Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2011: Piercing 1 & Trailblazers

Piercing 1
Dir: Liu Jian
Animated
China

Following a down on his luck young man who isn't able to make any ends meet and constantly gets mixed up in trouble that has nothing to do with him, Piercing 1 is an unique fit of content to format. I found it unusual to watch an animated film that for most intents and purposes is a drama, I'm not sure I've seen that before as I'm used to animation being used to demonstrate seeing the fantastical in some way shape or form but here we are centred in reality and following a dark drama with an edge into crime world. Although I found it a challenge to be with characters so down on their luck, or in the case of the criminals (and cops) very mean-spirited, but I loved the animation style. The visuals are very interesting, and I loved the repeating themes of the moon as well as the fun use of lights with things like neon signs & cell phones which provided great contrast to the stark situations. Very different, and a lot darker, than I expected but a very interesting watch.

Piercing 1 plays on Saturday November 12, 2011 at 10:30 PM at The Royal in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Buy Tickets here.

Trailblazers Shorts Presentation

Enthusiastic set of shorts featuring earnest and often funny stories in the lives of lively seniors. let's take a look at a selection from the presentation that screened on Wednesday Nov 9, 2011 at Innis.

Totte Mitsu, Let's Go to Russia
Dir: Brian Lye
Canada, 8 minutes

Very quirky DIY fun-spirited 2 shorts centred on ladies who try and steal cameras from each other. It took me a while to find the rhythm of these but knowing that they are 'spontaeous' films really helps as they have a great free-spirited energy that are a really fun once you realize that you, like the films subjects, are along for the ride.

Granny's Rock / Babah No Rock
Dir: Satoru Yasuda
Japan, 21 minutes

A portrait of artist Miya Yumemi whose know around Tokyo as much for her fantastic free-flowing and line heavy portraits as much as her crazy, often intoxicated, behaviour. Fascinating look at the artist, her work, and the impressions she's made throughout the years in her work and with her lifestyle. I loved the earnestness of this documentary as how it didn't shy away from either her zaniness, or her talent.

A Drummer's Passion
Dir: Mingu Kim
Canada, 12 minutes

Fantastic portrait of 70-year old South Korean drummer Kwon Soon Keun who 50 year (and growing) career has influenced, entertained and delighted people with his enthusiastic & eccentric style. I loved his openness and dedication to his craft and the continue, ongoing desire to keep drumming. Loved it.

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2011 runs from November 5 - 13, 2011 in Toronto and November 18-19, 2011 in Richmond Hill in Ontario, Canada.