TIFF 07 Day 2 - Sept 7/07

Things to note: Ryerson Theatre is still freezing this year! I had a shirt, sweater, armwarmers and I still had to pull out a thin jacket 1/2 way into a film there. Also, I'd rather a little bit back from the front in the advance ticket holder line because then you can sit down for a bit in line. I also had a nice time catching up with the staff at the Cumberland, my old stomping grounds from 05 & 06. I'll be back to visit soon!

Film of the Days:

Glory to the Filmmaker!
Dir: Takeshi Kitano
Reason to see: I saw this director’s film Takeskis’ in 2005 and I have to say it was one of the oddest films I’ve ever seen. I can’t wait to see what he’s come up with this time.

Impression: This felt a lot more accessible than the Takeskis' and the first half of it I was often in stitches. It was very metafilm, and spanned expressions of many genres which was fascinating and often hilarious. I'm still very new to his style, but on the whole I enjoyed it.

No Q&A but the was a pre-recorded Q&A with the 'doll' that was brillant. A great festival moment.

Mother of Tears, The
Dir: Dario Argento
Reason to see: Third in the trilogy that opened with Suspiria, I couldn’t pass over the opportunity to see this one. Although not impressed with picture in the program book.

Impression: Ok, fair warning as this is a midnight madness film and I was a little hesitant after seeing the picture in the program book (see here). In general this film was a great horror movie and if you've liked Suspiria this is for you. There is excessive gore, EXCESSIVE. I had to look away a few time. There was also some random (or you could argue thematic) nudity and 1 thing I totally could have done without seeing in terms of violence and women. But, I knew that coming and I don't really think it would be a surprize to anyone so I can't hold it against the film. One of the things that was fantastic about the screening was the fans, I love going to Midnight Madness films specifically for the fans. They get really into the film and were really excited for the intro and the Q&A with director Dario Argento and cast members Asia Argento & Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni.

Highlights from the Q&A:


Dario Argento said that he didn't think that it would be a trilogy at first, and isn't entirely happy that it's complete as it was like a brother to him and now he is alone.

Asia Argento is Dario's daughter and was born during Suspira, she likened the Mother's of the previous films to being her grandmothers and aunts in her life.

Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni described working with Dario as quantum physical.

Voyage du ballon rouge, Le
Dir: Hou Hsiao-hsien (Three Times / Zui hao de shi guang)
Reason to see: Early promo print got me interested, then when I found out it was the director of Three Times, the green light was lit.
Pictured above: Juliette Binoche

Impressions: A wonderfully paced film that was really natural and flowing. The acting was phenominal I thought the story was interesting even though the process was described as mostly improv, and all shots where 10 minutes long with no rehearsal and no second takes. It was an amazing experience to watch it unfold, I never found myself trying to figure out what was going to happen or what was the meaning of this, but it was still completely engaging which is quite a feat. I did feel like I was missing something, and perhaps that would have been solved by seeing The Red Balloon first, although I would in no way say it would be required.

The film was introduced by Juliette Binoche and there was a Q&A after. I completely wasn't expecting that at all but when I arrived at the theatre and saw a bunch of people some heavy duty cameras, I had my suspicions. My favourite part of the Q&A was Juliette Binoche describing how she found that the process of making and saying that being able to as an actor to do what you feel like, trust you ownn being and not have someones approval at the end of the take. To see a very detail description of the Q&A check out TIFF Talks post here.

Ulzhan
Dir: Volker Schlöndorff
Reason to see: Looks like might be bizarre and magical


Pictured: Ayanat Ksenbai


Impressions: I quite enjoyed this calmly paced film about one man's elusive journey. To where, or why - do we need to know? That is the question. Do all questions need to be answered? Do all journey's need to be alone? We have some persistent travelling companions, such as Ulzhan herself. A compelling story with always a hint of the mystical this and fascinating landscape brings together this film.

Highlights with Q&A with lovely Ayanat Ksenbai include her description of Kazakhstan with many landscapes over it's diverse terrain including desert like areas to the mountains, as well as its two capital cities. She currently is studying in New York and considers film a hobby. I, myself, would love to see her in more films she had a calming and very expressive presense.

Highlight of the day: Dario Argento talking about what it was like working with a monkey on set, and doing little impressions of the monkey. How does such a sweet man make such crazy films?