Not only is the 2013 edition of the Vancouver International Film Festival the most welcoming Festival in years, it is as well the best run and organized Festival we’ve witnessed in years, each VIFF staff and volunteer becalmed, for sure, but vibrant and alive in their interaction with the many thousands of VIFF patrons who, this past week and next, will help to transform Vancouver into the world city that we oughta be, and the world city we become during the 16 days of VIFF each year, as 340+ films from more than 75 countries across the globe are brought to our shores.
Sure, like many, VanRamblings is given to the occasional kvetch — but, really, why bother taking the festival to task over picayune concerns when those of us who love the Vancouver film festival experience are allowing the world cinema of our time to wash over us during these 16 days of love?
Truth to tell, at present, we’re a little tuckered, have looked at our programme schedule (pdf) for the day (4 films!), so will leave you with a shortened version of today’s post. We do encourage you to take a look at:
- The column we wrote last Friday on the New York Film Festival, which unfolds in cinematic unison with VIFF, or
- Parts 1, 2 and 3 of our ‘best bets” posts are here, here and here.
And please, please, please get your ticket now for Sunday, October 6th’s final screening of The Great Passage, 2pm at The Cinematheque.
Otherwise, we’ll point you in the direction of films that you don’t want to miss on this early autumn day at the 32nd annual Vancouver International Film Festival, films we either saw in preview, screened since Festival’s start last Thursday, or have read great reviews on. So, here goes …
- Field of Amapolis. When accused of collaborating with the enemy in the ongoing guerilla war in Colombia, farmer Emilio, along with his nine-year-old son Simon, is forced by rebels to leave their land. After relocating with the help of a relative, Emilio and his son struggle with their new life, their economic hardship forcing Emilio to take work in the illegal poppy fields belonging to a local drug lord. Meanwhile, Simon meets and befriends Luisa, a girl his own age. Dense, dark, with the omnipresent shadow of violence and death infusing the film with a pervasive sends of dread, this one should be one to catch. Screens at 10:50am today, at VIFF’s / Cineplex’s International Village, Cinema 9.
- The Patience Stone. Suffice to say that VanRamblings has heard more positive response to this film than any other film in VIFF this year. Heard the phrase must-see? Yep, this film’s one of those creatures.
- Grand Central. Also arriving at VIFF with good buzz. Scott Foundas, chief film critic for Variety, and until recently the chief programming of the New York Film Festival loved it. 4:20pm, at Cineplex International Village, Cinema 10.
Enjoy your Festival today, eat good food, keep yourself hydrated, and we’ll be looking for you just before the lights go out in a darkening theatre.
