Thursday, September 6, 2012
The Toronto International Film Festival
The Toronto International Film Festival begins today! Hooray! Unfortunately, I will not be apart of it this year as I am dead-broke. It is not to say that I am destitute. It is just to say that I cannot spend money on luxuries I have yet to afford. If I had not spent so much on making jewellery (cough...cough!!), I would be able to join in the fun of watching films from this 2012's selection for the film festival. To have missed out Dream in High Park is one thing. How many times can they do "A Midsummer's Night's Dream?" Seriously?!
To miss TIFF is a tragedy much like some of Shakespeare's plays. There are so many fantastic films that you never get to see again unless you dig deep and wait until they come out on DVD or that's if they come out on DVD.
I have not been to a TIFF film in 2 years. Bah humbug! I am bitter like Scrooge.
These are a few films I have seen in the past...
The First Grader is about an 84 year-old Kenyan who goes to school with students not his age at all. This is when Kenya announced free education for all. Kimani Ng'ang'a Maruge is not just any ordinary Kenyan. He fought for the freedom of Kenya but was treated with cruelty. He receives a letter from the government but he cannot read it - for it is in English. Maruge goes to school to learn how to read but it becomes a huge controversy. This is a film everyone should see (obviously not small children due to some scenes of violence). This film is about the hunger for education and knowledge.
The Piano in a Factory is a rarity from China. It's not your Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon or Lust and Caution. It is full of humor and heartbreak and wonder. The cinematography and art direction is fantastic! The story is a great one. It is yet about another fight. The fight for the right to one's child. Divorce is a sad affair and the only thing positive about it here is about a father's love for his daughter and music. The Piano in a Factory is about a father who fights for his daughter by building her a piano to call her own. As he cannot purchase one for her, he has decided along with his many friends to make one in a factory for his daughter so that he may keep her. Heart warming, artistic, and music to die for. Most interesting is the director's choice of music. China was once influenced by Russia and so there are many Russian tracks on the score for this film. Bravo!!!
To be presented with a chance in going to the film festival is a great one as you marvel at the films selected for your tasting and viewing. Next year I must set aside a budget to watch a few.
Cheers!
