Imagination Entertainment Familiar Film Festival of Deauville American held from September 3 to 12, Erick Fearson has not seen much sun last month, as a Nosferatu . First nestled in the cinemas to see most of the selected films. Then plunged into the night writing a series of columns dedicated to feature films in competition. The fantasy is not the main theme of the festival, there were few works of its kind. However, our mystery reporter managed to unearth some good finds that flirt with strange codes like the latest installment of Terry Gilliam or génialissime Buried Rodrigo Cortes, a nod to Edgar Allan Poe. Analysis of a very ambitious festival. But two pearls red carpet cinema which prove once again that there is life in death!
From our special envoy Erick Fearson
So here I am back for the 36th Deauville American Film Festival. To me the cinemas, so I can gorge myself until satiety, miles of film in America. It's always more fun and better than spending his days on the beach under a blazing sun. So it was for over a week, a stressful film marathon, with the key to a record mixed. Fortunately, my two faithful friends, nicotine and caffeine helped me keep on entire length.
However, as quite frankly at the outset: the 2010 edition was not, unfortunately, a great vintage. Few major stars and present a selection rather disappointing. A subdued atmosphere and a jury chose to reward cautious that the weak consensus rather than creativity and originality. However, few films have captured my attention, including the incredible Buried that should have been handily winning the Grand Prix. We regret all the same programming stingy with movies in the category Fantasy. I still manage to uncover some works that flirt with fantasy, including one where he talks about ghosts. Add that to the 36th edition, Deauville pays tribute to a distinguished guest in the person of Terry Gilliam. Will therefore be planned for the occasion, most of the works of director: Holy Grail, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen , The Fisher King , Army of 12 Monkeys , Brothers Grimm, Tideland , Brazil ... This is the director's cut of Brazil to be presented at the opening of the festival. I will not repeat all those works that everyone should know, except his latest achievement The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus . Released in theaters a year ago, barely, the Festival gives me the opportunity to talk more in depth of this little gem a must.
What can we learn of the films selected this year? One thing is certain: America is evil! It an America flickering, shaken by the economic and social crisis and lack of benchmarks, we discovered through the 7th Art. When everything goes wrong, humans usually turns to the family. Therefore, the family, and particularly maternity and bereavement, was the theme of the works presented at this edition. Nothing really exciting then. The themes of motherhood and adoption, as depressing as they are, came to stopping the festival. Fortunately for me, touches of black humor and cynicism have been enough to put some humor into it all! Extracts.
the other side of the mirror
With his traveling theater, "Imaginarium," Dr. Parnassus offers the public a unique opportunity to enter their world of imagination and wonder in passing through a magic mirror. But Dr. Parnassus hides a terrible secret. Thousand years earlier, not resistant to his penchant for the game, he bets with the devil, Mr Nick, and gain immortality. Later, meeting his one true love, Dr Parnassus made another deal with the devil, trading his immortality cons youth. On one condition: the day her daughter will sixteen, she will become the property of Mr Nick. Now it's time to pay the price ... To save his daughter, he starts a race against time, bringing with him a host of extraordinary characters, with the intention to repair the mistakes of his past once and for all ...
Pure and great Terry Gilliam. Visionary and poetic genius of Maestro strikes again! How not to be immediately attracted by the baroque philosophical tale? By pushing on the trail of his eccentric circus made of cardboard, the director of "Brazil" takes us on a journey of spooky and memorable, carried by a talented cast. Starting with the great Christopher Plummer singing the famous Dr. Parnassus, Tom Waits, enjoyable to perfection in the role of a mischievous devil and dandy. We can of course not forgetting the excellent Heath Ledger, which has unfortunately been the last film before his tragic death.
Terry Gilliam's film makes us question the role of the artist in society. What would a society without creating, without imagination and therefore without an artist? Definitely a company dreary, gray, sanitized and sentenced to die. But is not the case our sad world where consumerism has replaced the power of imagination? Through our desires, our expectations, our dreams, the artist gives us access to parallel worlds, awakening our sleeping consciousness. There is somehow the humble power of Doctor Parnassus.
us to reflect rather than to serve us the answers pre-chewed through a very private world. That's how strong Terry Gilliam is missing the big Hollywood machine. Indeed, beyond its unique visual and dreamlike, the works of the director are always loaded of meaning and symbols. Nothing is free in Gilliam. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus obviously not immune to the rule. The symbolism of the tarot for example, and especially the famous mirror that separates us from our cold reality to another world, our own inner world, participate in this course. To be ready to go to the other side of the mirror, must still confront our weaknesses beforehand, be responsible for making the right choices before us ... ... if the risk of burning the wings. This is also the role of the devil, the tempter who seeks to us to succumb inviting us into his kingdom of the senses and pleasure. We do not force his hand, he invites us. The shade is great because it leaves us free will. Will there be resist or will we be victims of our inner demons? That is the risk to take from the other side of the famous mirror of Dr. Parnassus.
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and pushes us to find the child inside. This innocent child and inventive that we long ago. A child full of resources and imagination that could create extraordinary worlds with simple pieces of string. Terry Gilliam on a journey within the heart of our deepest desires and perhaps the most unspoken, the depths of our spirit ... Despite the price, will we resist the invitation?
Six Feet Under
"Open your eyes. You're in a confined space, under a ton of Iraqi land with 90 minutes of oxygen and one connection to a mobile phone outside half charged. Such is the fate of Paul, an American taken hostage and imprisoned in a box. The clock is ticking and every second which passes close to a certain death ... "
Warning masterpiece already ... and worship! A snorkeling in our most ancient fears. If you're claustrophobic or reached taphophobie (fear of being buried alive), do not go see this Hitchcockian thriller devilishly effective pain of suffocation! Buried with the nightmarish Rodrigo Cortes succeeded masterly feat of keeping us in suspense (if you can tell) for 94 minutes to one field of action, inside a coffin! The buried living, played by Ryan Reynolds extraordinary, must get by on a shoestring. A cell phone whose battery is half empty, lighter, pen, knife, a flask of alcohol and a flashlight are the only weapons available to our heroes to find the open air. Add to that a reptilian troublemaker who invites himself to the party, and you have the ingredients of a diabolical camera stifling! The many twists in this living nightmare, in which the suspense never weakens, you will put on edge. The scenario asphyxiating, chiseled in every detail, do any respite. And the coup de grace will give you goosebumps, six feet underground, never to return! Pure genius that is reminiscent The premature burial of Edgar Allan Poe!
Buried is the film festival of Deauville. He received the prize for the occasion of the International Critics, but should, in my humble opinion, get the Grand Prix. For me, the winner of the 36th American Film Festival of Deauville. In theaters November 3.
Photo: Julian Boisard
