Six days, seven films.
Top picks:
Cape No 7
Yang Yang
Orzboyz!
Chocolate Rap
Day 1: skipped
Day 2:
Our Island Our Dreams (2009): primarily about growing up I guess. Parts of the story felt far too forced. The fist pounding-on-dirt and loud whining of A Jin were ridiculous. The Kinmen scenery was nice to look at, but the romantic side of the main story became rather meh due to the acting. The highlights were the scenes involving Xin Jung's older sister and the drill sergeant stationed there.
Day 3:
Chocolate Rap (2006): b-boys and coming of age.
Cape No 7 (2009): so this is apparently the second highest selling film to date in Taiwan after Titanic. Tis a romantic drama comedy genre I guess. Good for light laughs and the wax poetic letters being read. Loved the music particularly during the flashback scenes with the teacher narrating. The two main characters, Tomoko and Aga, are nice to look at too. :)
Day 4:
Yang Yang (2009): the story revolves around the (cute) Eurasian named Yang Yang and her search for a deeper human connection. It was a fun film and had a decent dose of non-verbal scenes that show a ton of meaning. The characters were well portrayed too.
Fishing Luck (2005): I don't know who wrote the synopsis in the movie schedule but it barely focused on the "Three Musketeers" and how it changed their lives as it was mostly affecting just one of them. There were barely any scenes which depicted the other two members of the trio mentioned. Anyway, there were some clear WTF moments in the film - parts where you'd want to smack the guy for being so indecisive and idiotic - but it was okay overall. It doesn't seem to be the kind of film that would be shown in a film fest though.
Day 5:
Orzboyz! (2008): youth, friendship, escapism. The end bit was nice too.
Day 6: skipped
I intentionally skipped one movie because it had basketball as part of the theme.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Being cruised
"Nandito ako para manood ng cine at hindi imolestya."
There are some people who have pet peeves when it comes to watching movies. I don't like people nudging my elbow-and I usually just place my elbows-on the shared armrest. Guess I can now add being restroom cruised into that list. It was day 3 of Cine Europa, I got too engrossed with what I was reading at Powerbooks that I missed a few minutes of the movie. Since I couldn't find a nearby seat when I entered, I decided to just watch from the corridor. I've done this before at previous film fests. Chalk it up to me being too lazy to find a seat. :p
A few minutes of being settled, I decided to go to the restroom to take a leak. I finished, washed and went back to my spot. The guy who had used the urinal beside me apparently had his own ideas.
I had just settled at my spot when I noticed him beside me. He looked at me for a second before going back to wherever he was seated. Looking back, he probably did not make his move then as mall security was right in front of us and watching the movie from the corridor as well. Eventually the guard leaves and he shows up again. He advises me that there are some free seats there and I replied that I was okay where I was. He introduced himself and I guess he may have interpreted my courtesy as a sign of interest. The lingering hand shake was a fucking red flag, but the whispered invite from afar to follow him sealed the deal.
I was not about to skip a movie that I lined up for, free though it may be, just to get my rocks off. I waved him away from afar and ignored him before turning back to face the screen. In hindsight, he probably did not see me gesture due to the lighting. Anyway, I feel something touching my crotch, and I didn't have to look beside me to know who was doing it. I immediately move away from him to place a gap between us the second I felt it. You would think that my reaction would be a clear indication to leave me alone, but he had the guts to ask me where I lived, and if it would be okay if he followed me home. I shook my head no and he asks me how old I am.
"Nandito ako para manood ng cine at hindi imolestya." (I'm here to watch a movie and not get molested) Yeah, I said that. My brain is trying to register it right now too. It sounds like some random line from a local tv soap. Regardless, it did the trick and he immediately left me alone. I tried to watch the movie again from the same spot but the events that transpired ruined it for me so I eventually checked the front row to see if there were free seats. There were two vacant ones now so I took my pick and refocused on the film.
What did I feel during the event that transpired? Annoyance. Most distractions during movie watching are quite annoying don't you think? It doesn't matter if the person who did it was a guy or a girl, I would have said no; however, I won't deny getting a minor ego boost at someone making a pass at me. That is part of how we are wired methinks.
There are some people who have pet peeves when it comes to watching movies. I don't like people nudging my elbow-and I usually just place my elbows-on the shared armrest. Guess I can now add being restroom cruised into that list. It was day 3 of Cine Europa, I got too engrossed with what I was reading at Powerbooks that I missed a few minutes of the movie. Since I couldn't find a nearby seat when I entered, I decided to just watch from the corridor. I've done this before at previous film fests. Chalk it up to me being too lazy to find a seat. :p
A few minutes of being settled, I decided to go to the restroom to take a leak. I finished, washed and went back to my spot. The guy who had used the urinal beside me apparently had his own ideas.
I had just settled at my spot when I noticed him beside me. He looked at me for a second before going back to wherever he was seated. Looking back, he probably did not make his move then as mall security was right in front of us and watching the movie from the corridor as well. Eventually the guard leaves and he shows up again. He advises me that there are some free seats there and I replied that I was okay where I was. He introduced himself and I guess he may have interpreted my courtesy as a sign of interest. The lingering hand shake was a fucking red flag, but the whispered invite from afar to follow him sealed the deal.
I was not about to skip a movie that I lined up for, free though it may be, just to get my rocks off. I waved him away from afar and ignored him before turning back to face the screen. In hindsight, he probably did not see me gesture due to the lighting. Anyway, I feel something touching my crotch, and I didn't have to look beside me to know who was doing it. I immediately move away from him to place a gap between us the second I felt it. You would think that my reaction would be a clear indication to leave me alone, but he had the guts to ask me where I lived, and if it would be okay if he followed me home. I shook my head no and he asks me how old I am.
"Nandito ako para manood ng cine at hindi imolestya." (I'm here to watch a movie and not get molested) Yeah, I said that. My brain is trying to register it right now too. It sounds like some random line from a local tv soap. Regardless, it did the trick and he immediately left me alone. I tried to watch the movie again from the same spot but the events that transpired ruined it for me so I eventually checked the front row to see if there were free seats. There were two vacant ones now so I took my pick and refocused on the film.
What did I feel during the event that transpired? Annoyance. Most distractions during movie watching are quite annoying don't you think? It doesn't matter if the person who did it was a guy or a girl, I would have said no; however, I won't deny getting a minor ego boost at someone making a pass at me. That is part of how we are wired methinks.
The Cine Europa 13 Experience
20 something European films, 10 days. Major limiting factor: work weeks. hahaha.
Festival Top 3 Favorites:
Vratne' Lahve "Empties" (Czech Republic)
Hannahannah (The Netherlands)
Philantropique "Philantrophy" (Romania)
Day 1:
Favorite of the day
Vratne' Lahve "Empties" (Czech Republic) - It's a story of a 65 year old man in a turning 40 year marriage. The Czech Republic seems to always deliver during the festival. The movies I've seen from them deliver a balanced dose of humor, drama and self-realizations. The guy who played the main lead was also the same guy in Kolya, one of my favorites in a previous Cine Europa show.
Other films watched:
Svetat E Golyam I Spasenje Debne Obtysyakada "The World is Big & Salvation Lurks around the Corner" (Bulgaria) - A 20 something year old trying to remember his past after an accident. I Loved the use of backgammon in the film. It makes me want to play again. :)
Frygtelig Lykkelig "Terribly Happy" (Denmark) - A police officer is assigned to a small town with dark secrets. Learned a new greeting: Moijn.
Kielletty Hedelma "Forbidden Fruit" (Finland) - Two women from a very conservative Christian sect go to the big city. I sympathize with and relate to the character named Toni.
Day 2:
Favorite of the day
El Greco (Greece) - the story of a famous painter dubbed as El Greco as he was from Crete. He left the island and moved to Venice and eventually settled in Spain. I recognized some of the paintings. The grand inquisitor role was nicely played. Also, beards.
Other films watched:
Tout Est Pardonne' "All is Forgotten" (France) - the plot revolves around a family initially from the point of view of the drug-addicted father then ending with the point of view of the daughter 11 years after. A bit dragging but still okay. The daughter and her friend, during the 11 years after part, were cute.
Der Rauber "Der Rauber" (Germany/Austria) - a thief trains for marathons and wins them but cannot let go of robbing banks. It has a couple of fun scenes.
Mio fratello e' figlio unico "My Brother is an Only Child" (Italy) - I might be off but I think the story was about the search of Accio of a belief system that fit him. He first started from a life in the seminary. He leaves to return home then becomes a Facist and eventually pursues Communism. It also revolves around sibling interactions and the journey of self-realization of Accio. It dragged like hell sometimes, which is something I've noticed from most of the Italian films I've seen in Cine Europa.
Day 3:
Favorite of the day
Philantropique "Philantrophy" (Romania) - twas about organized begging and other scams mostly from the perspective of a struggling newbie writer. The movie originally to be played was Mircea but it freeze framed a lot like a scratched up pirated dvd copy so the staff decided to replace it with something else. It has a lot of enjoyable scenes.
Other films watched:
Hannahannah (The Netherlands) - a one night stand turns into a potential long term relationship for Hannah. I loved the film especially for the small tidbits provided by Hannah's parents in their video to the entire family. It was about thier experiences being part of a 40 year marriage and their advise to their children.
Pokoj V Dusi "Soul at Peace" (Slovenia) - I honestly forgot about this film. I guess it just did not stand out for me. It was about some guy trying to make ends meet after being released from prison for poaching.
El Abuelo "The Grandfather" (Spain) - nice film about an old man trying to find a way to live the rest of his life and making a lot of spitfire statements along the way to various parties. I liked it primarily for the banter/insults thrown by the lead character.
Festival Top 3 Favorites:
Vratne' Lahve "Empties" (Czech Republic)
Hannahannah (The Netherlands)
Philantropique "Philantrophy" (Romania)
Day 1:
Favorite of the day
Vratne' Lahve "Empties" (Czech Republic) - It's a story of a 65 year old man in a turning 40 year marriage. The Czech Republic seems to always deliver during the festival. The movies I've seen from them deliver a balanced dose of humor, drama and self-realizations. The guy who played the main lead was also the same guy in Kolya, one of my favorites in a previous Cine Europa show.
Other films watched:
Svetat E Golyam I Spasenje Debne Obtysyakada "The World is Big & Salvation Lurks around the Corner" (Bulgaria) - A 20 something year old trying to remember his past after an accident. I Loved the use of backgammon in the film. It makes me want to play again. :)
Frygtelig Lykkelig "Terribly Happy" (Denmark) - A police officer is assigned to a small town with dark secrets. Learned a new greeting: Moijn.
Kielletty Hedelma "Forbidden Fruit" (Finland) - Two women from a very conservative Christian sect go to the big city. I sympathize with and relate to the character named Toni.
Day 2:
Favorite of the day
El Greco (Greece) - the story of a famous painter dubbed as El Greco as he was from Crete. He left the island and moved to Venice and eventually settled in Spain. I recognized some of the paintings. The grand inquisitor role was nicely played. Also, beards.
Other films watched:
Tout Est Pardonne' "All is Forgotten" (France) - the plot revolves around a family initially from the point of view of the drug-addicted father then ending with the point of view of the daughter 11 years after. A bit dragging but still okay. The daughter and her friend, during the 11 years after part, were cute.
Der Rauber "Der Rauber" (Germany/Austria) - a thief trains for marathons and wins them but cannot let go of robbing banks. It has a couple of fun scenes.
Mio fratello e' figlio unico "My Brother is an Only Child" (Italy) - I might be off but I think the story was about the search of Accio of a belief system that fit him. He first started from a life in the seminary. He leaves to return home then becomes a Facist and eventually pursues Communism. It also revolves around sibling interactions and the journey of self-realization of Accio. It dragged like hell sometimes, which is something I've noticed from most of the Italian films I've seen in Cine Europa.
Day 3:
Favorite of the day
Philantropique "Philantrophy" (Romania) - twas about organized begging and other scams mostly from the perspective of a struggling newbie writer. The movie originally to be played was Mircea but it freeze framed a lot like a scratched up pirated dvd copy so the staff decided to replace it with something else. It has a lot of enjoyable scenes.
Other films watched:
Hannahannah (The Netherlands) - a one night stand turns into a potential long term relationship for Hannah. I loved the film especially for the small tidbits provided by Hannah's parents in their video to the entire family. It was about thier experiences being part of a 40 year marriage and their advise to their children.
Pokoj V Dusi "Soul at Peace" (Slovenia) - I honestly forgot about this film. I guess it just did not stand out for me. It was about some guy trying to make ends meet after being released from prison for poaching.
El Abuelo "The Grandfather" (Spain) - nice film about an old man trying to find a way to live the rest of his life and making a lot of spitfire statements along the way to various parties. I liked it primarily for the banter/insults thrown by the lead character.
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