Montreal International Documentary Festival /Rencontres Internationale du Documentaires a Montréal
For more
information consult program or visit / Pour plus d'informations, consulter le
programme ou visitez: http://www.ridm.qc.ca/fr ; http://www.ridm.qc.ca/en
Chronicle of Films seen / Chronique de Films vus:
Below find a run-down of all the films seen at this year’s
festival. If time permits, a more elaborate critique (features only) will
appear under the label “Film Box-Office.” They will be identified with the RIDM
2012 logo. Updates will appear on a frequent basis (hopefully once a day) so
please visit frequently.
Films sont énumérés par ordre croissant – le plus récemment vu sur le haut de la page)
After / Âpres:
Brave New River / La Nouvelle Rupert, Canada 2012, 68m, Nicolas Renaud
This insightful, poignant and thought-provoking film
explores the impact of the Eastman hydro-electric plant and the damming of the
Rupert River in order to divert it to drive the plant. Before it was a majestic
torrent, an important part of the identity of the Cree Nation and a vital
source of their sustenance; now it is barely a big creek. Without resorting to
reductionist arguments or activist rage and using sensitive portraits and
observational sequences the film asks the question: how can natural resources
be used to satisfy society’s needs without trampling on human rights and the
environment?
Ce film perspicace, poignant et réflexif explore l'impact de l'usine
hydroélectrique d’Eastman et l'endiguement de la rivière Rupert, afin de le détourner
enfin d’alimenter l'usine. Avant c'était un torrent majestueux, une partie
importante de l'identité de la Nation Crie et une source vitale de leur
subsistance ; maintenant, c'est à peine un gros ruisseau. Sans avoir recours à
des arguments réductionnistes ou l’activiste enragé et à l'aide des portraits
sensibles et des séquences d'observation, le film pose la question : comment les
ressources naturelles peuvent être utilisées pour satisfaire les besoins de la
société sans piétiner sur les droits de l'homme et l'environnement ?
Figure d'Armen, 2012, 74m, Marlene Edoyan
Filmmaker
travels to her homeland of Armenia and
surrounding states – Georgia and Nagorno- Karabakh – in order to get to know
her fellow countrymen and to hear their
stories of how they coped with the countless social, natural and geopolitical
upheavals in the past century: genocide 1915-23, earthquake 1988, wars with
Azerbaijan (1918-21 and 88-94), collapse of USSR 1991, etc. This gentle, moving,
emotionally evocative and intimate work shows the importance of heritage and
identity.
Cinéaste se rend à sa patrie de l'Arménie et les États avoisinants –
Géorgie et Nagorno-Karabakh – afin d'apprendre à connaître de ses compatriotes
et pour entendre leurs histoires de comment ils ont fait face à des
bouleversements sociaux, naturels et géopolitiques d'innombrables au cours du dernière
siècle : le génocide de 1915-23, tremblement de terre de 1988, les guerres avec
l'Azerbaïdjan (1918-21 et 88-94), effondrement de l'URSS 1991, etc. Cette œuvre
doux, émouvant, émotionnellement évocateur et intime montre l'importance du
patrimoine et identité.
The Last Cabaret / Le Dernier Cabaret, Canada 2012, 48m,
Catherine Proulx
Catherine Proulx goes backstage in the Café Cléopâtre to explore why
the last cabaret on The Main (Boulevard St Laurent) is still presenting nightly
shows despite being surrounded by boarded up buildings.
Catherine Proulx va dans les coulisses du Café
Cléopâtre enfin d'examiner pourquoi que le dernier cabaret sur la « Main »
(Boulevard St Laurent) présente toujours des spectacles nocturnes en dépit
d'être entouré d’immeubles barricadé.
The
/ Le Horse Palace, Canada 2012, 68m, Nadine Gomez
Griffintown (south-western district of Montreal), Canada’s oldest
working-class neighbourhoods was
once a bustling hub of the industrial era. Many of its warehouses and horse
stables have closed and are being demolished to make room for condominiums. The Horse Palace was built in the
1850s and is presently owned by Leo Leonard. The stables are in dire need of restoration and Leo is in his mid 80s. He is under pressure
to yield to sell it for urban redevelopment. A deeply nostalgic tribute to an
era that will soon disappear unless something is done to preserve this rich cultural
heritage.
Griffintown (dans le district du sud-ouest de
Montréal), le plus vieux quartier de classe ouvrières du Canada était autrefois
un carrefour animé durant le période industrielle. Un grand nombre de ses
entrepôts et écuries ont fermé leurs portes et sont en cours de démolition enfin de faire place à des condos. Le Horse
Palace a été construit dans les années 1850 et appartient actuellement à Leo
Leonard. Les écuries ont un besoin
urgent de restauration et Leo est dans ses mi-80-ans. Il est sous pression de
les vendre pour la rénovation urbaine. Un hommage profondément nostalgique
d'une époque qui va bientôt disparaître si rien n'est fait pour préserver ce
riche patrimoine culturel.
Blockade 138 :
The Inuit Resistance / Blocus 138 : La Résistance Innue, Canada
2012, 7m, Réal
Junior Leblanc
On March 9 2012, a group from the Inuit reserve of Maliotenam
set up a blockade of Highway 138 just outside of Sept-Îles Québec, to protest
Hydro-Quebec’s development of the Roumaine River. This short film superbly
captures the emotional intensity.
Le 9 Mars 2012,
un groupe de la réserve Inuit de Maliotenam, mis en place un blocus de la route
138, juste à l'extérieur de Sept-Îles (Québec), pour protester contre le
développement d'Hydro-Québec de la rivière Roumaine. Ce court-métrage
superbement capte l'intensité émotionnelle.
Journal de
France, France 2012, 100m, Raymond Depardon / Claudine Nougaret
Using never before seen footage from Depardon’s films,
his long-time collaborator and spouse Claudine Nougaret examines the evolution
of his artistic path; approaching her subject from the angle of his current
work as a photographer. Returning to
many of the locations Depardon visited earlier in his career, we can also
witness the evolution of his country of birth.
En utilisant extraits inédits
de nombreux films de Depardon, son collaborateur et épouse de longue date Claudine
Nougaret examine l'évolution de son parcours artistique; en abordant son sujet
sous l'angle de son travail actuel en tant que photographe. Revenant à un bon
nombre des endroits que Depardon a visité auparavant dans sa carrière, nous
pouvons également assister à l'évolution de son pays de naissance.
5 Broken
Cameras / 5 Cameras Brisées, Palestine / Israel / Israël / France 2011, 90m, Emat Burnat / Guy Davidi
2005, village of Bil’in on the West Bank, Emad
Burnat, a Palestinian farmer buys a video camera to document the birth of his
fourth son. At the same time the Israeli government begins to construct a
separation barrier; purpose – to cut off the Palestinians from a future
settlement. The Palestinians, angered at the prospect of having their lands
stolen, began to protest led by Emad’s 2 best friends and family. 6 years and 5
broken cameras later, the result is a powerful personal diary that succinctly
captures the repressive and creepy nature of the Israeli occupation of
Palestine.
North at Heart / Le Nord au Cœur, Canada 2012, 85m, Serge Giguére
A topical portrait of Quebec's most famous
geographer, Louis-Edmond Hamelin (born 1923). One of the few 'white men' who
traveled up north for the purpose of research and understanding. He is the
pioneer of the concept of ‘nordicity (the degree of northernness)’ and a champion of
aboriginal rights. The film will stand out as an undeniably vital thread in the
fabric of Quebec culture and a powerful statement on the true long-term impact
of megaprojects such as James Bay and Plan Nord.
The Invisibles / Les Invisibles, France 2012, 115m, Sébastien Lifshitz
An intelligent, compelling, engaging and
down-to-earth portrait of 8 gay and lesbian lives as they recount their 'coming
out' stories. Born between the 2 world wars, all have had to fight for the
right to live their lives fully and openly; to be free to be visible and loving
whom they wished. Full of humanity, this film gives credence to the notion that
all men (and women) are equal in God’s eyes and every single one of us has the
right to live as we please as long as the lives and liberties of those around
us are respected.
Fists of Pride / Les Poings de la Fierté, Canada 2012, 63m, Hélène ChoquetteThe Water Festival is held every year in Southeast Asia from April 13th till 15th to celebrate New Year’s. As part of the celebration Thai and Burmese boys combat each other through boxing bouts. The Burmese are illegal and take up boxing in order to survive. Their coaches, whose intentions are questionable, are former Thai boxing professionals. This film profiles 4 such boys, members of the Karen people of Burma (Myanmar).
During / au cours du:
Hotel Terminus The Life and Times of Klaus Barbie / Hôtel Terminus la Vie
et l'Époque de Klaus Barbie, France / United States / États-Unis 1988, 267m,
Marcel Ophüls
Nikolaus 'Klaus' Barbie (1913-1991) was a member of the Nazi SS and led the Gestapo unit headquartered
at the Hôtel Terminus in Lyon’s France. He was arrested in 1983 for war crimes
and crimes against humanity. He had become known as the “Butcher of Lyon” due
to his brutality and an estimated 14 thousand deaths. This exceptionally well
researched and detailed film investigates the life and times of this man.
A Summer with Anton / Un Été avec Anton, Belgium / Belgique 2012, 59m,
Jasma Krajinovik
For the last 20 years, 60 percent of Russian
youths between the ages of 8 and 17 are sent to Kaskad School to receive
military training during the summer vacation. They receive physical
conditioning, prayer, barracks banter, anti-Chechen propaganda are revealed in
this up-close and intimate look at one of these boys, Anton Belakov. Anton
lives with his grandmother.
Return to Mandima / Retour a Mandima,
Switzerland / Suisse 2011, 39m, Robert-Jan Lacombe
Born in 1986 in Mandima, Democratic Republic of the Congo;
left with his family for Europe 3 months before civil war broke out in 1996.
Continuing his personal quest for identity, Lacombe returns to Mandima to see whether
time and war have affected the bonds of friendship. 
The Tundra Book – A Tale of Vukvukai The Little Rock /
Le Livre du Tundra Book – Le Récit de Vukvukai le Little Rock, Russia / Russie 2011,105m, Aleksei
Vakrushev
Vukvukai
is the patriarch of a nomadic Chukchi family traveling across the frozen
landscape of the Siberian Tundra with their reindeer; a strong leader, full of
infectious joy, always ready to crack a joke; trying to pass on his way of life
to his children and grandchildren (who would rather be rolling around in the
snow, bundled up in their pelts). Yet below the surface of this lies an anger and
concern (especially Vukvukai) at the threat posed to their way of life by
modern progress and industrialization and the assimilation of the children into
Russian society.
La
Chica del Sur / The Girl from the South / La Fille du Sud, Argentina /Argentine
2012, 94m, José Luis
Garcia
In
1989, the filmmaker had travelled to North Korea for an international congress
of young communists. While there, a young activist Lim Su-Kyung had crossed
from South to North Korea and garnered media attention by advocating
re-unification. 20 years later, José Luis
along with Argentinean-Korean translator Alejandro contacts Lim seeking to
interview her in order to complete his film. The result is a touching film that
shows how youthful idealisms, dreams and perceptions are often interrupted by
life’s realities.
The
Search for Emak Bakia / En Quête d'Emak Bakia, Spain / Espagne 2012, 84m, Oskar
Alegria
Emak-Bakia, a Basque term that means “leave me alone”, is the title of a ciné-poème by
avant-garde artist Man Ray (1890-1976). But who or what was Man Ray referring
to? Allowing random chance to be his guide, the filmmaker sets out to uncover
the answer. Too much text and not enough time to read made this film hard to
follow.
74 (Re-enactment of a Struggle) / 74
(La Reconstitution d'une Lutte), Libya / Liban 2012, 95m, Raed Rafei / Rania
Rafei
A re-enactment of the Lebanese student revolt in
1974 as interpreted by young activists of today. The resemblance to recent
events is intentional and shows that core issues involved in any rebellion or
protest remain the same in any generation or country. .png)
De Regels van Matthijs / Matthew's Laws / Les
Lois de Matthieu, Netherlands / Pays-Bas 2012, 72m, Marc Schmidt
Marc and Matthew are best of friends and have
been since childhood. Matthew suffers from autism and lives in another world,
often in serious conflict with those around him. Feeling helpless and confused,
Matthew agrees to let Marc film him without restriction thus including his fits
of rage and his bouts of hopelessness that overwhelms him. A difficult film to
make and to watch but one that allows the ‘normal’ person to hopefully
understand an autistic or psychologically damaged mind.
For the Continuation of the World / Pour la Suite du Monde, Canada 1962,
105m, Michel Brault / Pierre Perrault
A Quebec classic and a pioneer of direct cinema centering on
the efforts of the older residents of Isle-aux-Coudres to resume fishing for
the Beluga whale. A delightful portrait of a Quebec that has sadly disappeared –
a simple people with a love of life and community.
Detropia, United States / États-Unis 2012, 90m,
Heidi Ewing / Rachel Grady
In the early to mid 20th century, Detroit
was the fastest growing city in the United States, due in large part to the
automotive industry was the embodiment of the American Dream. Today, all has
changed – the big 3 (GM, Ford, Chrysler) facing bankruptcy have closed their
plants in Detroit resulting in a mass exodus – the population has dropped from 1,849,568
in the 1950s to 713,777 in 2010. Many homes abandoned, demolished leaving empty
lots even in the downtown core. An intelligent and insightful film; can Detroit
recover or is it a warning for the rest of the country?
Herman's House, Canada 2012, 82m, Angad Singh
Bhalla
[Due to the importance of this film, I will not
apply my rule of no more than 99 words and it is also posted on / En raison de
l'importance de ce film, j'appliquerai pas ma règle des pas plus de 99 mots et il
est aussi attesté sur: Matters
of Personal Interest]In 1967, Herman Wallace along with fellow Black Panthers Robert Hillary King and Albert Woodfox, were sent to Angola State Penitentiary in Louisiana after being caught robbing a bank. They became known as the Angola 3. In 1972, during a series of prison strikes, 23-year-old guard Brent Miller was stabbed to death. The 3 were put in solitary confinement as a result. In 2001, a young activist artist Jackie Sumell, outraged by the apparent cruelty, got into contact with Herman and asked him to participate in a very ambitious art project. What would be your ‘dream house’ after being in solitary confinement for nearly 4 decades?
What follows is a heart-wrenching portrait of how one man can survive physically, emotionally and spiritually despite being subjected to a cruel and barbaric punishment. What struck me as most amazing is that Herman, despite being in such an exceptionally bad situation, was the one who provided the strength to continue not only to Jackie but also to his sister and many others with whom he has come into contact with over the years.
Ce qui suit est qu'un portrait déchirant de comment un homme peut survivre physiquement, émotionnellement et spirituellement malgré une punition cruelle et barbare. Ce qui m'a frappé comme la plus étonnante est que Herman, malgré dans une telle situation exceptionnellement mauvaise, était celui qui a fourni à la force de continuer non seulement à Jackie, mais aussi à sa sœur et beaucoup d'autres avec qui il est venu en contact avec au fil des ans.
The State of the World / L'État du Monde, Canada
2012, 80m, Hubert Caron Guay / Rodrigue Jean
A mosaic portraiture of Montreal’s population of
people who have been marginalized – a young man just released from jail; a
young couple living on the streets; a group of friends seeking shelter from the
cold and buying beer with their meager earnings. Watching this gives the viewer
a sense that these people are a reflection of each and every one of us in ways
that are totally unexpected.
East Hastings Pharmacy / Pharmacie East Hastings,
Canada 2012, 46m, Antoine Bourges
Vancouver’s East Hastings district is one of the
poorest neighbourhoods in Canada and has the greatest number of drug addicts.
Special pharmacies have been established to dispense to patients their daily
dose of methadone. In most cases it must be taken in front of the pharmacist.
Antoine Bourges has superbly recreated these using actual addicts, rebuilt set
and an actress playing the part of the pharmacist. 
Let the Daylight into the Swamp / Que la Lumière du Jour Rejoindre le Marais, Canada 2012, 37m,
Jeffrey St. Jules
Using an original approach, Jeffrey St. Jules
recounts his family history bringing out the tragedy of child abandonment and
its effects on both parent and child. Filmmaker uses photomontages, re-enactments
and interviews (both real and re-enacted) to tell the story in 3 parts.
Family Nightmare / Cauchemare de Famille, United
States / États-Unis 2011, 10m, Dustin Guy Defa
Re-edited ‘Home movie’ of a Christmas reunion
that starts out normal enough but deteriorates into an all too common nightmare
witnessed by many a child as aunts, uncles, parents and grandparents drink too
much, chain smoke, tensions rise and harsh words exchanged.Une réédition d'une vidéo familiale d’une réunion de Noël qui commence assez normal, mais se dégrade en un cauchemar trop souvent témoigné par beaucoup enfants car les tantes, les oncles, leurs parents et leur grands-parents boivent trop, enchaînent cigarettes, les tensions augmentent et un échange des mots durs est le résultat.
Alleluia / Alléluia, Canada
2012, 55m, Jean-Simon Chartier
The film follows four young men (all in their
20s) as they take the required steps to become Dominican monks. The film shows
that though society has been secularised, religion can still take on a major
role in shaping one’s life. The faith of one converting to religion from
secularity would actually be stronger that another ‘born into’ religion.
Our Days Absolutely Must Be Illuminated / Nos
Jours Absolument Doivent Être Illumines, France 2012, 22m, Jean-Gabriel Periot
Filmmaker films a concert of French pop
standards by inmates of an Orleans jail from the point of view of the exterior crowd
listening to them via loudspeakers; without commentary or special effects;
rather pointless.Le cinéaste film un concert de standards pop Françaises par les détenus d'une prison d'Orléans du point de vue de la foule à l’extérieur qui les écoutent via des haut-parleurs; sans commentaire ni effets spéciaux; plutôt inutile.
My Real Life / Ma Vie Réelle, Canada 2012, 90m, Magnus Isaacsson
The realities of life in districts like Montreal
North make it tough for teens to survive. Many find themselves in dysfunctional
low-income families where drugs, delinquency and abandonment are the order of
the day. Magnus Isacsson’s
(1948-2012) final film is an unforgettable and intimate portrait
of 4 youths who have found the energy and the will to escape their situations
through rap music. 
On the Edge of the World / Sur le Rivage du
Monde, Canada 2012, 105m, Sylvain L'Esperance
Squatters in an abandoned building in Bamako,
Mali express their hopes and dreams as they struggle to survive and be given
identity. Their lives are frozen in time as they find their voices in the form
of a theatrical presentation.
La France qui se Lève Tôt, France 2011, 21m, Hugo Chesnard
In
the summer of 2006, France decided to deport migrant workers who had no papers
back to their countries of origin. One such migrant was Malian Souleymane
Bagayogo, who had lived with his family and worked in a factory in Paris for
many years. This ‘mini’ operetta recounts his story and through music will
hopefully break down ‘Government-sanctioned’ barriers between men and women of
different cultures. Au cours de l'été 2006, la France a décidé d'expulser des travailleurs migrants sans papiers et les retourner dans leur pays d'origine. Un de ces migrants a était Souleymane Bagayogo de Mali, qui avait vécu avec sa famille et a travaillé dans une usine à Paris depuis de nombreuses années. Cette «mini» opérette raconte son histoire et à travers la musique sera, nous espérons que les barrières «sanctionnés par le gouvernement» entre hommes et femmes de différentes cultures disparaitra.
Cuates
de Australia / Drought / Sécheresse, Mexico / Mexique 2011, 83m, Everardo González
The residents of Los Cuates de Australia,
located in the region of Cuatrocienagas Coahuila in northeastern Mexico, are
required to do a massive exodus every year due to severe drought. The filmmaker
transforms their struggle for survival into an epic poem through the use of cinéma
vérité.
Room 237 / Chambre 237, United States / États-Unis 2012, 102m, Rodney Asher
Do film directors use coded subliminal messages to convey references, thoughts and concepts that go beyond the film itself? Do these films contain allegories to historical events or spoofs of certain ‘conspiracy’ theories? This cinematic essay looks into Stanley Kubrick’s psychological horror film “The Shining” and the many interpretations and theories held by “Shiningologists” – obsessive analysts of the film who painstaking watch the film for any details that ‘prove’ their interpretation.
The Fruit Hunters / Chasseurs de Fruits, Canada
2012, 95m, Yung Chang
Due to the practice of monoculture, the average
person’s experience with ‘fruit’ has been limited to the ‘few’ varieties
available in the supermarket. Bananas, apples, oranges, strawberries etc that
are grown in abundance but have lost creation’s intention for fruit and lack
the flavour, colours and varieties actually available but unfortunately
threatened with extinction. This colourful film follows various individuals who
have dedicated their lives to finding, tasting and preserving these fruits.
En raison de la pratique de la monoculture, l’expérience de l’individu moyen avec «les fruits» est limitée aux « petits nombres » de variétés disponibles dans les supermarchés. Les bananes,
pommes, oranges, fraises, etc. qui sont cultivés en abondance mais ont perdu
l'intention de la Création pour les fruits et manque la saveur, les couleurs et
les variétés réellement disponible, mais malheureusement en voie d'extinction.
Ce film coloré fait suite à diverses personnes qui ont consacré leur vie à la
découverte, la dégustation et la préservation de ces fruits.
Bookstore Belfast / La Librairie de Belfast, France / Northern Ireland /
Irlande du Nord 2012, 54m, Alessandra Celesia
Due to fast-changing urban landscapes in many cities,
many ‘community’ boutiques have had to close their doors. This is clearly brought
out in this charming and irresistible film that follows passionate bookstore owner
John Clancy as he must close his store in Belfast and rid himself of thousands
of unsold books. Rounding out the film is a colourful cast of characters, all
with their own aspirations to escape their current situations. 
Cutting Loose, Scotland / Écosse 2011, 29m,
Adrian McDowell / Finlay Pretsell
Humanly touching film that deals with barbers
and hairdressers in Scottish prisons; focusing on their preparations for their
annual competition. Francis is also getting ready to defend his title (it would
be his 3rd straight victory but something else occupies his
thoughts. After spending most of his youth in prison, he is being released. Film humainement touchant traitant des coiffeurs et coiffeurs dans les prisons Écossaises; en mettant l'accent sur leurs préparatifs pour leur concours annuel. Francis aussi se prépare à défendre son titre (ce serait sa 3e victoire mais quelque chose d'autre occupe ses pensées. Après avoir passé la majeure partie de sa jeunesse en prison, il est libéré.
Amma Lo-Fi / Grandma Lo-Fi: The Basement Tapes
of Sigríður
Níelsdóttir, Iceland / Islande /
Denmark / Danemark 2011, 62m, Orri Jónsson, Kristín Björk Kristjánsdóttir, Ingibjörg
Birgisdóttir
Sigríður
Níelsdóttir (1930-2011) released her first album in 2001 at the age of 71 and
went on to release 59 albums containing over 600 songs. She had become a cult
figure in Iceland. The filmmakers with a superb mix of animation (her collages)
along with her ‘creative process’ give a delightful portrait of this adorable,
virtuous and courageous woman who must be admired for taking on a venture that
many of her age would have said “I am too old.” 
Spinach and Sugar / Les Epinards et le Sucre, Germany / Allemagne
2011, 20m, Laura Laabs
The filmmaker films her grandmother as she
recounts her experiences during the holocaust. An original approach to a
familiar topic whose protagonist is fiercely independent and obsessively
controlling yet has an endearing and absolutely unique personality. She founded East
Germany’s first fashion magazine.Le réalisateur filme sa grand-mère qu'elle relate ses expériences durant l'Holocauste. Pourtant, une approche originale d'un sujet familier, dont le protagoniste est farouchement indépendant et obsessionnelle de contrôle mais a une personnalité attachante et absolument unique. Elle a fondé le premier magazine de la mode d’Allemagne de l’Est.
Meanwhile in Mamelodi, Germany / Allemagne /
South Africa / Afrique du Sud 2011, 75m, Benjamin Kahlmeyer
Mamelodi is a township northeast of Pretoria in
South Africa. The residents of Extension 11 live a difficult life burdened by
poverty and illness. In 2010, when the World Cup of Football was held in South
Africa, the residents were given a ray of hope. 
Jeppe on a Friday / Un Vendredi à Jeppe, Canada / South Africa / Afrique
du Sud 2012, 85m, Arya Lallo / Shannon Walsh
Jeppestown is one of the oldest and most diverse
of Johannesburg’s districts. This collaborative film superbly captures this in
one single day of filming.
As Canções / Songs / Chansons,
Brazil / Brésil 2011, 92m, Eduardo Coutinho
The filmmaker invites a group of everyday Brazilians
to talk and sing the song that has the most meaning in their lives. Due to the
diversity of the men and women there was the inevitable inconsistency in
engagement. Overall the film brings out the powerful effect of music in our
everyday lives and how a simple song can trigger a strong emotional response
and a vivid recall of memory.
The Colors of the Prism, the Mechanics of Time / Les Couleurs du
Prisme, la Mécanique du Temps, France 2009, 96m, Jacqueline Caux
Major
figures of the avant-garde contemporary music scene, from John Cage (using
archival footage) to DJ Richie Hawtin through Pauline Oliveros, Steve Reich,
Philip Glass and others talk of what inspired them and how they realised their
works; performing select pieces on-camera. An insightful and important document
on contemporary American music of the last half of the 20th century.
Before / Avant:
Mari,
Canada 2012, 38m, Sofia Belaid / Ulysses del Drago
In sharp contrast to the modesty of the imagery and
with her calm voice, Mari recounts the pain of being a woman trapped in a man's
body and her hope that one day life would be easier. She recounts how her
parents rejected her and the deep wounds both physical and emotional received
from the men she has 'loved'.En contraste frappant avec la modestie de l'imagerie et avec sa voix calme, Mari raconte la douleur d'être une femme emprisonnée dans un corps d'homme et de son espoir que la vie un jour serait plus facile. Elle raconte comment ses parents l’a rejeté et les plaies profondes tant physiques qu'émotionnelles a reçu de l'homme qu'elle a «adoré».
Argentinian Lesson / Leçon Argentin, Poland /
Pologne 2011, 59m, Wojciech Staron
The filmmaker, his wife and 2 children's move to a
remote town in the province of Missiones in Argentina. This is a video-diary of
their two year stay concentrating mainly on Janek, their 7-year-old son, and
his friendship with Marcia. The film delicately captures how each discovers the
world of children’s games and the bitterness of family tragedies. 
Paal / Child / Enfant, Mexico / Mexique / Canada
/ Switzerland / Suisse 2012, 21m,
Christoph Müller / Victor Vargas VillafuerteBenjamin is a 9-year-old Mayan boy who loves to tell stories and help his father in the cornfields. Benjamin recounts his daily walks in the jungle to help his father in the cornfields and his desire to meet an ‘Ayun’, a benevolent spirit of Mayan legend.
Benjamin est un garçon Maya âgée de 9 ans qui aime raconter des histoires et à aider son père dans les champs de maïs. Benjamin raconte ses promenades quotidiennes dans la jungle pour aider son père dans les champs de maïs et son désir de rencontrer un «Ayun», un esprit bienveillant de légende Maya.
¡Vivan Las Antipodas! / Long Live the
Antipodes! / Vive les Antipodes!, Germany / Allemagne / Netherlands / Pays-Bas
/ Argentina / Argentine / Chile / Chili
2011, 104m, Victor Kossakovsky
Have you ever wondered what was happening on the other side of the world
from where you are now (your antipode)? The filmmaker visits four antipodal
pairs: Entre Rios (Argentina) and
Shanghai (China); Patagonia (Chile) et Lake Baikal (Russia); Miraflores (Spain) et Castle Point (New Zealand); Kabu (Botswana) et Kilauea (Hawaii).. Deftly captures
both the similarities and the differences; a fascinating and insightful look at
human society. The transition between the different localities was often
confusing, unclear and inconsistent.
The End of Time / La Fin du Temps, Canada / Switzerland / Suisse 2012,
114m, Peter Mettler
A compelling, magnificent, and visionary audio-visual expedition
exploring the elusive concept of time from scientific, philosophical, religious
and personal viewpoints. Is time a specific reality or a perception; linear or
circular; is the past, present and future distinct from the each other or can
one travel from one to another (as in the long running TV series ‘Dr Who?’
Leviathan / Léviathan, France, United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni / United States / États-Unis 2012,
87m, Lucien Castaing-Taylor/ Véréna Paravel
An innovative and original film that observes the daily lives of the
crew of an industrial fishing boat. A thrilling and harrowing cinematic
experience that takes the viewer on a dreamlike voyage on the seas. Very little dialogue.
River Rites, United States / États-Unis / Suriname / Suriname 2011, 10m, Ben Russell
Beginning
with the simple premise of a group of children and young adults frolicking on
the banks of a river in Suriname, by using a simple cinematic device, the
filmmaker transforms human movements into a beautiful ballet that exudes pure
rhythmic motions. Commençant par le principe simple d'un groupe d'enfants et de jeunes adultes batifoler sur les rives d'un fleuve au Suriname, en utilisant un simple dispositif cinématographique, le cinéaste transforme les mouvements humains en un beau ballet où règnent les mouvements rythmiques purs.
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