Day 9 Tiff Blog

“I do not care if we go down in history as barbarians”, is a Romanian feature in which a young theatre director tries to reenact in a public square the slaughtering of Ukrainian Jews during WW2, and despite efforts of the government to stop her. This was part of a Tiff Talks series, so the director and some one from the Munk School in Toronto provided commentary. What was tremendously interesting was the fact that during filming, they allowed the public to join ‘extra’s in the square during the reenactment (which was quite well done for a small movie production), and according the the director, the sentiment both in the crowd, and prevailing in Romania is still anti semetic. Prior to the War, over 1 million jews were in Romania, based on last census, just 6000 are there now. Remarkable fact.

Transit was recommended in the ‘insiders event’ by TIFF programmers. It looks like present day, but creatively adapted from a WW2 refugee novel, it juxtaposes the events facing refugess and illegal residents to a present time. Interesting, and difficult to explain further without ruining the story. Was OK, not wonderful

The Weekend was a romantic comedy with an all African American cast. Complicated love story with two couples away for a weekend, but feelings for the other couple. Hokey. Felt a bit to me like a movie which was selected to ensure underrepresented demographic (production and talent) were represented. Sorry to be that blunt.

White Boy Rick is based on a true story of a young man who’s father is a petty hustler in the 80’s, and becomes a drug dealer, and FBI informant before he turned 16. I don’t want to spoil the plot, so I wont divulge the facts which follow, but they are tell a story which you sympathize with the young Rick. Stars Matthew McConaughey, Bruce Dern etc. Good movie

A Private War tels the true story of a war correspondent named Marie Colvin, who along with Paul Conroy enter several front lines in the world following horrible things mainly happening to civilians. Of particular relevancy, is her coverage of the Syrian Cit of Homs in 2012. Since that time, more than half a million civilians have been killed in Syria. My friends Nora, Rada, need to watch this movie. It stars Rosamund Pike. The evil that mankind does is on full display. It will disturb and educate you.

Hidden Man is a Chinese movie by actor director Jiang Wen as a follow up to two prior movies in Chinese cinema. Great throngs of Chinese press were there.. more people blocking our view of the intro then for the Lady Gaga movie. Unbelievable. 1/2 of the theatre was Chinese, and seemed to enjoy what was an absolute piece of junk. Supposed to be funny in parts I think, and outside of the initial cinematography which was beautiful, it was just junk.