A GUIDED TOUR OF FANTASIA’S FILM MAZE
Festival’s programmers pick their faves among 135 screened features
Nothing beats an inside scoop. And so, faced with the 135 features to be screened over the next three weeks at the 19th Fantasia International Film Festival, we went to the source and asked the event’s programming team to cough up their personal favourites from this year’s selection. Here’s what they had to say.
SIMON LAPERRIÈRE, CAMERA LUCIDA SECTION (DEVOTED TO NEW DIRECTIONS IN GENRE CINEMA) Ludo (Friday at 9:35 p.m. and Saturday at 4 p.m., Concordia’s J.A. de Sève Theatre, 1400 de Maisonneuve Blvd.W.):
A Spring Breakerslike journey into Bombay’s (now known as Mumbai’s) nightlife turns into a horrific and bloody fairy tale based on Indian folklore. The brand new beast from the director of the Fantasia hit Gandu.
Orion (Aug. 1 at 7:15 p.m., J.A. de Sève Theatre):
Quite simply the most original and groundbreaking film of the 2015 Camera Lucida lineup, this post-apocalyptic epic poem starring David Arquette is a metaphysical experience that cannot be compared to anything you’ve ever seen before.
Observance (Sunday at 9:45 p.m. and July 22 at 5:15 p.m., J.A. de Sève Theatre):
This powerful Australian horror movie is reminiscent of Polanski’s The Tenant with its ability to create true moments of pure terror thanks to a gripping atmosphere.
NICOLAS ARCHAMBAULT, ASIAN SECTION Love & Peace (July 26 at 9:45 p.m., Concordia’s Hall Theatre, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W.):
Sion Sono is a Fantasia favourite, so his film Love & Peace is an obvious choice, but the director comes out of his comfort zone to deliver a startlingly touching and accessible film.
La La La at Rock Bottom (July 24 at 7:45 p.m. and July 29 at 3 p.m., J.A. de Sève Theatre):
I was fascinated by the acting duel between the excellent Fumi Nikaido and Jpop star Subaru Shibutani. A film in which music is so present aligns perfectly with the festival’s desire to be a window to Asian popular culture.
Office (Thursday at 9:30 p.m., Hall Theatre):
To be honest, it’s always satisfying to get our hands on a Cannes selection so soon after the festival, but it’s the ease with which this super-effective horror-thriller is set in a work environment that charmed me.
MIT CH DAVIS, INTERNATIONAL SELECTION Nina Forever (Aug. 1 at 9:30 p.m., Hall Theatre):
An unconventional and brilliantly deadpan romantic comedy/horror film, mining poetry and the darkest laughs from the struggles of moving on from a tragedy that offers no possible closure. An extraordinary film, astoundingly well scripted and performed, and heartbreakingly profound.
The Invitation (Aug. 3 at 7:35 p.m., Hall Theatre):
Karyn Kusama (Girlfight) has gone back to her intimate, indie filmmaking roots, and the result is a ferocious return to form with a smart, frightening, character-driven nightmare that ranks among the most terrifying films I’ve seen in a long time.
Tales From Beyond the Pale: Live (July 27 at 10 p.m., Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club, 1222 Mackay St.):
Not a film, but a special live “radio horror show” event from award-winning filmmakers Larry Fessenden (Habit), Glenn McQuaid (I Sell the Dead) and Douglas Buck (Sisters) that takes inspiration from the vintage radio plays of Hitchcock and Welles. The Fantasia edition will be the first time a Tales show has been done in Canada, and we’re all extremely excited about it.
ÉRIC BOISVERT, Børning (Monday at 7:40 p.m., Hall Theatre):
A highly entertaining film reminiscent of the heyday of Burt Reynolds.
Scratch (July 30 at 7:45 p.m., Hall Theatre):
A poetic, powerful movie depicting a Montreal reality (the Haitian hip-hop community) rarely brought to Quebec screens.
Momentum (July 22 at 7:45 p.m., Hall Theatre):
A superb action film set against the magnificent backdrop of Cape Town, bringing together all the essential ingredients for an evening of thrills you won’t soon forget.
ARIEL ESTEBAN CAYER,
ASIA AND INTERNATIONAL
Asia: 100 Yen Love (Saturday at 8:45 p.m. and July 22 at 3 p.m., J.A. de Sève Theatre):
An incredible star-making performance from Sakura Ando (Penance, Love Exposure). What starts off as a slacker comedy morphs into a touching boxing drama. My favourite film of this year’s fest, 100 per cent.
Fatal Frame (July 28 at 9:55 p.m., Hall Theatre): A classic J-horror
yarn so good, it feels like it was made in 1999 and rediscovered in 2015. Inspired by the hit video game series, but in no way gimmicky. Think classic Ringu by way of Suspiria — it’s that good.
Poison Berry in My Brain (Aug. 1 at 7 p.m., Hall Theatre):
My highconcept rom-com pick of the year, and the film Pixar might have stolen their Inside Out concept from! Funny and touching, and lead actress Yoko Maki is delightful.
International: Catch Me Daddy (Thursday at 9:30 p.m. and July 28 at 1 p.m., J.A. de Sève Theatre):
A harrowing neowestern about honour killings, set in West Yorkshire. Great use of non-professional actors, music (Patti Smith!), and exquisitely shot by frequent Andrea Arnold and Ken Loach cinematographer Robbie Ryan.
(T)error (Sunday at 7:20 p.m. and July 21 at 3:30 p.m., J.A. de Sève Theatre):
An insider look at the ongoing war on terror, this is the unprecedented portrait of an FBI informant (in the vein of Citizenfour). Probably the most upsetting documentary to come out of Sundance this year, and absolutely essential viewing, especially in the wake of the passing of Bill C-51.
Bridgend (Wednesday at 9:15 p.m. and Friday at 2:45 p.m., J.A. de Sève Theatre):
Inspired by the inexplicable Bridgend suicides, this film turns rural teenage ennui into a tale of dreamy South Wales horror. For fans of films such as Snowtown, a powerful reminder that real life can be stranger and scarier than fiction. Haunting.