50 movies later, 10 films from TIFF2010 (Bonus Track)

After watching the first 50 movies from The List there is no better way to celebrate than enjoying the Toronto International Film Festival. This is a chronological list of the films I watched and the impressions I had after the screenings.

Love Crime (2010)
a film by Alain Corneau

Sat., Sept. 11/10 - 8:00pm

Winter Garden Theatre

with Ludivine Sagnier

What is it?: Love Crime is a meticulous thriller. It is the story of the sensual head-on collision between two women in the top of an international corporation.

The best: The roles of Ludovine Sagnier and Kristin Scott Thomas are great. The attention to detail and the cold blood of the character are the signatures of Alain Corneau in this -his last- film.

I took home: The kindliness and spontaneity of Ludovine Sagnier during the Q&A session. She is a really beautiful woman, a great actress and was really warm to the audience.

The Illusionist (2010)
a film by Sylvain Chomet

Sun., Sept. 12/10 - 2:30pm

VISA SCREENING ROOM (ELGIN)

What is it?: The creator of The Belleville Triplets takes Jacques Tatis' last script and comes out with of the most beautiful and sad movie I have seen in a big screen.

The best: It is stylish and detailed. The animation contains the bitter sweet spirit of the story of a profession that disappears, and the story is beautiful and moving. In the best tradition of Jacques Tatis, it is whimsical with a heart. Don't miss this movie wherever it is playing.

I took home: The closing sequence is superb and memorable, just thinking about it renews the happy-sad feelings. I was inspired to watch Tatis's movies.

Quote: "This is a movie for a limited audience: people that think and feel". Bob Last, producer.

Norwegian Wood (2010)
a film by Anh Hung Tran

What is it?: The director of the Scent of Green Papaya brings to the screen an emotional adaptation of Murakami's book.

The best: The photography and the images in the film are memorable. Nature is one of the great characters and it is greatly introduced in the story.

I took home: I had problems connecting with the characters in this movie and although it starts really well it ends up dissolving in emotions that were not accessible to me. The characters are so enclosed in their feelings that I can see that this movie can work better for other people. I won't call it an "emmo" movie but that is the atmosphere it transmitted.

The music is exasperating as much as I loved the image treatment I disliked the soundtrack.

Our day will come (2010)
a film by Romain Gavras

Mon., Sept. 13/10 - 3:30pm

Varsity 8

with Romain Gavras

What is it?: In his expected film debut Romain Gavras brings the story of a crazy and daring trip of two troubled characters.

The best: This movie is daring and shocking. The story is far from conventional and is told with a great and original visual style.

I took home: The acting from Vincent Cassel is superb. He embodies the provocative style of this movie and his presence makes memorable many scenes of this movie. I looked out for all the redheads in the audience after the credits ended.

Quote: "There is no reason for her being in that scene but she had to be there". Romain Gavras, director.

Miral (2010)
a film by Julian Schnabel

What is it?: A good hearted movie in which Julian Schnabel brings to the screen the story of Rula Jebral, a girl growing up on the middle of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

The best: The heart in the movie. Beyond all political speeches I think Julian Schnabel tried to tell this story with good intentions. The love he tried to bring to this film is evident in the treatment of his characters and the hope that he looks to bring to the audience even when the story is so hard.

I took home: I took with me the compassion and love of the relationship between father and daughter. I think it is the intention of this movie to follow a personal story although it happens in such tense and polarized environment, and the relation between this two characters was my entry point to the film. The makeup work is really poor and that was a surprise that contrasted with the great treatment of the music and the archive images.

Controversy: I don't consider this to be a political film but after hearing some of the strong positions of the people in the questions formulated to the director I wonder if the feelings raised by the political context are so strong that they shadow the sense of hope that is embedded on the story.

Balada Triste de Trompeta (2010)
a film by Alex de la Iglesia

Tue., Sept. 14/10 - 9:45pm

Scotiabank 1

with Alex de la Iglesia

What is it?: The provoking and personal creation of Alex de la Iglesia. Two clowns and a beautiful woman are the protagonists of a roller-coaster story sparkled with the darkest sense of humor and daring scenes.

The best: The cinematographic proposal of Alex de la Iglesia is fresh and very original. He explores with his cinema the darkest places of his mind and construct with them a vibrant story with style and content. The confronting images are unique and its dark humor is memorable. The starting credits are an amazing prelude to what is coming. Don't miss this movie wherever it is playing.

I took home: Alex de la Iglesia is one of those characters that you want to invite for a beer. As great his movie were his answers and spirit during the Q&A.

Quote: "I'm a clown because otherwise I would be an assassin".

Attenberg (2010)
a film by Athina Rachel Tsangari

What is it?: The original and particular story of a girl trapped in a small town. An iconoclast proposal with characters deprived of feelings and animal-like features, this is a drama constructed like a David Attenborough nature documentary with elements from the Greek tragedy and Monty Python sketches.

The best: The tone of the images and the alien environment in which this story takes places. The main actress is beautiful and her role is memorable.

I took home: The proposal of feeling-less experience is really interesting but what I'll remember from this movie is the bird-like dancing choreographies performed by the two girls.

The Big Picture (2010)
a film by Eric Lartigeau

What is it?: A French thriller that starts a personal life-changing story and ends up in an crime story plus an ultimate road trip.

The best: Romain Duris makes believable this character and brings heart to this thriller .

I took home: This is an entertaining story with lots of plot twists and a sense of border-less Europe that I found interesting. However, after it was done the thing that I kept in my mind was Beck's song playing on the starting sequence.

Black Swan (2010)
a film by Darren Aronofski

What is it?: Darren Aronofski the director of The Wrestler and Requiem for a dream brings terror to The Lake of Swans. A devoted dance (Natalie Portman) becomes her worst enemy while preparing for the most important role of her career.

The best: The dancing scenes are really impressive. The camera movements while the characters are practicing and dancing are great and raise the tone of this film.

I took home: This is a scary movie with scenes which made me cover my eyes with my hands. It is a great experience but with not too much substance on it.

The Housemaid (2010)
a film by Im Sang-Soo

What is it?: A sexy thriller in which a Chabrol-esque atmosphere and the genius of Korean directors for suspense.

The best: The story is really solid and from beginning to end the characters are interesting and surprising.

I took home: The closing scene is daring and memorable portrait of the luxury and decadence.