There are so many wonderful films being offered this year by the New York Film Festival, that rather than write an individual, long and too wordy review for each, I will list the films which I enjoyed and cherished and you can decide which one(s) to see when and where. (I was unable to see all films offered during the festival)
A particular note of praise:
This year the New York Film Festival seems to feature more films where the leading actor is a woman. And more women film directors than ever before. Woman are wonderful filmmakers, so why not let us be seen, be heard.
Thank you for allowing the best of our gender to come into prominence.
Mother
Bong Joon-Ho and Kim Hye-Ja and Won Bin South Korea
A mother and grown son bring home the meaning of who is a "murderer". Is it a special kind of person or is this a human trait with which we learn to live, hopefully, not always with a super abundance. of crippling guilt.
Lebanon: Samuel Maoz
Again the massacre in Lebanon by the Israeli Army. It you thought Waltz with Bashir was a compelling film, this film offers the voice of the stereotypical Jewish man within the confining Tank that protects them while they witness and partake in the murder of helpless civilians. Here guilt informs heavily on the film's narrative.
Antichrist: Lars von Trier
I am not religious which means that the meaning of the film, the intent that informed on the blood, the horror of how a man and woman relate to one another to emerge with the man triumphant was an experience I would not choose to have a second time. Was this a worth while film? I don't know.
Film already scheduled for public consumption. Check IFC listings
Life During Wartime: Todd Sokondz
I loved Todd Sokondz' film "Happiness" and I think this film is as good even though much of the impact of its theme is a redo.
The specific details differ from one film to the other, the father /son quasi sexual relationship so shocking in Happiness is brought back to life and the over all feeling of the son(s) remain intact ......I just want my father.
There is something beyond the labels we put on adults that resonates with children, our children: something so profoundly simply that in the confusion of becoming, we forget what is important.
Thankfully, our children don't
The Art of the Steal Don Argott's documentary
Takes a look at the controversial dealings over the Barnes Foundation's multi-billion dollar collection of rare artwork, which became the center of numerous litigations and questionable deals after his death in 1951.
A film worth seeing even though it seems to go on and on. What is missing is the human element, the view from the public who might now be robbed of the entire experience of "going to the Barnes", particularly if you herald from New York City.
What is offered instead is an overwhelming experience of ART as each frame has an artistic assemblage much as each of Dr. Barnes' works are put into a context that "makes sense" to the art viewer. Phillip Glass music added to this art/film experience of political, money hungry, art lovers struggle to survive intact.
White Material: Claire Denis
There is something magical with Claire Denis films. ... Chocolat / Chocolate (1988) was superb and this film is well worth seeing. The struggle of being a strong, independent woman is so tangibly depicted. One wonders if this is her personal struggle to survive and rise into fame and fortune as a woman film producer in a male dominated competitive endeavor.
Kanikosen a film by SABU
Japanese crab ship where the essence of revolution comes to the screen.
This film is at the top of my list.
It brings to life an underwater world where life is very intense and human interactions are funny, painful and profound.
Min Ye: Souleymane Casse, Mali/France
I don't have to understand every film to appreciate the effort, the experience of entering into an unfamiliar world where nothing makes sense to me. The questions that plagued me in this sand, stone world, the background of the film are such elementary concerns as
Where did their food come from, where did they sleep, defecate. Where was the water to drink with which to bath. The sound of the wind blowing was very effective and the clothes....now I understand the importance of the Hijab, or Veil (Burqah, Chador), to protect not from the sun as much as from the endless blowing sand. Sand hills and dales, sand slopes and tunnels. Sand without seeming definition but the actors knew where to go, what hill was where, what valley was within their reach.
The plot: the origins of Egyptian national identity. If I knew more about Egypt before I saw the film I would have had a different, a richer experience.
Many more films of note were offered at the New York Film Festival this year. they are all offered within a three week period and by the end of the festival fatigue triumphed.
Spread over time, the wealth of entertainment will keep New Yorkers rich with noteworthy films when they come to local theaters
The NY Film Festival 2009 runs through 10/11. More information about the NY Film Festival is online at: FilmLinc.com
Linda Zises
WBAI Women's Collective
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