Roger Ebert

Ramin Bahrani’s ‘Goodbye Solo’ Stands Alone So Far in 2009

BrianTT — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:21:33 -0600

Rating: 5.0/5.0

CHICAGO – There were a few great films of late 2008 that weren’t widely released until early this year including “Waltz With Bashir” and “Che,” but Ramin Bahrani’s “Goodbye Solo” is the first truly great film of 2009. The director of “Man Push Cart” and “Chop Shop” and the man who Roger Ebert recently dubbed “the new great American director” has delivered a haunting, genuine drama about acceptance that will stay with you long after the credits roll and will likely stand among the best of the year nine months from now.

“Goodbye Solo” opens abruptly, almost mid-conversation, in a crucial life moment between a Senegalese cab driver named Solo (Souleymane Sy Savane) and his elderly passenger named William (Red West). Solo’s client is making a reservation for a long trip on October 20th to Blowing Rock, a legendary spot in the mountains near Winston-Salem where the wind blows so strongly that legend says it can lift a man into the sky.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Goodbye Solo” in our reviews section.

After a few unanswered questions, Solo becomes concerned that William is not going sight-seeing in the mountains. The man with the deep sadness in his eyes doesn’t intend to come back from Blowing Rock. The gentle, sweet, young cab driver who has his own problematic life with an expecting wife named Quiera (Carmen Leyva) and a daughter named Alex (Diana Franco Galindo) becomes a bit obsessed with William.

At first, he merely begs dispatch to give him all of William’s rides, but when the old man’s behavior gets even more disconcerting. including selling his apartment and moving into a motel, Solo goes further. He tries to get closer and closer to William until that fateful day on Blowing Rock.

Continuing reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Goodbye Solo” review.

‘Goodbye Solo’ stars Souleymane Sy Savane, Red West, Carmen Leyva, and Diana Franco Galindo. It was written by Ramin Bahrani & Bahareh Azimi and directed by Bahrani. It opens on March 27th, 2009 at the Landmark Century Theatre in Chicago. It is not rated.

Goodbye Solo
Photo credit: Noruz Films

DVD Review: Social Realism of ‘El Norte’ Resonates With Criterion Release

BrianTT — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:03:19 -0700

DVD Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Gregory Bava’s “El Norte” is a riveting commentary on the impact of the American dream on the rest of the world. It’s easily one of the best films produced about the complex struggle of immigration and a great way to kick off 2009 for The Criterion Collection.

The three-chapter films details the ripple effect of even just the perception of the money, freedom, and happiness that is supposedly only possible in “El Norte”. Bava’s highly acclaimed film is a quarter-century old but is just as pertinent today as when it was made. It’s not an easy film. The story of Enrique and Rosa is shockingly sad and hard-to-watch, but it details something that is happening every single day and should not be ignored.

El Norte was released by The Criterion Collection on January 20th, 2009.
Photo credit: Criterion

“El Norte” is split into three chapters - “Arturo Xuncax,” “The Coyote,” and “The North”.

In the first, Bava details a family in Guatemala, a country divided by class issues and violence. Arturo, father to Enrique and Rosa, has joined a revolutionary group that has grown tired of being nothing but “braceros” (pairs of arms). He comments to his son on the rich coming from the north to take their land. It is fascinating that the wealth from the United States trickling down into countries like Guatemala creates class issues that force immigrants to flee and come to this country for safety. It’s all a vicious cycle.

El Norte was released by The Criterion Collection on January 20th, 2009.
Photo credit: Criterion

At one of his meetings, Arturo is brutally murdered and his son finds his decapitated head. After the murder, Enrique and Rosa’s mother disappears, and they know it’s time to run. They head to the land of freedom and hope, where Enrique promises his sister, “We won’t be treated this way.”

The second chapter, “The Coyote” details the journey and Bava pulls no punches. These poor, gentle souls come into the country in a way that thousands probably have, through sewer tunnels. A scene where hundreds of rats overtake the couple in the miles of darkness is hard to watch.

In the final chapter, “The North,” Enrique and Rose learn that the American dream is not all that Good Housekeeping magazine made it out to be as he becomes a waiter and she becomes a maid.

“El Norte” is simply fantastic. It is both stark realism and a commentary on the entirety of the immigration crisis. And it’s startling to think that it was made twenty-five years ago. When a man involved in the immigrant trade comments on how quickly the economy of the States would collapse if they weren’t bringing in “cheap labor,” it sounds like something that could have been said in debates about the issue from the last election season.

“El Norte” has lost none of its power and, even though I didn’t see it in 1983, it may be even more remarkable than when it was first released. I was unfamiliar with the film before this Criterion version, even though I knew it was a nominee for Best Original Screenplay, and it’s just further testament to this company’s incredible commitment to quality that they continue to find relatively unheralded or forgotten films like “El Norte” and bring them back to the forefront.

Roger Ebert, a huge fan of “El Norte” on its release, called the film “a Grapes of Wrath for our time”. His entire review is included in the liner notes for the Criterion edition along with a new essay by novelist Hector Tobar.

The film itself is presented in a new, restored high-definition digital transfer that was supervised and approved by director Gregory Nava and is accompanied by a new audio track by its director. There is also a new and improved English subtitle translation on the actual film.

The second disc of the Criterion version of “El Norte” includes “In the Service of the Shadows: The Making of ‘El Norte,” which is a new video program featuring interviews with Nava, producer and co-writer Anna Thomas, actors Zaide Silvia Gutierrez and David Villalpando, and set design David Wasco, “The Journal of Diego Rodriguez,” Nava’s 1972 award-winning student film, and a gallery of Chiapas location-scouting photographs.

‘El Norte’ is released by The Criterion Collection and stars Zaide Silvia Gutierrez and David Villalpondo. It was written by Gregory Nava & Anne Thomas and directed by Nava. It was released on January 20th, 2009.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Chicago International Film Festival Announces 2007 Award Winners

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 17:20:45 -0600

CHICAGO – The Chicago International Film Festival on Oct. 14 announced its 2007 award winners.

Mexico, China, Brazil, the United Kingdom and the United States took top honors in the festival’s 43rd iteration.

Chicago audiences selected from 102 feature films, 14 documentaries and 33 shorts and student films spanning 43 countries. Films showcased both well-known and promising new filmmakers.

The festival’s highest honor is the Gold Hugo, which was coined after the mythological god of discovery. When perusing the awardees below, notice “Chicago 10” and “America the Beautiful,” which I mentioned back on Sept. 19.

Feature Film Competition

The Gold Hugo went to “Silent Light” (Mexico).
The Silver Hugo jury prize went to “Tuya’s Marriage” (China).
The Silver Hugo for direction went to Roy Anderson for “You, The Living” (Sweden).
The Silver Hugo for best actor went to Sam Riley for “Control” (U.K.).
The Silver Hugo for best actress went to Yu Nan for “Tuya’s Marriage” (China).
The Silver Hugo for best screenplay went to Matt Greenhalgh for “Control” (U.K).
The silver plaque went to Chico Teixeira for “Alice’s House” (Brazil).

The main feature-film jury included Rudi Dolezal (Austria), Mike Goodridge (Great Britain), Udo Kier (Germany), Juri Menzel (Czech Republic), Claude Nouchi (France) and Maryse Sistach (Mexico).

New Director’s Competition

The Gold Hugo went to “In Memory of Myself” (Italy).
The Silver Hugo went to “Not By Chance” (Brazil).

The new director’s jury included Bill Stamets (U.S.), Elizabeth Donius (U.S.), Phillip Bergson (U.K.) and Ron Falzone (U.S.).

Documentary Competition

The Gold Hugo for best documentary went to “Taxi to the Dark Side” (U.S.).
The Silver Hugo went to “Chicago 10” (U.S.).
The gold plaque in direction went to “America the Beautiful” (U.S.).
The gold plaque in photography went to “4 Elements” (Netherlands).
The silver plaque special jury prize went to “Operation Filmmaker” (U.S.) and “A Walk Into the Sea” (U.S.).

The documentary jury included Clayton Brown (Northwestern University; Evanston, Ill.), Peter Gilbert (Kartemquin Films, Chicago) and Lisa Nesselson (Variety, Paris).

Short Film Competition

The Gold Hugo for best short film went to “Hesitation” (France/U.K.).

Narrative Short Film Competition

The Silver Hugo went to “Partus” (Denmark).
The gold plaque went to “27,000 Days” (U.S.).
The silver plaque went to “Train Town” (U.S.).

Animated Short Film Competition

The Silver Hugo went to “Everything Will Be Ok” (U.S.).
The gold plaque went to “Yours Truly” (U.K.).
The silver plaque went to “Sleeping Betty” (Canada).

Experimental Short Film Competition

The gold plaque went to “The Delaware Project” (Canada).

Documentary Short Film Competition

The gold plaque went to “The Ladies” (U.S.).

The short film jury included Steve Prokopy (Ain’t It Cool News, Chicago), Justine Nagan (Kartemquin Films, Chicago) and Mike Gibisser (filmmaker, Chicago).

The Chicago Award

The festival says:

As part of the Chicago International Film Festival’s special section on local filmmakers, the Chicago Award is presented to a Chicago or Illinois artist for the best feature film, short film or documentary.

The award applauds and celebrates the tireless efforts of regional talents who are devotees to the art of cinema and for their contributions to the medium.

This year’s Chicago Award went to “Terra Incognita” (U.S.).

The jury included Mike McNamara (executive director, Midwest Independent Film Festival, Chicago); Malik Bader (filmmaker; 2006 Chicago Award winner for “Street Thief”); and Annie Porter (associate producer, “At the Movies With Ebert & Roeper,” Chicago).

Audience Choice Award

This award will be announced immediately following the completion of the festival after Oct. 17.

Special Tributes

On Oct. 4, 2007, Roger Ebert was presented with a Gold Hugo lifetime achievement award. The entire 2007 festival was dedicated to the legendary film critic.

On Oct. 12, 2007, John Cusack was presented with a career achievement award preceding the Chicago premiere of his “Grace is Gone” film.

On Oct. 13, 2007, Jeffrey Wright was presented with a career achievement award during the festival’s 11th black perspectives tribute.

The 2007 festival concludes on Oct. 17. The 2008 festival will be held one week later from Oct. 9 to 22, 2008.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Chicago International Film Festival Kicks Off With Tribute to Legendary Critic Roger Ebert

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 03:54:17 -0600

CHICAGO – Producers, writers and actors all took a backseat on Thursday night as the Chicago International Film Festival kicked off its 43rd year with a moving tribute to legendary film critic Roger Ebert.

Roger Ebert and wife, Chaz Hammelsmith, at the
Chicago International Film Festival on Oct. 4, 2007.
Photo by Evan O’Donnell/HollywoodChicago.com
The scores of people gathered around the Chicago Theatre were raring to see the major players involved with the making of one of the most anticipated films of the year: “The Kite Runner”.

It turns out they didn’t become thoroughly animated until they saw Ebert emerge from his car with his faithful wife, Chaz, at his side.

The opening-night celebration for the Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) paid tribute to the venerable critic – for whom the festival is dedicated and who is now known as the No. 1 pundit in America – for his decades of work in the film industry.

Opening night of the Chicago International Film
Festival paid tribute to Roger Ebert on Oct. 4, 2007.
Photo by Evan O’Donnell/HollywoodChicago.com
The ceremony moved inside where a capacity crowd of who’s who people – including the chancellor of the University of Illinois, directors, actors and general well wishers – congratulated Ebert on his accomplishments.

The highlight of the night was when Ebert took the stage and spoke a few words with the help of his synthesizer. He has had to use the mechanical voice ever since undergoing surgery to remove thyroid cancer in 2003.

“The Kite Runner” director Marc Forster at the
Chicago International Film Festival on Oct. 4, 2007.
Photo by Evan O’Donnell/HollywoodChicago.com
Ebert paid homage to HAL from “2001: A Space Odyssey”. He was in high spirits and his wife said he is on the road to recovery. She asked the audience to keep him in their prayers as he prepares to undergo the next round of surgeries in November.

A video was presented full of actors and directors congratulating Ebert on his career. It was inspiring how many people talked about him in such warm and glowing terms. Directors including Martin Scorsese and Clint Eastwood talked of how – after all these years – they still seek Ebert’s approval.

From left to right, “The Kite Runner” director Marc Forster, author
Khaled Hosseini and star Khalid Abdalla at the Chicago International
Film Festival on Oct. 4, 2007
Photo by Evan O’Donnell/HollywoodChicago.com
Ebert has transcended his role as a film critic to what can only be described now as an ambassador for film. He has changed the way we watch movies and will continue to do so for years to come.

It was a night people in attendance won’t soon forget. The evening showed everyone the role of what critics can and should be in the industry. Ebert has done it the right way and has proven himself not only as a film aficionado but as a journalist as well.

By Evan O’Donnell
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com

Coming to Chicago on Dec. 14, Watch Out For Acclaimed Indie Film ‘Juno’

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 13:37:01 -0600

CHICAGO – On Sept. 12, 2007, I published a list of independent films coming through the Chicago circuit over the next few months.

While I’m familiar with many of them, I wasn’t with a film called “Juno” from director Jason Reitman. It was the smash of the Toronto International Film Festival and the Telluride Film Festival.

Enough said. Watch out for it. It opens on Dec. 14 at Landmark Century Centre in Chicago. Here’s the just-released trailer.

It’s being touted as an end-of-year best screenplay possibility. The film features Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Allison Janney, J.K. Simmons, Olivia Thirlby, Rainn Wilson, Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner.

Roger Ebert on Sept. 9, 2007 said Page could snag a best-actress nomination:

I don’t know when I’ve heard a standing ovation so long, loud and warm as the one after Jason Reitman’s “Juno,” which I predict will become quickly beloved when it opens at Christmas time and win a best actress nomination for 20-year-old star Ellen Page.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com