Three more picks from the Philadelphia Film Festival
_________________________________________________________________
Over the weekend, the Philadelphia Film Society concluded its 26th annual film festival. Here are three more films from the festival and why film fans should see them.
“Before Hollywood: Philadelphia and the Invention of the Movies,” United States
Directed by: Andrew Ferrett
Starring: Carrie Rickey, Blair Sabol, Garrett Brown
Synopsis: This documentary explores the figures from Philadelphia who helped to advance the art of filmmaking, offering a deeper look into a city not often associated with moviemaking. This includes Charles Wilson Peale, who created a “moving picture show” with live actors and animated backgrounds for the Founding Fathers in 1787, and Academy Award winner Brown, who invented the first Steadicam and filmed Rocky’s famed run up the Philadelphia Art Museum steps in the early 70s. Interviewees included Rickey, a former critic for the “Philadelphia Inquirer,” and Sabol, a journalist and daughter of NFL Films founder Ed Sabol.
“Before Hollywood” is made by people who love the photographic arts, and it shines in its best moments. Some of these moments includes seeing the first photograph ever taken in the country (of the now-razed Central High School building in Center City), studio head Siegmund Lubin creating a functional studio in one building, and test footage from Brown’s original Steadicam project. The local pride also comes through on this. I’m a New Yorker, and by the end of it, even I was ready to throw a snowball at Santa Claus.
Maybe not that, but the film’s eagerness and comprehensiveness makes it a worthwhile watch for anyone remotely interested in filmmaking, especially as it relates to the City of Brotherly Love.
“Blade of the Immortal,” Japan
Directed by: Takashi Miike
Starring: Takuya Kimura, Hana Sugisaki, Sōta Fukushi
Synopsis: Based on a manga created by Hiroaki Samura which ran from 1993 to 2012, this action epic follows Manji (Kimura), a warrior granted immortality after killing 100 men responsible for his sister’s death. Fifty years later, 10-year-old Rin (Sugisaki) watches as her father is killed and her mother kidnapped by a rival dojo leader, Anotsu (Fukushi). A spirit tells her Manji’s whereabouts, and she hires him as a bodyguard. They then travel together throughout Japan seeking to avenge her parents.
Director Miike is one of the more prominent Japanese directors in the last decade, with his most prominent credits being the horror films “Audition” and “One Missed Call” and the action thriller “Ichi the Killer.” This was my first time seeing one of Miike’s films, and I found it boring (yes, a violent quest for revenge can be boring). The action is exceptional, as expected, but it goes on far too long, and the two-hour project could benefit greatly from cutting 40 minutes. Fans of the manga may enjoy it, but those who prefer lighter fare would be better off skipping this one.
“Souvenir,” France
Directed by: Bavo Defurne
Starring: Isabelle Huppert, Kévin Azaïs, Johan Leysen
Synopsis: Factory worker Liliane (Huppert, recently an Oscar nominee for “Elle”) was formerly Laura, a songstress whose signature tune “Souvenir” launched her to Eurovision in the 70s. Now divorced and obscure, she meets aspiring boxer Jean (Azaïs) at work, and begins a relationship with him. When Jean finds out her identity and encourages her to make a comeback, Liliane is resistant, but secretly longs to sing again.
This is a terrific film, as Huppert is radiant as ever and her chemistry with Azaïs is explosive and free. Additionally, the songs featured, most notably the title song and “Joli Garcon,” are earworms of the highest form, and I found myself humming the latter tune while walking down Chestnut Avenue on Friday. It’s one of the best romances in recent memory, and deserves a watch from anyone with a pulse.
