I think the key predictor for whether a daytime film is going to generate long lines is it’s appeal to retirees. I’d expect a new Miyazaki to bring out the crowds, but while there was a respectable turnout, it was not the crush that Farewell My Queen generated. This is an important factor for how long a lie-in I can have, which is obviously the most important part of the Festival.
Film #62: From Up On Poppy Hill
This was a typically mild Miyazaki film, with no real villains (except, perhaps, the never-seen Board who wants to tear down the student’s dilapidated clubhouse), beautifully painted backdrops, and good natured, dutiful people. There’s no situations that could really be called “tense”, but I enjoyed it, and could easily watch it again.
Film #63: Song of the Kauri
This was a good documentary – it had a message without being preachy, showed what has been done and what can be done, and had a lot of interesting and engaging information and characters. It sounds like there’s a lot of cool material there, and I hope that more footage comes out of it.
I should mention that I wouldn’t be able to pick a good instrument from an excellent one (any more than I’m interested in super-high fidelity sound systems); good enough is enough for me. But the enthusiasm of the musicians, that’s something I’m interested in. I guess there’s something similar to my enthusiasm for dance documentaries, despite my lack of interest in dance.
I hope that this is seen by a bunch of important people, and that sustainable, well-managed kauri plantations spring up.
Film #64: V/H/S
This anthology had plenty of gore, which I find gross but not frightening, and jump-scares, which I’m certainly susceptible to. But it also had a fair number of unexpected twists, which I appreciated; and I liked that they did digital stuff (in the form of a series of skype-like chats) as well as VHS. The framing story was probably the weakest, which is a shame, because it had to carry so much.
I don’t think I’ll watch it again, but thought it was pretty good.
Film #65: The Red House
I’m not sure how to talk about this film. I approached it as a documentary, and it wasn’t, although it had elements of it. As a feature film it was oddly structured, with weird bits poking out – the fact it featured the film-maker’s parents as a couple, and used bits of dialogue that they’ve said at one time or another probably contributes to the sense of reality, and oddness. It wasn’t a film that I intend to buy, but I’m not sorry that I saw it.
* * *
I was going to see Photographic Memory, but I stayed for the Q&A for The Red House (which was a little disappointing, actually), not realising how late it was – and then I had missed the first quarter-hour of the film, and decided that I’d just go home. And since I met C on the bus, and got to have dinner with her at home, I feel like I made the right decision.
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