The Brisbane International Film Festival is now well underway and I’ve seen a mixed bag of films so far. A few early movies left me going “meh” but things have improved over the past 48 hours.
Crowd numbers seem to be strong (at least at the films I’ve attended). A screening of The Human Centipede 2 at 12:30am on Sunday morning was sold out – that says it all I think.
Not so impressive what was happened after the film. Here’s what happened according to the Facebook post – “POOH FOUND IN FOYER - is it yours? Yes that's right folks I just spoke to a very dismayed Jordan Bastian from Tribal Theatre in Brisbane who tells me that not only did 2 people faint at the screening of THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE 2 last night, but someone also did a huge POOH (read SHIT) in the foyer! Some poor staff member had to scoop it up this morning but apparently it was pretty damn disgusting and ...pretty damn huge! I guess it's kinda funny but it's also quite disgusting, I honestly feel for the poor girl who spent the morning scooping it up.”
Just when you’ve thought you seen everything, huh?
Don’t let that detract you from getting to BIFF over the remaining days. It runs until Sunday and tickets are still available for most sessions.
Here’s a look at what I’ve seen so far. I’m using a score out of 5 (as opposed to my normal gradings) because that’s how I was required to vote on the BIFF audience forms that you hand in at the end of each movie.
Tabloid
This documentary is about a former beauty queen who kidnapped her ex-boyfriend and used him as a sex slave for 3 days in 1977. The story made headlines around the globe for being so bizarre. The topic is interesting but I was hoping to hear events from a few more perspectives (e.g. such as the authorities). We only get a limited view and I’m none the wiser as to what really happened. Score: 3/5.
This Is Not A Film
The backstory to this film (if that’s what we call it) is more interesting than the film itself. Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi was banned from making movies for 20 years and placed under house arrest. With the help of a friend, he somehow made a documentary about his life cooped up at home and he smuggled it out of the country on a USB stick hidden inside a cake. It’s a sad story but listening to Panahi talk about his life and his previous works couldn’t hold my attention all the way through. Score: 3/5.
Higher Ground
Two friends of mine enjoyed this but I was disappointed by Vera Farmiga’s directorial debut. I didn’t know what the film wanted to say and it seems to go along at such a slow pace. Maybe it was just an allergic reaction to some of the religious themes. Score: 2/5.
A Dangerous Method
There’s been a lot of hype surrounding this film but I found David Cronenberg’s latest to be a tad disappointing. All three characters are trying to outsmart each other through the power of persuasive argument but parts went over my head. It also felt like we’d only seen part of the story. I’d have preferred to have seen the sequel – to discover why Carl Jung became such a brilliant psychiatrist. Score: 3/5.
Le Harve
Le Harve is a sweet French drama centring on a guy with a sick wife who befriends a young illegal immigrant and helps him flee the country. If you believe in the saying that “good things happen to good people” then you’ll enjoy this. A lovely drama. Score: 4/5.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Crime / spy thrillers are one of my favourite genres and Tinker Tailor Solider Spy is worth your money. It’s an anti-Hollywood movie. We don’t have some cool spy who finds all the clues with apparent ease. Instead, we have an old man who hardly says a word – waiting for others to open their mouths and reveal their secrets. The cast is terrific and so too is the 1950s décor. Score: 4/5.
The Human Centipede 2
I’ll be honest – this features the most shocking material that I’ve ever seen on the big screen. The film has no plot and I wouldn’t ever suggest that you go out and see it. That said, it was worth it just for the experience and the audience reactions were priceless. Score: 3/5.
Take Shelter
Take Shelter features a fantastic performance from Michael Shannon as a guy has these visions of an apocalyptic event. My problem with this film is that it didn’t end in a satisfying manner and there were a few plot developments that didn’t sit right with me. Score: 3/5.
Tyrannosaur
Tyrannosaur is easily the best film I’ve seen so far – a heartfelt drama about two very unlikely people who form an important connection. He’s a violent man who lives alone and is on a path of self-destruction. She’s a religious woman who is abused by her husband at home. I was blown away by this movie and the mesmerizing performances by both Peter Mullan and Olivia Colman deserve awards attention. Score: 5/5.
I’ve got 10 more films to see over the next 6 days and hopefully I’ll have a lot more good news to report in next week’s blog.