Tonight at Lucky Bar, the unveiling of this year's edition of the Victoria Film Festival has been hoisted upon us. And while I wasn't there, I did get home tonight and hit up the online festival book, which gives you a look at what is going to be unspooled infront of our eyes.Local director Barbara Hager must be on a sugar high right now, as her docu Motown High is not only the opening gala, but it's being screened twice, both on Thursday the 31st at the Caprice followed by a party, and then again on February 1st -- the real opening date of the festival -- followed by the official opening party.
The festival "closes" with the usual closing party as well a screening of the Canadian hit Amal, which I missed at the Whistler Film Festival last November but do intend to check it out while playing here.
Out of the entire list, I've seen the following films in the order they appear in the book (which are rated out of four, recommended films bolded, and you'll be hearing my comments about these films later):
All Hat (2.5/4)
The Counterfeiters (3/4)
Hank & Mike (1.5/4)
Hell on Wheels (3/4)
The Tracey Fragments (1/4)
Beauty in Trouble (3.5/4)
The Walker (3/4)
The Band's Visit (4/4). You're seeing this movie.
The Union: The Business Behind Getting High (4/4). Ditto that.
MANY more ratings to come prior to the film festival, including Fierce People, California Dreamin', Adam's Apples, Saving Luna and Up the Yangtze (which is also at Sundance this year).
Out of all of these, the two titles I am excited for Victoria audiences to see are The Band's Visit and The Union. Both screened at the Vancouver International Film Festival last fall to amazing response. The Band's Visit was an incredible, emotional experience watching with 700 enthralled filmgoers, and I am hoping that the same happens here.
The Union had thunderous applause, huge laughs and standing ovations at both of its sold out screenings at the VIFF. It is a flat out blast from beginning to end, equally informative and entertaining. It's the best Canadian docu I've seen in years and will get you talking.
In a bizarre move, the Caprice Langford has been added as a venue while the lovable Star Cinema in Sidney is shut out this year. The Caprice is a long drive, an even longer bus ride and a bit out of the way for festivalgoers, but it is also a unique triplex and hope it pulls in some money.
Watch closer to the film festival for more notes from the Cinemaphile as well as links to my official Victoria Film Fest coverage on efilmcritic.com.
Jason
The Victoria Cinemaphile
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