Film Independent’s 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival presented by The Los Angeles Times is here, kicking off tonight with two great screenings, Bernie, the new film from Richard Linklater, and The Green Lantern. But there are so many more films to come, I wanted to give you a few narrative features I will be especially interested in seeing at this year’s fest. I shared some documentary films I really wanted to catch earlier this week, so now, on to the narratives.
Please Do Not Disturb (Lotfan Mozahem Nashavid)
Last year at LAFF, perhaps the best film I saw was Dog Sweat from Iranian filmmakers Hossein Keshavarz and Maryam Azadi, touching a chord and exploring what it is to be human in a way that would seem impossible considering the state of affairs in Iran, which in this instance is due to the suppression of artists’ voices. If Please Do Not Disturb can find a similar poignancy, which I am guessing it will or else it would not be at LAFF, audiences are in for an incredible treat. Taking place in Tehran over the course of a single day, the film explores the nuances of private versus public life in a comedic way that should engage audiences and enlighten their understanding of the human condition and the sameness that cuts across cultural borders. Examining a fairly closed culture in such an intimate way invariably leads to great films in most cases, so don't be the one of your film friends who does not see this at LAFF.
Exploring the quiet, intimate moments of existence, director Mike Akel weaves a dramatic and comedic story about two brothers, one who is gay, the other is not, and their struggle to reconcile their opposing ideas about the world. An Ordinary Family allows us inside the world of the adult children of the Biederman family at their annual family vacation with a careful, but perhaps bittersweet sensibility, taking a picture of life in a realistic way that illuminates our own lives as well. These types of films are usually among my favorites at festivals, exploring real issues in a poignant but light hearted way, making the difficult ideas easier to connect with, and creating a world where communication can succeed.
Kawasaki's Rose (Kawasakiho ruze)
One of the best filmmakers in the world, that unfortunately, not enough people are aware of, Jan Hřebejk, brings his most recent film to LAFF which is an absolutely privileged happening. I have seen most of his films and continue to be impressed by his growth and passion for storytelling, and I would look for the same thing with Kawasaki's Rose. The film follows a well-respected psychiatrist who is being honored for his role as a powerful dissident during the Communist era of Czechoslovakia’s history. Things are not always what they seem, especially in Jan Hřebejk’s films, as they subtly, deeply, and intricately uncover the nature of humans, and what lies in between and underneath the surface.
FilmDistrict’s North American Premiere of Drive will also be presented as a Gala Screening, which has incidentally been getting positive responses at Cannes. The film is directed by Nicolas Winding Refn and stars Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Oscar Isaac, Ron Perlman and Christina Hendricks, quite a cast there. A precise, taut, crime thriller, Drive, follows Gosling who is a Los Angeles wheelman for hire, stunt driving for movie productions by day and steering getaway vehicles for criminal operations by night. A good car chase movie made with an independent mindset is really a great idea, something the film market desperately needs. FilmDistrict will release the film wide on September 16th. One note on this film, it is currently on rush status, which means no more advance tickets are available. However, based on how many pass holders are in the theater just prior to the film, those people who are in the rush line will be admitted on a space available basis. If you get there early enough, rush lines begin to form one hour before screening time, you have a good chance of getting in, but again, there are no guarantees.
An exploration of being an outsider, from physical appearance to clothing choices and social graces, Terri refines the teen movie into a potent and palatable vision for audiences of all ages. Friendship and its often unpredictable formation is central to this story about Terri, the unable to fit in titular character played with a mature calm by Jacob Wysocki, his school’s Vice Principal, brought to beautiful fruition by John C. Reilly, and a popular girl who suddenly finds herself on the outside of the social strata looking in. I always enjoy the movies that pair uncommon people together and explore the building of their relationship, so I am excited to catch this one.
Check back often here and at the LAFF website for more as the festival kicks off tonight with the World Premiere of Bernie, the new dark comedy from filmmaker Richard Linklater, and a special Gala screening of The Green Lantern later on tonight at L.A. Live. I will be able to catch both films tonight, so look for those pieces soon. For continuing coverage of The 2011 LAFF and other film festivals in the future, you can receive these articles directly as they are published by clicking on the “Subscribe” button at the top of this piece. You can also follow me on Twitter by searching for ericshlapack or by clicking the link below.
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