Read what
two of European Weekly's contributors have to say about this
year's Seattle International Film Festival.
Posted
May 30,
2007
SIFF 2007
- Always more!
By Caroline Planque
For those of you
who struggled last year to choose between movies or simply to
make it to your next screening on the other side of town, SIFF
2007 promises to make it even harder: try to juggle 405 films
over 25 days in 7 different main venues in Seattle and Bellevue
and you will find yourself wishing that some computer geek had
invented a program to optimize your screening options based on
your preferences. And that’s not even taking into account the
festival forums and panels. But no, this year again, you will
have to do it yourself!
Once again this
year, SIFF cuts a sweet deal to European movies with a country
spotlight on Germany and no less than 28 features in French (the
highest representation of non-English language films).
Among the French
highlights: Olivier Dahan’s second feature film, La Vie en
Rose, a moving recollection of Edith Piaf’s life from Paris’
gutters to New York’s skyscrapers (Dahan will attend the
festival); Pascale Ferran ‘s Lady Chatterley, which won
several Césars earlier this year among which best film and best
actress; and Guillaume Canet’s Tell No One, which won the
Cesars for best director and best actor (François Cluzet). A few
other runner-ups include The Singer, where Depardieu
shows once again his incredible acting talent as an old-fashion
“musette” singer in search of a new inspiration in life;
Paris, Je t’aime, an unequal series of shorts by 18
different directors, centered around the theme of love in the
city of lights, and Fair Play, a surprising character
study of a handful of co-workers
bringing out the competitive nature of office politics during
sporting activities. Much awaited but somehow disappointing is
Julie Delpy’s 2 Days in Paris about the culture clash
between a US-based young French woman spending two days at home
in France with her non-French speaking American boyfriend. The
characters are pushed to the extreme and become a parody of
themselves.
Other interesting
screenings include Emanuele Crialese’s Golden Door, the
story of an immigrant Italian family en route to Ellis Island
with Charlotte Gainsbourg in the role of an English Lady also
trying to make her way in the United States; Volker Schloendorff
‘s Strike and the Spanish documentary Invisibles
featuring the shorts of Wim Wenders and Isabelle Coixet among
others. German Actor Daniel Bruehl (The Educators) is
back with two features: A friend of Mine by Sebastian
Schipper (from Germany) and Salvador by Manuel Huerga
(from Spain).
Once again SIFF
2007 promises to show more than meets the eye. So don’t lose
time, open the catalogue and get your homework done!
SIFF's sweeping Seattle
By
Noelle Rivera
The Seattle
International Film Festival is in its
33rd year featuring over 600 screenings with 405
films, all shown in solely 25 days. Being the largest film
festival in the United States, Seattle spotlights masterpieces
from around the globe. From France to Finland, numerous European
countries are featured in the festival.
Germany is making an enormous imprint on this year’s festival
with a total of 26 films and a number of award winners.
Running on Empty is making its feature debut in a black
comedy about an insurance salesman who cruises the Autobahn
accompanied only by a payphone and the occasional unsuspecting
customer, until a striking motel clerk travels into his path.
Director Bülent Akinci is scheduled to attend both screenings.
Other US premiers include The Cloud by Gregor Schnitzler,
Vacation directed by Thomas Arslan, Yella directed
by Christian Petzold and Hounds directed by Ann-Kristin
Reyels, the winner of the FIPRESCI award at this year’s Berlin
Film Festival. Chris Kraus’ film Four Minutes was also
victorious taking Best Feature at the Shanghai International
Film festival. The movie revolves around two women whose lives
are shaped by their violent pasts, but discover love and comfort
within one another. German short film selections include
Motodrom, a nine-minute film on speed and stunts and In
the Field, a story of three thirteen year old boys who think
they know everything about girls until one actually passes by.
Representing France, multi-talented Julie Delpy—screenwriter,
director, editor, music composer and cast mate of 2 Days in
Paris—will be featured at the 2007 Gala Selections. Delpy’s
film encompasses a clash of cultures as Marion and her American
boyfriend Jack face volatile in-laws and ex-boyfriends that test
the strength of their relationship. In addition to the Saturday
Galas, SIFF is hosting a ‘Gay-la’ event where the film
Poltergay, directed by Eric Lavaine, is making it’s US
debut. Best described as poltergeist meets Saturday night
fever—the film tells the story of a couple who purchase a
mansion that is haunted by disco dancing homosexuals. Musicals
are also a big hit in the festival. La Vie en Rose by
Olivier Dahan is a salute to Edith Piaf, one of France’s most
beloved singers whose music reflected her tragic life and
heart-breaking voice.
The Seattle International Film
Festival proves fun for the entire family. Janis Cimermanis from
Denmark showcases her stop-motion animated version of The
Three Musketeers. With the packed action and adventure, the
show will be sure to please all ages. Ghosts of
Cité
Soleil,
also from Denmark, is a documentary on the most dangerous place
in the world according to the United Nations. Director Asger
Leth takes an honest look at the gangster, doped up,
nothing-to-lose thugs in Haiti’s ultra-violent slum.
Avant-garde, contrary to postmodernism, explores the limitless
boundaries of material and medium. From the Netherlands, 4
Elements is a visual essay of the uneasy relationship with
fire, water, earth and air through the experiences of
firefighters in Siberia, fisherman in Alaska, German mine
workers, and Russian cosmonauts. Director Jiska Rickels takes an
honest look at the battles of human labor.
This year's SIFF is showcasing 12
archival presentations including film noir, silent wonders and
adventuresome classics from 1919 to 1955. A Cottage on
Dartmoor tells the fatal story of the relationship between a
barber and a manicurist that turns deadly when something else
enters their world. Originally completed as a silent film and
later renovated for the sound era, the film was featured in the
UK in 1929.
From features to documentaries, musicals to silent wonders,
films from all across Europe are being praised in Seattle. Being
the largest film festival in the United States, with over 400
films, there is something to please even the most abrasive
critic. The Seattle International Film Festival runs through
June 17, come be a part of history.
©
2006 All content property of European Weekly unless where otherwise
accredited
