So, the festival has finished and the dust has settled. Considering I personally didn't know what to expect, being a first time festival go-er, I enjoyed all the screenings and debates before and after.
It wasn't just the films, but the experience of being in the theatres again and being involved with the venues, some of which i did a little bit of work for before the films started.
The over-riding feeling from others i have spoken to (both those involved in the festival organisation and the more casual film-goers) is that more audience members are needed - basically a bigger turnout - to some. Many of the events, especially those with speakers present live or online, e.g. An afternoon with Judi Dench, were well attended. But some of the films, especially those later in the evenings - some of which were excellent, were nowhere near full. I know that there have been lots of online screening tickets sold, which of course don't need to attend personally, so some of the audience were able to stay home.
Most have agreed that the publicity before the festival started was too sparse, so that is something we will have to look at. I have approached some local companies to see about sponsorship options for next year, and will push for more advertising in the weeks prior.
But anyway, more importantly - the Films;
I really wish I hadn't missed Nitram, about a real life tasmanian serial killer, played by the always menacing Caleb Landry Jones.
The jury voted for the Ukrainian film Olga to win best picture. I didn't see that one so can't comment but it must have been something special to beat the highlights for me;
- The Good Boss - a razor sharp and extremely well balanced comedy drama with really great work from Javier Bardem.
- Miracle - a polarising intense drama which caused walkouts from the audience, but did the most of any CIFF film to stay with me for days after.
- Both Sides of the blade - a heartbreaking and unusually realistic love triangle starring an in-form Juliette Binoche, which is always something to behold.
- Nosferatu - having seen this at least twice before, I knew I had to see it projected on a big screen to see it into its second century in existence.
- Rise - a beautiful looking and thoughtful meditation on the trials endured by an injured ballet dancer refusing to stay off her feet.
I was disappointed with a couple;
- Roaring 20s - a single unbroken long take showing the varying shades of life in Paris Post lockdown. The technical prowess didn't overcome the preachy dialogue for me.
- Between two worlds - not a bad film by any means, interesting and effective but the genius Juliette Binoche wasn't quite given enough to do. You wouldn't employ Paul Thomas Anderson to direct an episode of Eastenders.
- Zalava - a rather empty and mild horror film with a worthy core message regarding taking advantage of a poor, uneducated, desperate public in a small village, but the message wasn't particularly well realised and otherwise it didn't have much to say.
If I were to give awards;
- Best film - The Good Boss/Nosferatu
- Best actor - Javier Bardem - The Good Boss
- Best actress - Juliette Binoche - Both Sides of the Blade
- Best scene - Miracle intense attack scene/Count Orlok climbing stairs and confronting Ellen - Nosferatu
So there we have it. Will be looking forward to going again in a years time and seeing if we can improve atall, roll on CIFF 2023.
'The future Mr Gittes, the future'
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