BFI Film Festival - 11 Minutes

At first, I thought this was a thriller. It does have that aspect to it, thanks to the amazing score but overall, this is about impending destruction that can occur from just a few small actions. 11 Minutes, directed by Jerzy Skolimowski, feel like it was going to be a different film but turned into something else. In the Q & A Skolimowski actually mentioned that there were over 80 edits and that he had to write out each storyline separately and the begin to cut into them. There are several characters that interact with each other, even more a brief moment. There are even characters you only see once or twice and there is even a POV for a dog.

 The film starts with short introductions to a few of the characters through filming on a phone, CCTV, laptop camera, skype and an interview camera. This was described by Skolimowski as the prologue to the main feature which was shot beautifully.

We see the various characters and their 11 minutes, but not in a straight forward one by one, the stories interlock, playing with the time line, this is made even more obvious by a shot of water strickling down a building in reverse. Not all the characters experiences are dramatic but their background is and vice versa.

A newly married couple act as the opening and closing sequences, which bring the film full circle and could even possible lay blame to just one person for the, for me anyway, unexpected dramatic closing scene. The newly married couple are filming themselves on their wedding day or day after and their happy. The wife is a model and actress and goes to meet a classic sleazy American producer at a hotel. The husband wakes up in a sweat, he panics as he remembers he put sleeping pills in their drinks and runs over to the hotel to warn her. He also seems worried about the meeting too as he stalks the hotel floor trying to get into the room. Another story is a couple have broken up and the girl gets the dog. A hot dog seller speaks to a group of nuns, giving away his last hot dog before being spat at by a teenager who ensues he was released from prison recently. A group of paramedics go to the aid of a women in labour in cramped buliding where a neighbour has blocked the stairs with a wardrobe. A old man painting the bridge witnesses a stunt shot for a film. A young man tries to rob a pawn shop only to find that the owner has hung himself.

 Throughout the film, several of the characters notice or point out something dark in the sky. A man watching the CCTV traffic footage rubs his screen but a colleague says its a dead pixel, but this is hint there is something more sinister going on. Coupled with a low flying  plane, gives the impression of unease. Skolimowski, said that this was a cancer, a disruption waiting to happen. This impending doom becomes something we are gradually aware is happening or going to happen, in 11 minutes. The end sequence is slowed down for the maximum dramatic effect taking about 2 or 3 minutes to happen when in real time took seconds. I have to say, again, I wasn't expecting the end, at all. I thought it was something else entirely.

A brilliant film overall, a few niggles from me here and there but I won't say anymore as I hope people will see it if it gets released wherever you are.

BFI Film Festival - High-Rise

 High-Rise was definitely one of the main films that I wanted to see. Having read about the original book by J.G. Ballard, author of Crash and Empire of the Son, I was really intrigued to hear that, just a few weeks after me discovering the story, it was going to be made into a film. And here we are. Ben Wheatly, British director said in the Q&A that when he came across the book that he surprised that this wasn't a film already. The story was in good hands.

High-Rise is about the residents of a luxury high rise building, equipt with everything you would need, a school, a supermarket, gym, pool and inside your own flat, all the new technology that's on offer. The building is set apart from the city and society, as the building towers over a gigantic car park where people forget where they have actually left their car. The film is set in 1975, which is when the book was original released so it gives a sense that this film is what the future was thought to be like back then.

As the building starts to loose power, arguemnts break out between the residents on the higher flaws and those on the lowers floors. Chaos and violence ensue. People are murdered, homes are looted, people are bargained with and everyone seems to involved in some sort of orgy. All this happens and almost no one from the 'outside' world interupts. A policeman does drop by, comments on the mess in the lobby (its covered in blood and rubbish) then seems to disappear.

 The film's protagonist is Dr Laing, played superbly by Tom Hiddleston, who is also a BFI Ambassador now, and he is the one that leads us into the building and allows us to be introduced to every aspect of the residents, the building and how it works, he also meets the architect who lives in the gigantic penthouse complete with lavish terrace. He is referred to as the neutral zone and as he wears a grey suit throughout and at one point looses it and paints his flat grey, he does indeed represent a neutral view of high-rise life.

The film is brilliant on every level. Balance between bloody violence and black comedy are perfectly executed. You don't feel connected to any of the characters in the story, apart from Laing, as he is our 'guide', and it doesn't matter, you don't think beyond what the characters are planning or doing, it is actual chaos and continues in that way. In a way, there is no resolution or end, just an indication that life continues.

I did laugh out loud quite frequently and shudder at a few moments too. I enjoyed every bit of it and I am proud that this is a very British film with a very British cast (except Mad Men alumni, Elizabeth Moss). For me, I don't think this film would have worked in another country, mostly to do with the characters that appear, but also, the director. He is known for violent films and latest violence and comedy. I have to admit I have had no desire to see his other films, but High-Rise has made me see the light.

BFI Film Festival - Don't Grow Up

First day, second screening and it was at one of my favourite cinemas in London, The Ritzy in Brixton. It's actually quite easy to get to and from this place and I don't visit it enough so I was excited to see that a few of my film choices were at The Rizty.

The permeance for 'Don't Grow Up' is what got my attention. Part of the 'Cult' section of the programme in the festival, it is about a group of teenagers who live on a island of the coast of England. Everything changes when they wonder into town to find that all the adults have gone crazy and even started killing children. From what I understood, it was going to be a horror/drama/coming of age story. Its really about what it means to be an adult. Plus lots of violence and emotions running high.

 The BFI programme sums it up better than I could. "On an unnamed island, a group of teenage delinquents, in foster care/carehome wake up to find their youth facility eerily abandoned. Making the most of their unprecedented freedom, the kids drink and party, before venturing outside to a local store. Discovering the rest of the town similarly deserted, they suddenly find themselves under siege by a group of crazed adults, one of whom being their absent supervisor. Fleeing for their safety, it becomes clear that a mysterious epidemic has transformed all the grown-ups on the island into deranged killers and now the group must find a way to escape with their lives."

Directed by French director, Thierry Poiraud and co-written with French screenwriter Marie Garel, the film was shot in the Canary Islands and had an almost unknown cast of young British actors and one Spanish actor. It's a strange mix that didn't quite gell together. The fact that the location is unnamed had me trying to desparately guess where the hell the place was. The terrain changed so much. In the Q&A someone asked why Poiraud had set the story in England. He pointed out that he had always pictured the story in England. In France there aren't any islands like this, they don't places like in the film. I think he wanted it to have that British feel to it. With all the actors, it did feel that way, but there are parts in the film where the terrain looks like Spain. Unfortunately. I wondered why he didn't film somewhere in England, we do have plenty islands to pick from.

The film, overall was good but the fact that the script was originally in French did show. I wasn't sure if it was the actors or the script but what was consistently pleasing to look at were the shots, there were some particular beautiful views on this 'island' and there were also some tender scenes that were filmed really well. Another element abou the film that I enjoyed was that the cast were unknown (apart from a Welsh actor who seems to pop up in everything). This was refreshing, as it isn't usually the whole cast who is unknown or relatively unknown. The characters all had their part to play, a bit like a predictable horror version of the Breakfast Club with teenagers in care. The theme of the film, growing up and what does it mean to be an adult is questioned but not always answered.  This is no spoiler with these types of genre films, but when the last two survivors of the group are left, the film looses traction, it takes a break, a much needed break from the chaos and reflects on the addult theme. In the Q&A someone asked about the violence as, yes there are actual children running around with guns, scared of the grown ups murdering everyone, but the director and the actors answered very casually about this. I also wasn't deterred by the violence, apart from one scene that was very bloody, violence is a part of growing up for some people and I think that was coming across. Survival instincts kick in. The tender moments aswell were needed to balance things out but the last few frames made me sigh as I was hoping the story wouldn't go the normal way, self sacrifice.

I saw this film with my friend, which I'm so glad I did. When we were discussing the film and the slightly odd Q & A afterwards, we had the same reaction. It reminded me of a film I saw last years at the festival that didn't get a UK release or at least I never saw it. That film was good but there was something that wasn't quite finished about it. I had the same feeling with 'Don't Grow Up', it didn't feel polished. It felt like the start of something that could be bigger. In fact Poiraud, mentioned in the Q&A after being asking about a sequel, he laughed and said no but he and Garel are working on a possible TV series. That, seemed to make more sense. But I had hoped he would rewind the clock and use the same characters because I think more time to develop, they would work in serial.

I suppose for now, we watch this space for a TV series.

BFI Film Festival - Bang Gang

 First film if this years' festival and just like the title, it started with a bang. Eva Husson's debut feature film, which, as she mentioned that she started writing in London at Faber & Faber workshop, is about a group of teens living in Biarritz who have parties, known as 'Bang Gang' parties where they endulge in sex, drugs, drink and enjoy their freedom to do so.

The film focuses on four teenagers, their points of view and voiceovers are what drive the film. Alex, the host of said parties who has been left in a large 'country house' alone while his mother is away for 9 months. George, the pretty blonde girl who technically instigates the 'bang gang' with a game. She has sex with guys, takes drugs without thinking but really is 'misunderstood' and just wants to find 'someone'. I may be bias in my opinion of George, but we'll get that later. Laetitia, who lives with her over protective father and just wants to experience being a teenager. Then there's Gabriel, the quiet music maker who is on the outside and seems content that way.

Each of the characters go through a change, sometimes its not for the best. The Bang Gang parties themeselves were quite graphic, naked people wandering around everywhere but this element of the film was not there to shock, but for context in how the characters react to each other. The start of the film felt like the story was going in a completely different direction, for all the characters but then it all seemed to fall into the comfort zone set up. The pretty blonde gets her happy ending with the quiet loner who liked her from afar. The arsehole changes his ways after a realisation that is just too late. The brunette who is reminded constantly through the film that she is just not as pretty as her blonde friend. She had a little more to her that wasn't always explored. But saying all this, the film, the story, was pretty damn good.

Eva Husson is a brilliant storyteller (despite my qualms of the stereotypical tropes, but this may be in the casting), everything flowed and was beautifully pictured. Even the mess of the parties was elegant and effortless. The shots of the sky in between intense and mundane moments left like a switch over of the characters or a shift in their feelings. In the Q & A, Husson mentioned that she went over the dialogue with the actors to makes sure it was the type of 'up to date' language that teens used and it showed. There have been too many films with mainly teens that just don't sound right. Another aspect that was surprising to think back on when watching the film, was that many of the actors were not actors. Everything about this film was natural, including the downfall of everyone involved in the parties.

The film has been noticed, in the right way, at quite a few festivals and I'm pleased for several reasons. First and most importantly, the film is written AND directed by a woman, it was obvious that I would mention this. Secondly, its always encouraging to see foreign films having wide coverage, thirdly because if the subject and the content.

A great start to the festival and I can't wait for the next screening and to see what Eva Husson does next.

Thursday Movie Picks: Villainous Children

I though I wasn't going to get my picks in on time as I couldn't think of films that fit this theme, only characters that were villainous. But at the last minute 3 came to mind. Don't forget to check out what Wandering Through the Shelves picked, the blog that started Thursday Movie Picks.

1. Pretty Persuasion

 Ok, so she's a teenager, technically still a child. Kimberly (Evan Rachel Wood) is privileged Beverley Hills bitch. She manipulates her 'friends' into lying about a male teacher sexually harassing them in the most convoluted plot of revenge and its not even against the teacher. There are no winners in this, not even Kimberley.

2. The Good Son

I saw this years ago so my memory of this film is not tip top but I do recall Macaulay Culkin being evil, a miniature psychopath. When Mark (a very young Elijah Wood) goes to live with his extended family after a tragedy, he starts to suspect then witness his counsin Henry's behaviour and soon his aunt does too. It comes to light that Henry (MC) is evil and that he drowned his younger brother and attempts to kill his sister and his mum. It all climaxes on a cliff edge, you know the drill.

3. We Need to Talk About Kevin

This has got to be the ultimate evil child, showing signs of being an evil villain right from the start. Even though the story is about the mother/son relationship, she blames herself for things he did but throughout his whole life he was awful, never really a moment of happiness, at least not shown in the film (should note, not read the book). It's all Kevin, he really is the epitone of 'someone people are just born bad'.

Thursday Movie Picks: Halloween Edition: Alfred Hitchcock Movies

It's the start of Halloween month and as I don't watch much, actually, practically no horror films, I might not be able to do many of the picks this month, but Hitchcock I know and love. Rear Window and Lifeboat are two of my favourites but I wanted to talk/write about three I don't gush about. In fact, the first film is in my top 5. I'm sure all three will appear in other lists though. I was going to pick Marnie, but that is one oddball film, thats including the stranger trailer for it.

1. Shadow of a Doubt

 

If you've seen Stoker, which was loosely based and inspired by Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt, you can get a idea about this film. This story is about what is implied and unlike the uncle-niece revelations in Stoker, the neice has better morals. Uncle Charlie is a suspect in a serial killer case - this is not a spolier - and he's very fond of and close to neice Charlotte, she was named after him. He comes to visit and his lies start to unravel but only Charlotte can see whats happening. Queue lots of suspense and intrigue. I think it is one of Hitchcocks better films and also less seen.

2. Rebecca

I'm forever saying; 'I shall never go back to Manderley again' around the house. Don't know why. I just love this film and I like saying it. One of Hitchcock's best (this is in my top 5 Hitchcock films) films. The source material from Daphne Du Maurier is just perfect for Hitchcock's style. This was also an Oscar winner and rightly so. Mysteries surrounding the death of the first Mrs de Winter, which looms over the happiness for the second Mrs and Mr de Winter, as well as the creepy house and even more disturbing housekeeper, Mrs Danvers who was and is obsessed with the first wife. I really do relish films or stories that feature or are named after a character that the audience or reader never meets and Rebecca is a staple for that, as Rebecca was the first Mrs de Winter.

3. Suspicion

I read about this Hitchcock film first and it was the description of the infamous scene of Cary Grant's Johnnie walking up the stairs with the very while glass of milk for his wife, Lina (Joan Fontaine) who is sick in bed. It is at this point where both Lina and the audience decide whether or not he is evil and is about to poison her. Throughout the film, flukes and coincidences happen far too often, especially as they are usually tragic. The film keeps you on the edge of your seat and the quick cut end will annoy me, as it did at the end of North by Northwest. I rather hoped the film would end with the scene on the stairs, far creepier and it leaves you to decide what happened.


 Don't forget to check out what Wandering Through the Shelves picked, the blog that started Thursday Movie Picks.