SIFF. Also known as the Seattle International Film Festival.
I came to this a few times back in high school with some friends, and I saw some brilliant movies, such as 12 and Holding and Bickford Schmekler's Cool Ideas. I love SIFF, but being the cheapskate that I am when it comes to movies, I haven't gone these last two years.
This year though, things are different. I already forked over 6 bucks to see a movie earlier in the week. But more importantly, I have a press pass from work for memorial weekend. This means I cover two screenings and have unlimited access to whatever other films I can fit into my schedule.
If you know me at all, you know I couldn't be happier :)
So here they are, my SIFF movies of 2010. Good, bad, funny, foreign... I've got it all.
Fais-moi Plaisir! (PLEASE, PLEASE ME!)This french comedy is staring, written and directed by Emmanuel Mouret. When Jean-Jaques admit to his girlfriend that he was kissed by another woman, she decides the only way to keep him from fantasizing about her is to sleep with her. What starts off as a simple date turns into a night of crazy happenings filled with awkward misunderstandings and hilarious semi-sexual encounters. Overall, this movie is sweet and well directed, with that fun, offbeat feel that most American film watchers are unfamiliar with.
THE TROTSKYJay Baruchel is my heart and soul, so when I saw he was staring in this movie, I set off to see it, no questions asked. Typically when I enter a movie with high hopes, I leave at least a little let down. This was not one of those times. Jay was funny and quirky as ever as Leon, a high school senior convinced he is the reincarnate of Leon Trotsky. This film is entertaining and even inspirational. Leon is nothing if not confident in who he is and unabashed at sharing himself with the world. If you enjoy Jay Baruchel, Canadian comedies, revolutions, and insulting people by calling them fascists, you will love this movie. Trust me.
LE REFUGEAfter her boyfriend Louis overdoses on heroin, Mousse realizes she is pregnant. Faced with the struggle of being a single mother, Mousse allows Louis' brother to live with her in a small house by the beach. This movies sounds as though it would be charming and possibly heartwarming or sad, but the poor acting and less than entertaining screenplay leave you bored and unemotionally tied to the characters. I do NOT recommend this film, even if you are in the mood for a foreign film. This may be in another language but despite the added charm of subtitles, it is lacking all the typical charm of unique cinematography and story progression that french movies are appealing for.
WINTER'S BONERee Dolly is a on a mission to find out what happened to her missing father when the law threatens to take away her home after he jumped bail. Ree's journey is fascinating and provoking, bringing the audience to a world in America that in most cases, we never get to experience. This film is brilliantly directed by Debra Granik, bringing the feel of life in the Ozark Mountains alive on the screen.
THE TOPP TWINS: UNTOUCHABLE GIRLSJools and Linda Topp - Twin lesbian yodelers and comedians. Do I really need to say more? This movie documents the rise of their success and the struggles of their lives. Overall it is good fun, just like the Topp Twins. An added bonus for me seeing it at SIFF? Jools and Linda presented the movie themselves and even yodeled for the audience!
SplicePromoted as a horror film, this movie is less horror and more horrible. I expected this little creature to run around tormenting mankind until an ultimate battle results in the death of some expendable side characters and the victory of the two leads. What I got instead was a disgusting film about the morals and consequences of genetic mutation and cloning. I wish I could unsee the things I saw in this movie. I literally wanted to wash my mind and eyes after seeing it. It was shocking, yes, but not in an adrenaline-boosting or mind boggling way. Just in a, as the audience's shouts put it, "what the f#$&! No," way. The directing and acting in this film where decent, but nothing brilliant enough to overcome the screenplay itself.
Vaarat Juuret (Twisted Roots)A story about a father suffering from Huntington's disease and what this means for his family and children. This movie was particularly sad at times for me, seeing as how my grandmother has Alzheimers, and some of what you see in this movie I see when I visit her. But overall, this movie managed to be touching without just being a sob story as many film about family members with terminal illnesses tend to be. The story itself was slightly haphazard. Some elements didn't quite come together and it seems were thrown in for additional feelings of confusion and hopelessness for the family members. I wouldn't say run out and scan the foreign film shelves for this movie, but if you happen across it and feel like NOT being uplifted by a film, then go for it. Bonus for people who love Meryl Streep - there is an actress in this that looks weirdly similar to her in this.
Note: I did not take, nor do I own the rights to any of the pictures in this post :)
