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Edinburgh International Film Festival · 2012

Edinburgh International Film Festival 2012

New Perspectives

Programme

33 films · 24 reviews

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Attractive Illusion

Review preview for Attractive Illusion

The characters are vivid and full of life in a way that a traditional script might not convey.

David Graham · 3.5 out of 5
In search of a better life, a boatful of Nigerians wash up on the shores of Greece and head for Athens. There they embark on a precarious new life.

(Country: Greece, Nigeria; Year: 2012; Director: Petros Sevastikoglou; Writer: Kenny Abdeleke, Kelechwuku Chukwuejim, Sunny Ohilebo, Petros Sevastikoglou; Stars: Tmc, J Linus, M. Ohilebo, PIO Austyeno, D Nusakhare, Sunny Ohilebo)

Full review

And If We All Lived Together? (Et si on vivait tous ensemble?)

Several screen icons star in a comedy-drama that treats delicate issues with tact, humour and intelligence. Five long-time friends (Jane Fonda, Geraldine Chaplin, Claude Rich, Pierre Richard, Guy Bedos), now past retirement age, decide to move in together. Under the watchful eyes of their younger caretaker (Daniel Bruhl), an anthropology student, the new housemates confront some hidden issues from their shared past while struggling to cope with the problems of ageing.

(Country: France, Germany; Year: 2011; Director: Stéphane Robelin)

Blood Of My Blood (Sangue do Meu Sangue)

Review preview for Blood Of My Blood

One of the most affecting films of the year.

Robert Munro · 5 out of 5
An intense family melodrama set in the outskirts of Lisbon.

(Country: Portugal; Year: 2011; Director: João Canijo; Writer: João Canijo; Stars: Rafael Morais, Nuno Lopes, Fernando Luís, Rita Blanco, Cleia Almeida, Anabela Moreira, Marcello Urgeghe, Francisco Tavares, Vera Barreto, Beatriz Batarda, Teresa Tavares, Teresa Madruga, João Vaz)

Full review

Black's Game (Svartur á leik)

Stefan Mani’s best-seller of the Icelandic underworld becomes the basis for this debut feature by Óskar Thór Axelsson. A young slacker with violent tendencies does a job for a gang of drug dealers. Impressing his superiors, he works his way up to a high position in the gang… just as the crooks are setting up their biggest deal yet. Energetic, made with flair, and brimming with local colour, Black’s Game brings some refreshing Icelandic twists to a classic gang-thriller plot.

(Country: Iceland; Year: 2011; Director: Óskar Thór Axelsson)

Brake

Review preview for Brake

Brake is an undying sequence of storytelling gimmicks.

Scott Macdonald · 3 out of 5
A secret service agent wakes up trapped inside a perspex coffin in the boot of a car.

(Country: USA; Year: 2012; Director: Gabe Torres; Writer: Gabe Torres; Stars: Stephen Dorff, Chyler Leigh, JR Bourne, Tom Berenger, Bobby Tomberlin, Kali Rocha, King Orba, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Sammy Sheik, Kent Shocknek, Jaylen Moore, Stephen J. Bridgewater, Matthew Pollino, Jason Raphael, Jamie Fishback)

Full review

California Solo

Review preview for California Solo

Lewy avoids the trite path to redemption, choosing instead to keep this a study of man in midlife crisis, understated and realistic.

Amber Wilkinson · 3.5 out of 5
An ageing, faded Britpop star is forced to confront his past if he wants to avoid deportation from the US.

(Country: US; Year: 2012; Director: Marshall Lewy; Writer: Marshall Lewy; Stars: Robert Carlyle, Danny Masterson, Kathleen Wilhoite, William Russ, A Martinez, Patrick Gallagher, Alexia Rasmussen, Michael Des Barres, Brad Greenquist, Hal Landon Jr., Ella Joyce, Savannah Lathem, Niko Nicotera, Robert Cicchini, Jamal Kazak) , Trailer

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Chapiteau Show (Shapito-shou, Shapito Show)

Review preview for Chapiteau Show

That the film tests our patience due to the wearily extroverted characters and a distinct lack of laughter is undoubtedly more frustrating than the numb limbs arising from such an intimidating run-time.

Robert Munro · 2 out of 5
At a Crimean resort, various characters cross paths with one another across an intricate multi-story narrative.

(Country: Russia; Year: 2011; Director: Sergey Loban; Writer: Marina Potapova; Stars: Jim Avignon, Stas Baretskiy, Dmitriy Bogdan, Stepan Devonin, Yuliya Govor, Sergei Kuzmenko, Anton Kuznetsov, Pyotr Mamonov, Dmitry Novikov, Sergey Pakhomov, Aleksei Podolsky, Sergei Popov, Darya Spiridonova, Vera Strokova, Maksim Tiunov)

Full review

differently, Molussia (anders, Molussien)

Nine short, individually titled reels of colour 16mm film, which are presented in a random order determined before each screening. Drawing on a text by German philosopher Gu?nther Anders, the film is an imaginary documentary about Molussia, a fictional totalitarian country that Anders invented to represent the dystopia of fascism.

(Country: France; Year: 2012; Director: Nicolas Rey)

Dress Rehearsal for Utopia (Ensayo final para utopía)

As his father lies dying in a hospital room in Venezuela, the filmmaker's thoughts travel to Mozambique. Images of dance and revolution, some retrieved from archival footage, some newly shot, conjure up a spectral alternate reality where human figures take part in a cascade of excited movements.

(Country: Spain; Year: 2012; Director: Andrés Duque)

Either Way (Á Annan Veg)

Review preview for Either Way

A gentle, enjoyable little drama - a very comfortable and concise 80 minutes.

Scott Macdonald · 3 out of 5
Finnboeg and Alfred paint lines on a road in this gentle comedy. Re-released to coincide with David Gordon Green's remake Prince Avalanche.

(Country: Iceland; Year: 2011; Director: Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurðsson; Writer: Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson, Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurðsson; Stars: Hilmar Guðjónsson, Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson) , Official site

Full review

Evelyn

Review preview for Evelyn

Ocampo's decision to keep things gritty without being exploitative is a good one.

Amber Wilkinson · 3 out of 5
A young girl who heads to Spain in hope of work, finds herself trapped in a brothel.

(Country: Spain; Year: 2012; Director: Isabel de Ocampo; Writer: Isabel de Ocampo, Juan Manuel Romero; Stars: Cindy Díaz, Adolfo Fernández, Ari Saavedra, Sari Bibang, Guadalupe Lancho)

Full review

Exit Elena

Review preview for Exit Elena

It is the balancing of a social awkwardness - which provokes comedy and terror at the same time - that makes Exit Elena such a pleasant success.

Robert Munro · 4 out of 5
A live-in nurse moves in with a pleasant yet quietly unsettling family to help look after their ailing grandmother.

(Country: USA; Year: 2012; Director: Nathan Silver; Writer: Nathan Silver & Kia Davis; Stars: Kia Davis, Nathan Silver, Cindy Silver & Jim Chiros)

Full review

First Position

Review preview for First Position

An immensely involving and engaging experience.

David Graham · 4 out of 5
A documentary following a group of kids through tough ballet training.

(Country: USA; Year: 2011; Director: Bess Kargman)

Full review

Flicker (Flimmer)

Review preview for Flicker

A funny, original and often tender début feature from the talented Mr Eklund.

Robert Munro · 4 out of 5
When a power cut strikes a small town in Northern Sweden, a chain reaction begins that sees sparks fly and lives change forever.

(Country: Sweden; Year: 2012; Director: Patrik Eklund; Writer: Patrik Eklund; Stars: Jimmy Lindström, Saga Gärde, Olle Sarri, Lotti Törnros, Jacob Nordenson, Kjell Bergqvist, Allan Svensson, Sissela Benn, Svante Grundberg, Daniel Rudstedt, Margareta Pettersson, Alexander Dahlström, Anki Larsson, Saga Eserstam, Greger Ottosson)

Full review

Fred Won't Move Out (Fred)

Review preview for Fred Won't Move Out

I found myself forgetting about actors acting, and saw a cruel divine joke played upon mostly decent, interesting people. It's achingly sad.

Scott Macdonald · 4 out of 5
A family contemplate what to do as the older generation lose their ability to live independently.

(Country: US; Year: 2012; Director: Richard Ledes; Writer: Richard Ledes; Stars: Elliott Gould, Fred Melamed, Stephanie Roth Haberle, Judith Roberts, Mfoniso Udofia, Ariana Altman, Robert Miller, Richard Ledes)

Full review

Fukushima: Memories of the Lost Landscape (Soma kanka: dai ichi bu - ubawareta tochi no kioku)

Tokyo-based documentary filmmaker Yojyu Matsubayashi, anxious to document the tragedy of the tsunami in northeast Japan and the nuclear disaster at Fukushima, won the trust of the Tanakas, a middle-aged couple working to help people forced to evacuate their homes in the town of Minami-soma. Matsubayashi's portrait of the Tanakas' dedication and of the varying experiences and emotions of the evacuees creates a compelling image of loss and resilience.

(Country: Japan; Year: 2011; Director: Yojyu Matsubayashi)

Gate #5 (al-Hawd al-Khamis)

Review preview for Gate #5

Gate #5 is a passive observer, perhaps too passive.

Andrew Robertson · 2.5 out of 5
A documentary about Beirut's Gate #5 and the people around it.

(Country: Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Canada, Germany; Year: 2011; Director: Simon El Habre)

Full review

GATTU

‘Truth with triumph in the end’ is the motto of the local school in the part of town where Gattu lives. But Gattu is too poor to go to school and he’s not always that truthful either. Gattu lives and works very hard at a scrap yard belonging to a man he simply calls ‘uncle’. Uncle bought him years ago from his sick father. Gattu is particularly inventive when it comes to thinking up excuses so he can slip away and indulge his passion for kite-flying. Day after day the children love to compete against each other with their kites. They’ve given the name Kali to one mysterious black kite that dominates the sky; strangely, nobody seems to know who owns it. If Gattu wants to win the next competition he’ll have to climb to the highest place in town. This is the school roof, of all places. Gattu manages to creep inside where he assumes command of a small but determined group of pupils. A dramatic battle of the skies ensues during which Gattu uses every trick in the book to claim the lead. But his greatest achievement is when, encouraged by his friendship with his new-found comrades, he decides to tell the truth.

(Country: India; Year: 2011; Director: Rajan Khosa; Writer: Rajan Khosa, Satyam, Dilip Shukla, Ankur Tewari; Stars: Mohammad Samad, Naresh Kumar, Bhura)

Hail

Review preview for Hail

Hail essentially tells the story of going straight, and is filled with knowing details, acidic and authentic writing.

Scott Macdonald · 4 out of 5
The true story of a man who, fresh out of prison, tries to make a new start.

(Country: Australia; Year: 2011; Director: Amiel Courtin-Wilson; Writer: Amiel Courtin-Wilson; Stars: Daniel P Jones, Leanne Letch, Tony Markulin, Jerome Velinsky, Leanne Campbell)

Full review

Here, There (Zheli, nai)

Review preview for Here, There

Beautiful in scale, in scope, each of our three major locations is lovingly rendered.

Andrew Robertson · 4 out of 5
Small intimate stories reveal three parallel worlds.

(Country: China; Year: 2011; Director: Lu Sheng; Writer: Liu Yong, Xu Yang, Lu Sheng; Stars: Yulai Lu, Lu Huang, Anlian Yao, Deshun Wang, Yan Bo Bai, Wei Qin)

Full review

Hospitalité (Kantai)

Review preview for Hospitalité

Hospitalité begins with a promising and intriguing set-up before falling to pieces over the last half hour.

Robert Munro · 2.5 out of 5
A family welcome an unusual guest into their house, who soon assumes control and begins playing the family against each other.

(Country: Japan; Year: 2010; Director: Koji Fukada; Writer: Kôji Fukada; Stars: Kenji Yamauchi, Kanji Furutachi)

Full review

The Invader (L'Envahisseur)

Review preview for The Invader

Sawadogo gives a potent, revealing performance which is sadly wasted in a story without impulse or direction.

Scott Macdonald · 2 out of 5
A immigrant struggling to fit into Belgian society becomes obsessed with a beautiful woman.

(Country: Belgium, France; Year: 2011; Director: Nicolas Provost; Writer: Giordano Gederlini, François Pirot, Nicolas Provost, Matthieu Reynaert; Stars: Isaka Sawadogo, Stefania Rocca, Serge Riaboukine, John Flanders, CinSyla Key, Carole Weyers, Tibo Vandenborre, Dieudonné Kabongo, Noureddine Farihi)

Full review

It's The Earth Not The Moon (É na terra não é na lua)

Review preview for It's The Earth Not The Moon

What emerges is a picture of a place where much history has been lost, often deliberately, but where the residents, though mindful of their past are always looking to the future.

Amber Wilkinson · 3.5 out of 5
Documentary charting the lives of residents on the isolated Azores island of Corvo.

(Country: Portugal; Year: 2011; Director: Gonçalo Tocha)

Full review

Leave It on the Track

Roller derby is the fastest growing (and, arguably, most entertaining) women's sport in the world. In Houston, Texas, it's the end of season championship bout and the undefeated Cherry Bombs are taking on the Hellcats. Meet the brilliantly named players (Curly Suicide, Miss Amerikill, Rocky Casbah...), get a lesson in the rules (despite appearances, there are rules), and witness the thrills and (eye-wateringly painful) spills of derby at its best.

(Country: USA; Year: 2011; Director: Benjamin Pascoe)

Mirage (Mi-wol-do Ga-neun Gil)

Travelling from Seoul to his hometown of Incheon, a prize-winning novelist loses his wallet on the train. Seeking help from the people he once knew in Incheon, the writer gradually finds himself forced to confront the painful high-school incident that scarred his psyche and furnished the unacknowledged inspiration for his work. A hard-hitting debut feature from director Yang Jung-ho.

(Country: South Korea; Year: 2011; Director: Yang Jung-ho)

The Mirror Never Lies (The Mirror Never Lies)

Review preview for The Mirror Never Lies

This immersive film from the Wakatobi islands in Indonesia is a fascinating snapshot of the lives of the Bajo tribe and a sweetly worked narrative about family and friendship that also offers powerful commentary about the state of our seas.

Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
A young girl grieves for her missing father.

(Country: Indonesia; Year: 2011; Director: Kamila Andini; Writer: Kamila Andini, Dirmawan Hatta; Stars: Atiqah Hasiholan, Gita Novalista, Reza Rahadian, Eko, Zainal)

Full review

Modest Reception (Paziraie Sadeh)

A man and a woman are making their way through a war-torn mountainous region in an SUV. The boot of the car contains plastic bags filled with money to distribute to the needy people they encounter on their journey. But are the two of them really on a charitable mission?

(Country: Iran; Year: 2012; Director: Mani Haghighi; Stars: Taraneh Alidoosti, Mani Haghighi)

Never Too Late (Af Paam Lo Meuchar Miday)

Review preview for Never Too Late

Despite its more heavy-handed aspects, Fluk shows potential behind the camera, with a good eye for framing and patience when it comes to giving the mood of a scene time to develop.

Amber Wilkinson · 2.5 out of 5
A man returns to Israel after an eight-year absence and embarks on a trip that makes him confront his memories.

(Country: Israel; Year: 2011; Director: Ido Fluk; Writer: Ido Fluk; Stars: Nony Geffen, Ami Weinberg, Keren Berger, Eyal Rozales, Pira Kantor)

Full review

No Man's Zone (Mujin Chitai)

Review preview for No Man's Zone

No Man's Zone is a crushingly dull documentary, at least twice as long as the selected material warrants.

Scott Macdonald · 1.5 out of 5
A journey through the stark post-tsunami landscape around Fukushima.

(Country: Japan, France; Year: 2011; Director: Toshi Fujiwara)

Full review

Nuclear Nation (Futaba kara tooku hanarete)

Review preview for Nuclear Nation

They're interesting people, all with interesting and evolving stories to tell.

Scott Macdonald · 3.5 out of 5
Survivors of the 2011 Japanese tsunami discuss their experiences and reveal the nature of their lives as refugees.

(Country: Japan; Year: 2012; Director: Atsushi Funahashi)

Full review

Postcards From The Zoo (Kebun binatang)

Review preview for Postcards From The Zoo

The picture Edwin paints recalls the postcards of the title, both for good and ill.

Amber Wilkinson · 3 out of 5
Magic realist fairytale of a girl who is raised in a zoo.

(Country: Indonesia; Year: 2012; Director: Edwin; Writer: Edwin, Daud Sumolang, Titien Wattimena; Stars: Nicholas Saputra, Ladya Cheryl, Dave Lumenta, Heidy Trisiana Triswan, Nazyra C. Noer, Adjie Nur Ahmad, Klarysa Aurelia)

Full review

Rose (Róza)

Review preview for Rose

Beginning with acts of rape and murder, Wojtek Smarzowski immediately sets the tone for his hard-hitting period drama which although containing a carefully wrought love story, never romanticises the past.

Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
A relationship develops between a widow and a former soldier in post-war Poland.

(Country: Poland; Year: 2011; Director: Wojciech Smarzowski; Writer: Michal Szczerbic; Stars: Marcin Dorocinski, Agata Kulesza, Malwina Buss, Kinga Preis, Jacek Braciak, Marian Dziedziel, Edward Linde-Lubaszenko, Eryk Lubos, Lech Dyblik, Szymon Bobrowski, Andrzej Konopka, Robert Wabich, Grzegorz Wojdon, Mateusz Trembaczowski, Jerzy Rogalski)

Full review

Tokyo Drifter (Tokyo Doriftura)

Review preview for Tokyo Drifter

Kenta Maeno is the man, Tetsuaki Matsue the director who follows him, 16 are the songs that he sings as he goes. You shouldn't.

Andrew Robertson · 1 out of 5
A man wanders the streets of Tokyo by night, singing to indifferent people.

(Country: Japan; Year: 2011; Director: Tetsuaki Matsue; Stars: Kenta Maeno)

Full review