Waves 98 (2015) Sundance 2016

"I am tired of all of the depressing stories"

Winner of the Short Film Palme D’Or at Cannes last year WAVES 98 is a mix of animation and live action that sets a definite mood and a feeling of isolation. Its a wonderful little film that really should be seen on the big screen.

The plot of the film follows Omar as he travels from the outskirts of Beirut into the city where he connects with several people but still finds himself oddly isolated.

The first thing you need to know is that the the film's official description adds all sorts of details that are not in the film. What the film is isn't quite what it's advertised to be. That isn't a bad thing since the film stands up on it's own nicely.

What sells the film are the visuals. There are numerous sequences that are just stunning.  I loved the image manipulation as things freeze- or not in frame - during Omar's scooter ride. Also some of the later pieces involving the golden elephant are just awesome to see.

This is a stunning film and definitely worth searching out-especially if you are Sundance.

Public Screening #1: Saturday, January 23, 12:00PM – (Temple Theatre, Park City)

Public Screening #2: Sunday, January 24, 12:00PM – (Redstone Cinema 7, Park City)

Public Screening #3: Tuesday, January 26, 3:00PM – (Broadway Centre Cinema 6, Salt Lake City)

Public Screening #4: Saturday, January 30, 8:30PM – (Holiday Village Cinema 1, Park City)

For tickets go here.

Sundance 2016: VIVA (2014) plus some reports of films we've already seen

Jesus is a a gay young man working as a hairdresser. He also spends time doing the hair in a drag club. Jesus would like nothing better than perform himself. One night when Jesus performs he finds that his father, just out from prison is in the audience. He father slugs him.  His father then works his way back into his son's life moving into his apartment and trying to reconnect with Jesus, despite not approving of his son's sexual orientation nor life style.

Melodramatic and predicable turns of the plot are easily wiped aside by a cast that hits every note dead on perfect. We are moved by the characters and their plight because the actors manage to sell the story beyond what the script deserves. Because of the cast the film has a real lived in feel. I don't know when I've seen a cast this good in the last five or ten years.

I really liked this film a great deal. It's one of those films that will move you deeply and by the time the end credits roll have you wiping tears from your eyes from it's bittersweetness.

The film is playing at Sundance Friday Saturday and Monday and is a must see. (Ticket info here)

I'm told the film has been picked up by Magnolia for US release and I'm expecting a big release and a long life.
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Also playing at Sundance are some films which we saw back at the New York Film Festival this past October:
Cemetery of Splendor
Maggie's Plan
Miles Ahead
The Lobster

I should mention that I'm hoping to get some on the ground reports as well as reviews up once things happen. Keep checking back because some wonderful things may happen