“Astoundingly, there has yet to be a definitive movie of the life and work of Frank Zappa. We set out to correct this grave oversight in the annals of American musical and artistic history. ZAPPA was a years-long undertaking, crafted from the almost entirely unseen and unheard contents of Frank Zappa’s own vault; a treasure […]
Victoria Film Festival ’20 Interview: SOVEREIGN SOIL director David Curtis
“SOVEREIGN SOIL is an ode to the spirit and resilience of people who live off the land in a remote northern Canadian community and who have dedicated their lives to sustainably producing food for that community. Shot over four seasons, the film reveals a deep understanding of the wisdom, passion, hardship, joy, and spiritual bonds […]
PARASITE – Blu Ray Review
If you are a film fan or have followed the festival circuit, or if you are even preparing for the upcoming Oscars, PARASITE is a movie that nearly needs no introduction. From Bong Joon Ho, the legendary director of SNOWPIERCER and THE HOST, his Palme D’Or winning latest feature has received universal acclaim from both […]
When Tomatoes Met Wagner at The 2020 Palm Springs International Film Festival
Over the past 31 years, the Palm Springs International Film Festival has garnered a well-deserved reputation of being an oasis of sun-soaked storytelling in the California desert. This January the 2020 PSFF offered an exemplary programme of films, from world premieres to spotlights on classics, from A-list attendees toasting ‘a list’ of up-and-comers at the […]
Review: THE LAUNDROMAT – The Promise of Story
FADE IN. INT. SMALL ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENT – DAY DUSTIN (30, bearded, your reviewer) sits at his computer desk. Suddenly, he notices THE CAMERA and looks into it, breaking the fourth wall. He is now able to address the audience directly and, by doing so, has mastered the tier of wit showcased in the new Steven […]
VIFF 2019 Interview – THE PHYSICS OF SORROW director Theodore Ushev
“A labyrinth film. A time capsule of our generation. The film tracks the outlines of an unknown man’s life as he sifts through memories of circuses, bubble-gum wrappers, first crushes and army service from his youth in communist Bulgaria, through his increasingly rootless and melancholic adulthood in Canada as he struggles to locate home, family […]
VIFF 2019 Interview – ROMANTICA.COM director Shay Fellner
“ROMANTICA.COM for me is a requiem for the innocence era. In this constant acceleration we live in, when all our wishes are just a button-press away, the options are endless and everything has a substitute, why should we fight to maintain any relationship when we can just replace it with a newer version? This is […]
VIFF 2019 Interview: IN THE SHADOW OF GUACARI director Greg Méndez López
“I think that cinema is a powerful tool to explore other realities, and this short film is a window to a unique universe of my country. In the shadow of Guacari is a story about the value of a promise and friendship, but in the middle of a context full of traditional songs and very […]
VIFF 2019 Interview – HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN: A MOSAIC IN ONE MILE director Sandra Ignagni
“A sensory documentary exploring No. 5 Road in Richmond, BC, where more than 20 diverse places of religious worship stand side-by-side along a short stretch of suburban road. With no dialogue or narration, this definitely isn’t your conventional documentary, and yet it’s fully capable of provoking thought and reflection as audiences are immersed in one […]
VIFF 2019 Interview – O HOLY GHOST director Mark Bradshaw
“I left the church over 15 years ago but I continue to look back. O HOLY GHOST is a fable both side-splitting and soul-shaking; a tale that playfully and perceptively explores concepts of belief and transformation.” Director Mark Bradshaw on O HOLY GHOST which screens at the 2019 edition of the Vancouver International Film Festival. […]
VIFF 2019 Interview – FORGIVENESS director Marcello Cotugno
“FORGIVENESS is about how sometimes life can be hard. Destiny chooses for you without giving you a plan B option.” Director Marcello Cotugno on FORGIVENESS which screens at the 2019 edition of the Vancouver International Film Festival. Congratulations on your film playing and welcome to VIFF! Is your first time here and are you planning […]
VIFF 2019 Interview – KILL THE BOY director Jan Pablo Villavicencio Borges
“KILL THE BOY is a “coming of age” short film about two “good” friends that go to the woods to play being adults. Smoking, trail-bike riding, talking about sex and girls and shooting a rifle. Between some challenges of a very harmful rivalry, they will make a big mistake that will force them to stop […]
VIFF 2019 Interview – TABOO director Olivia Altavilla
“TABOO follows the story of Sofia, a teenage girl questioning her faith as she uncovers the vile truth behind her church. After witnessing the local priest abuse his power, she attempts to convince her devout Catholic family to act. TABOO raises an uncomfortable question – How could so many cases of sexual abuse in the […]
VIFF 2019 Interview – NURTURED director Ben Pearce
“NURTURED centres around six-year-old Alex and the close bond she shares with her older brother Jacob. The story begins when Alex decides to follow Jacob into Soho one night on the back of a stolen rickshaw. However, when the night spirals out of control, Alex is forced to witness Jacob attempting to take matters into […]
VIFF 2019 Interview – FAMILY HOUR director Mariia Ponomarova
“FAMILY HOUR is a short film that focuses on the need for acceptance, warmth and unconditional love. The main character Danya – a talented teenager who stays in the summer camp – hopes to be recognised and loved by his estranged father, but gets it from the person that he expects the least.” Director Mariia […]