Day 4 – Vancouver International Film Festival

by matt

Despite all the rain, we’re having a great time in rainy Vancouver. Doing a lot of sketching, but I don’t have a scanner anywhere.

I’ve been to see three films so far:

London to Brighton – Harrowing, gritty British film-noir about two prostitutes running from the mob. The story was tightly crafted. Only 90 minutes, but not a dull second.

Redacted (dir: Brian de Palma) – This was excruciating to watch. It’s the only word I can think of. The story was excruciating – it’s a fictionalized account of the Iraqi girl who was raped and murdered with her family by American soldiers. The acting was excruciating. Someone commented that it felt like watching a high-school play – and I agree. I wouldn’t recommend this film to anyone – except those who thought the war in Iraq was a good idea. They’re the only people who deserve to sit through this.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (dir: Julian Schnabel) – Excellent French film about a man who has a stroke and must communicate with people by blinking one eye. Most of the film was shot in the first person – which sounds like a bad idea, but Schnabel pulls it off with grace. It’s an elegant and surprisingly very funny film. Highly recommended.