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Filmfestivalen 2017

Una – Abusereminiscence by Benedict Andrews, GBR 2016

GALA Posted on 2017-02-05 12:22:44

Andrews is originally a theatre director, and as such, it makes sense that his debut film is based on a play. He doesn’t just film a stage play, which is an easy trap to fall into in these occasions. He adds cinematic elements such as fast cuts, flashbacks and music to the mix, and it serves the story well. The scene in the park is very haunting, and the main actors bring life to the two scarred human beings they portray. The film doesn’t give you a clear cut answer, perhaps even rises more questions instead. Then again, the subject at hand is supposed to make you think.

Failed the Bechdel test

4 implications of 6

https://festival.giff.se/events/una

www.imdb.com/title/tt2315582/?ref_=nm_knf_t1



Moonlight – Downbringing by Barry Jenkins, USA 2016

GALA Posted on 2017-02-05 12:21:47

With a truckload of awards and a barrelful of recent Oscar nominations, including for best picture, my expectations were way high. Unfortunately, they weren’t met. Oh, it’s well acted, the direction is fine, and the editing works. But we’ve seen the story a million times before, and the lead character lacks depth. We have little to care for, and the lack of drama is a huge weakness. Sure, the fate of the main character would be a sad and gripping one in real life, and with less or no hype I might have been more taken by the events. But as it stands, this is just meh. Not bad, just meh.

Failed the Bechdel test

3 acts of 6

https://festival.giff.se/events/moonlight

www.imdb.com/title/tt4975722/?ref_=nm_knf_i1



L’odyssée (The Odyssey) – Eculogy by Jérôme Salle, FRA 2016

GALA Posted on 2017-02-05 12:20:21

Cinematic handicraft at its finest. With all the tricks of the trade, Salle tells a by-the-numbers tale of one of the most important pioneers of the 1900’s, or maybe just as much, his son. A man almost consumed by his passion, through no malign intent, realises that he has had a small part in the environmental crisis of the 20th century.
The underwater scenes are, of course, breathtaking for a diver such as myself, but the real wow moment for me was when the expedition took the Cousteau family across the Drake Shake to the, even now, mostly undisturbed shores of Antarctica proper. That takes me back.

Filmwise, it lacks that extra, but is so well done. Never do I lose interest, and it almost reaches one notch higher. So close, but we need a safety stop at 4.

Failed the Bechdel test

4 regulators of 6

https://festival.giff.se/events/the-odyssey

www.imdb.com/title/tt1659619/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_1



Sameblod (Sami blood) – Fencesplitting by Amanda Kernell, SWE 2016

DRAGON AWARD BEST NORDIC FILM Posted on 2017-02-05 12:19:13

A few years ago I saw Kernell’s Stoerre Vaerie, a short film about an elderly lady, clearly not proud of her Sami heritage, reluctantly going to her sister’s funeral. It was a decent enough short, but I remember missing on what motivations the lady had for being so bitter. In Sameblod, I got the answer. The story of her teenage, formative years, taking place in the prejudice and racism of early/mid 20th century Sweden, is the main story of the feature film. With beautiful scenery, gripping story and a stellar performance from debut actress Lene Cecilia Sparrok in the lead the film shines a light on a what is still today a mostly neglected (or at least a not very well known) group of indigenous people and a dark passage in Swedish history.

Passed the Bechdel test

4 guksi of 6

https://festival.giff.se/events/sami-blood

www.imdb.com/title/tt5287168/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_2