The Black Nights Film Festival
Tallinn, Estonia
18.-30.11.11
Movies
For the 8th time I had the pleasure of enjoying the Black Nights Film
Festival (PÖFF) in Tallinn, Estonia. During the last five days of the
festival I managed to see 12 movies and several short documentaries.
There was a special focus on Icelandic film this year, and Fridrik Thor
Fridriksson was honored with a lifetime achievement price.
Here is my subjective priority list of which films I recommend:
Restless
Gus Van Sant
USA 2011
A
beautiful story about two young people finding together through their
mutual interest in death. A streamlined, well produced movie that play
on the right strings to touch the viewers.
Undercurrent
Arni Olafur Asgeirsson
Iceland 2010
A
strong drama about a microcosmos, the small community on board a
fishing vessel in the harsh conditions off Iceland. The unique about
this story is that even a strong story is tole, so many stories are
untold. I get curious about all the people on the ship and their
backgrounds.
Sons of Norway
Jens Lien
Norway 2011
A
great comedy about how a suddenly single father and his son is seeking
adventures in punk and nudism, a great story about growing up in the
70's in a Norwegian suburb. So exotic, but still so familiar. All filled
with that Nordic black humour.
I Wish
Hirokazu Kore-Eda
Japan 2011
A
beautiful story about two separated brothers dreaming of something
magical to happen: when the two first trains of the Shinkansen superfast
trains meet, your wishes come true. A nice mixture of contemporary
Japanese life, a little magic, and the joy and energy of kids.
Our Own Oslo
Reynir Lyngdal
Iceland 2011
An
Icelandic comedy, situated in something as exotic as an Icelandic
cottage area. Fun and familiar. Well made, not exactly a complex story,
but filled with slightly weird Icelandic humour.
Movie Days
Fridrik Thor Fridriksson
Iceland 1994
A
beautiful story about growing up on Iceland. An autobiographical story
about enjoying the movies. All the scenes seems like well staged
tableaus. A masterpiece by Fridriksson, that shows why he earned the
price of honour.
Children of Nature
Fridrik Thor Fridriksson
Iceland 1991
Another
beautiful story from FTF, about two old people wanting to decide
themselves where and how to die. Beautiful nature views combined with
strong actors.
Devil's Island
Fridrik Thor Fridriksson
Iceland 1996
About
the relations between Iceland and USA in the 50's, about life among the
poor inhabitants of the abandoned US barracs on Iceland. About how US
culture was glorified and how the oldest son pampered as a king. About
the tragical conditions and hard life of the poor on Iceland. It feels
like a visit to a totally unknown world, both the terrible weather and
living standards, and the extreme impact of US culture.
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Daz Cai, Wang Jing, Anocha Suwichakornpong
Singapore 2010
How
to break up during a meal in three different countries. Silent and
beautifully, three different directors from three countries each picture
a different meal between two people.
Mother's Paradise
Aktan Arym Dubat
Kazakhstan
A
tragic story about how a mother must sacrifice all to take care of her
kids. A well made movie from Kazakhstan, showing how deep it is possible
to sink into poverty and trouble.
Fish & Onions
Marc Brummund
Germany 2011
A
beautiful documentary about the Old Believers living on the shores of
Lake Peipsi in Estonia. As the Russian Orthodox church was reformed,
some chose not to be reformed and moved into exile. The tradition still
lives on in these few villages. But the congregation mostly consists of
old people, the young have to move to get work. This is not so much
about the religion, mostly about portraying the people.
-
Only one movie I saw was a disappointment this year, unfortunately this was also the only Estonian movie I saw:
The Idiot
Rainer Sarnet
Estonia 2011
I
really wanted to like this movie. The top stars of Estonian film on the
screen, a massive use of resources in the scenography, and based on
"the Idiot" by Dostovjevsky, how can you fail? But in my opinion the
dialogues, the personas and the story are failing. Maybe it is because I
am not familiar with the original, maybe because I am not familiar with
the actors and how they act. But I cannot get any connection with the
persons in the movie, it all seems too pretencious and pompous. Is it
because the Dostovjevsky text is not fit for film? Or has the intention
to make this a grand, glamorous movie been on the cost of playing the
story? I must admit that the camerawork, the scenes, the settings and
the costumes are splendid, a feast for the eye. Maybe I should rather
consider this as a costume play then a psychological drama.
