2005viff

It's all about the Ridge...

In another bit of VIFF news, the awesome repetory house known as The Ridge, the original home of VIFF, have unleashed their new program guide for next month. In it, they have a section for VIFF (where their programming would normally go) and 15 films are listed as potentials for VIFF. They would be none other than: (Note: *Asterik* marks titles confirmed from the last press release)

1. Anu (India, 102 min.)
2. The Bridesmaid (France, 100m.)
3. Changing Times (France, 98m.)
4. Dalecarlians (Sweden, 98m.)
5. Dog Nail Clipper (Finland, 104m.)
6. The District* (Hungary, 95m.)
7. Hostage (Greece, 105m.)
8. Kekexill: Mountain Patrol (China, 95m.)
9. Midwinter's Night Dream* (Serbia/ Montenegro, 95m.) (Note: The press release has this title listed as "Midwinter's Night Tale" but The Ridge's program has it listed as "Dream" instead of "Tale". The program is correct.)
10. The Middle of Candeal (Spain, 124m.)
11. Skritek* (Czech Republic, 87m.)
12. The City of the Sun* (Czech Republic, 95m.)
13. Days & Hours* (Bosnia, 96m.)
14. Memories in the Mist (India, 120m.)
15. The Porcelain Doll (Hungary, 75m.)

Is it just me, but are there a lot of 95 minute movies listed or what? That said, every year we do get a 4-to-6 hour epic (VIFF '04 being The Door to the Sun, '03 bringing us The Best of Youth) and I'm going to try to actually sit down and watch it this year. Mention is also made in the program in regards to scheduling similar-themed product during their evening shows:
"The VIFF, taking into consideration that The Ridge is a fair distance from the downtown festival core, has decided to make it easier for filmgoers this year by "pairing" two evening films that might appeal to VIFF patrons. For example, the VIFF may play two Indian films in a night, or two Hungarian films, or they may pair two thematically linked works. The idea is to make it easier on people who want a certain kind of cinema - no more racing away from the Ridge at 9:15pm to catch that OTHER animated film screening at 9:30pm at the Granville 7. That is the theory, at least."

For VIFF '04 and '03, I have only made one trip a year to the cinema which is a fair distance from the rest of the venues (to get there, the 16 Arbutus bus stops right infront of its door) but at least they are trying to make things a bit easier on folks.

In non-fest news, I just secured a ticket to the wicked-cool indie band The New Pornographers performing at the Commodore on September 23rd, the very same day that I am touching down in Vancouver to start covering VIFF. Their awesome new disc "Twin Cinema" is out in stores this week, and I couldn't recommend it higher for the best hummable, head-bobbin' rock out right now (don't believe me? Check out Pitchfork Media's 9.0 review of the disc)...well, it's tied with the new Broken Social Scene disc that just leaked online. :)

Jason
efilmcritic.com

posted by Jason Whyte @ 8:28 PM