Day 11 Tiff Blog 2018

Papi Chulo is an oddly titled film which didn’t get a lot of press at TIFF, save a mention at the insiders event. It is a very good film about a LA weatherman who happens to be gay, and has a melt down on air, and given a leave. He takes on some minor ‘repair’s’ at home, and quickly realizes he cannot manage, and ‘hires’ a Mexican day labourer to come to his home. What is wonderful about this movie is that the Mexican, and the Gay weatherman have a completely unaffected or predudicial perspective on the other, and the relationship that forms is really wonderful, and likely completly atypical for LA. It is a story about loss, saddness, and the unlikely help the weatherman gets in dealing with his demons. It is one of my top TIFF picks.

Putin’s witnessess is a plodding documentary filmed in some peril I would imagine documenting the rise of Putin in Russia in 2000, and his subsequent terms of office, and the ‘eliminations’ of many who were there at the start, and joined opposition parties. It was educational, but not terrific.

Rafike is a Kenyan film (the only one at the festival) which is about two young Kenyan girls and their emerging lesbian relationship in a society where it is likely illegal, and definately against most morals. The embarassment they cause their families is well filmed, and the acting I thought of the leads excellent. Much better then I thought this would be

Freedom Fields is a documentary regarding an all female Libyan soccer team, trying to exist in a country run by moderate and extreme Muslim ideologies. A good expose of what life is like for millions of Muslim women in countries like Saudi, Iraq, Libya etc.

Belmont is a story about an artist and his interaction with people he paints for. Small budget comedy, left this one early. 4

Burning. OK, I have Chinese cinema one last go at the recommendation on this movie. I gave it an hour. It was the story of a young boy who befriends a young lady, who then leaves for overseas. He is entrusted to take care of her cat. She returns with a strange man an hour later. Can’t do Chinese Cinema!

The Standoff at Sparrow Creek was my second Midnight madness film, though we saw it during the second showing. Speaks to the thousands of American Militia who exist in case anarchy reins in the US, I gather. One group is caught up in a ‘who dun it in our group’, when police are bombed and killed nearby. The several members get together, and attempt to figure out who the culprit is. Had promise. Was just OK in the end

The Dig. What a wonderful start to this, and what a disappointing end. It had such promise. It is a story which starts with the return after 15 years in jail of a tough Irish guy who has served the time for killing a friend in a blind drunk rage to find the victims father digging holes.. which he has for 15 years.. on his property to try to find the body of his daughter. Great imagery. Great boggy Ireland Wonderful characters. So, what went wrong? See it, it would be a spolier. Could have been an 8!