The New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) has revealed the first four films it has confirmed for it’s 2014 lineup, and they all feature a musical theme. I’m excited to see New Zealand director Florian Habicht’s documentary on British band Pulp, titled
Pulp: A Film About Life, Death and Supermarkets is on the list, as well as
20,000 Days On Earth, an award winning experimental documentary on musician Nick Cave. For festival updates and dates, check out their slick new website at
wwww.nziff.co.nz.
The New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) has revealed the first four films it has confirmed for it’s 2014 lineup, and they all feature a musical theme. I’m excited to see New Zealand director Florian Habicht’s documentary on British band Pulp, titled Pulp: A Film About Life, Death and Supermarkets is on the list, as well as 20,000 Days On Earth, an award winning experimental documentary on musician Nick Cave. For festival updates and dates, check out their slick new website at wwww.nziff.co.nz.
Here are my picks for the week.
On the Road (2012)
Starring: Garrett Hedlund, Sam Riley & Kristen Stewart
Directed by: Walter Salles
Screening: Official Selection, Saturday 17th May, 8.30pm
It’s taken 55 years for someone to bring Jack Kerouac’s classic novel On the Road to the big screen, and it’s been no small feat, especially for executive producer Francis Ford Coppola who has held the film rights to Kerouac’s novel since 1979. Walter Salles (The Motorcycle Diaries) is the director who finally got this project up and running, and he does a good job of capturing the spirit of Jack Kerouac’s masterpiece. Of course, devotees of the novel will find plenty to discuss, praise and grumble about here, but the cast is impressive (Viggo Mortensen, Amy Adams, Kristen Stewart and Kirsten Dunst), and the scenery spectacular.
Holy Motors (2012)
Starring: Denis Lavant, Eva Mendes & Kylie Minogue
Directed by: Leos Carax
Screening: Rialto World, Tuesday 13th May, 8.30pm
In 2012, limousines played a large part in two polarizing films that screened at the Cannes Film Festival; David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis and Leos Carax’s Holy Motors. Cosmopolis stars Robert Pattinson as a Wall St trader who has mildly interesting conversations about society, wealth and humanity, all from the confines of his luxury limo. Holy Motors also discusses these themes, but in a much more engaging manner as French actor Denne Lavant uses his limousine to transforms himself into dozens of different characters who experience a whole range of human emotions and experiences over just a single day. Described as ‘certifiably nuts’, ‘completely bonkers’, ‘balls-to-the-wall crazy, beautiful and unbelievably strange’ in a range of publications, Holy Motors is a strangely compelling film - just don’t ask me what it all means.
Camille Rewinds (2012)
Starring: Noémie Lvovsky, Samir Guesmi & Judith Chemla
Directed by: Noémie Lvovsky
Screening: Rialto French Film Season, Wednesdays 14th May, 8.30pm
Camille Rewinds is like a version of Francis Ford Coppola’s 1986 film Peggy Sue Got Married, only French and quirky. It’s the work of leading French actress and director Noémie Lvovsky, and was one of the most popular French films that screened during the Cannes Film Festival Directors Fortnight in 2012. This drama/comedy went onto received 13 nominations at the Cesar Awards, France's equivalent to the Oscar, outdoing Michael Haneke’s Amour that was also nominated that year. It’s a funny, touching and whimsical time travel tale.