Victoria Film Festival

Fishnets and Flying Elbows

2008-02-06T02:48:00.000-08:00

Poked a camera around the "Hell on Wheels" Screening, talked with the Misfits Roller Derby Team and later, went hunting for "Battle Scars" with Sarah (Femurs) Facini, The Festival's Volunteer Coordinator.

Publish Post

Head, Heart and Balls

2008-02-06T02:18:00.000-08:00

I ran into Debbie Walker and Peter Foldy in the Lounge, and had a little chat with them about the festival circuit, future projects, and Peter's "First Time."

V.I.P.

2008-02-06T02:03:00.000-08:00

I didn't get the All-Access pass I was expecting.... so I snuck into the Trigger Points Lounge to sneak a peek behind-the-scenes...It didn't go too well...

Devil's Apple

2008-02-01T12:19:00.000-08:00

Here it is: Vlog #1 of this this year's Victoria Film Festival.

I swung by the Devil's Apple Art Exhibit last night at the CAC and talked with the show's creator Mike Routliffe.

Stay tuned for more episodes, as we explore the Festival, hidden behind a video camera and an all-access pass. Oh, the trouble we can get into. Woohoo!

Festival Buzz - The Devil's Apple & Freshest of the Fresh

2008-01-25T16:35:00.000-08:00

(phone ringing)
(click)
“Uh… Hello?”
“Ssseven dayssssss…”
“Oh crap.”

That’s right, fellow cinephiles, the Victoria Film Festival is going to be in full swing in seven days! Have you picked out your tickets yet? To make things easier, I’ve selected 10 films that are sure to please even the pickiest of palates. But, first...

We've Been Shot!

Victoria News came by for a mid-week photo shoot—keep your eyes peeled for our cover! In the process of finding the ideal shot, we discovered that one of the construction guys next door can do handstands, and another produced the locally made World Premiere, The Egg Factory. What a diverse group!

Buzz Around Town

Everyone knows that the Victoria Film Festival hits the BIG screen from February 1 through 10th, but have you seen our festival advertised on smaller screens around town? Our ads have gone live, all over the city, on plasma screens at 5 recreation centres, the Gray Line bus terminal and the COHO ferry. We’re also being promoted on the 27 new screens at the Victoria airport! Did you catch C-FAX at 3 PM today? Murray Langdon interviewed Hollywood Dreams director Henry Jaglom, and leading actress Tanna Frederick. At 3:30 PM, he followed it up by chatting with Russian supermodel, author, and actress Irina Pantaeva, of Siberian Dream. She’ll be flying in from NYC to attend both of her screenings. Make sure to tune into CBC Radio at 8:15 AM on Monday, January 28th for On the Island with Gregor Craigie, who will be interviewing Kathy Kay about the Festival.

10 FRESH Films

Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soapbox – Sara Lamm
An offbeat, funny, and ultimately moving documentary about a socially-responsible company and the family that runs it. Dr. Emanuel Bronner was a mesmerizing and enigmatic character with a Yoda-like syntax whose mystifying messages belied a crafty, entrepreneurial mind. An impassioned speaker, he was a virulent anti-Communist and rallied against the fluoridation of drinking water. His activities didn’t go unnoticed by the FBI, either, mainly because he frequently called them with complaints and suggestions.

The Dead Sleep Easy – Lee Demarbre (director will be at screenings)
BC PREMIERE
When you’re south of the border, sometimes it is better to be dead than alive… From the team that brought you the cult hit Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter, comes this surprisingly serious bright-light film noir with a Mexican twist. More surprising is some of the true-to-life casting, including Canadian-born wrestling superstar Vampiro, starring as The Champ, and world-renowned gangster-celebrity Dave Courtney. Talk about method acting!

Identity – Chiara Bellini
CANADIAN PREMIERE & WINNER PREMIO SPECIALE AT CIMAMERICHP 2007
Back in Sardinia, rumors still surround the fate of Giovanni Piras, and the stories about him in Argentina are even more grand and bizarre. Then, one Sunday in the 1950’s, his sister finds him again—on the cover of a magazine as Juan Domingo Peron, President of Argentina. It’s time to put the fables about him to rest forever. What happened to the poor emigrant? Who was the real man behind the legend?

Never Apologize – Mike Kaplan
BC PREMIERE
Never Apologize is a unique hybrid of film, theatre and literature, that visits Lindsay Anderson and his famous colleagues: Alan Bates, Bette Davis, John Ford, John Gielgud, Lillian Gish, Richard Harris, Laurence Olivier, Alan Price, and Rachel Roberts. Drawing equally on his own recollections, and on Lindsay Anderson’s superbly-written materials, Malcolm McDowell conveys a sense of life with a man who was at once irascible and caring, deeply intelligent, and outrageously stubborn. Director Mike Kaplan pulls of a very surprising coup: a film that engages for every minute.

Let Others Suffer – Todd Peters (director will be at screenings)
BC PREMIERE
This remarkably adept mockumentary on the filmmaking process features a terrific ensemble cast that emulates the dynamics of many typical low-budget independent films; anyone who has been on such a film crew or set will recognize these characters very clearly. With a jaded commentator, who seems to rejoice in ripping the director’s film apart, Let Others Suffer offers a wonderful depiction of the near-impossibility of getting a low-budget indie made today.

The Milky Way – Lina Chamie
BC PREMIERE
The Milky Way is an excellent Brazilian feature film that examines the inner struggle that love can create. Through Heitor’s thoughts and memories, we learn the history of a relationship that was seemingly doomed from the start. Julia, a young performance artist, lives and works in a world of other men, and her boyfriend Heitor’s jealousies soon take over every aspect of their lives.

Portage – Ezra Krybus, Matthew Miller and Sascha Drews
This coming-of-age story is shot beautifully in remote, ragged Ontario, and the challenge of coping with a tragedy is heightened by the challenges wrought by the unforgiving environment. Stephie is sent camping with her big brother and three best friends to get past her traumatic fear of water. Through the experience, she becomes a strong young woman who flourishes under pressure and escapes the oppressive fear she has lived with for years.

Slingshot – Brillante Mendoza
A tribute to the real potential of digital cinema, Slingshot is a slum epic on steroids. It weaves stories into a shocking tableau about the people living in the Philippines’ poorest and most crime-ridden districts. Starting from the film’s amazing nighttime raid, and climaxing with a candlelit vigil by those insulted by politicians’ empty words, the director investigates lives at every turn and blends their true fictions right into the streets of Manila.

The Class – Ilmar Raag
CANADIAN PREMIERE
The Class is a refreshingly raw view of teenage reality that you just won’t be able to look away from. An awkward and unwanted outcast is neither friends nor enemies with a seemingly uncomplicated jock. The two are marked as friends in a dangerously petty circle of violence and rumors that is made even more frightening by the way it manages to sidestep the radar of even the most intelligent adults.

The Gates – directed by Antonio Ferrera, Albert Maysles, David Maysles, and Matthew Prinzing
BC PREMIERE
7,500 frames flowing with orange curtains were installed along the pathways of Central Park in 2005. The point was not to look at them, but to use them—to walk through and under them. Anyone ever involved in the arts knows the hoops you must jump through, whether it’s for funding or permission. The Gates reveals the 26-year odyssey that two men embarked on to bring a ceremonial and elegant feel to a city park.

Films for the Entire Family!

This year, we’re trying something new… We’ve had a bunch of short films rated, so that kids can see great films, too! We’ve put together a fabulous program of films for the young ones, as well as the young at heart. Get your tickets to Family Programming now, and bring the entire family to the Odeon on Sunday, February 10th, at 3:30 PM.

Another fun all-age film event to check out is FilmCAN. FilmCAN is an amazing opportunity for local high school students to create a short video from beginning to end, and have it screened at the Film Festival. Guided by various filmmaking mentors, the teams work through their ideas and then go on to create the World Premieres that you will get to see on the big screen. 2008 FilmCAN features shorts made by students from Reynolds, Vic High, St. Michael’s, Claremont, and Spectrum. So, come out, bring the kids, and support local and developing talent while inspiring the next generation!

Devil’s Apple, A Film

Conceived and created by local artist Mike Routliffe, this cutting-edge art exhibit features a film, a series of vignettes, and a series of printed and framed photo manipulations. Industry and information eras merge and we begin to understand that everything is composed of information that is constantly in flux. For details, flip to page 69 of the Program Guide, or go see it for yourself! Devil's Apple will run Monday to Friday, January 31st to February 6th, from 10 AM to 5 PM at the Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria (Sussex Place G6-1001 Douglas St., between Fort and Broughton).

That’s it for this edition of Festival Buzz! Stay tuned for more. If you know any film lovers, make sure to spread the Buzz around!

Film Festival Buzz - Oscar Nods and a Special Birthday

2008-01-23T09:22:00.000-08:00

Hello, fellow cinephiles!

Can I get a drum roll, please? The countdown is officially on – The 14th Annual Victoria Film Festival hits the big screen and brings in the stars in 10 days!

Oscar Nods and Waves

Oscar is shining the shiny golden spotlight on the Victoria Film Festival this year…

The Counterfeiters - Stefan Ruzowitzky
NOMINATED FOR BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Grab your tickets before they sell out – This feature is screening on Friday, February 8 at 6:45 PM, at Capitol 6.

Madame Tutli-Putli - Chris Lavis, Maciek Szczerbowski
NOMINATED FOR BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM
Grab your tickets before they sell out – This short film will be screening alongside Carts of Darkness on Sunday, February 3 at 3:30 PM, at the Odeon.

Away From Her - Sarah Polley
NOMINATED FOR BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY & BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE (Julie Christie)
This was the opening film of last year’s festival… Be sure to check out this year's opener and World Premiere, Motown High.

Ellen Page (star of The Tracey Fragments)
NOMINATED FOR BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Ellen Page has scored a Golden Globe for her leading role in Juno, and now she is up for an Oscar! See this young up-and-comer at the Victoria Film Festival's highly anticipated, The Tracey Fragments.

Buzz Around Town

We hope you caught Deadhead and Victoria Film Festival juror David Lemieux on C-FAX 1070's Newsline today, with Murray Langdon.

Director Henry Jaglom and actress Tanna Frederick, from Hollywood Dreams, will also grace C-FAX 1070 with an in-depth interview. Hollywood Dreams is a hit feature film screening at the Victoria Film Festival, that delves into the nature and glossy façade of fame in Hollywood. Tune in on Friday, January 25th, from 3 to 3:30 PM, Pacific Time.

The HOT Ticket

Please Vote for Me – Weijun Chen
Featured in our "Cultures Unbound" program, this documentary is selling out fast! Please Vote for Me is a touching, eye-opening, and sometimes comical film about an experiment in democracy. A grade three class in Communist China holds an election to select a Class Monitor. Enter two boys and a girl: a wily cajoler, a ruthless authoritarian, and a talented, sensitive girl that is way out of her depth. They’re not alone in their political battles, either; teachers and doting parents eagerly egg them on. Please Vote for Me is a portrait of a society that on some level is familiar to us all.

Tickets are available online, at the Bolen Books box office, or at the Festival office located at the corner of View and Blanshard (808 View Street).

Happy Birthday

Monday, January the 21st marked a very important day for the Fairmont Empress Hotel. The Empress turned 100 years old, which means that people have been sipping afternoon tea at this landmark since 1908! Famous visitors to this gorgeous landmark have included Ginger Rogers, John Wayne, Shirley Temple, Queen Elizabeth, and the King of Thailand.

Join that impressive roster yourself, with the Festival Package Deal. Celebrate in comfort and luxury while indulging in the hottest new films of the season. Whether you're looking for a charming and cozy place to stay in Victoria, or want to surprise a loved one with a grand gesture before Valentine’s Day (because it's never to early to start warming them up), take advantage of this steal of a deal while it’s still available.

Festival Package Deal

For only $159, the luxurious Fairmont Empress Hotel package for 2 people includes:

One night overnight accommodation
4 Film Festival Tickets of your choice from a vast array of amazing films
A full English breakfast in the morning
Cocktails at the Empire Theatres Lounge at Platinum

To book your reservation, call 250-384-8111 or email emp.reservations@fairmont.com and ask for the “Film Festival Rate.”

That's it for today... If you know any film lovers, spread the buzz around! Stay tuned for even more Festival Buzz!

Film Festival Buzz - Movies, Music and Big Moves!

2008-01-22T09:34:00.000-08:00

14th Annual Victoria Film Festival Buzz

Hello, fellow cinephiles!

Movies just aren’t the same without some amazing music playing in the background. So, why shouldn’t your life have a fantastic soundtrack, too? Well, now it can! Make sure to check out the Empire Theatres Lounge at Platinum, located oh-so-conveniently at 759 Yates, the ground zero for film festival land.

The Empire Theatres Lounge is a hip and happenin’ place to kick back, enjoy some tasty food, and chat about this year’s films.

So, catch some tunes and meet some cool people. Here’s the who’s who of the what’s what taking place at the Lounge every night, starting at 8 PM.

Hemant Rao – Feb. 1 & 2
Hemant’s performances are all about “living the song” and his recordings have been compared to the likes of George Harrison.

Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra – Feb. 3
An acoustic sound explosion born in the indie scene of Victoria B.C. Featuring an acoustic and eclectic mix of ska, reggae, Latin rhythms, Russian folk songs and hip hop.

Karel Roessingh – Feb. 4
Karel is a jazz pianist and composer that has performed with Bud Shank, Ian MacDougall, Pat LaBarbera, Don Clark, Floyd Standifer, Roy Reynolds and many well-known vocalists.

Nick Schols – Feb. 5
A wonderful nostalgic treat. Nick busts out a tantalizing mix of those classic tunes you love, from “It’s Now or Never,” to “My Way,” to “Pretty Woman.”

Ian Farish – Feb. 6
Acoustic grooves, evocative vocals and thoughtful lyrics, Ian Farish and Bonnie Davison perform a selection of well-crafted pop originals from Farish's recent CD, Soul Songs.

Miss Emily Brown – Feb. 7 & 9
With her autoharp, music box, guitar, and unmistakable voice, Miss Emily Brown performs minimalist compositions that will make you forget that you have heard everything before.

Randy Waldie – Feb. 8
Randy Waldie brings a roots-blues sensibility to the jazz standards. Quoting from many different styles he infuses a fresh take into the familiar.

THE VANISHED - Makoto Tanaka

If you’ve been thinking about checking out The Vanished, you’d better get your butt in gear and grab your tickets, because tickets are...well...vanishing!

Screening on February 7th and 10th, this thriller will appeal to horror buffs and fans of creeptastic Japanese cinema. This film features zombie children, gruesome murders, and a spine-chilling journey… So, get prepared to be totally scared! Tickets are available online or you can drop by any of our box offices, listed on VictoriaFilmFestival.com.

Moving and Shaking

Pictures falling haphazardly off walls, tickets flying out the door, volunteers whipping around – those aren’t the only things moving around here. Victoria Film Festival headquarters are scheduled to make a big move about 5 days after the Festival is over, right next door to Johnny Zees. Who knows? Maybe having ‘round-the-clock access to a 1st-person shooter could be the miracle cure for festival-related stress?

On a more serious note, the VFF would like to extend many, many thanks to Empire Theatres for their continued support of our festival, and for providing an excellent roof over our heads.

That's it for today... If you know any film lovers, spread the buzz around! Stayed tuned for more Festival Buzz!

Festival Buzz - Special Guests

2008-01-22T09:30:00.000-08:00

14th Annual Victoria Film Festival Buzz

Hello, fellow cinephiles!

Our box office got off to a roaring start on Monday the 14th. The phones were ringing off the hook and then--all of a sudden--went silent on Tuesday. It turned out that our phone lines were dead (I know what you're thinking--YES, Kathy had already paid the bill!), and everything was fixed by the following day.

To make things even more exciting around here, renovations started next door. Construction workers busied themselves with chipping drywall off the other side of our shared wall, which caused paintings to go flying, Poltergeist-style, and a hole to magically appear in Kathy's office. A couple of people screamed, I wondered if shelves were going to do our Programmer Donovan in, but we're all a-okay.

Are you wondering who you'll get to rub shoulders with at this year's festival? Well, I'm not telling you. I kid, I kid. Here are some of the glitterati stopping by for the festivities this year:

Don McKellar will be speaking at the Victoria Film Festival’s Trigger Points Pacific Co-Productions Conference. He is a Tony and Genie Award-winning Canadian actor, writer, and filmmaker. Don wrote and starred in many well-known films, such as Roadkill and Highway 61. His most recent collaboration with Bruce McDonald spawned the cult classic television series, Twitch City, in which Don played the starring role.

Adam Carolla co-wrote and starred in The Hammer, which is to be screened at the Victoria Film Festival. He is a comedian, comedy writer, radio and television personality, and actor. Adam is known for edgier fare, like Comedy Central's hop-fueled The Man Show and the radio show Loveline. He currently hosts the hit morning radio program, The Adam Carolla Show.

Don Shebib directed A Song to Sing-O, which is a World Premiere at the Victoria Film Festival. He is a prominent Canadian film director, writer, producer, and editor. Don gained critical acclaim in Canadian cinema for his 1970 movie, Goin' Down the Road.

Irina Pantaeva wrote and starred in Siberian Dream, which is a BC Premiere at the Victoria Film Festival. She is proud of her Buryat heritage, and she is an accomplished supermodel and actress. Irina has appeared in Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, Zoolander, and starred in the off-Broadway play, Jewtopia.

In exciting award news, some familiar Victoria Film Festival faces are nominated for British Academy Film Awards:

Golden Globe winner Julie Christie is in the running for Best Actress for Away From Her, the opening film of the 13th Annual Victoria Film Festival.

Halifax-born Ellen Page, the star of the highly anticipated The Tracey Fragments (screening at this year's festival), is also nominated for Best Actress at BAFA, for her starring role in Juno.

That's it for now... If you know any film lovers, spread the buzz around! Stayed tuned for more Festival Buzz!

Welcome to the 2008 Victoria Film Festival!

2008-01-11T13:26:00.000-08:00

We're glad you're here.

End Bash

2007-02-19T11:18:00.001-08:00

Free Drinks.
Yippee!!!
and tasty Reef food. A wee bit spicy, but nothing that the free drinks couldn't take care of. We made it through another year.

10 days
56 films
22 free beers
3 gallons of theatre soda
a tonne of new friends

and only one case of front-row neck-ache.

And now it's back to real life.
'til next year.

2:37

2007-02-19T11:17:00.001-08:00

Heavy.
Wow.
Graphic too.
Why must I always see a heavy movie before a party?
Off the to End Bash.

My Victoria Video Competition

2007-02-19T11:16:00.001-08:00

Swung by Whitebird for the My Victoria Awards, where the festivals Loungerino was hosted, tucked underneath Lyle's Place beside the Odeon on Yates. Nice place, licensed, and the food looked and smelled great, but I was on the liquids, too nervous to eat.
Lots of Awards, the details are on the festival home page.

Glastonbury

2007-02-19T11:13:00.000-08:00

Lots of texture from the different kinds of films used to patch this together. It must've been a nightmare for whoever had to get all the releases signed. Colourful Characters and a bunch of music I didn't recognize. It's the freaks that make the festival, the costumes and parlour tricks. Long live the Freaks!

Clocking in at nearly 2-and-a-half hours, I felt like I'd endured the festival by the end of the film. Sensory overload.

I need to shave. I've made it this far into the festival, and feel like it's playoff season. Only 2 days left, and I'm keeping the scruff for the team.

Puffy Chair

2007-02-19T11:12:00.000-08:00

Oops, I was late for Puffy Chair.
Missed the first five minutes.
It was fun, handmade, tiny crew. good dialogue (though a tad cliche at times,) charming, interesting characters, realistic. Based on the fact that it was a relationship movie, and that ground has been trampled, it's worth the watch, it still had its fresh moments. Loved the handheld camerawork, in and out of focus and intimate.

Store

2007-02-19T11:09:00.000-08:00

A packed theatre for the World premiere of Cami Kidder's first feature, Store. Pamphlets were even handed out for a support group for hoarders. An interesting commentary on "Stuff" which brings George Carlin's rant to mind. I have yet to need a storage locker, but I must confess, I'm a hoarder (sort of.) Are you a hoarder if you actually use all the stuff?
10 televisions (3 don't work), 12 projectors (5 don't work, they're for parts, okay?) 271 reels of film, all 8mm home movies of people I don't know. Hi, my name is Scott, and I'm a hoarder. Step 1, done.
My dream job: A treasure hunter, cleaning out abandoned storage lockers.
What made Store great, were the little gems of wisdom from the packrats, like "It's all stuff that I care about, I'm just not sure what it is." Priceless.

Pirate Radio USA

2007-02-08T18:05:00.000-08:00

The film started out as a documentary on pirate radio, and evolved into a commentary on corporate control and infringement on our rights and freedoms. Our journey was hosted by DJ's Him and Her, the Producers of the Film, Jeff Pearson and Mary Jones. It was an interesting ride through Independent Media, and civil disobedience.

They got up for a Q+A after the screening, and fielded questions from the activist audience. I had a question, but couldn't bring myself to ask it. The more I thought about it after leaving the theatre, I had to ask.

I understand that the airwaves should be public property, and support your fight to reclaim them, but what about the rights of the artists/musicians whose work you are broadcasting?

So, I hunted down the filmmakers today to ask them about it, and talked to Mary Jones. She said that most musicians had no problems with it, because of the scale of the audience. It was the record labels and publishers that were a little more difficult to deal with. And now that Low-Power FM radio has been legalized and licensed in the States, the smaller broadcasters have jumped through all the hoops to give them license to broadcast. She said that It wasn't really an issue because of the tiny scale of pirate radio broadcasters.
Fair enough.
My thought is that you get some serious underground cred having your work played on pirate radio. arrrrrr.

I left the theatre in the mood for some civil disobedience, but was too tired to act on it. Memories of making mix tape radio shows with 2 shoddy tape players when I was 8 years old, but that's another story.

Changed by the Strange

2007-02-08T17:59:00.000-08:00

Changed by the Strange was the early shorts screening on Wednesday evening.
Some great works, including "The Saddest Boy in the World" by Jamie Travis, and "The Tragic Story of Nling. " Animated. Very cool. Each frame was scanned into a computer, printed, and then filmed. Like nothing I've ever seen before. Awesome. And there was an alcoholic talking donkey. (Does it get any better?)

Alex Ferrari's BROKEN left a little to be desired. It looked great, and was well edited...but...
Perhaps I'm a film snob, but there was no story, at least not anything new. Bad guy with scars, who talks too much to shoot the hero before someone comes to rescue her in a hail of bullets. It played like a bad shoot-em-up video game translated into a film. The make-up and special effects were great, and I'm sure Ferrari could make a killer action feature-length film. I guess what I'm trying to say is: genre calling card film. Great if you're into that sort of thing. I'm not.

Another Q+A with a local filmmaker, Cathleen Thom, whose "How to make Art: A Documentary" started of the night with some good ol' homegrown hand-processed and manipulated stop-motion negatives. Now that's something I can get into, the human touch and more heart than gunfire.

Shorts At Plan B

2007-02-08T11:30:00.001-08:00

Slacking on the blog. Apologies, work is getting in the way of my festing.

As planned, I made it to the shorts screenings over the last two nights, all 4 of them at Plan B. As always, I was thoroughly impressed with the selection.
For most of the screenings, there were some of the filmmakers in attendance that got up for Q+A sessions afterward. It's one of the reasons I love the shorts screenings, you get to put a face to the work and meet the feature film directors of the Future.

On the list of talanted filmmakers I had the pleasure of meet an interogating:

Jamie Travis, his Patterns Trilogy screened during "Play with my Head." Just when I thought it couldn't get any more bizarre. Love his stuff. Very talented BC filmmaker who is moving to Toronto, and mentioned plans for a feature. Exciting news.

Marjorie Celona, who directed "Nicht Angegeben," a beautiful, dark tale. meticulously executed, haunting. Plus she's a sweetheart in real life.

Sam Scott, the Animator and Director of The Merry Sea-Gentleman. Love the textures of his animation style, and I'm happy to spread the rumour that there are more films in the works.

Erika Piero - producer of "The Universal Hanging Together of all Things" I had seen this film before through a secret link on the internet (I feel so in-the-loop) because a friend of mine went to school with the filmmakers. Very Professional looking student production. Fun film, I'll bet you can hunt it down online. Do it.

Annye Cantongue - repetetive overlapping words, a visual poem. Originally it was in French, but required subtitling for the festival circuit, so she made an english version. It was beyond language. Trippy.

Russell Reillander - Director of The Beverage Enthusiasts," a fun romp, chaplin-esque, silent. A local character with a wacky sense of humour. I'm disappointed to see more of our local talent escaping to Toronto.

Shorts Fest

2007-02-05T17:48:00.000-08:00

Woohoo!!!
This is my favorite part of the festival. for the next 3 nights, Plan B on Broad Street will be screening 6 different shorts programs. There were 2 shorts screenings last night that I couldn't make it to. damn. Some of the best local work, including Marjorie Celona's Nicht Angegeben and Russell Reilander's The Beverage Enthusiasts (tonight and tomorrow respectively) and some other works I expect to be amazing (the VIFVF Shorts programming team haven't disappionted me in years). Plus I can see what the competition is doing, and the short format is perfect for my short
attention
span.
gotta run.

McLaren Retrospective

2007-02-05T17:22:00.001-08:00

Exactly what I expected. I should've planned a little better and dipped into the stash before the screening. By the end of the show, I felt like I had. I had seen most of them before (who hasn't?) on television screens, so seeing them on the big screen was a treat. The amount of patience that McLaren had boggles my mind. Trippy stuff. Loved the Opening Speech.
Technical Difficulties: The aspect ratio was a little off so the top and bottom of the frame were cut off. A little distracting, but, from what I understand, theatres aren't equipped to project films in 4:3 ratio anymore, since everything is now shot widescreen. (I'm sure there's a number ratio, but I can't begin to pretend I know what it is...2.33 perhaps? 1:1.66? 42?

NFB Party

2007-02-05T17:19:00.001-08:00

On the top floor of the Executive House Hotel, after Citizen Sam was an National Film Board get-together. Proscuitto wrapped cantalope. I was curious, but not daring enough. After a tasty beverage, I got my yap on, met most of the Producers at the NFB, and threw my name around the water cooler, "that Scott Amos sure is something, It's all I keep hearing about, Scott Amos, Scott Amos." Hopefully they didn't notice I was talking to myself, my name sunk in, and will ring a pleasant, if not peculiar, bell when I come pleading for assistance. A little underhanded, perhaps, but I was having fun. I ducked out to see the McLaren screening before I embarrassed myself too much, phew.

Citizen Sam

2007-02-05T17:06:00.000-08:00

Generally, I'm not big on the docs, I prefer an imaginary world. I went into the theatre cold, knowing nothing about this film. I was pleasantly surprised. Citizen Sam had its funny moments, its tough moments and its awkward moments and was worth the watch. The intimate moments from his diary cam keep it interesting and accessible, and I'm detached enough from the real world and political events in Vancouver that I had no idea how the election unfolded. A nice slice of feel-good-ery.

The VIP Lounge

2007-02-04T11:08:00.000-08:00

I always forget my business cards. dang.
Especially when I get the opportunity to meet the most important people in the Canadian film industry.

I schmoozed my way around around, and met a few people, including the incredibly charming Tracey Friesen, who produced the film "Citizen Sam" which is screening this afternoon. I'll be there.

I also met a delightful Brother-Sister duo, Devon and Kirsten Bolton, from Calgary who produced "Shipwrecked" which is screening next weekend as part of the Treasures and Thrills family shorts program.

And, I actually got to see David Foster, not meet him, mind you. With the slew of people with cameras snapping shots of him, a figured the last thing he needed was to be accosted by the goofy Blogger and his slide whistle.

Fido

2007-02-04T11:06:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of introducing the film and its director, Andrew Currie, to a packed theatre. I had met him in the summer, just briefly, after scooting my way through a crowd of people around him. If he didn't remember meeting me, he faked it well, good man.

I had seen a rough cut of Fido in the summer, and loved it the first time around. This time it was even better. It had been cleaned up a little, 12 minutes were removed since the last time I saw it. I didn't miss them. Everyone, and I mean everyone, needs to see this film. There is another screening on Monday night, I suggest you go.

Andrew got up for a little Q+A session after the film. My favorite question was a rhetorical from a young man in the audience. "Why did that film kick so much ass?" to which a modest Currie replied through a smile "I don't know."

Fido was in development for nearly a decade, had a great cast, was beautifully shot, and had the audience roaring. A Canadian Gem.

Run, Robot Run!

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The write-up in the schedule didn't do it justice, I must say, It didn't sell me on the film. But I'm pleased to have made it to the screening.

A minimal but effective sci-fi set made on a shoestring budget. A few locations, a small, but talented cast. Snappy Dialogue. Funny, light-hearted, campy. A little tip from writer/director Daniel O'Connor about making a low budget feature - "Don't do a Sci-Fi." Oh, sweet hindsight, but he managed to pull it off with the help of a great Art Director.

I realize that no one will take me seriously if all I say are nice things about everything. So I won't. Run, Robot Run! lulled a little near the end, an could've been honed down a little to keep it moving. That being said, it was a superb effort for a independently funded first feature with a tiny budget.

Film Forum - Getting That First Feature Made

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As a maker of short films, I'm not quite far enough along in the game to be looking to make a feature, but it was still interesting to hear what the speakers had to say. I think there may be a language barrier. When they' re talking about low budget, and they say 5 or 6, I think to myself,
5 or 6 hundred, that's my big budget work. (but I make shorts)
5 or 6 thousand, now that's a juicy budget. no more peanut butter sandwiches and mac and cheese for me.
But really, what they mean is 5 or 6 hundred thousand dollars. And in the film world, that is low budget. Yowzah. I've got a ways to go.
What I learned: Script is key, not just a script, a great script. And enough Producer and Director credits behind shorter work to prove that you can make it happen.

Away From Her - Gala

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I got there early, really early, just to ensure I didn't get the neck-bender seats in the front row. I have to be careful, too many films to see in the next ten days to throw my neck out on Gala night.

Gordon Pinsent got up before the screening to welcome a packed house, and spoke briefly about what a great experience making the film was. Away from Her has deserves every bit of praise it has received for good reason. Phenomenal Cinema to kick off the Festival.

It was thick with Canadian references (we love those) and golden moments of humour to balance out the moments of heartbreak. Heavy. The weight followed me to the Gala party at the Empress, but luckily, a tray of beer floated past me as soon as I made it in the door, A tasty Nut Brown Ale jumped into my hand and whispered to me, "this is a party, Scott, lighten up." Ahhh. Barley Wisdom.

I mingled my way through, rubbing elbows with the film community. Everyone was all glitzed up, there were dainty snackables everywhere, and an R&B Band to get everyone's groove on. Classy, classy stuff. I wonder how I managed to talk my way into this gig.

David Foster made an appearance, but I missed him. I had worked out the theme from St. Elmo's Fire on slide whistle. I wanted to play it for him. All that practice for nothing. Oh well.

While following around the free drinks floating around the room on trays. I slipped by the entrance to the media section, and was stopped by a friendly gentleman. "Hi," he said, ""are you here to meet someone?"
"Yeah, I'm here to meet up with that martini over there" I said, pointing to the server.
"This is the media section"
"I am media, I think."
He just looked at me.
"I'm the blogger," I explained, shrugging. "Does that count?" and by that time, someone was already making time with my martini. But hope wasn't lost, there were other trays, with other drinks, that I got to know instead.

A fantastic start to my cinephiliac week.

I can't say enough about Away From Her. If you get a chance to catch it at the Star in Sydney tonight at 7:00, do it. The advance tickets sold out, but there are about 50 tickets at the door, I hear. Get there early.

Pre-Festival Bash

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I wriggled my way into Lucky Bar last night, through the cozily packed Pre-Festival Bash, past camera lights, and sparkly burlesque dancers. The projection screen flickered with homegrown “My Victoria” Videos, It wasn’t just pre-festive, it was festive. Looks like an exciting year.

Whether it was Festival Programmer Donovan’s magical editing, or the films in the line-up, the Trailer reel had me sold. A few highlights:

Away from Her, Sarah Polley’s Directorial debut is set to launch the fest as the
Gala Screening. Universally touted as the Best Film of the Toronto International Film Festival. You can check out a trailer here: HYPERLINK "http://www.caprifilms.com/awayfromher/" http://www.caprifilms.com/awayfromher/

Norman McLaren Retrospective. Wow. I’m stoked. Maybe It’s the animation geek in me, or just that fact that the man is a genius (noticed I used “is.” Although he passed away in 1987, I’m refusing to let that alter his genius status to past tense.)

Bill Plympton’s “Guide Dog.” He was a guest of the festival a couple years ago. Wacky sense-of-humour. Seriously, the man is beautifully warped.

Andrew Currie’s “Fido.” I was lucky enough to catch a rough-cut screening of this film in the summer. Though zombie flicks don’t really do it for me, this one did. Light-hearted and entertaining. Shaun of the Dead meets Leave it to Beaver. Ridiculous. Fun Times. They’ve even got a website for “Zomcon,” the fictional company in the film HYPERLINK "http://www.zomcon.com/" http://www.zomcon.com/

And, they announced the Festival’s Special Guest this year, drum roll please…. Composer David Foster. I’ll be honest, my first thought was “David Who?” Until they played the reel. One of the most ubiquitous composers of our time, he has had his hand in everything: St. Elmo’s Fire, Karate Kid 2, The Bodyguard, Footloose, Ghostbusters. Like it or not – there’s a good chance you know every word to at least one of his songs, probably more than one. He is the writer/producer behind a slew of #1 soundtrack hits. I hadn’t put a name to them before – David Foster.

21 days and counting.

Before then, I’ll have to swing by The Bay or the Sony Store to check out the “My Victoria” Videos that are playing on a loop for the next 4 weeks. More than 50 Victoria-made minute-long films, including one of mine. Rumour has it the Bay has couches -woohoo!!!- but no popcorn, so bring your own.

I’ve got my grubby paws on a Festival Schedule, so now it’s time to mark off my calendar. It’s a question of scheduling. How many of the 140 films can I pack into a week? And can I bring my own lazy-boy chair so I don’t get theatre-bum?

More to come….once I’ve chewed my way through the festival guide.

“Away from Her” is screening Friday, Feb 2nd , 6:45pm at the Cap6 and Saturday, Feb 3rd, 7:00pm at Star Cinema in Sidney.

“McLaren Retrospective” is screening Sunday, Feb 4th, 6:45pm at the Cap 6.

“Guide Dog” and “Fido” are screening together on Saturday Feb 3rd, 6:45pm and Monday Feb 5th, 9pm at the Cap 6.

Welcome to the Victoria Independent Film & Video Festival!

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We're glad you're here.