As a film enthusiast with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the lineup for this film festival is nothing short of extraordinary! The diversity and creativity showcased in these films are truly a testament to the power of cinema as a medium for storytelling and exploration.
The initial lineup for the Montreal Critics’ Week’s debut festival has been revealed, showcasing 19 movies over a span of seven days. This first-ever event is a project by the Montreal-based online magazine Panorama-cinéma and will take place at Cinémathèque québécoise and Cinéma Moderne from January 13th to the 19th. Additionally, there will be question-and-answer sessions with some filmmakers and talent, while further guest speakers will be announced later on.
This program will debut the first-ever showing of “Two Cuckolds Go Swimming,” a Canadian movie, which is the second feature film directed by Winston DeGiobbi. The story revolves around an adult actress who takes a moment to reassess her life during a trip to see her mother.
The festival will end with a double bill: first, Matthew Rankin’s Farsi-speaking fantasy “Universal Language,” a film that was recently shortlisted for the Oscars in the category of best international feature film nominees; second, the North American debut of Abdolreza Kahani’s “A Shrine,” which portrays a mechanic living within the Iranian community in Quebec.
In their announcement of the upcoming event, programmers Ariel Esteban Cayer and Mathieu Li-Goyette noted that film criticism is often criticized for being too challenging, elitist, grumpy, or outdated. However, they also pointed out that it aims to identify emerging trends, support fresh talent, and present films in a manner that advances the art form – making cinema more approachable beyond its marketing purposes.” The team of programmers also includes Olivier Thibodeau, Mélopée B. Montminy, and Justine Smith.
The following discussion revolves around recurring topics in the film industry, including the streaming landscape, festival politics, financial struggles in arts, and the boundaries of visual representation. In light of these ongoing debates, it’s crucial for film critics to offer insightful commentary. This assortment of films aims to present a critical snapshot of today’s world, showcasing movies that exhibit depth, ambition, and honesty, regardless of their quiet, subdued nature or bold, DIY passion, or even controversy. This collection of pieces mirrors many of the contemporary issues, such as economic hardship, separating truth from fiction, contesting war and colonialism, addressing grief or remembrance, and fostering unity through the shared experience of creation and its culture. We welcome you to explore these films and the dialogues they might spark when viewed within this specific context.
See the full line-up below.
At dusk each day, a man and his canine companion venture to the summit of a hill. A mysterious glow appears as the sun sinks below the horizon. They search for this radiance, yet find themselves engulfed in the darkness of the forest once twilight falls. This intriguing film, titled “Twilight,” directed by Park Sye-young from South Korea, will make its international debut.
As a movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase that as: “In the Shoes of Lloyd” (directed by Melanie Shatzky & Brian M. Cassidy, Canada). This gripping documentary offers an intensely personal and dreamlike exploration into the life of 67-year-old Lloyd, a man grappling with schizophrenia, living amidst the grit and decay of an urban landscape. (Quebec Premiere)
In the film titled “Two Cuckolds Go Swimming,” directed by Winston DeGiobbi from Canada, adult film actress Molly Chambers (played by Deragh Campbell) travels to Cape Breton for a visit with her mother. This somber, dreamlike drama compels her to reflect on her own feelings of belonging and attachment to home. (This is its world premiere.)
In this film titled “Forever Super Happy” directed by Kohei Igarashi, Japan and France, a character named Sano embarks on a search for a red cap that his ex-wife had left behind five years ago. This heartfelt seashore drama skillfully explores the intricate tapestry of love and sorrow. (First time at Quebec)
In this film titled “Louis Riel, or Sky Touches Ground” directed by Matias Meyer from Canada, the director delves into and portrays the final days of Louis Riel, a pivotal figure in Canadian history, with an unmistakable influence reminiscent of Bresson. (Canadian Debut)
In the film “Now He Is in the Truth,” directed by Roberto Tarazona, a camera roams through rural Cuba, attempting to capture the faint glow of faith amidst a transient peasant community under the harsh light of day. (World Premiere)
In the directorial debut of Lorena Alvarado, titled “Lost Chapters” and hailing from Venezuela and the U.S., the protagonist Ena embarks on a personal journey through her family history. This voyage mirrors the deeply personal nature of Akerman’s work and the intricate, maze-like qualities found in Borges’ tales. (North American Premiere)
In the film Merman, directed by Ana Lungu, the female perspective is explored using historical archives from Romania, which depict women’s images from World War II to the Revolution. This is its North American premiere.
UNDER. (Directed by Kamal Aljafari, Palestine and Germany) In a film that serves as a companion piece to A Fidai Film, Aljafari uses archival footage to depict a Palestinian landscape undergoing constant change from an aerial perspective. (Canadian Premiere)
Mountain Sanctuary (Directed by Park Sye-young and Yeon Ye-ji, South Korea): This film follows two anxiety-ridden siblings who retreat to the mountains to escape electromagnetic waves. It offers a mesmerizing exploration of confinement and the evocative impact of light. (International Premiere)
Mark Brown guides September walks (directed by Pierre Creton and Vincent Barré, France) In this film, directors Pierre Creton and Vincent Barré delve into the realm of plants and flowers as they accompany paleo-botanist Mark Brown on his mission to restore a prehistoric forest in Normandy. (Quebec Premiere)
In the Park (Directed by So Yo-Hen, Taiwan): Two Indonesian poets find themselves at Tainan Park, where they seize the moment to compose poetry. This captivating experimental film emphasizes the significance of taking things slow and the very essence of verbal artistry itself. (North American Premiere)
“Experiencing ‘The Red Moon’s Fiery Glow’ as a Film Aficionado (directed by Ralitsa Doncheva, Canada and Bulgaria) – A haunting ethnographic film I captured during the vibrant Zheravna Costume Festival in Bulgaria.
In “Eephus”, directed by Carson Lund (U.S.), as their cherished local baseball field is set to be demolished, two passionate teams engage in a day of mischief rather than farewell games. Through this film, Carson Lund expresses his profound affection for the sport. (Quebec Premiere)
In the directorial debut of Taku Aoyagi, Fujiyama Cotton, we encounter a compelling documentary that showcases the life of individuals with disabilities, as well as their connection to nature, inviting us to view the world through a lens of compassion. (International Premiere)
“Fertile Memory” (directed by Michel Khleifi, Palestine and Belgium) – This is the initial movie directed by a Palestinian filmmaker inside the West Bank borders, and it vividly portrays significant aspects of daily life for women amidst an apartheid system.
Spiders Web (Directed by Frank Dunsten and Ben & Oliver Roberts, Canada)
A Universal Language (directed by Matthew Rankin, Canada) This film imagines an alternate Canada that blends the whimsy of Tati and the poignancy of Kiarostami, with Farsi as the shared language. In this latest surreal comedy from Matthew Rankin, we find both uproarious humor and a tinge of melancholic disenchantment.
A Shrine – Directed by Abdolreza Kahani, this film hails from Canada, Iran, and France. In it, a weary mechanic constructs a religious sanctuary using foreign timber and embarks on a journey. This unconventional movie serves as an unusual peek into the Iranian community in Quebec, providing a unique perspective during its North American debut.
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2024-12-18 21:51