News ... November 2000

QFA Goes to the Festivals

A group of four dedicated executive members attended the 25th annual Toronto International Film Festival for a two day programming junket. We sat in on press and industry screenings of nine new films, plus a gala presentation at Roy Thomson Hall. We all felt honoured when, as part of the gala opening, a tribute was made to all the attending groups from The Film Circuit for the fine work we do in bringing independent films to smaller communities across the country.

We gave five films the thumbs up for possible QFA screenings:

Liam (UK) -- The story of a stuttering schoolboy in an Irish Catholic community in 1930s Liverpool, the film is both powerfully poignant and achingly funny. As the son of a working class Brit, Liam navigates the perilous waters of boyish yearnings, his Catholic faith and neighbourhood tensions. The movie builds to a devastating climax, but the most lasting impressions are of little Liam's cherubic dimples set in a wide grin.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (China) -- Director Ang Lee returns to China to make a remarkable film based on a Chinese fable. It's a martial arts/art film, with breathtaking fighting and chase scenes. This film has three powerful and strong female lead characters that convincingly smash the all-too-common stereotypes about weak and vulnerable women in movies. The People's Choice Award winner at the festival.

Ginger Snaps (Canada) -- Adolescence and the suburbs have never been so horrific. John Fawcett's superbly crafted film is a modern version of the werewolf myth laced with wicked humour and grisly fun. Young actors Emily Perkins and Katharine Isabelle shine as two misfit sisters who find they have more than high school alienation to contend with.

Me, You, Them (Brazil) -- Contemporary World Cinema is alive and well in this satisfying story of a woman's return to her remote, dusty villate in north eastern Brazil where she can't quite settle for a lonely wife's lot in life. She's rather plan and mannish, but there's a twinkle in her eye when she dances and her smile holds the mysteries of the Mona Lisa.

The Weight of Water (USA/France) -- We thoroughly enjoyed this gala presentation starring Sean Penn, Elizabeth Hurley and, in a riveting performance, Sarah Polley. Beautifully filmed and powerfully acted, the film weaves together two compelling stories. In a stark new world settlement in New England, a crime unfolds leaving two settlers dead and a traumatized survivor. Sifting through historic documents for pieces of the puzzle, a photographer tries to reconstruct the events of the past, which begin to eerily mirror her fateful voyage to the scene of the crime.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the festival, a group of ten Canadian directors produced a series of "Preludes" to open each screening. These short film gems ranged from bizarre to comedic and highlighted the talents and individual styles of filmmakers such as Atom Egoyan, David Cronenberg, Jeremy Podeswa and Don McKellar. The QFA will be highlighting some of our own screenings here in Belleville with these shorts in the new year.

Our attendance at this year's festival bolstered our enthusiasm in bringing you, our loyal members, a continuing alternative film experience.

Lynn Braun, Richard Lummiss, Robin Baranyai and Michael Macleod

Cinéfest Sudbury 2000 and None ...

On Monday September 18th at the Cine+ Theatre in downtown Sudbury, Arto Paragamian's 2000 and None kicked off Cinéfest Sudbury 2000. This internatinal film festival has just completed its twelfth season. Cinéfest is the second largest film festival in Ontario and has presented a variety of acclaimed domestic and international films. The festival ran Sept. 18 - 24th and there was an excellent turnout of people of all ages.

"Expressing dreams, realities and introducing us to other societies and cultures, the art of film is alive and well!" says Tammy Frick, executive director of Cinéfest Sudbury. "Over the past twelve years Cinéfest has become a cornerstone of the cultural life of Northern Ontario, bringing the best in domestic and international firls to Sudbury each year."

Cinéfest is held exclusively in the heart of Sudbury. "Most importantly, this much anticipated festival will continue as a downtown event, with all the flavour and ambiance that this area offers," explains Jim Gordon, Mayor of Sudbury. One of Cinéfest's major sponsors is MCTV. Scott Lund, MCTV Vice-President, feels "A debt of gratitude is owed to all the many corporate sponsors and government partners who have supported Sudbury's International Film Festivals over the past twelve years."

The "Vault Presentations" were released by Universal Studios and included Tit-Coq, and an uncut version of The Great Gatsby on 16mm film. Other re-released classics were Stanley Kubrick's Spartacus, Duck Soup, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo. Each night featured a special film and was followed by a gala reception. Many short films were also presented.

The galas were casual affairs attended by both movie-goers and movie makers. Catered galas were held at The Grand Nite Club, the Palladium Room at the Ramada Inn, Casey's Gill House and Beverages Co., the Older Adult Centre, Habanas, and two at the Trafalgar Room at the Best Western.

Jason Burkitt

WHAT'S PLAYING AROUND TOWN?

Reciprocal arrangements with Cinefest Picton and the Great Napanee Film Society mean that QFA members now enjoy an added perk with their annual memberships. The Picton and Napanee film groups will honour your QFA membership for the members' price at films, and Cinefest and Napanee members are invited to pay the members' price at QFA films.

Cinefest Picton
Cinefest movies are screened at the Regent Theatre on Main Street in Picton every second Monday evening at 8 pm. Coming soon ...
     November 20  Afterlife
     December 4  Saving Grace

Great Napanee Film Society
The Great Napanee Film Society screens movies at 6 pm on the last Sunday of each month. For more information, please call 613-386-7777.
     Sunday November 26  Saving Grace

PAST NEWSLETTERS ON-LINE

August 2000 -- QFA Supports Canadian Filmmakers
April 2000 -- Small is Beautiful
March 2000 -- Film Festival Get-Away: Cinéfest Sudbury Tour
February 2000 -- Cinéfest Bus Trip
January 2000 -- The Malkovich Effect
November 1999 -- Coming to Earth: Director Deepa Mehta Survives an Indian Fire-Storm
September 1999 -- Welcome to our Fifth Season
May 1999 -- It's Your Turn, Laura / C'est à ton tour, Laura Cadieux
March 1999 -- The Cinematic Tourist: Lessons of Foreign Films