L'UOMO DEL LABIRINTO (INTO THE LABYRINTH)
Watchable. Gripping - a 13-year-old girl is kidnapped in the opening scene and while it keeps you in suspense, nonsense, chaos, overcomplication with numerous red herrings and putting into doubt what's true and what's not detract from the mystery. Just like "La ragazza nella nebbia" ("The Girl in the Fog"), Donato Carrisi scripted and directed the movie based on his own book. In a way as ambiguous as before and adding confusion. What additionally ruins the film is inadequate romantic music in the more static sequences and unnatural-looking editing in some fast scenes, including the initial kidnapping. Make-up, realistic in the case of the girl in the hospital, elsewhere gets ridiculous, e.g. the black mark on the boy and man's face looks painted. Dustin Hoffman and Valentina Bellè's impeccable acting save the day.
PSY 3. W IMIE ZASAD
Watchable. The basic idea is fine. The movie takes you fast forward from the 90s to 2020. The characters' lives have changes plausibly. But the subsequent developments are far-fetched, filled with nonsense and it's not clear who, what and why. The music, with long saxophone blows, makes the passages between action feel even more lengthy than they are. At least acting is up-to-scratch. The finale's rubbish: who is the ending text message from and to?
GRAND OFF WINNING SHORT FILMS
About 3500 short films were sent in from 133 countries to enter the festival in 2019 and 4000 in 2018, normally European festivals receive about 300 entries. After preselection nominees are sent out to 90 selectors from round the world. The 90 people form the Jury Chapter, comprised of film professionals. Taken all that, I'd expect top-notch productions to win so was disappointed with what I saw:
MIT IM BUND - awarded for the script in 2019
Watchable. I liked the sexual harassment topic and its development where the girl doesn't remain a victim. The title has a double meaning: within the Federal Republic and within the bunch of people which is some food for thought. Still, it lacks suspense and feels moralistic.
DOUBOUT (STAND UP) - awarded for cinematography in 2019
Watchable again. I most liked hearing about the dangers of Europe from the African point of view: "This will fall on your head" (about snow) and "If it's not snow, it's terrorism." It also shows how "Star Wars" are a global inspiration. The rest is a nice family picture. Just an excerpt from someone's life, nothing special.
ТОЧКА БИФУРКАЦИИ (BIFURCATION POINT) - awarded for editing in 2019
Watchable. There is one little surprise in the plot. The rest is a moral tale for naughty teenagers.
TIMECODE (2016) - one of the festival organizer Witold Kon's favourites, awarded for directing
Recommended. Great cinematography, a riveting idea which was a great surprise, subtly told, professionally danced.
BUS STORY (2016) - one of the festival organizer Witold Kon's favourites, awarded for the plot
Recommended. Fantastic cinematography, especially on the bus, with a smart use of windows, also the reflections he creates with his mobile, are later reflected in his lonely ride when he's watching the city through the bus window. The romantic tale is subtly depicted, with no words.
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