Less than a week left and sadly there are many great titles that have finished screening at SFIFF58. But we here like to keep you in the loop nonetheless, so here’s six more titles to add to your cinema radar (including Democrats, which still has some screenings left!):
Eden
(France, 2014, 131 min, Marquee Presentations)
Whether you’re familiar with the “French touch” influence of the 90s or not, it’s hard to deny the sensory power of this semi-biographical story about a French DJ rising to prominence in the Parisian electronic music scene, paralleling the origins of Daft Punk (who appear as characters throughout). Director Mia Hansen-Løve co-wrote with her brother Sven Hansen-Løve, of whom the story is loosely based. Eden juxtaposes a futile DJ lifestyle with house music’s high energy atmosphere and evolving media formats, set against the pulsating vibrant backdrop of some gorgeously shot clubs and raves.
There are no more upcoming screenings for Eden at the festival.
Info for Eden is available here. *Interview with actor Felix de Givry and Sven Hansen-Løve coming soon*
Results
(USA, 2015, 105 min, Marquee Presentations)
Writer/director/actor Andrew Bujalski has spent the last decade crafting his own sub-genre with a handful of directorial efforts that embrace unique bonds between characters through remarkably awkward, dry humor. Results explores the connections between stereotypical personalities within a tight setting and shines the spotlight in very unexpected directions. Kevin Corrigan is incredible as an uneasy, charmingly creepy, wealthy fitness client. Guy Pearce makes a strong case for receiving more comedic roles with his spot-on portrayal of a single-minded gym owner, and his great chemistry with the temperamental personal trainer played by Cobie Smulders is another notch in Bujalski’s comedic belt.
There are no more upcoming screenings for Results at the festival.
Info for Results is available here.
Democrats
(Denmark, 2014, 100 min, GGA: Documentaries)
Democrats is a must-see documentary about the painstaking, yet monumental, Zimbabwean constitution writing process. It’s hard to believe the access granted to director Camilla Nielsson, considering the tyrannical shadow that President Mugabe has over the subject matter. We hear the plight of the Zimbabwean people and the pressure of the presiding regime as they affect the actions of two appointed constitution makers, Paul Mangwana of the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and Douglas Mwonzora of the Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC-T). Democrats is an unprecedented look at a political process that affords equal time to its opposing sides, yet maintains the overarching view of a SNAFU decades in the making.
Screenings:
- May 4 – 6:30pm at Sundance Kabuki Cinemas
- May 6 – 9:30pm at Landmark’s Clay Theatre
Tickets for Democrats available here.
Far From Men
(France, 2014, 102 min, Marquee Presentations)
Set during the Algerian War in 1954, Far From Men is a neo-western war movie about two men struggling to survive and understand each other. Viggo plays a village school teacher who’s Spanish ancestry but Algerian nationality marks him as an independent but also a possible ally of either side of the war. When tasked to escort an Arab charged with murder to trial (and certain death) in a nearby town, he must struggle with his own set of ethics. Loosely based (and modernized) from Albert Camus’ short story “The Guest”, Far From Men explores the existential questions we face when confronted with uncontrollable pressures.
There are no more upcoming screenings for Far from Men at the festival.
Info for Far From Men is available here.
Hill of Freedom
(South Korea, 2014, 66 min, Masters)
I’m not familiar with the previous works of South Korean writer/director Hong Sang-soo, but from what I’ve heard and from what I’ve taken from watching Hill of Freedom, I’d say his filmography is well worth a look. Tangling language barriers with a distorted chronological presentation, Hill of Freedom is a hilarious simple story told in an inventive way that explores the charming and at times poetic characteristics of human nature, and human folly.
There are no more upcoming screenings for Hill of Freedom at the festival.
Info for Hill of Freedom is available here.
Goodnight Mommy
(Austria, 2014, 100 min, Dark Wave)
I’ll make this simple — If you like the work of Michael Haneke, you’ll most likely enjoy Goodnight Mommy. To shed a bit more detail on the subject, Goodnight Mommy is a beautifully shot tale of horror about the misunderstanding and miscommunication between introverted twins and their post-surgery head-bandaged mother. The film is deliberately paced, and its final thirty minutes will be as aggravating or enjoyable as your film taste reckons, but truly disturbing either way.
There are no more upcoming screenings for Goodnight Mommy at the festival.
Info for Goodnight Mommy is available here.
