Gururi No Koto
This year’s Berlinale is almost over and as I’ve been jumping from Cinema hall to Cinema hall, synchronizing my watches to the BVG U-Bahn schedules (Damn, missed the connection to Alex, AGAIN!) and trying not to be too distracted by the red waves of Berlinale bags that have been on the assault and in your face this past week, I wonder, has it really been all worth it? Go on for a little summery and outlook of the festival after the jump.
Let’s see: the queuing, the decision-making, the many failed attempts to buy movie tickets online (who are these people who snap all the tickets up??) and the “getting-there-early-to-get-a-good-seat” have all been part of my Berlinale experience. And, yes, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it, almost as much as not having to watch annoying commercials right before the movie starts.
Here’s what has and is yet to fill my last few Berlinale days. Qualitywise I would have to say I wasn’t as blown away as I would have liked to, but hey, who’s complaining, right?
White Lightning
Based on a the life story of Jesco White, otherwise known as the Dancing Outlaw this movie left me feeling very disturbed, even aggressive and sad at the same time, (if there was such a thing). Then the director, the producers and Edward Hogg, who played Jesco, came up at the end of the movie and said a few words. That put my mind at ease and made the screening totally worthwhile. Now if only Carrie Fisher had turned up.
Verdict: Best watched in groups of two or more and with some stress relief distractions such as popcorn, cigarettes, beers within close reach.
The Countess
Julie Delpy, one of my favorite actresses, starred, wrote and directed this movie. She was supposed to be at the screening, but she wasn’t, as she had left Berlin by then. Boo.
A dark tale about the life of a 17th Century Countess, Erzebt Barthory, it depicted how she was ‘cheated and betrayed’ by Love, thus falling from one of the most feared and powerful women in Europe to a bizarre-half-crazed woman who was convinced that virginal blood would preserve her beauty. If you’ve ever heard of the torture instrument called the Iron Maiden, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Erzebet Bathorty may have been a bit extreme if you ask me, but she was interesting to watch, even though the acting was a bit weak a times.
Verdict: While Daniel Brueh is good looking enough to keep you interest going, he’s only in about 40% of the movie. The other 60% you can wait to watch later. Or on DVD. Or whenever.
Up next:
Little Joe
Little Joe is a documentary about Joe Dallesandro, the 1970s male sex symbol of American underground films as we’d like to call it. As part of Andy Warhol’s “Factory” he played a rent boy in Flesh (1968) and was also once hailed as the “underground Valentino”. And after seeing him pose for the Rolling Stones album cover ‘Sticky Fingers’, I think I’m going to enjoy this movie even more. Movie synopsis here.
Gururi No Koto
A Japanese movie about a couple living in modern day Japan. I think its about love, marriage and what happens when two people’s lives split at a junction that takes them further and further away from each other. I love movies like this, I wonder if it’s a sign that I’m watching in on Valentine’s Day? (which I don’t believe in anyway). Anyway, that’s just my interpretation – read the movie synopsis here.
