Trailer for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Probably the best film I’ve seen this year. My short review here.

Went for a hike in Vermont yesterday with Aisling, Rob, and Colleen. Here’s a short clip from the car trip… and a few photos here.

Just noticed this over at the Frames Per Second blog.

Nyocker! (The District) is a crazy/fun (not safe for kids) Hungarian animation that came out a couple years ago on the festival circuit. I reviewed the film for Frames Per Second magazine way back in 2005. Earlier this year it was picked up for distribution by a Montreal company – and, again thanks to the good people at FPS – I did the package design for the DVD (due out later this year). Anyway, the print is in theatres now (maybe with my poster?).

And so ends my first sordid affair with a Hungarian animated film.

‘The only real divide in this world is between the idiots and non-idiots.’
- Marjane Satrapi

I went to see Persepolis the other night at the Vancouver film festival. Sold out. Long lines. But we managed to get in with our guest passes.

It was exactly what I hoped it would be – a faithful translation of the graphic novels, with beautiful textures; funny, sweet, moving. The scenes with Satrapi as a child (above) are outrageously cute.

As an experience, I think the the graphic novels are probably richer and more nuanced, but this film will bring Satrapi’s story to many more people than the comics would have – which I think is important – considering the dearth of women’s (not to mention Persian women’s) voices in film these days.

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.

Sweet. A new Birthday Girl movie poster.

Erin just made this trailer for her short film, Birthday Girl – which I helped her write last year. I love it.

The music is a number by Vanessa Russell (who plays cello in the film), Eric Fares (Sam Roberts Band), and Jason Thomas (manager for The Dears) and that’s me hitting a couple guitar notes at the end.

(Unrelated to comics or illustration – I’m just a big Terry Gross fan)

It looks like NPR is rebroadcasting Terry Gross’ legendary 2002 interview with KISS, band-leader, Gene Simmons. Simmons’ insecure antics in the interview became stuff of public radio legend and it’s only been available as a transcript until now.

From Wikipedia:

A February 4, 2002, interview with rock star Gene Simmons, who at one point said, “If you want to welcome me with open arms, I’m afraid you’re also going to have to welcome me with open legs,” to which Gross replied, “That’s a really obnoxious thing to say.” This occurred after Gross made two factual mistakes (involving his given last name & the use of fishnet stockings) which Simmons commented on by saying “Better research needed. Fire your research person.” Unlike most Fresh Air guests, Simmons refused to grant permission for the interview to be made available online.