We (me and Anmol) were seated at Citypride Kothrud screen 1 at 9:10 am for Irish film "The Other Side of the Sleep" to start. Film was cold and eerie tale of colder character of young girl suffering from sleep-walking disorder. Mysteriously told, the film takes us through frozen nights and dark spaces of small town and unstable mind of the leading lady. Moving at slower pace, those 90 minutes made typical Pune winter morning even colder.
We stepped out for Sun shine and a "cutting". Crowd had started pouring in. First batch of catalgue books was already finished and late realizer kaka-kakus were thronging desks with complaints.
People had queued up outside for Italian relationship drama film "Kiss me Again". So getting seat for our choice - Polish film "Joanna" was not much of trouble. Film was sad but brave tale of lady protecting a Jew kid girl from Nazis in Second World War times. Joanna's is wating for husband who left for army when war started and has hasn't reported existence since then. Her big aparment is subject of envy of officials and neighbourhood. On top of it, she is struggling to make the ends meet due to war time unemployment. That pretty much sets stage of dramatic events. Tender relationship between the intelligent girl and Joanna is beautifully etched. I was really saddened by tragic end of brave protagonist. But I guess, that's how writer wanted to underline the shattering of people due to unforeseen events in war.
Subjects of majority Polish films that I have seen (may be a coincidence) revolve around consequences of second world war. I like Polish films for their detailed scenes, characters and subjects. I have never been to Poland, but from these films like (Krakow, Pianist being noteworthy) I have learnt that Poland had very rich culture. Second world war ruined Poland the most. That's very unfortunate for a nation and its people.
After Joanna, we rushed for lunch and returned just when Iranian film "Alzheimer" started. I had suspected it to be about an Alzheimer's patient. But it turned out to be rather symbolic tale of longing of woman for long lost husband. Man's respected businessman brother and rest of the family has accepted him to be dead and sent his wife to asylum due to her non-acceptance of husband's death. But she has enough sanity and guts to run "lost person" ad in the newspaper by bribing prison officials. Unaware of the ad, family takes her out to celebrate 20th death anniversary of husband. Ad runs in the newspaper and opportunist thugs plant an trickster impostor as her husband to milk money. Presented with a touch of humor, film follows the mayhem that ensues and emotional turmoil of wife and brother of lost man. Not entirely true to the reputation of Iranian films, Alzheimer treads somewhat French black comedy track. Character of trickster impostor steals the limelight due to his histrionics.
After 3rd film, there was rather long gap. However, Marathi film "Shala" forced audience to queue outside theatre more than an hour before its start. Based on, by now popular, novel of the same name by Milind Bokil, film has generated lot of interest due to online promotion campaigns. Film's star cast (literally शाळकरी मुलंमुली :-) ) were astounded by the huge crowd. Personally I saw the heroine Ketaki with OMG (Miss World announcement) type expressions :-). I too am fan of the novel, but will help Marathi film industry by watching the film after its commercial release.
I watched German film "Albanian" instead. Director of the film Johannes Naber introduced himself before start of the film. We had watched its trailer on festival website earlier night. But actual film was much slower. Reminidng me of 90s Hindi films, it was a make-so-much-money-to-marry-my-girl kind of test-of-love-story. Combining that with plight-of-illegal-migrants-in-developed-Europe, film had lot to offer. However, slow pace took the steam out of film, forcing me to count minutes-left-to-finish after evey now and then. Lively performance of the hero was only the saving grace that I found.
One thing about the pace. My observation is that most of the films in international film festivals are slow paced. I think this is mostly because those masters (wannabe or acclaimed) of the film craft want you to notice subject depth, their hardwork, application of techniques, imagination, thought process and what not. So you need LOOAAADDDSSS of patience to watch these films. Again its essential part of your movie-watching-skill. More so if you are pure at heart (I mean not related to any film making or appreciating profession) movie buff. Not all films are slow paced, but when they are, its test of your movie-watching-skill.
Last film of the day was Polish film about football fans "Flying pigs". This was wholesome entertainment film of the day, with all masala; right from sports, violence, family, relationship, extra marital, loyalty, betrayal to professionalism and coroporate vs traditional fanfare. I am too tired to tell the complete story; may be you can read it in online PIFF catalogue. I liked the film for being good blend. Its one of the best films I have seen on subject of sports-fan-ship.
Last film ends with quotes meaning - family is the the last resort and man's involvement in making his family being "second half" of life.
So God bless me with my continuing fellowship of films in "second half" of my life. More to come tomorrow.
Cheers!!
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