Spring has arrived. The Film Festival is in full bloom.
Like all festivals, I saw some worthwhile, some just okay.
Issabelle Huppert stars or should I say commands the screen in Copacabana, a French film (but not too French) that was just plain fun. It is about a very well-acted dysfunctional mother and her relationship with her daughter. The storyline, mother can never keep a job gets a new one where she is very good. But when she befriends a homeless couple, her values compete with her job sensibility and she makes a tough decision. Each scene was filled with humor and an interesting story. 3 1/2 stars out of 4.
Showing this Sat 11:30am Sun 5:30pm
The Colors of the Mountains is a heart-wrenching story that is a juxtaposition of children playing soccer, children drawing and painting and guerrillas kidnapping citizens. Remember when I said that intelligent interesting people can view the same movie quite differently? My counterpoint Jewel liked this movie but I was decidedly mixed. Part of the reason is there is no explanation of why the guerrillas torment the town. Without that context, the movie leaves me puzzled as to the whole purpose. 2 stars.
Saturday 7:10, Monday 8:15
Here Comes Lola is about a 12 year old German girl who moves to a new town and tries to find a best friend. This family-oriented movie could have been made by Disney except that the Germans are much more explicit (the “N” word is used against her Brazilian father). Nevertheless, Disney could take some lessons on film making as the characters are more realistic and interesting. Rating: Adult: 2 1/2 stars. Kid: 3 1/2 stars.
This Saturday 1:25 PM
Films I am seeing today:
Piano in the Factory – Chinese family drama about getting a girl a piano.
Undertow – Peruvian film about the loss to one member of a gay couple. This was nominated for best Foreign language film
Heard on the Street from other Festival goers
My Kidnapper – Documentary about hostages returning to Columbia after their release. The director and one of the hostages was in person here at the festival.
Human Resources Manager – Israeli film by a director who has made some great movies in the past (The Lemon Tree).
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