Movie highlights

I didn’t get to see many films during the festival as I was working too much, but of the films I did see, I made some pretty good choices. Here are my thoughts, in case these films come to a festival/cinema near you.

Shut Up & Sing



The filmmakers had access to the Dixie Chicks for the three years following their famous fall from grace. In 2003 the lead singer said, on a stage in Hammersmith, that they were ashamed the President of the United States was from Texas. Of course the British crowd cheered, but the backlash in the US was phenomenal – with the burning of CDs, banning of the Dixie Chicks on the radio, plummeting record sales, refusals to book the band, etc. The film gives a great insight into the band’s decisions, and their dynamic as they deal with this blow to their career. It's fascinating to watch it with a retrospective knowledge of how the Iraq war and Bush's relative status unfolded. Plus it’s full of great Dixie Chicks songs! I was to be found in the festival office most days with the Dixie Chicks blasting out of my mac’s iTunes.


Shotgun Stories



A stunningly shot film about family revenge, with great characters, a slow-burning storyline and a town so well-evoked it almost feels like a character in the film. American director Jeff Nichols visited the festival for this, his first feature, and was intelligent and charming for his on-stage Q&A – I’m sure he’ll be doing the festival rounds with this fantastic film. See it if you get chance.


Once



A feelgood Irish story which won the audience award at Sundance and it’s easy to see why. With the fronstman of The Frames in the lead, playing a busker, the music in the film is excellent – I could listen to him sing all day, with his raw, powerful voice. Plus, his young Czech co-star is equally captivating and their faltering duets are sweet. Despite my colleague falling asleep beside me during the film I got swept away with the emotions of the story and really enjoyed the ending too.


Day Watch



Mad Russian sci-fi thriller, with a pretty incomprehensible storyline but some bloody great car chases and special effects sequences. I loved this film so much I saw it twice. It made little more sense the second time around but it’s a romp, well worth it.


Eye in the Sky



A stylish Hong Kong thriller which starts well and has some great characters, but which unfortunately turns to twee Americanism towards the end and lost my empathy.


Mala Noche



Absolutely beautiful black and white first feature from the brilliant Gus van Sant. The print we screened was 35mm blown up from his original 16mm film, and was simply stunning to watch – the light and mis-en-scene breathtaking. Oh and of course plenty of eye candy for the sold out house of girls and gay guys!


Hallam Foe



Jamie Bell stars in this delightfully dark fucked-up family movie with voyeuristic tendencies. Mad but great.

Most of these were interrupted by phone calls at least once, as I had to have my phone on silent and be on call! I’m looking forward to watching some films in Melbourne uninterrupted.

Other joy in my life at the moment: Tax Return. Crikey – you’re lucky in the UK it’s all done for you! The instruction booklet alone is 136 pages. Oh well, at least it will keep me busy in this infernal cold.

cx