September 22, 2006
Fantastic Fest Report: Family Dysfunction and Japanese Strangeness
(Posted In Asia Continental Europe and Russia Cult Horror Random Festival News USA and Canada )
First day of screenings for the 2nd Fantastic Fest (Austin, Texas, USA) finished about 10 minutes ago: terrific venue, responsive audiences, and good batting average for the programming. What I saw (some reviews to follow):
The Hamster Cage: Director Larry Kent should be Canada's national treasure. Wickedly perverse family dynamics, the blackest of comedies, and as lovely counterpoints, a pleasant color scheme and musical score. Third act felt a bit drawn out, but a distinctive vision. Recommended. Next screening: Saturday, Sept. 23 - 6:40 p.m.
The Living and the Dead: Insanely ambitious piece by director Simon Rumley features long stretches that are haunting, disturbing, and excruciating to watch, in a very original vein. For me, it didn't quite all come together, yet it's impossible not to admire what Rumley is trying to achieve. Not perfect, but recommended. Next screening: Sunday, Sept. 24 - 6:25 p.m.
The Last Supper: A Japanese plastic surgeon becomes a cannibal, finds, er, success. Can't say more right now -- will explain later. Next screening: Tuesday, Sept. 26 - 11:50 p.m.
Naisu No Mori (Funky Forest - The First Contact): The best post-modern musical ever made. Still humming songs and fondly replaying entire sequences. I'll be glad to let this one inhabit my dreams tonight. Highly recommended. Next screening: Saturday, Sept. 23 - 8:45 p.m.
Must sleep now...
» Posted by Peter Martin at September 22, 2006 03:17 AM
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Reader Comments
Hmmm "asian extreme", "japanese strangeness"...think i hear cronenberg, lynch, bunuel, and many others groaning to take back "canadian strangeness", "american strangeness", "spanish strangeness", etc...:PP
» Posted by ed at September 22, 2006 08:47 AM
I still consider The American Astronaut to be the best post-modern musical ever made. Funky Forest rules though. I couldn't get that dance song from the "singles picnic" thats also in the trailer out of my head for weeks.
» Posted by Peter K. at September 22, 2006 11:23 AM
Ed - Let all those who wish to take back "strangeness" do battle; sounds like Lynch is ready to reclaim his title with "Inland Empire," but poor Bunuel must return from the grave (tho, of course, I'd line u to see what he did, post-resurrection).
Peter K. - Fair enough on TAA (which, gulp, shame, I haven't seen). And ya - I was humming that song in my sleep!
» Posted by Peter Martin at September 22, 2006 12:42 PM
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