VIFF: Emilia Pérez

Blood, Ballads, Dance Numbers, Drug Lords, Surgery…

Plenty of surgery…

This movie was chosen as the closing film at VIFF. It’s a strong message about how everyone deserves to live an authentic life no matter what the circumstances or the cost. And if money is no object, there could still be a price to pay!

I’d like to start off by saying that I have no personal connection to this movie – none! I have no intention of harming any cartel members. Okay; having said that…this movie is like nothing you’ve ever seen before. I think that anything I write here will not do it proper justice. It needs to be seen to be believed. It’s a work of art; really! With this movie I had no idea what to expect, and I was in awe of the actors’ ability to pull off such a complicated and interesting story with such believability and style.

If you love musicals, gun violence, reality TV and court dramas, you’ll probably love this movie. It covers all genres and interests. It does have a lot going on; but somehow it manages to all come together. It’s an incredible accomplishment from director Jacques Audiard (A Prophet; Rust and Bone) to make something like this work.

The cast of Zoe Saldana (Rita, a Mexico City defence attorney), Selena Gomez (Jessi – drug lord’s wife) and Karla Sofía Gascón (leader of a criminal organization before becoming Emilia Pérez) is outstanding. Gascón especially is absolutely mesmerising to behold as a cartel leader before transitioning to become a woman striving for actualization and redemption. This is Oscar-worthy material.

The Spanish actress was the first transgender woman to win an award for this film which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last May.

I had to give a little more away than planned so readers can understand what they’re in for. However; there’s still so much left out that believe me, you’ll still be surprised to find out where the direction takes you.

In an interview with Variety Magazine Gascón said that she felt that it was “absolutely obvious” that she had to play both roles. “I do not see which actor would not have had this desire to follow their character in all its evolution,” she said, adding that “very few actors and actresses” get roles like the one she got in “Emilia Pérez.” “I haven’t seen many roles like it, not even with Javier Bardem or Marlon Brando’s careers.” Gascón admitted, however, that she dived into the role so deeply that she struggled to come out of it once filming wrapped.

I can only imagine. She did an impressive job of portraying two amazing characters. Zoe Saldana was excellent. I wasn’t really familiar with her work, but she’s amazing.

I would recommend this movie for anyone wanting a departure from the norm with something unexpected and exciting. And very well executed (to be taken two ways).

This movie is scheduled to be released to multiple theaters on November 1^st.

The festival is now over, however you can enjoy movies that are part of VIFF playing all year round.

Here:

https://viff.org/#year-round-series

Film Reviews

TIFF: NIGHTBITCH

Debbie & Elizabeth at the Movies

We went through well over 200 movie listings for this popular festival. We believe that we chose well while knowing that we also missed a bunch of other great choices too. I will list the ones we missed (but wanted to see) in the upcoming days. It’s not easy to see everything and if you were able to; you’d turn into a zombie. We purposely avoided some controversial themes and picked ones we thought would be enjoyable pure entertainment, with a message. The thing is that deciphering the message isn’t always easy. How do you make sense of someone who thinks she may be turning into a dog?

So we agreed on what we wanted to see together, and NIGHTBITCH starring Amy Adams was high on our list. It was a Special Presentation. You have to remember that we try to not know too much about a festival movie before viewing it. Surprises can be good – or bad.

Adams is such an amazing actress and I think the decision to see this one was a combo of Adams being the main attraction, and the story; as bizarre as that turned out to be. So without further ado….

Bottom line in one sentence – Motherhood can be a Bitch and Women have Superpowers. But we should add a little more right?

Okay; admittedly we never quite understood the “dog” comparison…although we are all animals and because neither of us have children of our own, it’s possible that Mother (played by Adams and we think she was only referred to as “mother”) was just going nuts. I mean; baby book club and stuff like that. What women sacrifice in order to have children is… a lot! Oh; yeah, maybe it had something to do with the hormonal change. The whole motherhood deal can be ruff. And sometimes it’s easier to relate to dogs more so than humans. Or, could it be that you can be so overworked or so overtired that you think you’re a dog?? Anyway…

Marielle Heller is the director. She weaves drama, comedy and a significant mix of realism and dark humour in what we childless two believe mothers who’ve had ‘real’ children (instead of canine children) will appreciate even more so.

The movie is based on the bestselling 2021 novel of the same name. Heller has created a profoundly original exploration of mother hood (including what is “never said out loud but thought by many”) and destined to be one of the most talked about films of the year.

After this movie we can say that we fully appreciate all our relatives and friends who’ve had babies…while being happy that we’ve never had any of our own.

And men take note: you could never do it with the same expertise.

We morning bitches are here to say “you might think so; but you can’t.”

Film Reviews

TIFF: “THE SUBSTANCE”

This is a new limited series entitled “Debbie & Elizabeth at the Movies.”Elizabeth is my cinema companion & collaborating cousin from Montreal who met me in Toronto to experience our first TIFF together– which is the abbreviated version of the Toronto International Film Festival. Which I’m certain most people are now very familiar with.

So let’s start with a movie that will be released in theatres on September 20^th. It’s called “THE SUBSTANCE” – starring Demi Moore in her much anticipated movie comeback role.

Moore portrays a fading Hollywood star named Elizabeth Sparkle alongside Margaret Qualley (from the TV series “Maid” where she starred with her mom, Andie MacDowell). Both Moore & Qualley are outstanding in their respective roles. Dennis Quaid; who’s having a movie moment, we can both agree, played a larger than life slimeball in this masterful horror-satire from writer-director Coralie Fargeat (Revenge).

A little bit of sad movie trivia is that Ray Liotta apparently was cast in the film in February 2022. He died in May that year before he could film his scenes. Dennis Quaid replaced him as a result. However sad that is, Quaid did a superb job.

There’s a lot to say about this movie and quite frankly, not sure where to start.

We could just leave it at one sentence “be careful what you wish for; you just might get it.” But that wouldn’t be enough.

We could say “if you were given an opportunity to become a younger (emphasis on “younger,” more perfect (but what does that really mean?) version of yourself, with let’s say a downside where you weren’t exactly sure what to expect because instructions were a bit vague – would you go for it?

This movie is mesmerizing and many call it a Masterpiece. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and TIFF was the North American Premiere, just few days ago.

It’s IN YOUR FACE. It’s OVER THE TOP. It’s INTENSE. But it’s also BRILLIANT.

It confirms that you make your choices and you live with the consequences – good and BAD.

We now know what the disclaimer at the start of the film *photo sensitive means.

This movie is a real symbol of substance abuse of a different nature. An over exaggeration of so many things. Starting with today’s obsession with looking youthful for as long as humanly possible. Not to mention what lengths we will go to in order to obtain it.

There are a lot of movies wrapped up in one very long package here. A few that comes to mind:

The Shining, The Matrix, The Terminator, Sunset Boulevard, Alien, Jane Fonda’s Workout and Batman (but really Gotham City in the Batman movies).

And lastly: remember; you are one person. You can’t escape yourself.

*Photosensitivity is any negative physical effect that is caused or aggravated by strobing, flashing or quickly changing patterns, luminance, or chrominance. It can lead to headaches, eyestrain or nausea.

Then what about the blood and gore?

The Festival is on until September 15th, 2024. For Tickets & Information:

https://tiff.net/

Film Reviews

Sofia Coppola’s “PRISCILLA”

From a German army base to Graceland, the true story of “PRISCILLA” is one of love, fantasy and fame.

On October 7th, the 42nd Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) held the Canadian premiere of “PRISCILLA” as a special presentation which I had the opportunity and pleasure of watching at the Vancouver Playhouse.

This is the third worldwide screening of this film, based on the 1985 memoir “Elvis and Me” written by Priscilla Presley. Presley served as Executive Producer on this biographical drama (set for release in November) which is written, directed and co-produced by Sofia Coppola. In my opinion, Coppola’s best work since 2003’s “LOST IN TRANSLATION.”

This film premiered last month at the 80th Venice International Film Festival where it received a seven-minute long standing ovation, and later screened as the Centerpiece Selection of the 2023 New York Film Festival on October 6th. Last night, October 7th, was the Canadian Premiere right here in Vancouver.

Some people cannot seem to get enough of Elvis even to this day; but this movie is all about Priscilla from her POV told through the lens from her first meeting with the superstar as a 14-year- old innocent girl while he was stationed at an army base in Germany, through a long courtship, to moving into Graceland with him at 17, a turbulent marriage (depicting news stories of alleged affairs with Elvis and stars like Nancy Sinatra & Ann-Margret), a baby, then divorce.

Many people think that they already know the story, but you will never know it quite so well as the eye opening way it’s told in this movie. Coppola did a wonderful job of portraying a coming-of-age true life docudrama. No wonder she got such a long standing ovation. There was one last night too but I didn’t count the minutes.

Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla and Jacob Elordi as Elvis did an amazingly convincing job of playing these iconic characters. The script was fluid and the story was both provocative and compelling. I would recommend this movie, especially if you love real life stories.

Side note:

I toured Graceland with my late husband when we were passing through Memphis about 20 years ago. There were very few people there at that time.

I spent a very enjoyable evening at a private party in Montreal with Priscilla’s after Elvis boyfriend Mike Stone (he was in town training another famous entertainer). There’s a scene in the movie with someone portraying him. I was not even 20 at the time, and Mike was a gentleman to make sure I got home okay.

If you want to know the backstory: Stone met Elvis and Priscilla Presley in 1968 at the Mainland vs. Hawaii Karate Championships promoted by Elvis’ longtime karate instructor Ed Parker. Stone had a young child and a pregnant wife, and working as a bodyguard for record producer Phil Spector.

After the show, Elvis invited Stone back to the couple’s penthouse suite where Elvis suggested that Priscilla train with Stone. Three weeks later Priscilla made the 45-minute drive to Stone’s school in Huntington Beach. Because of the distance Priscilla opted to train with Chuck Norris who had a school in West Los Angeles, which was closer to the Presley home. Stone would make occasional trips to Norris’s school to train Priscilla. The relationship soon turned romantic, contributing to Elvis and Priscilla’s split in February 1972 and divorce in 1973. Stone and Priscilla would eventually split up because he sold a story to the Globe tabloid entitled “How I Stole Elvis Presley’s Wife From Him“. Priscilla said she split with Stone then, “because he went to the press”.

Stone revealed in a 2020 podcast interview that he dated actress Michelle Pfeiffer when she took karate lessons from him to prepare for her role on the short-lived TV series B.A.D. Cats (1980).

While there were some scenes from Palm Springs, California; principal photography and filming took place in Toronto, Ontario – two places I’ve lived.

Filming Trivia:

The entity which owns the rights to Elvis’ music declined to give permission for any of his songs to be used in the film, so Coppola looked for creative alternatives in compiling the soundtrack, including the use of contemporary music by her husband Thomas Mars and his band Phoenix, in addition to cover versions of songs from the era in which the film is set.

According to an interview with The Guardian in March 2023, Sofia Coppola had to cut a week’s worth of scenes from the script after some of the film’s financing dropped out shortly before shooting was due to begin.

**Due out in Theatres on November 3rd.**

Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxbZyvCJc6U

Film Reviews

I Care, A Lot

I’m just here to help… because movies are one of life’s little pleasures and if they include a message… all the better. This movie certainly does.

Rosamund Pike just won the Golden Globe for best actress in a Musical or Comedy. I Care, A Lot is a new black comedy (now showing on Netflix in the USA & Amazon Prime in Canada). The trailer piqued my interest. That and knowing that both Dianne Wiest and Peter Dinklage are supporting actors in this timely movie. In fact, just saw a news story last night about eerily reminiscent misconducts in care homes addressed in the film.

In light of a recent conversation between my boyfriend and my brother and the fact that so few people are making effort to question or think about what they are being told, sometimes the best way to get them to think is to talk about a film.

Films are often ways to reach people who are trying to “escape” their reality… which is to say, to be entertained without having to think. But whether we like it or not, films actually do make us think about topics we might not otherwise ever think about, whether it be the drug smuggling trade (Queen of the South, Narcos and El Chapo), the espionage world (e.g. James Bond and the Bourne trilogy of films), the world of grief and loss (Manchester by the Sea), or the fanciful world of royalty and privilege (The Queen, The Crown series, the Downtown Abbey series), or the world of high finance (e.g. the series Billions, and the films Wall Street, the Wolf of Wall Street, and the Big Short…)

What they all have in common is that they transport us into a world that allows us to better feel what it would be like to be in that world.

What the “I care a Lot” film is about is just how ruthless the “care” business can be. And this doesn’t just apply to vulnerable seniors. It also applies to doctors and the medical profession. That’s what the film Patch Adams with Robin Williams was about.

There are two types of people in this world. Predators and Prey!

This has implications for how our society is reacting to Covid. We tend not to question government because we think governments always have our best interests in mind. But if you don’t realize that the policy-making apparatus within so many government departments has been so captured by large corporate players, that it’s easy for them to pervert the science so they can make money. The end point are products unleashed into the market place that have been insufficiently scrutinized.

Peter Dinklage in I Care, A Lot – Neflix

This is what the back-story of “I care a Lot” is all about. It’s about trusting people and officials who are great at giving the impression that they really care, where in reality, their talking the talk is little more than marketing schmooze designed to get we the consumers to buy their questionably reliable products and/or services. This is what sets us up for maximum exploitation.

You can change the world if you care enough. But you can also change the world if you don’t care enough.

Here’s the Trailer:

https://www.imdb.com/video/vi1114947865?playlistId=tt9893250&ref_=tt_ov_vi

Film Reviews

VIFF: The Florida Project

Two things drew me to this film: 1) Willem Dafoe is in it 2) it shows the gritty side of living near a place where dreams come true.

That place is Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

On the other side of the tracks, just outside the magic kingdom lies a bunch of rundown motels originally built for the overflowing tourist trade looking to save a buck but still be close enough to get fairy dusted.

But this is not an enchanting story. It revolves around a specific motel The Magic Castle. A mother/daughter relationship, a place where tough talking families live, barely able to make ends meet, scraping by just to make the monthly rent as the housing crises rises. The inwardly frustrated although patient motel manager, is played outstandingly by Dafoe. But the real stars of this movie are the motel kids who live in a world all their own. You feel sorry for them, and you also cannot stand them as they go about their precociously uncaring antics. They are, after all, a product of their upbringing.

It is another world to many of us, but too familiar for many others. A despairing time and place in America; all too real, right now.

It’s a fascinating look from a safe distance into a chaotic world of what is the opposite of enchantment, mostly seen from the eyes of the kids.

Directed by Sean Baker (Tangerine)

One more week left. Check it out @ https://www.viff.org/

Film Reviews

VIFF: BREATHE & MEDITATION Park

Funny thing about timing – that the first two movies I’ve chosen to see at the Vancouver International Film Festival would have the words “Breathe” and “Meditation” – two things that I’m trying to better accomplish. But enough about me.

How to make choices?

The first thing I look for when going through the movie listings are the film titles, then to find out who the actors are. It doesn’t go to prove that actors who are well known will make a better movie, but if I’m familiar with and like the actor’s previous work, I’m more likely to want to see another film they’re in. But since this is an International Film Festival, you must keep in mind that you will NOT likely be familiar with the talented actors and worthwhile great story telling from a host of other countries.

Then of course the overall synopsis. But I don’t like to know too too much about the movie because it ruins the element of surprise (which can work out good or bad, depending.) I try to keep it diversified mixing drama, comedy, documentary and thriller. Well done animation is good too The great overall thing about going to a film fest is that you get to see films firsthand. And that in itself is exciting enough. So having said that, here are two simplified reviews to begin:

BREATHE

Oh; and the film clip photos in the booklet attract me. The romantic, dreamy looking picture has two actors whom I admire: Claire Foy (she played Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix series “The Crown” which I became addicted to) and Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge, The Amazing Spiderman). Suffice to day that was enough of a decision for me to say YES. Bonus: Hugh Bonneville (Lord Grantham in Downton Abbey – watched ALL episodes as it was one of my favourite series).

Breathe is an inspiringly beautiful but tragic story. In a debut directorial role, Andy Serkis directs the true story of the parents of his best friend and producing partner, Jonathan Cavendish.

It’s about how a couple, Robin and Diana Cavendish refuse to give up their fight when Robin is struck down by polio at only 26 years old, and just before he is about to become a father. It’s about how people face challenges and overcome hardship in the face of adversity and with a debilitating disease. It is heartwarmingly sad and uplifting at the same time.

MEDITATION PARK

This film was chosen for the Opening Gala. Directed by Mina Shum, it’s filmed entirely on Vancouver’s East Side & Chinatown. While I’m familiar with incredible actors Sandra Oh and Don McKellar, the real star of this film is Cheng Pei Pei (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) who plays Maria. A traditional first generation immigrant Chinese wife, Maria turns a blind eye to her husband’s (played by Tzi Ma) infidelity at first, but when she decides to break from convention, take charge of her life and become more independent, all hell breaks loose. It is charmingly funny in part and because I live in Vancouver, partly familiar.

The only common denominator between the two films is that they are family dramas.

VIFF is on until October 13, 2017. For information and to purchase tickets please visit:

https://www.viff.org

Film Reviews

Art/Film/PSIFF – The Dancer & King of the Dancehall

Fresh from the Palm Springs International Film Festival:Two more movies with two intriguingly distinctive avant-garde dance styles and the ensuing competition that goes along with them. Because I wanted something artistic and upbeat as the festival draws to a close.

The dynamic energetic movies revolving around dance could not be more different from one another. One resembling poetry in motion and the other raw & sexually charged. Adversity is the only thing the main characters have in common and a drive to succeed.

I knew THE DANCER would if anything be visually stunning and I was correct.

I loved it. It was based on the true story of Loïe Fuller (perfectly played by French singer, songwriter, musician and actress Stéphanie Sokolinski, better known by her stage name “Soko”) an American dancer who became a sensation in Europe in the early 20th century-only to be swept aside just as quickly when a greater talent emerged on the scene. Don’t you hate when that happens? Said talent was Isadora Duncan whom you may have heard of as she became quite famous (gracefully played by Lily-Rose Depp in her first screen acting debut). The story relates how Fuller went from living a difficult life with her father in the Midwest to ending up at the prestigious Paris Opera creating a dance that was unlike anything that was seen before. She became the toast of the town and a legend who helped almost by accident to create another living legend. A hauntingly striking film.

King of the Dancehall

kingofdancehall

In Jamaica they really do dance to a different beat. I chose this movie because of the subject but also because I spent a lot of time all over Jamaica and part of that time was spent in Kingston where the film was shot. It was written, directed and produced by Nick Cannon (host of America’s Got Talent) who was also the main star. In other words a Nick Cannon production. Cannon was at the screening and answered some questions at the end.

Shot in actual Jamaican outdoor dancehall venues, Cannon plays Tarzan (they all have nick names), a Brooklyn drug dealer fresh out of prison, whose mother (Whoopi Goldberg) is ill and unable to pay her medical bills. As he contemplates ways to make money he heads to Kingston where he contacts his cousin Toasta (Busta Rhymes) in the hopes of striking up a deal to export the island’s finest ganja (aka weed) back to his hometown.

The movie is in English with English subtitles that I assure you helps with understanding the dialogue because a lot of it is in Patois. At least it’s authentic.

Toasta introduces Tarzan to the island’s nightclub scene with its vast network of fearsome gangstas, and his wife’s virginal (and sexy gyrating dancer of a sister) Maya whose suspicious bishop father (Lou Gossett Jr.) keeps her under a watchful eye.

Maya teaches Tarzan all the necessary moves so he is able to enter a contest in hopes of winning enough money to help out his mother.

What you need to know is that superstars like Beyoncé and Rihanna have used a lot of the original Jamaican dancehall moves in their shows and music videos. The North American audience says “that’s a great move” while the Jamaican dance audience say “she’s doing the (such and such…they all have names) move.” In Jamaica, the dancers are celebrities in their own right, known all over the island as dance stars.

All my time in Jamaica I never visited a dancehall such as in this film, but I did go to a nightclub and in Negril the locals & others dance to live Reggae music at night on the beach. This is where I witnessed very similar sexy dance moves as in the film. I had never seen dancing like that before….not here in North America!

Film Reviews

Culture/Film: Julieta and Elle

We’re still pleasantly engrossed at the Vancouver International Film Festival and I can hardly keep up with the reviews. julieta3 Today I saw two films back to back and I’m a bit mentally worn out. So much to discover and contemplate but I can tell you a little about the last two films with strong leading women.

I have a lot of appreciation for foreign films. Many times they have a lot more depth than North American cinema. I’m a big fan of Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar since having seen Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, 1988. It was nominated for an Academy Award for best foreign language film. And of course All About My Mother (which I loved even more) won an Academy Award for best foreign language film. The list goes on. So as soon as I heard that Julieta (the latest Almodóvar , sure to become another classic) was partaking at VIFF I had to schedule time to see it.

Told in flashback over 30 years of guilt and grief, this melodrama is based on three Alice Munro short stories. Critics are saying it is his best film in a decade.

What I love the most about any Almodóvar movie is the character study in itself – all about relationships, it never disappoints and you can guarantee the actors are the best of the best.

Emma Suárez is fabulous as Julieta. A beautiful woman who is leaving Madrid to start a new life in Portugal. But before she moves, and by chance, she bumps into a childhood friend of her estranged daughter Antía. She decides to stay in Madrid and returns to the apartment block where she and her daughter once lived. Then we’re transported back to the 80’s to find out the story about fate, love and separation.

I enjoyed the film very much but without giving too much away, I unfortunately didn’t completely understand the decision made by Antía (the daughter) and in my opinion it was a very undeserving situation.

Moving on…

Elle, on the other hand was pretty disturbing in a sick and twisted confrontational sense. I would classify it as a mystery/thriller with a wink and a twist.

I chose it because it’s a French film which stars Isabelle Huppert and is directed by Dutch filmmaker (and former Hollywood bad boy) Paul Verhoeven (Basic Instinct, Starship Troopers).

I liked the strong, seductive unemotional character of business woman (a CEO of a video game company) Michelle (Isabelle Huppert) with her dry sense of humour. She is superb in the role. I was disturbed and intrigued. This movie will most definitely spark a debate.

Julieta Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH5_4osOZK8

Elle Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVBEV1w7too

There are four more days of filmgoing left. For more movie information please visit: https://www.viff.org

Film Reviews

Culture/History: The Birth of a Nation

Last night I attended the Vancouver International Film Festival’s (VIFF) premiere of “The Birth of a Nation.”

birth1 Nate Parker, the films handsome lead actor who is also responsible for writing, producing and directing the cinematic drama about slave rebellion in the deep south was in attendance. He started off the evening by introducing the movie and saying that getting the script off the ground took several years and several dollars to complete but he’s very proud of the final outcome. As so he should be. This is an important historical film about a man who virtually got lost in the shuffle, his story being told for the very first time. It is a disturbing masterpiece!

The movie was filmed in Savannah, Georgia where a lot of the Atlantic slave trade originated. I visited a friend living in Savannah and was charmed by the beauty of the city but not by stories about the past. The movie struck a chord.

In short, Nat Turner, a literate slave and preacher orchestrates an uprising as he witnesses countless cruelties against himself and his fellow slaves. This strong willed man decides enough is enough when he resolves to help lead his people to freedom.

Many of the scenes are not easy to witness and as a result there were not many dry eyes in the audience. Damn, I didn’t bring any tissues!

birth3

When I first heard about the subject matter I was not too interested especially after having seen twelve years a slave, the colour purple and many other slave related films. While the film is not without the expected appalling brutality and violence, this true story is different from the others. It is well worth seeing. And it makes you question how far we’ve really come in light of current issues evidenced with many recent black shootings. So maybe it has to be told time and time again….to get the point across…people are people and should be treated equally.

The film will be theatrically released in the United States on October 7, 2016 by Fox Searchlight Pictures.

Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i18z1EQCoyg