November 11, 2007
SLIFF DAY 3
Sorry this is just a recap. Yesterday was excruciatingly busy.
A change of pace was in order as I ventured off to other SLIFF venues besides the Tivoli.
Enough!
I began the day with this gorgeously shot Djamilla Sahraoui film about two women searching for a missing husband in Algeria during the turbulent 1990s. The music was great and the picturesque seascapes and landscapes framed the onscreen drama. Great performances from a solid cast and an intense plot made the movie pretty powerful. Enough! screens again next Thursday at 12:30pm at Plaza Frontenac.
Mahek
Mahek is Hindi for 'smell' which has a little to do with the symbolism of the lead character in this film.
Mahek is a twelve-year-old girl with gifted intelligence and energy. The problem is that she is also a dreamer with delusions of grandeur. Her dreams aren't simple--she dreams of big stuff like becoming prime minister, winning awards and saving lives.
Unfortunately she does it at the worst possible moments, often with cataclysmic results. This creates a seemingly endless series of adolescent John Hughes-esque escapades as Mahek ends up a runner-up.
What Mahek needs is a good swift kick in the arse to get her going. This is provided by a visiting fairy who leads Mahek towards an inward journey in search of her best attributes.
I hate to use the words 'family comedy' but this film reminded me me of a Hindi Afterschool Special. It was charming and funny and the characters were very basic, but after a few days of searing intense films it was a nice reprieve.
I wish more Indian films were in the fest but I understand the complications of getting current titles brought over that a large segment of that community has not already seen. Still, with this film in particular, I wish the word had gotten out to the Indian community because it would make a fine afternoon trip to the cinema. Mahek screens again on Tuesday, November 13th at 12:30pm at Frontenac.
Jujiro
After a break I went to the St. Louis Art Museum to see Jujiro (Crossways)
a brilliant 1928 silent film from Teinosuke Kinugasa.
I'll save the rabid semantics on Japanses silent film for anojther time but all I can say is this: kudos to SLIFF and SLAM for brinigng this amazing film to our city.
Jujiro (Crossways) tells the story of a Ronin who runs the table on lust, anger, blindness, madness and obsession in pursuit of a geisha. When everything goes to shit he turns to his older sister for protection, which subsequently forces her down a path of misery, rape and humiliation.
This triumph of the silent era relies on Kinusaga's moving camera techniques, hallucinogenic shots and his adept usage of expressionistic costuming, lighting, makeup and set design.
New Music Circle provided a wonderful accompaniment for the film.
This was really something special!
A few final bits...
A quick word about the Frontenac films...
First, the volunteer staff was top notch. Sometimes this venue gets a bad rap because it isn't as heavily staffded as the Tivoli. But I have to say the staff there bent over backwards to be outgoing, recommend films and be generally helpful.
Second, the attendance at both films was woeful when held up against the quality of the material. My point is this, more people should have taken a chance on these films and come out to see them.
The St. Louis Art Museum has really stepped up to make its auditorium a good place to see a film. It still could use a bigger screen, but they have done a nice job with programming films on-site.
We cinephiles are responsible for getting people we know out to see some films that they wouldn't normally see. So why not bring a family member, co-worker or member of your crew to see a movie?!