Ironically the Film Festival has been going as long as I have been alive, but even so I have been enjoying it for at least 5 years now and although have not seen as many as usual this year I have enjoyed a good few.
I missed the first one due to the fantastic Dutch train service which needless to say was not delivering me to my destination on time.
Thursday January 24th
So I missed
The Existence Unfinished Sky; a remake of a Dutch movie
The Polish Bride in fact I am not sure of the logistics as the same Leading actress played the same part in both movies. One set in Holland the other Australia. I liked the filming and acting. It is a great story if only a little predicable.
Monday January 28th
Falling from Earth I can’t say I really liked this movie but interesting story to be told about the situation in Beirut over what has been happening in Lebanon over the past few years.
Tuesday January 29th
A Song of Good Australian movie about a pathetic guy trying to turn his life around. I was not convinced about the story and thought the situations were to ridiculous to be believed and not convincing enough for me to feel sorry for the character.
English, August An Indian movie that I must admit I felt was not as interesting as catching my train. But it portrayed the hot and humid province in India where it was filmed.
Wednesday January 30th
Das Herz ist ein dunkler Wald German movie portraying a young mother who discovers her husbands’ infidelity, and how she deals with her own psychological issues in dealing with them.
Encarnacion A Argentinean movie about a 80’s movie star who is struggling with getting older and her life. On a trip to her niece’s birthday party she discovers how to do all those things. For me one of the interesting parts of the movie is that the actual lead role is played by a former 80’s star in Argentina and I wonder how much was real or scripted.
Thursday January 31st
Dolls Czech road movie in which three girlfriends want to go to Holland after secondary school and find their way to the border with many obsticals along the way. Love, Life & Friendship. Can some girls be so naieve.
Strizh A Kazakhstan movie about a teenage girl who is trying to deal with the life she has, I liked the character but am beginning to wonder if the eastern countries are all depressed and alcoholic.
Friday February 1st
Autumn Ball – Estonian movie, which was fascinating I walked out on this one, not because it was bad so to say but because I was annoyed with the long long shots and that last few moments of a woman who was just so pathetic. As well the director just kept on introducing new characters all the way through the movie.
Persepolis Iranian animated movie about a girl growing up in Iran over a 25 year period. This movie won the public prize at the festival/
Men’s Group Australian, I loved this movie. Not perfect but real and interesting. I loved the story behind how the movie was produced and shot. Not having a script but working with real scenarios and only giving bits and pieces as the shooting when on.
Saturday February 2nd
Deciding between sleep and a movie I have to admit sleep was more important so I passed on
Rail Road Crossing, which I hope was really great and am sorry I missed it.
King of Ping Pong Swedish, story of two brothers coming of age and trying to deal with the hardships of life.
Chouga - based on Anna Karenina, the classic by Tolstoy, set in the nouveau-riche world of a rapidly changing and modernising Kazakhstan. Chouga faces the same dilemmas as Anna. I liked it, but did not love it.
Cordero de Dios – Lamb of God – Argentinean, great story of family torn apart by the civil unrest of the 70’s and how to forgive acts of love.
Hidden Faces – Turkish, I actually decided not to go to this, only because I was so exhausted and I heard how emotional it was. I opted for sleep and home instead.
On Feb 9th I went to a costume party for my friends C&W I went as Wonder Woman, H as White Trash and G as Wolverine.... After a few great hours in the company of Cat Woman, a cross dressing Wonder Woman, A woopie cushion, 2 William Wallaces, a WIFI hotspot, a wanker, and William of Orange the 1st and many cats and witches we headed home. 
