THIS IS SHORT
NEW POINT OF VIEW
ATOMIC
Recommended. It's splendid. The visuals and the actress's voice are mesmerising. The story first enigmatic, artistic and philosophical, gains consistency and meaning once you read the film description. It gives you chills down the spine, especially when you read more, only to discover the story was true.
THE 2021 OSCARS GALA
Only http://freetvstream.in/de/tv/pro7.php worked this year on time. Brettygood.com joined shortly afterwards too but then switched to a different streaming at some point.
The gala started with references to black people's protests and the pandemic. Most nominees and their families are maskless at the venue because: "Everyone's been vaxxed, tested, socially isolated, re-tested." They are seated in small family groups at separate tables.
After introductions highlighting the backgrounds of the nominees, instead of usual jokes, "Promising Young Woman" wins the "Best Original Screenplay" - just as I hoped.
Adapted Screenplay - "The Father" - I'll have to see it finally. Unlike in the last few years, this time I failed to see most of the nominated movies, part of it was on purpose. I do hope to see them all once cinemas re-open. The winner was live in Sydney.
Laura Dern handed in the award for the International Feature Film. Vinterberg entered the stage dancing "Druk" ("Another Round") style and admitted he had always imagined the moment. He described his movie as being about letting go the control in your life and celebrating life. I loved the dancing scene in the picture but the rest was just fine. I haven't seen its competitors.
Laura Dern continued with Actor in a Supporting Role. She's also focusing on nominees' backgrounds. No jokes. Daniel Kaluuya for "Judas and the Black Messiah" - again, I haven't seen the movie but I liked the actor in his earlier roles. His speech wasn't impressive.
I love Pro7 commercials - most are the Oscar-nominated movie trailers.
Makeup and Hairstyling - I hoped for "Emma". Disappointingly, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" - which I haven't seen - won. The winner thanked black ancestors who would often not even be admitted in schools, for their effort.
Costume Design - also "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom".
Humanitarian Award since it's a pandemic year: MPT (Motion Picture and Television) Fund who supported the freelancers of the industry.
봉준호 (Bong Joon Ho), right from Seoul, in Korean, consecutively interpreted from there as well, mentioned among others that the "Promising Young Woman" director, Emerald Fennell, asked at 8 what she wanted to become, said she wanted to write murder stories. Then he announced the Directing award: "Nomadland" - one I expect to see at the cinema shortly.
Sound - I hoped for "Soul", though expected "Sound of Metal" and "Sound of Metal" it is.
Live Action Short Film: "Two Distant Strangers" - haven't seen. The winner says that on average, the police kill 3 people per day, disproportionately often black people.
Reese Witherspoon Animated Short Film... I hope not "Burrow". Luckily "If Anything Happens I Love You". Still, surprising it's not Disney. The winning film's about deaths from gun violence though.
Reese is presenting the Best Animated Feature Film... I've only seen "Soul" and "Farmageddon" and loved "Soul". Some nominees are at the BFI in London or in Kilkenny, Ireland. "Soul" wins. What a relief. "It started as a love letter to jazz" - I'm happy it went beyond the style of music I don't quite like. Exploring "the purpose of life" is so much better.
Documentary Short Subject - most are heavy topics. "Colette" wins, it's on a person who ended up in a Nazi concentration camp. Others told stories of a hospital in war-torn Yemen or Hongkong protests.
Documentary Feature - I haven't seen any but hope for "My Octopus Teacher" to win, as it would highlight how intelligent the animals are. And it wins! Filmed in an ocean forest in South Africa, it also makes this year's Oscars about the most international ever. Coupled with some gala attendees abroad of course.
Steven Yeun's joke about his mum taking him to "Terminator" when he was 7 and acting as if she had meant him to see such a movie is the first that made me laugh. And one of few so far. "Tenet" wins Visual Effects. I remember loving the movie, don't recall the effects.
Brad Pitt is announcing the Best Actress in a Supporting Role - succinctly and mispronouncing: 윤여정 (Youn Yuh-Jung - as the English misspelling goes) awarded for "Minari". And she felt "honoured to meet him".
Halle Berry, with a hairstyle making her look old, introduced the nominees for the Best Production Design. I haven't seen any. "Mank" wins.
Cinematography - I would have loved "The Trial of the Chicago 7" but it's "Mank" which I haven't seen that wins. And I can't hear the winner's speech since the stream is breaking up. Refreshing doesn't help.
Harrison Ford read editorial notes he got after "Bladerunner" which helped him understand how important Editing is, "not for the faint of heart". In this category, I hoped for "The Trial of the Chicago 7" but "Sound of Metal" won. The editor's from Denmark. Truly, an international ceremony. And his speech is breaking up again.
Another Humanitarian Award. The winner, Tyler Perry from BET, gives a moving speech about "refusing hate".
Zendaya announces the Best Original Score: "Soul" and I'm happy about the win.
Original Song: "Fight for You" from "Judas and the Black Messiah".
A surprise game of whether a piece was an Oscar winner, nominee or neither: "Purple Rain", "Last Dance" by Donna Summer etc. Boring.
In Memoriam - "we live forever through what we give". "Lives lost to Covid" and "to violence" are mentioned before the list of the deceased industry people.
Best Picture: I hoped for "The Trial of the Chicago 7" or "Promising Young Woman" but "Nomadland" won - well, I've yet to see it. Frances McDormand asks viewers to watch it on the biggest screen possible.
Renée Zellwegger enters to the music of "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds. Actress in a Leading Role: not my favourite Carey Mulligan. Frances McDormand wins.
Actor in a Leading Role: Anthony Hopkins - I haven't seen "The Father" but liked him in earlier roles.
K-ANIMATION
은실이 (THE DEAREST) (2012)
Recommended. Disturbing. About a mentally disabled girl who's sexually abused by a whole village. It is engaging as you discover more and more of everyone's dark secrets but it leaves you despondent, hard not to cry afterwards.
언더독 (UNDERDOG) (2018)
Watchable. Colourful, almost Disneyesque pictures conceal a dark story of abandoned dogs. Heartbreaking. The dogs were supportive of one another. I just hated seeing all the violence inflicted on them and the accidents that happened to the pack. The story's quite original, e.g. one of several places where the action takes place is the DMZ. One moment before the finale when they reach a tranquil village is soothing. But the rest is a long sequence of horrors befalling those beautiful, loving animals. Ah, as for love, the famous love scene of dogs eating spaghetti from "Lady and Tramp" is recreated at some point.
우리집 멍멍이 진진과 아키다 (MY DOGS, JINJIN AND AKIDA) (2016)
Watchable. Another heavy-loaded movie on dogs and people, this one includes selling dogs for meat. But it ends truly well and the whole story is lighter in tone, at least in comparison to the previous stuff.
Having seen all full-length movies from the screenings I'm astonished by the abundance of school topics or reminiscences of the past. I'm also puzzled by the selection - why are all, really all the films, so grim?!
KROTKA FORMA (2018)
The set of short films comprised of:
여우소녁 (FOX BOY)
Watchable. This one first appeared to be a children's cartoon, especially that no words are spoken, but the tale soon turns brutal due to a sick psycho.
WOOGA
Recommended. A cheerful tale, also wordless, of a ginger caveman and dinosaurs. Orangish hues dominate the film till a cute blue dino baby hatches. The short story has a few tongue-in-cheek twists.
PARSLEY GIRL
Recommended. A visually stunning compilation of freely available images and sounds with a fairy-tale in the background.
레버 (THE LEVERS)
Recommended. This psychological dilemma money v. morals is visually austere apart from a cigarette throwing out fiery sparkles looking like gold. The protagonist's job is shocking but that's the only dark bit.
SCRIPT FIESTA
שְׁעַת נְעִילָה (VALLEY OF TEARS) EP. 1&2 (2020)
Recommended. Archive footage is mixed with fiction - though based on the real events of the Yom Kippur war of 1973 - e.g. it mixes an archive black and white air raid with the protagonists in tanks below. The war plot tackles also cultural and ethnic issues through varied characters, my favourite being the hapless intelligence guy who's never believed by others. The end credits are accompanied by recordings from the invasion. After the 2 episodes I'm curious how the offensive is going to advance and would love to see the protagonists again.
There were English and Polish subtitles - on light backgrounds therefore not always clear from a distance.
K-ANIMATION
돼지의 왕 (THE KING OF PIGS) (2011)
Recommended. It's unfair that "기생충" ("Parasite") got an Oscar while "돼지의 왕" ("The King of Pigs") goes into the same issues much more profoundly and harrowingly. It's superbly written - both the action and the narrative. The story's psychologically insightful. 김철 (Chol) looks like Bruce Lee and is just as feisty - up to a moment. The tale is dark, shockingly brutal and leaves no hope - you can't beat the system. It puts lots of emphasis on hierarchy - the root cause of the pathology in the presented world. The plot, with its twists and turns as well as the changes of perception, is gripping.
SCRIPT FIESTA
This year's Fiesta takes place fully online. It's commenced today. All the events, except for movies, are staying on thinkfilm.pl for 2 weeks.
DIALOG NA 100%. WYKLAD MICHALA OLESZCZYKA NA TEMAT TRYLOGII RICHARDA LINKLATERA
The Polish-only lecture by Michał Oleszczyk on Richard Linklater's trilogy focuses on dialogue. The lines are often spot on, e.g. "I want to keep talking to you." is the sentence that persuades the woman to get off the train hence allowing the relationship to start. They introduce themselves to each other by names only once they got off the train which is so realistic - I can recall similar situations from my own life - the movies are organic. The lecture makes you appreciate the structure and the use of book titles or song lyrics or subtle imaging or pacing the movie with dialogue.
BEFORE MIDNIGHT (2013)
Switched off. The last part of Linklater's trilogy, strangely screened first, is awfully mundane and feels lengthy. It depicts a couple so ordinary there's no need to switch on a movie to see and hear such people. OK, I know what Michał Oleszczyk meant. The couple have an exchange about breaking up, next a happy old couple is seen at their destination. Then the lead protagonist is talking about a protagonist experiencing constant déjà vu, mentions sitting next to someone, himself sitting on the shore is discussing movie "On the Waterfront" - the dialogue is smart but not cracking and certainly didn't make me curious about what's going to happen later. And it is overtalked.
With the screening volume awfully low and subtitles (Polish only) white and small, it was additionally difficult to watch.
BEFORE SUNRISE (1995)
Recommended. The first part of the trilogy. The opening credits feature wonderful classical music, I suppose Viennese since this city plays the first violin in this picture. Jesse's mention of "the poetry of everyday life" is what later proves the driving force of the whole franchise. Jesse's idea for a reality show reflects 1995 - the decade of the rise of this kind of entertainment. Luckily his vision sounds more inventive than what we have been able to see on telly since then - 365 places and their inhabitants from round the world shown over a year is about one reality show even I would follow. Also the couple move places, even inside the train, or the places move when they sit still, e.g. landscapes out the window keep passing by. The way of his getting her off the train is truly funny and creative - I'd have fallen for it myself. Jokes continue when they encounter two guys on their path shortly after: "Do you speak English?" "Do you speak German, for a change?" Ethan Hawke wonderfully acts the smart, self-confident, playful young man, Julie Delpy is gentle, sometimes cheeky, once even masculine - in the mock phone conversation. The dialogue is cracking and natural at the same time. The reincarnation question is one I asked myself. But I found an answer, a different to the one Jesse suggests. The ever-changing vistas of Vienna from dusk to dawn form an attractive backdrop completing the amiable tale.
The trilogy must have lost its momentum since the third part was nothing like the first: still camera, silly dialogue, boring people.
The screening volume was better, you could do without the subtitles - Polish only, still white and small. I watched most of it from a distance, missed some lines but the fading ones didn't seem to matter.
THE VIGIL
Recommended. Truly frightening. Just the first 11 minutes and the final 4 minutes are not horrifying. Meaning 1 hour 12 minutes scare the hell out of you. The rational opening is fascinating in the way the characters learn to live outside the Orthodox Jewish community and you discover how cultural notions can't be taken for granted, even the most minute everyday behaviours. When it turns into proper horror, its background is original for the genre too. The extended second act makes you glance over your shoulder repeatedly. I wanted it to go over faster just because I felt so terrified. The director dedicates the movie to his grandparents who passed away during the making. Creepy.
Seen online, cinematic reception might differ. But now, at least in Poland, it's only going to be available on various online platforms - from Friday, tomorrow - anyway.
EL PROFUGO (THE INTRUDER)
Watchable. Argentinians don't know how to make horrors. Or psychological dramas, since this one, in spite of adopting some typical for the horror genre tropes and structure, is hard to classify. It drags. I only waited for the ending to find out what the sound issue was. The main plot is eventually clarified but not subplots, especially the sound engineer's disappearance. And it's poorly acted. Most of the cast doesn't fit the story. The final song is catchy enough.
The Polish subtitles on mojeekino.pl were white, cursive, hardly legible from a distance. The volume was too low too.
KRAKOW FILM FESTIVAL
The festival will take place 30 May - 6 June 2021 in Kraków cinemas and online. Last year's was online only. The streaming platform gathered new audience so the organizers count on it this year too. The screenings will take place at a specific time.
Among Polish offerings are:
Adrian Apanel's "Stancja" ("The Last Room On the Left") - a short horror-comedy where a student is shown around a lodging house and each room and inhabitant is weirder and weirder. The interior and exterior of the house are "acted" by two various locations.
Tomasz Wysokiński's "Spacer z aniołami" ("Walk With Angels") - a documentary shot in South Africa.
Kinga Syrek's animation "Za późno" ("Too Late") on Andy Warhol's actress Edie Sedgwick and her relationship with her father - which actually drove her miles away from home where she met Warhol - with a soundtrack by Grammy winner Robert Margouleff.
Zbigniew Czapla's "On Time" covers a Japanese topic and is a "no budget" production where he made everything himself, including technicalities.
Michał Kawecki's "Antybohater" ("Not Hero At All") is described as a hilarious film about a disabled person.
It's one of the few festivals in the world whose winners have a path paved to candidate for Oscars. American Film Academy publishes a list of festivals which allow the winners an easier access - at KFF the categories are: short documentary, short animation, short fiction and full-length documentary. In practice it means they don't have to meet all the criteria, e.g. cinema screenings in the US. Most qualifying short animations festivals are in the US. There are just a few festivals in the world qualifying in so many categories.
In spite of the pandemic, 283 Polish films (over 2500 in total) were submitted for the festival: 141 documentaries, 86 actors' movies and 101 animations. Women seem to specialise in animations. The documentaries range from: Jewish topics - common for this festival but also on MMA or persons famous in Polish history. Polish entries are watched by at least 3 selectors each, foreign ones by 2.
All industry events (for the producers) will be held online.
TVP (Polish Television) will be a patron so I assume it's only a matter of time when the (Polish at least) films will be in their program.
THIS IS SHORT
The platform (thisisshort.filmchief.com) allows to see, with just one ticket, 4 European short film festivals: Go Short, Kurzfilmtage Oberhausen, Vienna Shorts and Short Waves as well as a number of special releases in a few categories. Some are subject to geographic restrictions, as I've just experienced with "Sun Dog" - a Russian European Film Award candidate (I'm guessing that's why I couldn't get it started). Individual films are available usually for limited periods of time, i.e. a day or a few, the whole platform stays active till the end of June. The system is complicated but you only pay once and explore at your will. Each film is under 20 minutes.
EUROPEAN FILM AWARDS CANDIDATES
This section releases new titles, which candidated for the Awards, once a week and they are avialable that week only.
DIE BESTE STADT IST KEINE STADT (THE BEST CITY IS NO CITY AT ALL)
Watchable. An artistic and environmentally-oriented film on the issue of spreading cities. It offers some smart tricks, e.g. "If you don't mess up the space, you don't have to clean it afterwards" and suggests "an award for money unspent". It also highlights the fact that future depicted in movies is always dystopian because a catastrophe is more likely to happen therefore easier to imagine. Clear but prolonged shots make this 15-minute short feel lengthy.
NEW POINT OF VIEW - EUROPEAN ONLINE COMPETITION
This section, with each film available for 84 hours, i.e. 3.5 days, is subject to audience voting - once you finish watching, the option of casting your vote opens.
LES ANTILOPES
Switched off. A few air shots of running antelopes are first accompanied by a philosophical commentary on these animals committing a mass suicide which gets replaced by club music accompanying the images of the animals rushing to their demise. What a sick idea!
Both had subtitles on black background so perfectly legible. The screening quality was superb.
NARZISS UND GOLDMUND (NARCISSUS AND GOLDMUND)
Recommended. This period drama questing who and what is essential in life is based on the novel of the same title by Herman Hesse and scripted and directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky of Oscar-winning "Die Fälscher" ("The Counterfeiters") fame. Costumes of the rich and of the poor, make-up showing the marks of the Black Death, locations in South Tirol - all depict the Middle Ages meticulously. The movie shows the extreme brutality of the time and covers all areas of everyday life from eating and drinking, travel, work and social relations. The two male leads get brilliant support from a group of actors, who no matter how small the role, put in memorable performances. Multi-layered characters, especially of the two boys/men and a typically medieval story provide for engaging action as well as offer quietly profound moments. Visually, at times it delights you, at other scares you with times past, but in the core it's timeless.
Seen online, on mojeekino.pl - the volume was excellent but Polish subtitles too small and white on all background colours, impossible to read from a distance.
WW84
Recommended. Gal Gadot and Chris Pine reprise their roles as Wonder Woman and Steve Taylor in this top-notch entertainment. Kristin Wiig, who's 47, is an anti-superhero and a proof you can pull off such a role at any age. Both her and Pedro Pascal as Max Lord excel as the superbaddies. Whether the Olympics of the ancient world or 1984, it's an alternative world. The '80s are even more colourful than they were in reality. The movie's part-humorous, part-moving but engaging from start to finish. There's an early mid-credit. Is she going to return in "Wonder Woman 3"? Might be interesting but careful what you wish for.
Seen online, cinematic reception might differ. If it ever gets a cinema release.
GLI ANNI PIU BELLI (THE BEST YEARS)
Watchable. An engaging and touching story of a friendship, and fall-outs with mates, spanning a few decades. It depicts also the highs and lows of life, career, fulfillment. Only the romantic plot is a bit far-fetched. The movie set mostly in Rome and partly in Naples reflects the Italian lifestyle: camaraderie, joy, passion. It's just pleasant to watch. Pierfrancesco Favino, unlike in "Il traditore" ("The traitor), here impersonates a lawyer, though also of an ambiguous type. Micaela Ramazzotti is suitably cast as everone's love interest. The 80s sound particularly well due to an outstanding performance of "Don't You (Forget About Me)" (originally by Simple Minds).
The mojeekino.pl screening was fluent, subtitles legible and the dialogue and music audible.
OBJAZDOWY WATCH DOCS TORUN (WATCH DOCS ON A TOUR) - ONLINE
КАК Я МОГУ ТЕБЕ ПОМОЧЬ?
Watchable. The short film proves it's perpetrators' impunity that hurts victims the most. But most of the conversation excerpts deal with abstract ideas so you don't get to sympathise with the battered protesters in Belarus.
ERASE UNA VEZ IN VENEZUELA, CONGO MIRADOR (ONCE UPON A TIME IN VENEZUELA)
Switched off. It's going nowhere. You just witness day-to-day life in a village in Venezuela. The subject may have something to do with the lake being polluted with oil but it's mentioned only once in the first half an hour after which I couldn't be bothered any longer.
БУДЕТ АПРЕЛЬ (FORCED RETIREMENT)
Watchable. A short documentary about a TV journalist beaten up during protests in Belarus. The title refers to their cult comedy so doesn't carry connotations to foreigners. The protesters' injuries are presented, scars shown to the camera close-up. But what's most harrowing is when you hear that "they beat you for one minute more, till the body doesn't move"
ЧТО МЫ БУДЕМ ДЕЛАТЬ ЗАВТРА?
Watchable. The title question asked during the protests in Belarus is silly, just as is his looking for a protagonist. The chat between the director and someone else commenting who's in the image is needless too. The only point of interst in this short documentary is that you learn what it was like to be arrested for a few days when the riots started.
The subtitles were on light backgrounds and too small to read from a distance.
OBJAZDOWY WATCH DOCS TORUN (WATCH DOCS ON A TOUR) - ONLINE
CURRENT SEA
Watchable. The documentary about activists' efforts to protect Cambodian waters from illegal fishing by Vietnamese trawlers and from the most devastating electrocuting all marine life in the way is of vital importance but it's overlong, a lot of material could be easily cut out. It could have been structured better and more concise. As for such a dramatic situation, the film pace and rhythm fails to convey the tension and urgency.
The white subtitles on often light backgrounds are not always legible but most is in English and the volume is decent.
WANDA, MEIN WUNDER (MY WONDERFUL WANDA)
Recommended. So far Agnieszka Grochowska spoilt every movie she was in so I was apprehensive about this one where she is the title Wanda, especially that a tragicomedy about a Polish carer in Switzerland didn't seem enticing. But the cracking script is puckish, the plot takes a few twists and turns and is nothing I would expect. The ambiguous ending leaves it open for a sequel. Unlikely for this genre but who knows.
MARTIN EDEN
Watchable. The action of Jack London's novel is moved from Oakland, California to Naples, Italy. The classic tale tells of class struggle, ideas becoming salient with time, individualism, education, life sacrifices, making your own fate - Martin Eden epitomises a self-made man. The film conveys the message that education benefits everyone around. It depicts emerging socialism but the ideas of the period are not always comprehensible. The story a few times skips a period in Martin's life. Poverty-stricken areas are skillfully recreated and lavish interiors are used for the wealthy residences. Innovatively, archival footage is inserted where the budget didn't allow for modern enactments - the archival material at times astonishes you with how fitting it is but at times is inexplicable and feels off place. Occasionally the dialogue sounds unnatural, especially workers who'd never adapt such a lofty speaking manner for a social chat. I mean the words could stay but only uttered casually. The movie is the proverbial curate's egg. The sound of sea waves can be heard at the end of the final credits.
Both screenings on mojeekino.pl were fluent - none or little stutter and with quality sound, subtitles big and on black background.
INFAMOUS
Recommended. Every generation has their killer lovers. 1967 had "Bonnie and Clyde" - they robbed and killed when necessary to escape, 27 years later 1994 had "Natural Born Killers" - they robbed, raped, held hostage but mostly killed in abundance, their exploits followed by the mass media, another 27 years on 2021 has "Infamous" - the couple rob and kill when frightened. They take one hostage but are kind to her, just like Mick and Mallory in 1994, Arielle and Dean had awful childhoods due to their inept and dishonest parents. And just like Bonnie in 1967, Arielle first works as a waitress. It's the Internet 2.0 era so the girl posts the crimes herself. The motivation has undergone evolution: 1967 was about money, 1994 was about violence, 2021 is about fame. The shifted objective is manifested by their disregard for money and violence being accidental, while fame is deemed as priceless, among others because famous people get away with crimes. This version of the story showcases a number of colourful costumes fit for the frivolous couple and is exceptionally well acted, with outstanding Bella Thorne as Arielle and Jake Manley as Dean - he resembles young Brad Pitt, though Jake's hair is dyed blond. Thumping music, mostly by Wolf Club, matches the action well.
Seen online, cinematic reception might differ. But now, at least in Poland, it's only available on various online platforms anyway.
RAISA
Switched off. While you quickly realise it's about a Chechen woman applying for the right to stay in Poland, the camera shows some of her activities and conversations without a commentary. No idea what the point of this short documentary is. Raisa's life is also so mundane - does she only care about such basic life needs or have only such bits been picked for the film? - that I'd better follow my own, it's far more interesting.
The film is touring festivals now.
OCTOPUS FILM FESTIVAL
A FIRE IN THE COLD SEASON
Switched off. Wolves being killed in traps in cold blood revolted me first. Then the story where a poacher becomes a hero felt off. A pregnant widow was terribly cliche and made the plot awfully predictable. Then it dawned on me that the main storyline, combined with attractive music and night lights, resembled something. The film is basically a redneck version of "Drive", played by mediocre actors of average looks. This one contains lots of swearing, the protagonists lack purpose and do stuff knowing no better. It's not even sure why exactly the gangsters are after them - the pretext is barely sketched. The movie traipses from one incident to the next. Based on protracted shots, the whole thing is so slow I paused frequently to surf the net and about half an hour before the end I decided not to fool myself any longer.
OCTOPUS FILM FESTIVAL
