SFF 2010 Wrap Up

The Sydney Film Festival always seems to come around at exactly the right time of year doesn’t it? Summer’s over, the cold and the rain are starting to set in and just as I’m starting to feel a bit down and lost wondering what the hell us Sydneysiders ever did to fill in our weekends during last winter – the Sydney Film Festival arrives! And for almost 2 weeks in early June each year, life seems perfectly fulfilling again. The Sydney Film Festival can’t really be drawing to a close already can it? I am in denial. So what am I going to miss most?

Firstly, flipping through the SFF program and reading through each of the film summaries in eager anticipation as I wonder how on earth I’m ever going to fit in all of the films I want to see.

Secondly, the free Festival Talks in the Statement lounge that I found educational and often inspirational and a great way to fill in time before movies.

Thirdly, when time is tight between films, and the tummy is rumbling – the potato and leek soup from the State Theatre coffee cart totally hits the spot.

Fourthly, sharing thoughts and perspectives with random strangers in the bathroom queue about the film we just watched.

And finally, of course, the chance to hang out with friends and family whilst enjoying so many interesting, thought-provoking, and unique local and international films – an experience that is often hard to find in Sydney outside of festival time. The documentaries left the most lasting impression on me this year. In particular, I was enthralled by the stories and the people profiled in –

• The Oath
• Bill Cunningham – New York
• The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg & the Pentagon Papers
• And in terms of feature films, I also loved, loved, loved –
• Life During Wartime
• If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle, and
• The Refuge

So as you’ve probably gathered, I’m REALLY going to miss the festival, but just to ease the pain a little, there are definitely a few things I won’t miss: the particularly uncomfy chairs in the dress circle at the State Theatre; queuing up for the ladies at the end of a film; and spending so many hours locked up with so many flu-ridden Sydneysiders as they cough and sneeze their way through the screenings. Regardless of those little niggles, I’m already full of anticipation for next year’s festival.

And given the success of this year’s festival (66 sold out films and 20% up on takings!) there are certainly expectations for an equally successful festival next year but no doubt the SFF team will deliver again! But for now, there’s no more denying it. Sydney Film Festival 2010 is over for another year. So I’ll have to find something else to do with my time. Maybe I’ll take up smoking?

As they say on set – And that’s a wrap.

The Unsophisticates Update #7

SFF Film - If I want to Whistle, I Whistle (Drama)

I wanted to whistle loudly myself after this film. Some kind of loud obnoxious wolf whistle – but I decided that probably wasn’t the best way to show my appreciation in such a refine and cultured setting! This debut feature film, from Romanian director Florin Serban, is nothing short of incredible.

‘If I want to Whistle, I Whistle’ is a raw and emotionally charged story about 18 year old Silviu who has spent the last four years in a harsh and rundown juvenile detention centre and is going to be released in a matter of days. He’s had a stellar behaviour record so far so it shouldn’t be that hard to keep it together for a few more days right? But after a visit from his little brother Marius, Silviu learns that their mother has recently returned after an eight year absence and is planning to take Marius back to Italy with her. His anger and resentment and complete lack of control over the situation leads him to take a series of risks that threaten to derail his pending release.

The film is about choices – when to make them and for what reasons. From the moment Silviu learns of his mother’s plans, I found the suspense almost unbearable as I silently pleaded with him from my theatre seat to make the “right” choices at each junction he was faced with. But as we all do, Silviu must decide for himself what is ultimately the “right” choice given the circumstances he finds himself in. The film also cleverly illustrates that it is often not just our own choices, but the choices of others that ultimately determine our destiny. In Silviu’s case, choices made by his mother (past and present), choices made by the prison warden, choices made by other inmates, will all go towards determining whether he will attain the freedom he is so close to. But if someone else is pulling all the strings, sometimes the only option left to us is take back control anyway we can get it. Just as the title says – If I want to whistle, I whistle.

The performances in this film are stunning. Indeed there is Daniel Mitulescu, the 18 year old drama student (who is now 19 as he assertively pointed out during the post film talk!) who has an extraordinary on screen presence given his limited experience (oh and his off screen presence is pretty good too!). There are also incredibly convincing performances from his fellow inmates, many of whom are apparently real inmates from a juvenile penitentiary and who were auditioned during acting workshops facilitated by the director at the prison where the story was filmed. Apparently Romanian film is experiencing somewhat of a new wave of international success, and if this film is representative, then it’s easy to understand why.

‘If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle’ is a must-see film. Deservedly so, it has already won two major awards at the recent Berlin International Film Festival. Of all the Official Competition films I’ve seen so far, this one’s got my vote – or should I say this one’s got my wolf whistle.

The Unsophisticates Update #6

SFF - Lola (Drama)

‘Lola’ is the word for Grandma in Filipino. This moving film from Filipino director Brillante Mendoza, follows the journey of two grandmas, Lola Sepa and Lola Puring, as they try to come to some peace with the fact that one of their grandsons has been stabbed to death by the other’s grandson during a robbery. ‘Lola’ is a beautifully filmed story with family and loyalty at it’s heart, and with the Manila rainy season as the backdrop which adds to the beauty and the struggle inherent in the film.

The director of Lola, Brillante Mendoza definitely lives up to his namesake – he is quite simply brilliant and the rate at which he churns out top quality films must make him one of the most prolific film makers today! During the Q&A session following the film, Mendoza described his films as “truths, not box office hits” and the no frills way he shoots certainly helps reinforce that he is simply telling a real life story about real people. Right from the first scene you get a sense that Mendoza’s storytelling style is unique as the bumpy camera follows Lola Sepa and her youngest grandson on a long meander through the bustling Manila streets to find the place where her other grandson was murdered so that they can leave a burning candle in his honour. With minimal dialogue he manages to convey so much about the grief they are experiencing, the strong connection between grandmother and grandson, and the many struggles that are their life.

Aside from being a beautiful story about these two grandmas, their families, and the tragedy that they are forced to deal with, ‘Lola’ is also a commentary on the poverty that exists in a place like the Philippines and the day to day survival decisions one must make when faced with such poverty. The film also explores the justice system in such an environment, and the fact that sometimes, the notion of justice in such poverty stricken societies becomes something that is quite malleable and quite personal.

After watching ‘Lola’, it’s not at all surprising that this film has already won several awards, including the Dubai and Miami film festivals, and that it drew significant crowds at the recent Tribeca Film Festival. Firstly, the acting is brilliant and so understated that at several times during the film I thought I was watching a documentary. Secondly, the film is shot in a way that really matches the realness and the simplicity of the story and makes you feel like you are a silent observer. Thirdly, there are so many simple, beautiful and moving scenes to enjoy. For example, the scene where the two grandmas have to first confront each other at the police station. Or the scene, during which Lola Sepa comes face to face with her grandson’s murderer. Or a scene in the family house when you start to feel that the Sepa family luck might be turning as fish start appearing spontaneously in their well!

Lola is definitely worth a look. It’s an amazing insight into a culture, a way of living, and a poverty that most of us will only ever truly experience through film. But Lola is more than just educational – its heart wrenching, it’s astonishing, and it’s uplifting. And after spending a couple of hours with Lola Sepa and Lola Puring, you’ll feel like you spent the night with your own Grandma!