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It’s great to be back at CIFF!
Originally, I had planned to leave first thing this morning, in order to make the 11 a.m. screening — but I decided to spend a bit more time in the office instead, mostly since I was out at a screening until 10 last night, and I still had to finish packing and writing reviews and things.
Instead, I rushed out the door at 10:30 and headed north, for the boring, two-hour drive to Cleveland, in what appeared to be a flood.
My first movie was starting at 2:15 — and I made it here in plenty of time. I checked into the hotel at 12:30, dropped off my stuff, and headed into the city. After dealing with the usual parking hassles (by that time of day, the garage is full, so I had to drive down to overflow and catch the shuttle back up), I headed straight for the place where I knew I’d find the new Dunkin Donuts (hooray!) and grabbed lunch. I sat for a couple of minutes to eat before heading into the film festival jungle.
It’s amazing, really, how it feels like I was just here yesterday. I’ve slipped right back into the routine already. It’s insane and exhausting, and that’s just fine by me. I love every exhausting minute.
I eagerly made my way to the first theater, found a seat (on the aisle, so I could take notes, toward the back, so I could run out when the credits started), and chatted with the volunteer for a while. A couple of girls wandered in, handing out cans of Red Bull. I don’t normally drink the stuff, but I took one — might need it by Saturday.
It’s always fun to listen to all the festival goers comparing notes before screenings. I tend to eavesdrop quite a bit — you never know what kind of good tips you’ll get! After I’d been sitting there for a bit, I heard one woman say that she’d just seen the worst movie ever: Alexander the Last. Since that was the one that I’d been planning to see during the 11:00 slot, it made me feel even better about showing up late.
My first movie was Manana— a Swedish film. Festival program director Bill introduced the film — and the director, who had come in from Sweden for the festival. Manana is a short but delightful coming-of-age story about two 20-something friends who are in very different places in their lives — but both are struggling to figure out what they want out of life. It’s sweet and funny, and I enjoyed every minute. Score 1 for Scandanavia.
Between films, I went out to the mall and sat down at a table by a window so I could see some sunlight and rest my eyes for a bit. I took some notes and did some reading — then I headed back in (walking past the Manana director on the way). Once I got back in, I sat down in the hallway next to some chatty film geeks and waited for the theater to open up.
Ah…it’s nice on Thursday — plenty of time between movies, no lines. I’m enjoying it while I can…
My second movie was Cut Loose — another relationship / life crisis kind of movie, but it wasn’t quite as much fun as Manana. It was long but interesting, filled with all kinds of issues to think about. But, when it was over, I didn’t really have time to think. I had around an hour to run out, grab dinner, eat, get back to the theater, and get a seat.
As I sat waiting for my third movie, I remembered one of the hazards of eavesdropping: people don’t seem to think twice about spoiling movies for everyone within earshot. I’ve aleady heard two — including one for a movie that I was looking forward to seeing. Also, I can tell you that, in another one of the movies (I won’t tell you which one — I’m not that mean), some guy shoots another guy in the end. That’s seriously irritating — not to mention just plain rude.
My third movie was a documentary — not my typical festival pick. But One Day in Africawas directed by Brook Silva-Braga of A Map for Saturday, the first film I saw at the festival two years ago. Brook’s a talented young filmmaker, and there was no way I’d pass up a chance to attend the world premiere of his second film. This one didn’t have the same narrative style of the first, but it was an eye-opening film — following six different people from six different African countries for just one day.
Afterwards, I skipped the Q&A, so I could talk to my husband for 15 minutes before heading off to movie #4. He was sitting at home, watching the hockey game (Go Jackets!), so he caught me up on the game — and everything else that had happened in the outside world while I was camped out in dark theaters. And then, after that short break, it was time to head back into the insanity for one last movie.
The crowd this time was pretty sparse (unlike One Day, which was packed). But I’ve found that the last round on Thursday is usually pretty quiet. I’d heard mixed reviews about the movie, too, which could also explain why the audience was small. In fact, while I was sitting there, waiting for the movie to begin, I realized that I’d yet to see a good movie in that time slot. If I’m going to dislike a CIFF movie — or if people are going to walk out — it’s going to be during the last time slot on Thursday. And this year was no exception. I’m still trying to figure out what the heck Bahrtalo was about. There were people behind me who laughed hysterically through the entire thing, but I’m pretty sure they must have been drunk.
Fortunately, though, the movie was short (which was why I decided to go anyway, despite the mixed reviews — I didn’t feel like going to something longer instead). So it was just after 11 when I left the mall. By the time I got on the shuttle, got back to the hotel, and figured out how to connect my computer, it was after midnight (so please forgive any typos — I’m a bit worn out). Now, though, it’s time to call it a night. I’ve got an even longer day ahead of me tomorrow.
