My VIFF Top Ten
By Adam Cook
In my last two blog posts, I focused on Arabian Nights and The Assassin, two of my favourite films this year. But of course there are dozens and dozens of incredible works at this year’s festival. I can only offer my opinion on what I’ve seen, of course, and in addition to the aforementioned films, I offer you eight more personal recommendations.
Here is my top ten list of what to see at this year’s Vancouver International Film Festival:
The Assassin (Hou Hsiao-hsien, China/Hong Kong/Taiwan)
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Arabian Nights (Miguel Gomes, Portugal)
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Cemetery of Splendour (Apichatpong Weearasethakul, Thailand)
In his first film since the Palme d’Or winning Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, Apichatpong has crafted another mesmerizing work of art, a subtle lamentation simmering with emotion. CLICK FOR TICKETS
The Treasure (Corneliu Porumboiu, Romania)
A deadpan work of genius from the Romanian New-Wave’s best talent that is smart, unusually funny, and stunningly crafted. CLICK FOR TICKETS
My Golden Days (Arnaud Desplechin, France)
The French are unmatched when it comes to creating memorable coming-of-age films, and My Golden Days is further proof of this national tradition. Spontaneous, alive, and heartfelt. CLICK FOR TICKETS
Right Now, Wrong Then (Hong Sangsoo, South Korea)
Hong Sangsoo delivers yet another soju-melodrama that picks apart at a male-female relationship with great wit and wisdom. CLICK FOR TICKETS
Taxi (Jafar Panahi, Iran)
In his third film since being banned from filmmaking in his native Iran, Panahi has made his most formally playful movie. A warm and thoughtful ride all shot within the confines of a taxi cab! CLICK FOR TICKETS
The Forbidden Room (Guy Maddin, Canada)
Canada’s gonzo auteur strikes again with another bizarre psychosexual resurrection of cinema’s past, but this time with even greater fervor and visual flare.
In the Shadow of Women (Philippe Garrel, France)
A sharp and unexpectedly humorous portrait of adultery from France’s most underrated master of cinema.
45 Years (Andrew Haigh, UK)
Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay deliver career best performances in this heartbreaking drama about an aging married couple’s uneasy confrontation with a long buried past.
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