After the cinematic whirlwind that was the Toronto International Film Festival, we’ve (thankfully) had a bit of a chance to dry out our liver, rest our minds and catch our breath… until now. Enter the Vancouver International Film Festival (starting September 26th and running through until October 11th) to get things going and help fill up our agendas once again…
For nearly two weeks we’ll see Vancouver’s collection of cinemas buzzing with about 140,000 enthusiastic theatre-goers hoping to catch a screening or two as part of one of Canada’s most well attended film events, now in it 31st year.
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Looking to catch one of the more than 350 films featured courtesy of 80 different countries around the world? Be sure to nab a multi-day screening pass, or reserve coveted tickets to award winners in advance. The opening night’s gala soiree has long-since sold out, but not to worry: VIFF still has plenty to offer.
With an international line-up of flicks that include entries heavy on variety, it’ll be hard to sort out your screening schedule. With offerings such as the humorous coming-of-age story So Much Water (Uruguay/Mexico/Germany/Netherlands) about a 14-year-old girl’s ill-fated/soggy vacation with her father, to The Kill Team (USA), an unsettling war-time story that lands one former soldier turned-whistler blower in hot water, to Germany’s unexpectedly comical The Strange Little Cat, that offers behind-the-scenes insight into everyday family life, options most certainly abound.
A few others we think you ought to view…
– Fanie Fourie’s Lobola that tells the story of a romance put to the test when an Afrikaner man meets a Zulu woman and sparks fly (and a dowry wage does, too). This romantic comedy will have you traveling alongside these two star-crossed lovers as they find a way to make it work in rural Africa.
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– On a decidedly darker note, gear up for Halloween-inspired thrills with a viewing of Soul (Taiwan) that’ll give you chills as it explores the world of demonic possession.
– If you’ve ever wanted to work in the medical field, or are just plain curious as to what goes on behind the closed doors of the Emergency Room, Code Black is your cinematic answer. It’s the ultimate insider’s look at what ER residents truly face every day. Your adrenaline might just creep up high enough to land you in one by film’s end (we jest!).
These amazing films aside, VIFF’s jam-packed schedule of offerings is fully loaded with insightful events that’ll get you off the couch. Meet the maker and creator of Emmy-winning Breaking Bad, Vince Gilligan, who will be on hand to discuss the series and his favorite episode. Score a chance to chat with speakers at a variety of panels and seminars, and be a part of someone else’s dream at the Power to the Indie: Self and Hybrid Distribution Lab.
For full VIFF details, be sure to visit: viff.org.