Represent Recommends: Volver
“I wonder what Pedro Almodovar’s story is” my gorgeous companion said to me “He catches women’s beauty so accurately”. The acclaimed film director’s latest offering – Vovler – had us feeling full, satisfied and upbeat on what would otherwise have been a blue Sunday night. And that’s just it, Almodovar captures nearly everything with accuracy – there’s no smoke nor mirrors but instead a delicious, colourful offering brimming with simplicity but running deep with authenticity. “Male figures are like ‘painful necessities’ for the women in his stories, for Almodovar’s women are essentially the core of life” my friend continued. (… and around whom all revolves and without whom not much would happen, I thought). Pedro Almodóvar Caballero, according to Wikipedia, is “the most successful and internationally known Spanish filmmaker of his generation”. Almodovar was “born [on] September 24, 1951, in Calzada de Calatrava, Spain” and “His films, marked by complex narratives, employ the codes of melodrama and use elements of pop culture, popular songs, irreverent humor, strong colors and glossy décor. Almodóvar never judges his characters actions, whatever they do, but he presents them as they are in all their complexity.” Wikipedia. I loved Volver, it’s one of those films that draws you in, coaxing a smile onto your lips at it’s comedic undertones that weave through a captivating human drama set both in a windy Spanish village and working class Madrid. Suprisingly the cinema was nearly empty which is discouraging for a film of such calibre but maybe we’re catching the end of the run. A curvacious Penelope Cruz plays out the life of a young mother Raimundo whose life is fraught with tragedy, suprises and tears – working the role with ease and grace. Despite the adversities that stifle the lives of all the women in the film, Almodovar potrays them as strong, unflinching yet emotive and fallible women who are determined to keep going. It’s a stellar female-strong cast – with loads of favourites to choose from – craftily bringing to life a storyline that winds and bends, delighting you as it gently unfolds. But you know we don’t like to give it away. Go on and brighten up any day – catch it on the big screen if you haven’t and as always, let us know your thoughts. Read all about Volver on IMDB. Go Go...
Represent Review: Bunny Chow
Thanks to Wena a hot up-and-coming film maker for her impromptu review of the movie Bunny Chow. What are your thoughts on the film readers? My take on Bunny Chow Finally a South African movie about nothing. No big issues. No politics. No HIV/Aids. No morals. Just small talk, alcohol, drugs and sex that equate to boys being bad and girls being sad. It was an extraordinary experience seeing a new generation of story-tellers who don’t give damn about issues. Its funny how refreshing that can be. The plot-line follows no real story and the dialogue is far from tight. It all risks flat-lining over 90 minutes, however a few truly hilarious typical South African moments save the day. The dudes are funny, they’re comedians. The film is shot in back and white with interesting angles and backdrops, but its a great pity that the characters who we really need to see were obscured in darkness for most of the film. The film has a look and its definitely the ‘retro low budget, no light, bad sound’ look. As a bonus it sports a pumping sound track and tons of corporate logos at the end of the credits. So if you’re into Bunny Chow, this is your movie, dude. On a serous note. Do see the movie with chow. Ciao and lots of love ...
Share your favourite DVD’s with us!
Do you suffer from the DVD shop blank stare? You know, when you go in and find yourself agonisingly mesmerised by the totally uninspiring shelves? When you feel like you’ve seen it all and can’t bear to repeat-view? When you think that Scandal may make a better option than film? Rather depressing. So we think it’s time we share the love a bit and let everybody know about those gems that are really worth watching. Please help all fellow uninspired dvd shoppers and let us know what’s worth watching. To kick off, we discovered two brilliant series at a DVD shop last week: THE WORST WEEK OF MY LIFE – BBC – 2004 – Comedy Featuring: Ben Miller, Sarah Alexander, Alison Steadman Anyone with any sense of humour, except of course the cheesy US sitcom type, will enjoy this series. It’s highly entertaining, excrutiatingly nail-biting, frustrating and absolutely exhausting. The series takes us through the 7 days in the run up of Howard’s marriage to his darling Mel who comes from a rather ‘poash’ family. This poor dude just cannot get it right with his in laws, everything he touches falls to pieces and despite his best intentions, he is a disastrous son-in-law to be. The first few days are the strongest and funniest, as you feel totally frustrated by his hapless and painful well-intentioned stuff ups and stumblings… A much see for a good laugh. EXTRAS Another classic BBC comedy, this time from the team behind THE OFFICE, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Gervais plays ANDY, an extra who just wants to be an actor and his extras mate MAGGIE, who constantly puts her foot in it but somehow always manages to come right each episode – with the boys that is. It’s a brilliant look at the mundane life of an Extra, anyone who has had the pleasure will tell you just how awful it can be. This series captures that almost depressing desperation suffered by many a wannabe ‘actor’ but is lightened by the guest appearance of famous face in each episode including Ben Stiller, Samuel L Jackson and Kate Winslet. Super-high cringe factor and Andy and Maggie put their foot in it in nearly every episode. Apparently Series 2 is out – can’t wait to devour it. Ricky Gervais rocks! PS: If you haven’t seen OFFICE and you enjoy this, make sure to watch the OFFICE...
Catch RESFEST in Cape Town
Filmakers, music video people, creatives, designers, dops, animators, runners, grips, dreamers, commercials directors, commercial wannabes – if you love celebrating brilliance in film, get down to the RESFEST that is stopping off in Cape Town on it’s way from Canada and moving on to Austria on it’s 43 city 10th anniversary tour. We’ve got our girl Canda to go and check it out and will let you kno… w how it goes. Website here. RESFEST 10TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR Labia on Orange 29 Nov – 2 Dec RESFEST’s 2006 global tour marks the 10th anniversary of the pioneering film and digital arts festival, which kicked off this year with a special presentation in Chicago at the Museum of Contemporary Art, from October 19-22, followed one day later by its Paris debut at the esteemed Pompidou Center. The festival will continue on to more than 43 cities on six continents around the world, captivating audiences with its signature mix of innovative film screenings, informative panels, experiential parties and cutting-edge performances. Resfest will be screened in Cape Town at the “Labia” on Orange from 29 Nov – 2 Dec. The festival received a record 2,200 film submissions this year, with programmers viewing hundreds more in assembling a stellar collection of outstanding short films, dynamic music videos, experimental animation and cutting-edge motion graphics. In addition to Paris, RESFEST will debut in Berlin, Eskisehir, Jakarta and Lima. The festival will culminate for the first time ever in the United States, with a series of expanded seven-day events to take place in March and April 2007 in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. In another first, the festival will be presented in high-definition during these spring engagements. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS To celebrate this commemorative year, RESFEST will feature a pair of special anniversary programs looking back at its decade-long history of revolutionary filmmaking. Unsung Heroes: Music Video Gems from the Archive gathers directors who’ve turned the music video into an art form, with classic promos for Air, Cornelius, UNKLE, Phoenix and others, while A Decade of RESFEST: 10 Seminal Short Films compiles milestone short form work that has become the stuff of RESFEST lore, including Michael Overbeck’s Tongues and Taxis, Bob Sabiston’s Snack and Drink and Stefan Nadelman’s Terminal Bar. Three more thematically arranged short film programs highlight intriguing new work: State of the Art offers a collection of live action, animation, motion graphics and documentary that will point the way for filmmakers in the years to come; Out of the Box highlights the adventurous, absurd and eccentric; and Fear and Trembling examines the horror trend that has swept the film world of late. Programming...
Review: James Bond Casino Royale
If you want the version that doesn’t give it away read this one: Brilliant opening scene, cheesy theme song, sexy new Bond Daniel Craig, yukky soppy love scene, too long, could do with an edit of the last stretch, awesome entertainment, probably the best yet. Then if you want the juice – read here…. Thanks to Heineken for the invitation to the Casino Royale preview with all th… e shlebs and media on Friday night at Village walk. Casino Royale was thoroughly enjoyable, with the manificent opening Parkour scene taking your breath away and throwing you straight into the action… the visuals of the chase sweep you up and keep you watching all the way through to a rather soppy love scene right near the end. It is at this point where the audience starts getting a little fidgety and wondering ‘how much longer’ and I am afraid it is just before this point where the movie should have ended. But it didn’t and you go on to see the usual James Bond twist at the end leaving our hottie loveless and lost and you bursting for the loo or a smoke or just to get up. 7 out of 10. But a tighter edit would have kept it sweet. Daniel Craig makes a fine Bond although he lacks the ‘slick n slimey’ Bond factor and has more of a ‘heavy macho’ side to him than previous Bonds. His pout and piercing blue eyes can get a little intense as well. Eva Green (or Evergreen) is sexy and sultry, keeping the boys happy. After the movie we were invited to (our not so favourite club) Moloko – it was a pleasure getting there early and being able to find space to sit and feel welcome (as opposed to walking in on a heaving room of strangers with no room to move). The catering was brilliant with NY style chinese take-away boxes and lots of yummy delights. The bar was flowing and service was attentive. Editorista was introduced to the joys of poker and found herself addicted almost instantaneously. Thank heavens the chips were plastic or she’d have to work the dance floor for money like one or two young ladies appeared to be doing. Great to see some of our friends at the event -David Kau looking suave in white, Sibu Shangasi the “Red Bull” man friendly as always, Lebo looking luscious and Melanie looking gorgeous (you know who you are girls), Mike from JHB Live enjoying the snacks, super smooth Simphiwe our favourite Swazi boy (call me) and Monique taking over the dance floor. Definitely worth watching. But...
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