As a Sundance first-timer accustomed to the Pacific Northwest’s moderate climate, and as a stubborn penny-pincher unwilling to shell out dough for a proper winter coat or snow boots for a single business trip, I was more than a little unprepared for Park City’s slippery sidewalks and nippy atmosphere. I’ve made due with a makeshift … Continue reading
By Adam Cook VIFF’s characteristically diverse and large lineup of films runs the gamut from documentaries to commercial films, to arthouse, and everywhere in between, but if there’s one thing this festival is, and should be, known for, it’s the long running Dragons & Tigers program. Originated by programmer Tony Rayns in 1994, this section’s … Continue reading
By Adam Cook For the more daring and adventurous audiences, this year VIFF has a handful of cutting edge works of art from around the world that challenge our preconceptions of filmmaking, oftentimes expanding just what a movie can be. Here are some films that colour outside the lines: The Sky Trembles and the Earth … Continue reading
By Adam Cook One of the exciting things a festival like VIFF can do is bring together old and new voices in cinema. This year, the festival has several works by renowned veterans of the art form who have pushed the medium forward their whole lives. Here are new films by proven masters of film-making … Continue reading
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, … Continue reading
By Adam Cook For those who aren’t familiar with the Taiwanese master of cinema Hou Hsiao-hsien, now is the perfect opportunity to make up for lost time. His long-awaited film The Assassin will be playing at this year’s VIFF (and for an extended run at Vancity Theatre following the festival! TICKETS). Now 68 years of … Continue reading
