With the unveiling of the NZ International Film Festival’s programme for 2014 comes a deep breath, a good stretch and the search for a functioning ballpoint pen to make the first of many “must-see” lists. For some of us, Ant Timpson’s selections under the Incredibly Strange banner frequently rank among the best filmgoing experiences of the festival, so we often find ourselves making a beeline for this part of the programme – something you can check out right here, along with trailers, info about each film and Ant’s pitch as to why each is essential viewing.
Borgman
What’s it about then? The arrival of a strange, bearded homeless man named Borgman begins a series of unsettling events in the upper-class, tree-lined residence of a wealthy couple in this Dutch thriller. Nominated for the Palme d’Or at Cannes 2013.
Variety says: “A sly, insidious and intermittently hilarious domestic thriller that is likely to remain one of the most daring selections of this year’s Cannes competish.”
Why Ant reckons you should see it: “Because it effortlessly merges the confrontational work of Michael Haneke with magical realism and manages to create an entire new mythology without ever putting a tonal foot wrong. It’s one of the best of the year without a doubt.”
Click here for more info on ‘Borgman’
Cold In July
What’s it about then? Two Texan fathers are out for each other’s throats and drawn into a web of violence and revenge in this neo-noir thriller based on Joe R. Lansdale’s novel. Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2014. Stars Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Sam Shepard (Mud) and Don Johnson (Django Unchained).
Rolling Stone says: “Get ready to squirm. Be sure to seek out this twisty and terrific sleeper in theaters … It’s a real find.”
Why Ant reckons you should see it: “Because fans of dirty neo-noir pulp like Blood Simple and Killer Joe have just been served up another juicy and demented crime saga with three great performances from Michael C Hall, Sam Shepard and Don Johnson. Apparently inspired by Road House and Memories of Murder and if that’s not recommendation enough for cineastes I don’t know what is”.
Click here for more info on ‘Cold in July’
Home
What’s it about then? Attempting to sell a house with an unpleasant past, Leigh (Catalina Sandino Moreno) encounters the runaway daughter of the home’s owners, but as she becomes involved with the girl’s predicament Leigh finds herself at the epicentre of supernatural events – putting her soul and that of her sister Vera in jeopardy.
Fearnet says: “Call it a haunted house / possessed women / evil pregnancy flick if you must, but Home is simply a very smart, sometimes strange, and oddly satisfying piece of horror cinema.”
Why Ant reckons you should see it: “Because horror is so damn formulaic and cookie-cutter these days that we should embrace and celebrate any filmmaker willing to take risks to deliver a film that doesn’t tie all its clichés in one neat bloody bow. Home is not here to make friends. It is and isn’t about a story about a haunted house. There are moments in this film that gave me the heebie-jeebies and I am thankful for every one of them.”
Click here for more info on ‘Home’
It Follows
What’s it about then? American indie horror sees 19-year-old woman Jay (Maika Monroe) develop a highly unusual affliction after a sexual encounter with Hugh (Jake Weary). Jay’s date explains that she is now being pursued by a being that can take human shape, though remains invisible to the uninfected. Following her – one relentless step at a time – it won’t stop until it catches Jay or she passes the curse on to someone else.
Hollywood Reporter says: “Creepy, suspenseful and sustained, this skilfully made lo-fi horror movie plays knowingly with genre tropes and yet never winks at the audience.”
Why Ant reckons you should see it: “Because this horror gem is so well crafted you’ll be riveted throughout. The director displays such an assured hand, that his tale of the dangers of promiscuous sex is like some beautiful fusion of 50s horror fare and dreamy 80s coming-of-age movies.”
Click here for more info on ‘It Follows’
Jodorowsky’s Dune
What’s it about then? Illustrating the enormity of his imagination, this documentary details the wildly ambitious ideas cult filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky (El Topo) had for his big screen adaptation of Frank Herbert’s legendary sci-fi novel Dune – before it was canned and David Lynch tried to make it instead.
Entertainment Weekly says: “If you enjoy sci-fi, cult cinema, or messianic quests by quixotic lunatics, you will love this movie.”
Why Ant reckons you should see it: “Because it’s Alejandro-F-cking-Jodorowsky.”
Click here for more info on ‘Jodorowsky’s Dune’
Killers
What’s it about then? A serial killer who uploads his gruesome murders to a secret website is stalked by a copycat journalist in this Japanese-Indonesian psychological thriller. From the producers of The Raid and director Timo Tjahjanto – a contributor to V/H/S/2 and The ABCs of Death.
Twitch says: “Killers just may be one of the most interesting, disturbing, and provocative takes on the world of the serial killer ever made”.
Why Ant reckons you should see it: “Because I got an email from the censor saying “God that was gruelling!” which coming from someone who’s literally seen it all is saying a lot. This cat and mouse epic between two killers is not the for the squeamish but for those with strong constitutions there’s some very funny commentary on the nature of infamy in the YouTube age. PS – its also directed by the guy who the “L” segment for The ABCs of Death.. those who saw that will know what that means.”
Click here for more info on ‘Killers’
Kung Fu Elliot
What’s it about then? Documentary examination on Elliot “White Lightning” Scott – martial arts enthusiast and practicing filmmaker with a dream of becoming Canada’s first action hero with his low-budget karate movie Blood Fight…
Twitch says: “As a study of psychosis, of how we build our own narratives to shield ourselves from the wolves of reality, Elliot is dynamic, deceptive, and powerful filmmaking.”
Why Ant reckons you should see it: “Because this sleeper looks like the classic doc American Movie from the outside it’s going to really knock some folks on their arses. It’s the one film that will have audiences arguing the minute they walk out of the cinema. It’s going to deliver some knockout laughs and a few emotional roundhouses to boot.”
Click here for more info on ‘Kung Fu Elliot’
Life After Beth
What’s it about then? Horror comedy follows Zach (Dane DeHaan, The Amazing Spider-Man 2), understandably cut up about the death of his girlfriend Beth (Aubrey Plaza, Safety Not Guaranteed). When Beth makes an unexpected reappearance, Zach seizes the opportunity to make up for all the things they didn’t do the first time around as a couple. As for Beth’s opinion about the situation – well, she’s a zombie… Co-stars comedy vets Molly Shannon, John C. Reilly, Cheryl Hines and Paul Reiser. The directorial debut from Jeff Baena, co-writer of I Heart Huckabees.
Hollywood Reporter says: “Sometimes tender, sometimes frantic, and always funny, the film’s surprising coherence is exemplified in a climactic scene that pairs credible heartbreak with pure slapstick.”
Why Ant reckons you should see it: “Because I made a blood oath with myself that I’d never play another zombie film in my section ever again and then this film came along.”
Click here for more info on ‘Life After Beth’
The Congress
What’s it about then? Crossing between animation and live-action, this science fiction drama stars Robin Wright as Robin Wright, the eye-catching co-lead of 1987’s The Princess Bride who is now aging and out of work. When Mirramount Studios shows a desire to 3D scan her bodily image for use in computer-generated movies – with the promise that this “new” Robin will stay forever young – Wright accept the deal and the enormous pay check with it.
The Guardian says: “It hunts high and low for the human element in a virtual world. And yet for all its modish gestures, there is something endearingly retro about Folman’s handling.”
Why Ant reckons you should see it: “because it’s inspired by the brilliant writer Stanisław Lem and is from the director of the award-winning Waltz with Bashir. It’s also a live-action animated film about an ageing actress who sells her digital rights to a movie studio. And like all deals with the devil things don’t go as planned.”
Click here for more info on ‘The Congress’
Why Don’t You Play In Hell?
What’s it about then? Severed-tongue-in-cheek flick from cult Japanese writer-director Sion Sono (Cold Fish, Love Exposure) about a group of wannabe documentary movie-makers who inject their flash-mob filming technique straight into a yakuza-filled gangwar. Winner of the Midnight Madness People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival 2013.
Sight and Sound says: “A deliriously gaudy celebration of the decline of everything (including Japanese cinema, film as a medium, and any notion of good taste), it plays like the improbable bastard offspring of Cinema Paradiso (1988) and Kill Bill (2003)”
Why Ant reckons you should see it: “Because it’s from Sion Sono, one of the most gifted provocateurs in cinema today. Fest fans will know we previously screened his stunning serial killer pic Cold Fish as well as his 4hr up-skirt voyeuristic masterpiece Love Exposure, so they will need very little encouragement to check out this crowd-pleasing meta-tale of two rival yakuza gangs.”
Click here for more info on ‘Why Don’t You Play in Hell?’
