2008 Program guide - Victoria Film Festival

WORLD PERSPECTIVE
34
BEAUTY IN TROUBLE THE BAND’S VISIT
DIRECTOR: JAN HREBEJK
CZECH REPUBLIC
2006 110 MININUTES 35MM
PRODUCER: ONDREJ TROJAN
WRITER: PETR JARCHOVSK
In Prague, a series of events leads to a chance meeting between
Marcela and the much-older Mr. Benes. Marcela is in a troubled
marriage made worse by sudden fi nancial problems. When Marcela’s
husband Jarda is arrested while running a stolen car ring she moves
in with her mother and her mean-spirited, strict husband Risa (one
of the greatest characters seen on screen in a long time). Jarda’s last
victim, Mr. Benes, soon falls for Marcela, and takes her and her kids
away to his Italian villa. Back in Prague, Marcela must still contend with
her mother’s husband’s boorish ways, and Mr. Benes must deal with
extortion attempts at the house he owns in Prague. Both deal with
their respective problems with an understanding of human nature and
the need to take a fi rm hand when push comes to shove.
As good as the best Eastern European cinema of recent years,
Beauty in Trouble focuses on characters, and not action or plot.
While there most certainly are several compelling stories to follow in
this remarkably confi dent fi lm, the focus is on the characters, each
of whom has depth not typical of a narrative fi lm with such strong
plotlines. With a uniquely Eastern European sensibility, Beauty in
Trouble is a well-crafted fi lm that leaves a powerful impression due to
mastery of a tone that is perfectly suited to the story being told.
Saturday • February 2 • Capitol 6 - 1 • 7:15 PM
Wednesday • February 6 • Capitol 6 - 6 • 9:00 PM
DIRECTOR: ERAN KOLIRIN
ISRAEL
2007 89 MINUTES 35MM
PRODUCERS: EILON RATZKOVSKY, EHUD BLEIBURG, YOSSI UZRAD,
KOBY GAL-RADAY, GUY JACOEL
WRITER: ERAN KOLIRIN
Once, not long ago, a small Egyptian Police band arrived in Israel.
They came to play at an initiation ceremony but due to bureaucracy,
bad luck or bad organization, they were left stranded at the airport.
They try to manage on their own and head off on a bus but that
leads to the problem of well... going in the wrong direction. Soon
the band fi nds themselves in a desolate almost forgotten Israeli town,
somewhere in the heart of the desert. A lost band in a lost town. Two
of the members stay with the self-assured and witty café proprietress,
Dina (Ronit Elkabetz), whose casual sensuality can’t help but challenge
the men’s ideas about womanhood. Through the connections
they forge, the band members and the villagers fi nd their cultural
assumptions shaken – with one especially memorable scene taking
place in a roller disco.
The Band’s Visit is easily the most charming and delightful movie ever
to come out of the Egyptian-Israeli confl ict. That may seem like an easy
task given how little competition there’s been but don’t let that fool
you. The Band’s Visit sets a high standard that all others who come
after will have to work hard to reach. Kolirin has a playful eye for detail
and an ear for real dialogue. He elicits wonderful performances from
his ensemble cast – a mix of newcomers and veterans.
Screened with
COME AGAIN IN SPRING
Belinda Oldford Canada 12 minutes
Old Hark is a creature of habit. He enjoys living in his weather-beaten
house set down amidst the meadows. His greatest joy is feeding the
birds that have wintered over and have come to depend on him. One
day, a black-robed spectre materializes out of the fi elds, brandishing
the Book of Time. But it’s too soon.
Thursday • February 7 • Capitol 6 - 6 • 6:45 PM