest and warm like the heat of Palermo where she lives. A gifted photographer, Italy’s first female to hold the lens up up, she tackles mafia crime, bringing murderous mafia members to justice. She left an oppressive marriage to begin her career in 1971 while raising three daughters, she found herself in a swarm of machismo powerful men, but never cowered, preserving her vibrant values to seek justice.

 It was very moving to have archival testimony from two of Palermo’s greatest brave judges, but one was gunned down: Giovanni Falcone; the other blown up: Paolo Borsellino.

She is really the first female to fight against brutality in he country, using her lens. Viva the individualists who put everything on the line for freedom and justice. Is it any wonder, her lovers were young men!

ASTRONAUT (Directed by Shelagh Mcleod) *****

The best film ever to grace Fantasia since its inception 23 years ago in its genre. It is so intelligent and sensitive.When an old retired geological engineer discovers there’s a contest on inviting people ages 20 to 60, to go to space in the first ever commercial launch, Angus is visually on board. His dream has been to go to space. He is obsessed with it in fact. 

This film is certainly about dreams, but it is also about transcending family problems and never giving up on anything. Richard Dryfuss was brilliant s Angus. I cried at the end. Touching, funny and oh so real, this is the film that pretty makes all other films in this festival look like films. Astronaut overcame any contrived look, pretensions and obstacles. and took us to the stars.

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