[Reellife] The 32nd Annual Vancouver International Film Festival starts Thursday!

[dave olsen]

This year's VIFF has the usual huge number of fantastic films from around the 
planet, but you'll need to rethink your route to be able to find them since most 
are playing in different theatres than in the past.

The Vancity Theatre and Cinematheque are still on the menu downtown and will be 
busy showcasing films aplenty.

The new venues are:

  * The Centre in Vancouver for the Performing Arts (1800 seats and a HUGE screen),
  * Vancouver Playhouse (with all the latest technology)
  * Cineplex Odeon International Village (aka Tinseltown)
  * SFU's Goldcorp Centre for the Arts (or SFU Woodwards: 149 West Hastings
    Street, between Cambie & Abbott)
  * Rio Theatre (just west of the Drive on Broadway)

So get out your bike maps and start redesigning your Film Fest!

And to get you started on the film side, here's a few reviews to whet your 
celluloid appetite:


H & G <http://www.viff.org/festival/films/f8689-h-g>

I didn't know what to expect with that brand-like title but I certainly was 
pleasantly surprised.  And it's a World Premiere and you may see the Hansel and 
Gretel allusion.

This time though, H is for Harley, a 6 year old boy, and G for Gemma is his 8 
year old sister.  Their mother is another example of a parent lost in the 
civilized world and the film does well to show the love the children have for her.

Through various twists and turns, the children end up lost and found by a farmer 
who doesn't seem altogether there.  His brother shows that it's a family trait 
but I loved how the film shows the deeper instinct in humans to act in good 
faith, especially when it comes to children.

Of course, the perils of civilization are not to be held off and the hard won 
stability of their new situation suddenly wears out.  The film ends with a 
question, which can be interpreted in many ways.

The bond between brother and sister is the star of this show, however.  Both 
child actors are stellar, not relying on their good looks but truly acting as 
well as anyone in the film.  Gemma in particular is a master of subtle 
expression and the director ( Danishka Esterhazy) uses her skill to great advantage.

H & G <http://www.viff.org/festival/films/f8689-h-g> screens on Saturday, Sep 28 
@ 6:00 pm in International Village #9
and Tuesday, Oct 01 @ 10:50 am in International Village #10



The Dick Knost Show <http://www.viff.org/festival/films/f9497-the-dick-knost-show>

If you have any awareness of professional sports and the shows that promote 
them, you'll likely appreciate Bruce Sweeney's latest film.

It's set in Vancouver and the host of the Show is a dry, witty know-it-all; 
think Don Cherry without the ties or boisterousness.

The main storyline is about how Dick gets a concussion after spending his sports 
talk show host career belittling those that receive them.

But the beauty of the film, written and directed by Bruce Sweeney, is the 
dead-on portrayal of the ruthlessness of every aspect of the 
capitalist/civilized/monetary world.  If someone's livelihood is threatened (and 
there are many dependent on Dick returning to work), they will act; the fun of 
watching this film is that these actions are hilarious despite their authenticity.

And it seems the best is saved for last: the finale had me laughing out loud.

The Dick Knost Show 
<http://www.viff.org/festival/films/f9497-the-dick-knost-show> screens Sunday, 
Sep 29 @ 9:00 pm in SFU Woodwards,
Oct 9 @ 1:00 pm in SFU Woodwards,
and Oct 11 @ 9:15 pm in The Cinematheque



15 Reasons to Live <http://www.viff.org/festival/films/f8108-15-reasons-to-live>

There are many more than 15 reasons to get to the 32nd Annual Vancouver 
International Film Festival, but I wouldn't put this film on that list.

Some will perceive this film much more favourably, as it portrays 13 different 
folks overcoming something, likely a childhood trauma or two.  But for me, it's 
just too simple and sentimental to recommend.

The film making is well done, melding the separate stories well. And the pretext 
is certainly inspirational in a civilized context (who doesn't need inspiration 
to live in that world!).

But with so many other great films to choose from, Canadian or not, I recommend 
taking a miss on this.

15 Reasons to Live <http://www.viff.org/festival/films/f8108-15-reasons-to-live> 
screens Friday, Oct 4 @ 9:30 pm in Vancity Theatre
and Sunday Oct 6 @ 11:30 am in International Village #9


There are so many reasons to take in a fabulous film this year at VIFF 
<http://www.viff.org/festival>...I'll be sending out more reviews soon and 
posting even more on /Reel Life, Real Ideas: Movies and more... 
<http://reellife.wordpress.com/>/, so check it often to find your latest film 
inspiration.

Here's hoping to see you at the bike rack or inside one of the plush and comfy 
theatres soon!
-- 

Warmly,
dave/
//
Parenting with an Open Heart: a seminar series for all Parents, Caregivers, and 
Parents-to-be: for info and session dates, please visit/ 
/http://humanpowered.wordpress.com <http://humanpowered.wordpress.com/>

Movie and Theatre lovers who know a saner world is possible may enjoying reading 
and sharing their thoughts on Reel Life, Real Ideas: Movies and more... 
<http://reellife.wordpress.com/>

Hit by a car at 60 km/h (40mph), a pedestrian has an 85 per cent chance of being 
killed; at 50 km/h (30mph) s/he has a 45 per cent chance of being killed, while 
at 30 km/h (20mph) the risk falls to 5 per cent. Source: British Parliamentary 
Advisory Council on Transport Safety (1996) //_Taking Action on Speeding_//

If you are expecting a baby soon...
...read Ina May Gaskin's insightful book, Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, packed 
full of birth stories and her experience of helping deliver over 2,000 babies!
...consider Natural Infant Hygiene (aka Elimination Communication) and reduce 
the expense of diapers (and much more)...check out http://www.diaperless.org and 
http://www.natural-wisdom.com

Did you know that in Scandinavia...
--> there are laws protecting children from all forms of spanking and bullying, 
even from parents
--> these laws do not imprison or punish parents but instead raise awareness 
(http://www.empathicparenting.org)
--> the elderly are able to remain at home thanks to programs that provide free 
meals, free transportation, and free care/

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.resist.ca/pipermail/reellife/attachments/20130924/85bedb9a/attachment.html>