The highlights of the festival thus far:
Hedgehog: A solidly executed film on all fronts (even the back). I was taken back by the young actress who performed a solid grownup-kid with aspirations of calculated suicide. I know what you're thinking: "That's the most morbid thing I've ever heard." And you're right. But as you might expect, it's a drama that verges on the brink of a dark comedy. Story lines intricately woven to make a whole masterpiece. I'm guessing this will hit the mainstream with a wide-release in theaters ... and probably be in the running for festival honors. A film that was a pleasure to watch.
This film gets a solid "A"
Togetherness Supreme: A fictional narrative based on the true events of an unsuspecting artist living in a shanty town in Nigeria during the 2007 elections. Political aspirations, political manipulation, violence, shattered lives, dreams of a changed country and the hope of a better humanity. The film is a well-produced, well-thought piece with the excellence of execution.
This film gets a "B"
The Human Resources Manager: A great take on the hero's narrative, it follows a man trying to rectify a corporate disaster who finds himself in an unfolding saga of what it means to grieve. The characters all deal with the losses they've amassed: people, time, money and most importantly, the loss of self. Together they deliver the body of a forgotten woman a thousand kilometers to rest in her hometown, meeting with setbacks that smack of the trials of Odysseus on his own return to a distant place somewhat remembered and people somewhat changed. This film was a last-second choice, but a great addendum to my film list.
This film gets a "B+"
Check back for more tomorrow. I saw 5 films today and am riddled with exhaustion ... in a pleasant and comforting way.
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