HollywoodChicago.com's Patrick McDonald reports from the 2008 Chicago International Film Festival
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 27, 2008 - 2:30pm.
CHICAGO, IL – The challenge of any film festival is relying on what information that is being heard regarding buzz for any film plus whether you can get in and actually see it before it sells out.The Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) is no exception. Now in its 44th incredible year, the CIFF draws film buffs and crowds from every corner of the world.
My rule of thumb for attending fest films is to 1) never see a film that will open around here eventually and 2) challenging myself to cover some international offerings.
Here are the reviews from what I’ve seen so far…
The Noise in My Head (Du bruit dans la Tete, 2008)
This film originates from Switzerland, and brings with it a true European sensibility regarding the conditions of emotionalism.
The main character is Linda (Celine Bolomey), an angry journalist who loses her job because of employee conflict. At the same time, she is trying to extricate herself from a obsessive relationship and deal with a homeless teenager (Gabriel Bonnefoy) she is allowing to stay at her flat.
Seemingly directionless, Linda flits from her ex-lover, to the teen and finally to the teen’s uncle Bruno, a doctor who seems on the edge of madness.
There are several in-jokes as to the general ennui in that part of world (who takes more anti-depressants? The Swiss-French or the Swiss-Germans?) and the performances were steady and interesting. But overall the exercise felt pointless, with no narrative flow or conclusions. This is probably intentional due to the subject matter, but with no clear ending or explanations – especially between Linda and the doctor – there is a substantial “who cares” factor.
*** out of five
The Chaser (Chugyeogja, 2008)
Having been on a South Korean film kick lately (they have a collective energy in their films that is both strange and alluring), I checked out this thriller about a ruthless serial killer (his target is mostly prostitutes) versus a former-cop-turned-pimp who finally starts to investigate why all his girls are disappearing.
Filled with political pomposity (the police and the government are basically portrayed as weak) and extreme violence, “The Chaser” is a gory roller coaster ride as to who will get to who first.
The performances are intense and fairly strong (especially Yeong-hie Seo as one of the prostitute victims), but the character of the killing-machine-that-can’t-be-stopped is getting fairly tiresome, even when it’s done stylishly as in last year’s “No Country for Old Men.”
The violence is a complete turn-off, akin to the torture porn of horror films. Also, the mystery and the chase get quite frustrating, with the killer undeservedly getting one lucky break after another. Yes, it’s possible that nobody can win in such a situation, but a thrown bone against the evil portrayed would at least add some subtlety.
** out of five
More reviews and updates during the week as the Festival concludes on Wednesday.
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