Yes, another movie!

This was the first of the Cinematheque series – and what a great way to start!

The story follows the life of Chiron.

In the first part of the film we see Chiron as a young boy. He is bullied by neighbourhood children, and he looks terrified most of the time. As Chiron grows we see his life becoming even harder as his mother becomes completely addicted to drugs. After being badly beaten at school he retaliates and is taken to jail. By the time he is an adult Chiron is working the streets, selling the drugs he once asked his drug-lord friend to quit selling to his mother.

This is a remarkable film based on the Pulitzer-Prize winning play by August Wilson, who also wrote the screenplay. Viola Davis has already won a Golden Globe for her performance, and the film is nominated in four Oscar categories.

Through most of the film I liked the central character. He had some hard edges, but from his background story I could understand where he was coming from. After a couple of events though that understanding turned into something less charitable, but the story ended well.

The Eagle Huntress

In my opinion this was one of the best films of the festival. The landscapes were beautiful; it told a very heartwarming story of a tradition usually passed from father to son but, in this case, passing from father to daughter.

Angry Inuk

It was so good to hear the language and laughter of the Inuit in this very thought-provoking film. The subject deals with the battle the Inuit have to make the rest of the world understand their dependence on the seals, both as a food source and through commercial sales. They fight a losing battle against the highly-funded anti-sealers in trying to make them understand that they need to be able to sell their sealskins and products in order to sustain their families and avoid turning to resource development.

Konelíne

This film, shot in Northern BC, reflects the changes happening in that area of our province. It highlights new copper and gold mines, transmission lines being erected across the area, the struggles outfitters are having, as well as the First Nations who try to lead a traditional life while also accepting modern technology. There were no judgements made and, no matter what stream the people interviewed were part of, there was no doubt they all cared about the land.

The End of the Road

This much-awaited and anticipated film tells the story of several US draft dodgers who settled, or squatted, on land around Lund. So many of the faces I’ve come to recognize around town were part of that movement and it was fun to see old photos and footage about what their life was like when they first arrived. Two of our somewhat-regular house concert audience were featured in the film and every scene brought out a score of hoots and hollers. Perhaps you have to be “here” to enjoy the film but it was a fun way to close the festival.

Jean of the Joneses

Jean has broken up with her boyfriend but doesn’t want to tell her family. While she is attending a family gathering at her Grandma’s house, she opens the door to a man who immediately collapses and dies. As the man’s identity is revealed the secrets that all the family members have been keeping begin to emerge. This was a good comedy, but nothing special.

Gimme Danger

The movie tells the story of the rise and fall of Iggy Pop and the Stooges. I’d heard the name Iggy Pop but knew nothing about his music. Although the music is not to my taste, I got the impression that for the band wasn’t so much about the musicality as it was about the beat. The film had some interesting and comic overlays during some of the interviews and that was fun.