16th Philadelphia Film Festival Recap

by Christopher Collier and Kevin Feather (4/17/07)

I was lucky enough to be able to catch four films this year, which as I no longer live in Center City, I count as a huge accomplishment. As usual the films were incredibly attended with excited and energetic crowds, and being films that have not had the chance to be picked up by a studio and marketed to death, I entered each with a fresh mind, only having read the brief synopsis in the festival program. I need to digress a little from talking about the Festival. I used to be a huge fan of movie trailers, watching all the latest on Apple.com/trailers, but recently I have found myself becoming increasingly frustrated by previews and their desire to give away the best jokes and climaxes. The Namesake trailer particularly was obviously pandering to a certain crowd by trying to sell a straight forward plot with a recognizable face. Not that it matters that the movie was completely different, as long as it got people in the seats. Quite the opposite of say a film like Borat where after the countless trailers I was left with only one or two moments of the movie I had not seen already.

I would like to single out the trailers for The Lady in the Water ( teaser), The Devil Wears Prada, and The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer as three of the most exciting, riveting, and non-compromising trailers I have seen recently. Water’s no-dialogue medley of images with an original score and Prada and Four’s use of one (early) scene were riveting and really drew me into the films. (I have, however, seen none of them…I do plan on seeing Prada and Four, but M. Night has not been on my to-see list for a while…). There are movies that I want to see that have egregiously in-your-face marketing plans (Spiderman III) but I know that when I do see Spidey, most of the movie will be already etched in my brain from three plus epic trailers spilling most of the surprises.

All of this to say, there was a joy in walking in to Festival screenings having no idea what I was getting myself into (and inviting some friends along and subjecting them to my whims) and enjoy letting the film tell the story free of restrictions. I have stopped watching trailers and am really hoping that word of mouth and recommendations will lead me in the right direction….so if you know of anything good…~Chris

Cashback

UK (2006)
Sean Ellis, dir.
Sean Biggerstaff, Emilia Foz

It was not until after the film and having felt cheated out of my time and money that I realized Cashback had started its life as a short film. Nominated for the Oscar in 2005, the 18 minute short followed the life of an art school student and insomniac who takes an evening job at a supermarket (Sainsbury’s, the cornerstone of my British existence…). Following the lives of the crazy cadre of employees that worked stocking the shelves, the short was a quirky and humorous look at shampoo bottles that were marketed to women to help with their solo sexual lives, a tai-kwon-do practicing janitor, and the art school student’s ability to stop time and undress the more attractive shoppers. Full of absurdity and whimsy, if I had only seen this 18 minutes, I am sure I would have loved the movie.

Instead, I saw the feature length film. Director Sean Ellis returned to the film two years later, adding an Act I and Act III to sandwich the acclaimed short. Forcing a plot that had our art student (Harry Potter’s Sean Biggerstaff) fall prey to a violent break-up (the opening scene of the film featuring a slow motion account of a wild and violent ex hurling lamps and screaming insults was the greatest addition to the short and actually outshines the original) and consequently develop insomnia. So with a vague reasoning, he heads to the supermarket to take his mind off the situation and the tossing and turning and we segue right into the earlier material. The scenes following try to tie up the romantic issues raised from the opening and end up as cliché and disjointed from the rest of the film.

I walked out wondering how any of the segments fit together and why a grocery store was needed to tell a basic romantic story. I guess I was justified feeling that it was a bit cut and pasted, and next time, I should probably do a bit more research before hand.

Eagle vs. Shark

New Zealand (2007)
Taika Cohen, dir.
Jemaine Clement, Loren Horsley

Intrigued by the picture in the film booklet of a nerdy looking couple dressed as a nappy Eagle and muppetesque Shark, I eagerly booked tickets. The New Zealand Napoleon Dynamite, Eagle is the story of Lily, a fast food employee with a crush on Jarrod, a regular customer and video game shop attendant. After inviting herself to Jarrod’s animal theme party and putting up an impressive show in video gaming skills, the two embark in the most awkward and unsexy sex scene I have ever witnessed. Obsessed with getting revenge with his high school tormentor, Jarrod, hitching a ride with Lily, goes back to his home town to settle the score.

Bordering on absurd and uncomfortable for the whole duration of the film, the slow pace and incredible social awkwardness makes Napoleon a very obvious cousin. Eagle, however, outshines its Idaho relative with a core of loss and understanding that, while not explaining its characters makes them remarkably complex. Funny and charming, I would strongly recommend seeing this film and would keep an eye out for Cohen’s next effort in the hopes that some of the mish-mash elements employed here (the claymation apples) get let on the edit room floor next time.

The King of Kong

USA (2007)
Seth Gordon, dir.
Steve Wiebe, Billy Mitchell

by Christopher Collier

The King of Kong is an epic documentary of two modern day gladiators battling head-to-head to obtain the championship title as the greatest at…Donkey Kong?! How could a film with this premise not be amazing? As quirky as Trekkies, Kong follows the quest of Steve Wiebe, a regular guy from Seattle, who, following being fired from his job at Boeing and a lifetime of defeat, sets out to make a name for himself by achieving the top score in the arcade game Donkey Kong. Tracking his pursuit, the film welcomes us into the zany and acne ridden world of competitive electronic gaming. The rules, the heart-racing challenge matches at arcades, and the scandals. Standing in Steve’s way is Billy Mitchell champion of many titles, owner of a BBQ joint, purveyor of hot sauce, and jackass. Full of memorable characters, rather boring moments watching people sit at arcade stalls, and a culture so unique that it has to be seen to be believed, Kong is a moving and funny search for one man’s quest to be the champ, even if that moment is underscored by son screaming “Daddy…WIPE MY BUTT!”. It is my hope that this film makes it to distribution, because it is a real must see and had me laughing hysterically from start to finish.

by Kevin Feather

One player seeks power and control; the other player seeks redemption and a sense of accomplishment. Together these fearsome warriors meet together and duke it out like Rocky and Apollo, like Earp and Clanton, like Heckle and… Jeckle? The venue erupts like Dodge City as these two men face off (or not) in a heated duel to finally establish who is the King… Of… KONG!!!!!!

The film chronicles the 25 year saga of the official top score of the inimitable Donkey Kong arcade game, embroiled in controversy from the beginning. The viewer gets a brief history of the genre of competitive electronic gaming, from its meager beginnings, the innate talent and the extreme sportsmanship of its most legendary contestants.

Back in Seattle, WA, one man loses his job, and sits alone in his garage and begins to… start a grunge-rock band? No. Start his own computer company? No. Oh no, don’t say it. Oh yes, he starts playing Donkey Kong. *cue dramatic theme music* Seeking some small measure of success after life repeatedly rained on his parade, our protagonist strives to dislodge the stranglehold one other man has had on the top score for more than twenty years.

The viewer is immediately thrust into the midst of high-stakes politics of top score record keeping. With the characters bordering on the absurd, but no less real, King of Kong is a riotous romp across the states, a story of challenges, accomplishments but most of all, redemption. Oh, and Donkey Kong. “Daddy, wipe my butt…”

Once

Ireland (2006)
John Carney, dir.
Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová

by Christopher Collier

If words existed that could summarize the blend of voices and talents shared by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová there would be no reason to go see this film. Thank goodness for moments which transcend speech. Once is the story of an unnamed Dublin busker and an unnamed Czech immigrant who are united through their respective instrumental talents, song, and their relationship struggles.

Director John Carney, a self-
professed lover of musicals, has stated that he attempted to create a new form of musical in Once, and his actions follow the recurrence of the genre across Hollywood. Blockbusters like Chicago, The Producers and Dreamgirls have been heavy contenders in the past couple years for Oscar glitz and acclaim, but they, while employing some wonderful modern techniques, have not pushed the genre. Once does. Instead of a tale of characters which break into song to express themselves, Once is the story of two real musicians who use their music to understand the world around them. Many scenes have the traditional musical feel, in which we have the solo protagonists alone in deserted streets expressing their feelings, but where in a classic musical this is supposed to be taken with a grain of salt, Once allows these moments to be earnest. The believeability with which Once imbues its characters grants it a truthfulness that eases it from the fairy tale realm.

The strength of the film rides on the charismatic performances by Hansard and Irglová. Hansard’s singing is captivating and penetrating, but his character is confused and lost; Irglová is brash and outspoken, but hides a timid interior and a crystal clear voice. Having met in real life at a concert in the Czech Republic (Glen was with his band The Frames), the two created the album The Swell Season, a number of songs from which are featured in the film. This real life bond over music and blend of cultures is palpable and as the two work towards putting their musical creations together for a recording, it is almost like watching a recreation of a real event than a scripted film. A brilliant film that explores the limits of friendship, relationships, and the power of music, Once is a film that should not be missed.

by Kevin Feather

The viewer gets to see what some street performers have to contend with, ranging from what music or piece to perform, to guarding their take from other, less savory street urchins.

Our protagonist, who plays cover songs by day, and rocks out his original work when the sun sets, is beset by a forward young lady who thanks him for his heartfelt performance with a more-than meager tip. His sarcastic reaction begins an odd back and forth conversation which ends with him promising to fix her Hoover… and promising to play an original song during the day. The film chronicles their awkward personal interactions, and she positions herself to a muse to his music, helping to perform, to write lyrics and the most pivotal of all, getting his music recorded.

The film consisted of several montage sequences, designed almost to be a music video, but very eloquently showcasing his work and their progress together. The music was so good that I was completely lost in the film, it was enthralling. The viewer also enjoys the wonder of seeing the writing process, and can see from where he draws the raw emotion with which he performs. It cut through to the core, and I felt like I was feeling it with him. Her voice was equally captivating, a silky sweet sound that was completely addictive.

Lastly, the dialogue was about average, but it was gloriously average. None of the actors felt out of place, inappropriate or ill conceived. It felt completely natural, down to his mono-syllabic father’s revelation at the end of the film. Brilliant!