Man Push Cart This is a terrific, very small film about a Pakistani immigrant in New York City, who sells coffee and bagels from a push cart. He used to be a rock star in his home country, and when he's recognised by a fellow country man, an affluent investments banker no less, it seems that things could be looking up for him. As the central character, Ahmad, Ahmad Ravzi, gives a wonderful performance. Ravzi is a non-professional actor and this is his screen debut and he's simply terrific, in one of the best films of the festival so far.
 | | Alex Crawford reports from the Festival |
Man Push Cart is showing at the National FIlm Theatre on Saturday 22nd and at the ICA on Tuesday 25th October. It has no release date yet. The Girl from Monday This is the new film from respected American indie auteur, Hal Hartley. It's an oddity, and no mistake. It's set in the not too distant future when corporations rule the world following a consumer revolution. Now, there are counter revolutionaries, who cling on to what we would recognise as more sympathetic human attributes. It's a mess, with a disjointed camera style giving delighted viewers every excuse to fall asleep. It is, marginally, better than most similar films, like It's All About Love, but then, frankly, what isn't? The Girl from Monday is showing at the Odeon West End on Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th October. It has no release date as yet. New York Doll
 | | Alex discusses New York Doll |
It's the best documentary I've seen at the festival so far. It started out as a look at Arthur "Killer" Kane, founder member of The New York Dolls, and his life 30 years, or so, after the break-up of the band. Following some very hard times, Arthur converted to Mormonism and worked in a library. When Morrissey came up with the idea of reuniting the three living Dolls for a one off gig in London, it gave the filmmakers the opportunity to widen their scope. The film works as more than a simple biography, as more than a hagiography of a former star, it works as an examination of the strength and faith of a remarkable man. It's touching, affectionate and warm, it's quite simply, a brilliant piece of work. New York Doll is showing at the Odeon West End on Saturday 22nd and Tuesday 25th October. It has no release date as yet. Hidden This is this year's French Gala Screening. Directed by Michael Haneke, an Austrian, oddly enough, it's a film about a family being stalked by an unknown assailant. It works as an allegory, and not a particularly subtle one, about France's historical relationship with Algeria and it's current racial politics. It contains a wonderful performance by Daniel Auteuil in the lead, and some very good moments. It would have been more effective were it more subtle, but it remains a powerful, if flawed, film. Hidden is showing at the Odeon West End on Saturday 29th October, and is due for release at the end of January, next year. Sympathy for Lady Vengeance
 | | Sympathy for Lady Vengeance |
This is the new film by the brilliant Korean director Park Chan Wook, whose previous films include Oldboy and Sympathy for Mr Vengeance. His new film is, simply, gorgeous and tantalisingly clever. Like his previous two films, the theme is clear, revenge. This time, though, he's also made us question our motives for wanting to see Vengeance done. The opening titles set the scene for what is going to be just intricately beautiful throughout, with snowy vistas, close-ups of Lee Young-Ae's face and sumptuous, delightful tricks of editing. In spitre of my high expectations, I was by no means disappointed by a wonderful piece of filmmaking from a director who goes from strength to strength. Sympathy for Lady Vengeance will be showing at the Odeon West End on Saturday 22nd October at 11pm. It has no release date, as yet, but is expected in February or March of next year. |
