Ticklish Tens
Programmes browsed, circled, dog-eared and fingered-through, Lumière’s editors and contributors compile their ten most wanted films in anticipation of July’s Telecom New Zealand International Film Festivals.
Founding Editor, The Lumière Reader
» Syndromes and a Century
Thai maverick Apichatpong Weerasethakul goes bush once more, grasping the unbearable lightness of being like no other.
» Electra Glide in Blue
With an endpoint to rival The Passenger’s audacious last shot, this unheralded motor-western scales a neo-Easy Rider wasteland of never-ending highways and violent hippies.
» The Last Picture Show
Bridging the Old Hollywood with the New, Peter Bogdanovich’s appreciation of silver screen nostalgia is all the more devastating given his reluctance to let go. A masterpiece of its time.
» Inland Empire
Three hours of David Lynch, Laura Dern, low drones and unquestionable nonsense – if you’re like me, you’ll be in heaven.
» Retribution
Kiyoshi Kurosawa finally gets his festival due ten years after Cure, the last word on serial killer movies.
» Paprika
The world’s most ingenious and cerebral animator, Satoshi Kon, promises to have us in knots with his latest mental minefield.
» Rescue Dawn
Werner takes his least Herzogian documentary and dramatises it with pathos and wilderness horror. Expect torture, self-defecation, and triumph.
» Paranoid Park
Gus Van Sant and Christopher Doyle reunite for another sort-of remake: the playground dreamscape of a teenage killer.
» Old Joy
Lost in America for the “self-satisfied, ineffectual left”, tempered with stunning Oregon forestry you’d be forgiven for thinking was 100% Pure New Zealand.
» Helvetica
Not Arial, but the word’s most ubiquitous typeface up large and in the spotlight – as the under-appreciated art of typography ought to be.
Associate Editor, The Lumière Reader; Sunday Star Times Chief Film Critic
» Five Easy Pieces
» The Edge of Heaven
» A Mighty Heart
» Bamako
» Climates
» Killer of Sheep
» Paprika
» I Served the King of England
» Still Life
» Crossing the Line
Arts and Film Critic, The Lumière Reader; Roaming freelance writer and reviewer
» A Mighty Heart
I love Michael Winterbottom. Particularly when he’s doing his thing of blending drama with documentary for his special kind of uber-docudrama (as with Welcome To Sarajevo).
» La Vie En Rose
Tony Bennett believes that there are certain performers whose talent goes beyond success, they become immortal. Hank Williams is the obvious example. Edith Piaf is a close second for someone whose very name (and voice) has come to label and embody a spirit, a feeling, a sound. And to then go on to represent so much more. This lovingly-produced, long-time-coming biopic should introduce a few new music fans to Piaf’s sound. And looks like an extraordinary film in its own right.
» The Boss Of It All
I thought I’d never forgive Lars Von Trier for taking away three hours of my life for Breaking The Waves – but then something happened: he made The Idiots. I appreciate his talent across the wider window of film (I loved Dancer In The Dark which seemed to go beyond being merely polarizing) but I think he’s at his best with farce and The Boss Of It All just sounds magic.
» Perfume: The Story Of A Murderer
Is this another of those unfilmable books? Not likely – more a case of a classic film destined to happen, one that’s been held in the wings for far too long. Since 1985, Patrick Suskind’s filthy novel has been delighting book readers, now in the hands of the man who made Run Lola Run we’ll get to see a top cast work their magic with what is so hopefully a zinger of a script.
» Venus
For no other reason than to see Peter O’Toole’s last great performance. Oh, ok – also because the script has been penned by Hanif Kureishi (and he’s worked with Michell before). I might even be able to stomach the songs of Corinne Bailey Rae for the sake of what looks like a lovely film with some super-sharp acting from many of Britain’s finest.
» Noise
Yeah, sure, I laughed at Kenny (a lot, actually) but I’m sick of the Aussies handing out average comedies in attempts to relive The Castle and Cosi. Movies like The Interview and Lantana are a real showcase for the grittiness of Australian life. We can all laugh at the easy stuff, but put some heart and tension in to things. I think Noise will deliver.
» Jesus Camp
One of the main reasons I watch documentaries is to learn something. But the REAL main reason I watch docos – is to check out nutters and freaks. This looks superb!
» Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man
Music documentaries are over-hyped these days. All of a sudden they’re deemed legitimate films, rather than the feeding-stock for anorak-wearing bores. I’d prefer to see them classed as they were. This mix of concert and documentary will take the place in this year’s festival of Chappelle’s Block Party from last year. Where that was all superficial feel-good, this will put the spotlight on what a lot of good music is actually about: feeling miserable. I can’t wait.
» Love Story
The other problem with music docos these days is that so many are made about bands that made great music but frankly aren’t interesting groups of people. Most musicians aren’t – they’re generally boring, or total tosspots. Often both. Love Story is a worthy look at one of the world’s most underrated bands. Love was such an unconventional troupe. Racially mixed, singing folk songs to a pop beat. Then there’s the deeply sad and crazy story of leader, Arthur Lee. Love Story will be superb.
» Two-Lane Blacktop
I always like seeing at least one old classic that’s being showing in the “out of the past” section. Preferably one I haven’t seen. I can’t believe I’ve never watched this – so I’m hanging out for the chance to see my boy Dennis Wilson go on the big screen.
Festival Correspondent, The Lumière Reader
» The Edge of Heaven
» Still Life
» I Served the King of England
» Bamako
» Red Road
» Comrades in Dreams
» Beethoven’s Hair
» Two-Lane Blacktop
» Paprika
» A Dirty Carnival
Music Editor and Film Critic, The Lumière Reader
» Paranoid Park
Gus Van Sant’s renaissance as an artfilm director continues, as he teams up with the great Australian cinematographer Christopher Doyle to look at an accidental teenage killer. Expect long moody shots and evocative imagery.
» I Don’t Want to Sleep Alone
Tsai Ming-Liang’s films never get a release on DVD in New Zealand following the Fest, but for the few people who populate (myself included) his films every year, this will surely be another treat of alienation, emptiness and gorgeous imagery.
» Falkenberg Farewell
Part documentary, part fiction, this Swedish film looks at the shifting nature of memory and time. Following five male friends, this film is also about the love of friendship and the poignant reminder that nothing is ever able to stay the same.
Syndromes and a Century
Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s films are often cryptic and confusing, but he makes his films to get lost into, not to figure out. He’s a provocateur, and a unabashed experimentalist, but he’s also one of the best filmmakers around at the moment.
» Kurt Cobain: About a Son
Some of my musical heroes have documentaries this year at the Fest – Strummer, Arthur Lee, Scott Walker – but this film appears to be something different. An avant-garde film based on Kurt Cobain’s interviews rather than actually a documentary about his life and music, this will no doubt infuriate those expecting to hear Smells Like Teen Spirit but overjoy those looking for a complex portrayal of an artist.
» Gardens in Autumn
Georgian/French director Otar Iosseliani is a rarely seen but highly regarded director whose wry and comic impressions of modern life have drawn strong comparisons to the great French director Jacques Tati. His latest looks to be another bizarre take on modern silliness.
» Build a Ship, Sail to Sadness
A wacky lo-fi musical/surreal premise looks at a determined man trying to solve the loneliness of people living in the Scottish Highlands with a mobile disco. The problem is no-one is actually lonely there – this is a wonderful and moving piece of filmmaking.
» Explorations of Folded Time: Leighton Pierce
It’s pretty difficult to see avant-garde films anywhere, so it’s always a privilege to see some at a film festival. This features former musician Leighton Pierce’s take on reality, and captures all the little moments that are often thrown away.
» Control
Ian Curtis was a pretty messed up man, but also created some of the edgiest and potent popular music ever with The Joy Division. Former NME photographer Anton Corbijn (who took photos of the band itself) looks like he’s done a rather successful take on a fucked up yet important modern icon.
» Two-Lane Blacktop/Killer of Sheep
Anything from the 70s would be worth checking out on the big-screen, but the chance to see films from two of the more underrated figures of American cinema, Monte Hellman and Charles Burnett should not be passed up. The former is crazed road-trip/philosophical treatise with the astonishing Warren Oates while the latter is one of the most influential independent films of all-time. Both should not be missed.
Tim Wong
Founding Editor, The Lumière Reader
» Syndromes and a Century
Thai maverick Apichatpong Weerasethakul goes bush once more, grasping the unbearable lightness of being like no other.
» Electra Glide in Blue
With an endpoint to rival The Passenger’s audacious last shot, this unheralded motor-western scales a neo-Easy Rider wasteland of never-ending highways and violent hippies.
» The Last Picture Show
Bridging the Old Hollywood with the New, Peter Bogdanovich’s appreciation of silver screen nostalgia is all the more devastating given his reluctance to let go. A masterpiece of its time.
» Inland Empire
Three hours of David Lynch, Laura Dern, low drones and unquestionable nonsense – if you’re like me, you’ll be in heaven.
» Retribution
Kiyoshi Kurosawa finally gets his festival due ten years after Cure, the last word on serial killer movies.
» Paprika
The world’s most ingenious and cerebral animator, Satoshi Kon, promises to have us in knots with his latest mental minefield.
» Rescue Dawn
Werner takes his least Herzogian documentary and dramatises it with pathos and wilderness horror. Expect torture, self-defecation, and triumph.
» Paranoid Park
Gus Van Sant and Christopher Doyle reunite for another sort-of remake: the playground dreamscape of a teenage killer.
» Old Joy
Lost in America for the “self-satisfied, ineffectual left”, tempered with stunning Oregon forestry you’d be forgiven for thinking was 100% Pure New Zealand.
» Helvetica
Not Arial, but the word’s most ubiquitous typeface up large and in the spotlight – as the under-appreciated art of typography ought to be.
Alexander Bisley
Associate Editor, The Lumière Reader; Sunday Star Times Chief Film Critic
» Five Easy Pieces
» The Edge of Heaven
» A Mighty Heart
» Bamako
» Climates
» Killer of Sheep
» Paprika
» I Served the King of England
» Still Life
» Crossing the Line
Simon Sweetman
Arts and Film Critic, The Lumière Reader; Roaming freelance writer and reviewer
» A Mighty Heart
I love Michael Winterbottom. Particularly when he’s doing his thing of blending drama with documentary for his special kind of uber-docudrama (as with Welcome To Sarajevo).
» La Vie En Rose
Tony Bennett believes that there are certain performers whose talent goes beyond success, they become immortal. Hank Williams is the obvious example. Edith Piaf is a close second for someone whose very name (and voice) has come to label and embody a spirit, a feeling, a sound. And to then go on to represent so much more. This lovingly-produced, long-time-coming biopic should introduce a few new music fans to Piaf’s sound. And looks like an extraordinary film in its own right.
» The Boss Of It All
I thought I’d never forgive Lars Von Trier for taking away three hours of my life for Breaking The Waves – but then something happened: he made The Idiots. I appreciate his talent across the wider window of film (I loved Dancer In The Dark which seemed to go beyond being merely polarizing) but I think he’s at his best with farce and The Boss Of It All just sounds magic.
» Perfume: The Story Of A Murderer
Is this another of those unfilmable books? Not likely – more a case of a classic film destined to happen, one that’s been held in the wings for far too long. Since 1985, Patrick Suskind’s filthy novel has been delighting book readers, now in the hands of the man who made Run Lola Run we’ll get to see a top cast work their magic with what is so hopefully a zinger of a script.
» Venus
For no other reason than to see Peter O’Toole’s last great performance. Oh, ok – also because the script has been penned by Hanif Kureishi (and he’s worked with Michell before). I might even be able to stomach the songs of Corinne Bailey Rae for the sake of what looks like a lovely film with some super-sharp acting from many of Britain’s finest.
» Noise
Yeah, sure, I laughed at Kenny (a lot, actually) but I’m sick of the Aussies handing out average comedies in attempts to relive The Castle and Cosi. Movies like The Interview and Lantana are a real showcase for the grittiness of Australian life. We can all laugh at the easy stuff, but put some heart and tension in to things. I think Noise will deliver.
» Jesus Camp
One of the main reasons I watch documentaries is to learn something. But the REAL main reason I watch docos – is to check out nutters and freaks. This looks superb!
» Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man
Music documentaries are over-hyped these days. All of a sudden they’re deemed legitimate films, rather than the feeding-stock for anorak-wearing bores. I’d prefer to see them classed as they were. This mix of concert and documentary will take the place in this year’s festival of Chappelle’s Block Party from last year. Where that was all superficial feel-good, this will put the spotlight on what a lot of good music is actually about: feeling miserable. I can’t wait.
» Love Story
The other problem with music docos these days is that so many are made about bands that made great music but frankly aren’t interesting groups of people. Most musicians aren’t – they’re generally boring, or total tosspots. Often both. Love Story is a worthy look at one of the world’s most underrated bands. Love was such an unconventional troupe. Racially mixed, singing folk songs to a pop beat. Then there’s the deeply sad and crazy story of leader, Arthur Lee. Love Story will be superb.
» Two-Lane Blacktop
I always like seeing at least one old classic that’s being showing in the “out of the past” section. Preferably one I haven’t seen. I can’t believe I’ve never watched this – so I’m hanging out for the chance to see my boy Dennis Wilson go on the big screen.
Joe Sheppard
Festival Correspondent, The Lumière Reader
» The Edge of Heaven
» Still Life
» I Served the King of England
» Bamako
» Red Road
» Comrades in Dreams
» Beethoven’s Hair
» Two-Lane Blacktop
» Paprika
» A Dirty Carnival
Brannavan Gnanalingam
Music Editor and Film Critic, The Lumière Reader
» Paranoid Park
Gus Van Sant’s renaissance as an artfilm director continues, as he teams up with the great Australian cinematographer Christopher Doyle to look at an accidental teenage killer. Expect long moody shots and evocative imagery.
» I Don’t Want to Sleep Alone
Tsai Ming-Liang’s films never get a release on DVD in New Zealand following the Fest, but for the few people who populate (myself included) his films every year, this will surely be another treat of alienation, emptiness and gorgeous imagery.
» Falkenberg Farewell
Part documentary, part fiction, this Swedish film looks at the shifting nature of memory and time. Following five male friends, this film is also about the love of friendship and the poignant reminder that nothing is ever able to stay the same.
Syndromes and a Century
Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s films are often cryptic and confusing, but he makes his films to get lost into, not to figure out. He’s a provocateur, and a unabashed experimentalist, but he’s also one of the best filmmakers around at the moment.
» Kurt Cobain: About a Son
Some of my musical heroes have documentaries this year at the Fest – Strummer, Arthur Lee, Scott Walker – but this film appears to be something different. An avant-garde film based on Kurt Cobain’s interviews rather than actually a documentary about his life and music, this will no doubt infuriate those expecting to hear Smells Like Teen Spirit but overjoy those looking for a complex portrayal of an artist.
» Gardens in Autumn
Georgian/French director Otar Iosseliani is a rarely seen but highly regarded director whose wry and comic impressions of modern life have drawn strong comparisons to the great French director Jacques Tati. His latest looks to be another bizarre take on modern silliness.
» Build a Ship, Sail to Sadness
A wacky lo-fi musical/surreal premise looks at a determined man trying to solve the loneliness of people living in the Scottish Highlands with a mobile disco. The problem is no-one is actually lonely there – this is a wonderful and moving piece of filmmaking.
» Explorations of Folded Time: Leighton Pierce
It’s pretty difficult to see avant-garde films anywhere, so it’s always a privilege to see some at a film festival. This features former musician Leighton Pierce’s take on reality, and captures all the little moments that are often thrown away.
» Control
Ian Curtis was a pretty messed up man, but also created some of the edgiest and potent popular music ever with The Joy Division. Former NME photographer Anton Corbijn (who took photos of the band itself) looks like he’s done a rather successful take on a fucked up yet important modern icon.
» Two-Lane Blacktop/Killer of Sheep
Anything from the 70s would be worth checking out on the big-screen, but the chance to see films from two of the more underrated figures of American cinema, Monte Hellman and Charles Burnett should not be passed up. The former is crazed road-trip/philosophical treatise with the astonishing Warren Oates while the latter is one of the most influential independent films of all-time. Both should not be missed.
The Band's Visit: Framed with finesse, The Band's Visit has a beautiful feel for space and stillness. An Egyptian police band winds up in the wrong Israeli town. Weighty, deftly weighted, bittersweet.
