Art by Zee

By Mike Caccioppoli

Lots going on as usual at the Seattle International Film Festival so with the films beginning to pile up I will be short and sweet with the following six reviews.

From Beginning to End (Brazil,2010)

Directed by Aluizio Abranches

This is the kind of film that couldn’t be made in this country. It’s about the deeply romantic, sexual relationship between half-brothers. When they are young boys their mother sees something different about them, about the way they interact with each other. Maybe it’s something, maybe it’s nothing she tells her ex-husband. Well it turns out that it definitely is something. Their relationship becomes intensely sexual after their mom dies and it gets deeper from there.

Director Abranches portrays their “taboo” relationship in a very non-taboo way. He doesn’t wish to judge his characters, in fact he seems to see nothing wrong with their love affair. This will make some people feel uncomfortable and find reasons to tell friends how awful the film is. Even the score is saccharine rich as the brothers make love and look longingly at each other. It is all dome without even a hint of cynicism or sarcasm. Nothing bad happens to teach these awful sinners a lesson either. This film is so not American in so many ways and thank goodness for that.  Yes the scenery is beautiful and so are the actors but there is something to be said for a film where everyone supports and loves each other and nobody is hateful. You probably won’t see me write that last line ever again. The filmmaker curiously dedicates his movie to his parents. Boy it takes brass balls to make a film like this.

Devil’s Town (Serbia,2009)

Directed by Vladimir Paskaljevic

In this dark comedy which satirizes modern day Serbian life, we follow several characters as they live through one very hot miserable day in Belgrade. Most of these people are unlikable in one way or another. There is the aggressive, violent cab driver, the old perverted gynecologist, the spoiled tennis loving daughter of a high class call girl.. etc. They all interconnect in one way or another through tragedy, murder or bizarre sexual relations. The filmmakers sense of humor is quite dark and it often works and there is definitely something seething beneath it all. This is one of those films where you could probably appreciate it more if you understand the political and social targets that the filmmakers are aiming at. There are indeed aiming at something however especially with the consistent tennis theme that permeates the film. The characters are either playing it, wanting to learn it or fascinated by watching it on television. There’s a happy ending to all of this I think as bunnies that are set for execution are released and a little girl finally gets to play tennis.

Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (United Kingdom, 2010)

Directed by Mat Whitecross

Andy Serkis gives a rousing performance as punk rocker Ian Dury in this superb rock biopic. Part All That Jazz, part Tommy but with a style all its own the film captures the measure of this crazy, loving, larger than life man in all his nutty glory. Beginning in the 60′s when Dury was trying to make it with his original band the film takes us on a kaleidoscopic journey through the 70′s and ending in the early 80′s when Dury had made it  from rock bottom to the top and around again. The film makes a sharp connection between Dury’s childhood (he suffered from Polio) and his never ending drive to succeed. Some of the most poignant scenes in the film are father-son related as Dury’s dad tells him that he must “stand on his own” while Dury reminds his own boy that “I’ll always be here, just above your shoulder.”

Visually stunning, and emotional in a blind-siding kind of way, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll pulls no punches in its depiction of a sometimes unstable yet highly talented man. Andy Serkis’ performance has to be seen to be believed, as Dury he’s annoying, captivating, moving, lovable, eccentric and simply brilliant. I knew nothing about Dury coming into this film, but after seeing it I want to know even more. Heck I even want to hear more of his music! Higher praise cannot be given. This film is an instant classic.

Hidden Diary (France/Canada, 2009)

Directed by Julie Lopes-Curval

This wonderful film from the director of Seaside is about the connection between three generations of women. When a daughter who is living in Canada visits her mother and father in France it opens up some old wounds and creates some new ones as well. It all surrounds a diary/cookbook and involves the woman’s grandmother and grandfather. What could have very well played as melodrama is perfectly assembled by director Julie Lopes-Curval.  As the mystery involving what is written in the diary and the disappearance of one of the main characters begins to take focus we also see how the past can create wounds that may never heal. Catherine Deneuve continues to amaze as the often steely mother.

The Freebie (USA, 2010)

Directed by Katie Aselton

A 30 something couple decide to shake up their dead in the water sex life by allowing each other to have a one night stand with the stranger of their choice. They agree to do it then come back together and not talk about it. Do you think it all works out? What sounds like a tacky exercise in film making actually turns out to be a fairly thought provoking movie. Yes they result of the experiment is predictable but the two leads (Dax Sheppard and Katie Aselton) are engaging and real and the film does make some sharp observations about “openness” and how it can be a disguise for genuine honesty. It’s also good to see Sheppard doing something “adult” for once. I knew he had it in him.

Down Terrace (United Kingdom, 2009)

Directed by Ben Wheatley

You certainly have never met a family like this one before. A father and son are released from prison and it doesn’t take long for them to get right back into their lives of crime. Why? Because it’s in their blood. Well not just theirs but moms as well. We start at the beginning of the week and by the weekend several of their friends have been killed and this blue collar organized crime family is just getting started. The violence is depicted in such a realistic, almost nonchalant fashion that it’s truly disturbing. Sprinkle in some dark humor and frighteningly convincing performances and you get a little gem of a movie that really shows how blood is thicker than water.. and downright messy too.