Festival de Cannes 1955-1975

FESTIVAL 5: Cannes, France

The mother of all festivals which makes it the most important festival in the world. Actually it's four festivals in one, besides the official competition, there are also Un Certain Regard, the Semaine Internationale de la Critique (Critic's Week) and the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs (Directors' Forthnight). The festival also has the biggest film market including the Producer's Network for upcoming films.

The winners will be decided by the jury that includes Tim Burton (President
), Alberto Barbera
, Kate Beckinsale
, Emmanuel Carre
, Benicio Del Toro
, Victor Erice
, Shekhar Kapur
, Giovanna Mezzogiorno and Alexadre Desplat.

The Official Competition
"Another Year," Mike Leigh (U.K.)
"Biutiful," Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (Spain, Mexico) Actor
"Burnt by the Sun 2," Nikita Mikhalkov (Russia)
"Certified Copy," Abbas Kiarostami (France, Iran) Actress
"Fair Game," Doug Liman (U.S.)
"Hors-la-loi," Rachid Bouchareb (France, Algeria)
"The Housemaid," Im Sang-soo (South Korea)
"La Nostra Vita," Daniele Luchetti (Italy) Actor
"La Princesse de Montpensier," Bertrand Tavernier (France)
"Of Gods and Men," Xavier Beauvois (France) Grand Prix
"Outrage," Takeshi Kitano (Japan)
"Poetry," Lee Chang-dong (South Korea) Screenplay
"A Screaming Man," Mahamat-Saleh Haroun (Chad) Prix du Jury
"Tournee," Mathieu Amalric (France) Director
"Uncle Boonmee who can Recall his Past Lives," Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Thailand) Palme D'Or
"You, My Joy," Sergey Loznitsa (Ukraine)
"TENDER SON - The Frankenstein Project, " Kornél MUNDRUCZÓ (Hungary)
"Chongqing Blues," WANG Xiaoshuai (China)
"Road Irish," Ken Loach (UK)

Out of competition
"Robin Hood," Ridley Scott (U.K.) Opening
"Tamara Drewe," Stephen Frears (U.K.)
"Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps," Oliver Stone (U.S.)
"You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger," Woody Allen (U.K., Spain)
" The Tree," Julie BERTUCCELLI (France) Closing

Special Screenings
"Abel," Diego Luna (Mexico)
"Chantrapas," Otar Iosseliani (France)
"Draquila -- L'Italia Che Trema," Sabina Guzzanti (Italy)
"Inside Job," Charles Ferguson (U.S.)
"Nostalgia de la Luz," Patricio Guzman (France)
"Over your Cities Grass will Grow," Sophie Fiennes (Netherlands)

Midnight Screenings
"Kaboom," Gregg Araki (U.S., France)
"L'autre mMonde," Gilles Marchand (France)

Un Certain Regard
"Adrienn Pal," Agnes Kocsis (Hungary)
"Aurora," Cristi Puiu (Romania)
"Blue Valentine,"Derek Cianfrance (U.S.)
"Chatroom," Hideo Nakata (U.K.)
"Chongqing Blues," Wang Xiaoshuai (China)
"The City Below," Christoph Hochhausler (Germany)
"Film Socialisme," Jean-Luc Godard (France)
"Ha Ha Ha," Hong Sang-soo (South Korea) UCR Prix
"Les Amours imaginaires," Xavier Dolan (Canada)
"Life Above All," Oliver Schmitz (France)
"Los labios," Ivan Fund, Santiago Loza (Argentina)
"Octubre," Daniel Vega (Peru) Jury Prix
"Qu'est-il Arrive a Simon Werner?," Fabrice Gobert (France)
"Rebecca H.," Lodge Kerrigan (France)
"R U There," David Verbeek (Taiwan)
"The Strange Case of Angelica," Manoel de Oliveira (Portugal)
"Tuesday, After Christmas," Radu Muntean (Romania)
"Udaan," Vikramaditya Motwane (India)

For more info: Festival de Cannes



Semaine Internationale de la Critique

Opening
Le Nom des Gens (The Name of Loves) Michel Leclerc (France)

Competition
Armadillo Janus Metz (Denmark)
Bedevilled JANG Cheol So (South Korea)
Belle épine Rebecca Zlotowski (France)
Bi, dung so ! (Bi, Don’t Be Afraid) Phan Dang Di (Vietnam)
The Myth of the American Sleepover David Robert Mitchell (USA)
Sandcastle Boo Junfeng (Singapore)
Sound of Noise Ola Simonsson & Johannes Stjärne Nilsson (Sweden)

Special Screenings
Copacabana Marc Fitoussi (France - Belgium)
Rubber Quentin Dupieux (France)

For more info: http://www.semainedelacritique.com/



Quinzaine des Réalisateurs

Competition
"All Good Children," Alicia Duffy (U.K.)
"Benda Bilili!" Renaud Barret, Florent de la Tullaye (France) (opening)

"Cleveland Vs. Wall Street," Jean-Stephane Bron (France)
"Des filles en noir," Jean-Paul Civeyrac (France)
"Everything Will Be Fine," Christoffer Boe (Denmark)
"Illegal," Olivier Masset-Depasse (Belgium)
"The Invisible Eye," Diego Lerman (Argentina)
"Joy," Marina Meliande, Felipe Braganca (Brazil)
"Le quattro volte," Michelangelo Frammartino (Italy)
"Leap Year," Michael Rowe (Mexico) Caméra d'or
"The Light Thief," Aktan Arym Kubat (Kyrgyzstan)
"Lily Sometimes," Fabienne Berthaud (France) (closing)
"Little Baby Jesus of Flanders," Gust Vandenberghe (Belgium)
"Love Like Poison," Katell Quillevere (France)
"Picco," Philip Koch (Germany)
"Shit Year," Cam Archer (U.S.)
"The Silent House," Gustavo Hernandez (Uruguay)
"Tiger Factory," Woo Ming-jin (Malaysia)
"Todos vos sodes capitans," Oliver Laxe (Morocco-Spain)
"Two Gates of Sleep," Alistair Banks Griffin (U.S.)
The Wanderer," Avishai Sivan (Israel)
"We Are What We Are," Jorge Michel Grau (Mexico)

Special Screenings
"Boxing Gym," Frederick Wiseman (U.S.)
"Stones in Exile," Stephen Kijak (U.K.)

For more info: http://www.quinzaine-realisateurs.com/

Fair Game

The versatile American director Doug Liman makes the case for Valerie Plame and her husband Joe Wilson who became the target of the Bush administration that caused for a world wide scandal. Everybody has heard about Valerie Plame but nobody knows the truth because the media obscured the truth. Liman sets the record straight with this realistic drama about a real spy who saw her career destroyed and her marriage threatened after her outspoken husband attacked the Bush administration for forging intelligence to invade Iraq. It's an outrageous tale of government corruption at the highest levels that set to destroy anybody who tried to prevent them from their objective. Naomi Watts and Sean Penn give their support to Plame and Wilson by doing them justice with solid performances. YRCinema's coverage of films at the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

Our Life

Italian writer and director Daniele Luchetti returns with a profound drama about a family in contemporary Italy. At the center of the story is Claudio who's happily married with two children with a loving family. When tragedy strikes Claudio sets out to secure a safe future for his family even if it means to break the law. Luchetti has his heart at the right place which is the family at the core while political issues such as illegal immigration and employment are present. Elio Germano is the heart and soul of the film with a phenomenal performance that's flawless. The talented cast includes Isabella Ragonese, Raoul Bova and Stefania Montorsi amongst others. Luchetti's film is a human drama at its best. YRCinema's coverage of films at the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

Tamara Drewe

Stephen Frears takes up a new challenge with this adaptation of a graphic novel which itself is based on Thomas Hardy's classic novel "Far from the Madding Crowd." In this highly entertaining crowd-pleaser, a transformed Tamara Drewe returns to her hometown to shake things up when she decides to sell her late mother's estate. There she's wooed by several men that makes her an instant target to local females while inspiring several writers at a retreat. Frears lightens up after several dramas with an attractive young cast that includes the girl of the moment Gemma Arterton who seems to be everywhere and Dominic Cooper and Luke Evans as the lads after Tamara Drewe. YRCinema's coverage of films at the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

Blue Valentine

American writer and director Derek Cianfrance makes a heartbreaking film about love from inception to its demise thanks to riveting performance by Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams. The non linear story shows how Dean and Cindy fall in and out of love through years. At first when they meet their past and social background doesn't seem important to them. However when they start a family, those ignored issues resurface as their love fades mostly because Dean fails to live up to Cindy's expectations and he's happy with what he has got. Cianfrance smart script works wonders because its raw emotional honesty that takes a pessimistic look at love and how it's destined to failure. Gosling and Williams phenomenal performances take the film to glorious heights. YRCinema's coverage of films at the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

One Live Maybe Two

Italian writer and director Alessandro Aronadio makes his feature debut with this solid drama. It's about how an instant can dramatically alter the life of a person, in this case Matteo Carli. One fateful evening when Matteo is racing to take his friend to the hospital, an accident could derail his future plans whether to become a police officer or become an environmental activist. In either case whether he has an accident or not, Matteo would be on the scene in Genoa during the G8 on either side of the law. Aronadio makes a point with his energetic film that those formative years are the most important ones where every decision counts such as a random accident or conscious decision to finish school or not will shape one's future life. Lorenzo Balducci delivers a stellar performance as Matteo. Aronadio along with his talented cast and crew makes a powerful statement. YRCinema's coverage of films at the Marché du Film at the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

Young Girls in Black

French writer and director Jean-Paul Civeyrac takes a look at teenage suicide with this drama. Teenager Noemie finds herself alienated from the world around her and nobody knows what to do with her. She finds a connection with the vulnerable Priscilla who feels the same. The two girls start a friendship that alienate them more from their surroundings and start preparing to end their lives. The film has some moments that shows the reasons for the girls but fails to dig deeper at the problems. It would have helped if the audience could relate more but the girls are kept at a distance that makes them unlikable. Also Civeyrac's treatment lacks universal appeal because the problem is widespread throughout the Western world. YRCinema's coverage of films at the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

The Four Times

Italian writer and director Michelangelo Frammartino makes a meditative film set in a remote small village where humans and animals interact in a idyllic setting. It's about the four seasons or elements as they interact with each other through natural cycles that includes death and birth. It's a beautiful film that puts a perspective on what's lost as more people live in bigger cities where they are disconnected from nature which has devastating consequences for both. YRCinema's coverage of films at the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

Carancho

Argentinian writer and director Pablo Trapero returns with this gritty and violent thriller set in the world of traffic accidents where corrupt lawyers cash on innocent victims. Disgraced lawyer Sosa has to chase ambulances to find clients in order to get his commission. When he falls for drug addicted doctor, he wants to get out in order to live a decent life which gets them in danger. Trapero creates a bleak world where the system has failed to protect its people at the mercy of corrupt lawyers, doctors and cops who have their day stealing. Breathtaking action sequences mixed with intimate drama makes this genre bending film work that also features strong performances by Ricardo Darín and Martina Gusman as the leads. YRCinema's coverage of films at the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

Certified Copy

Iranian master Abbas Kiarostami makes his first film outside of his country with this valentine to art and Italy. The story about an English writer who's promoting his book in Italy and spends a day with a French gallery owner as they discuss life and its relationship to art. In a rare move Kiarostami works with a famous actress such as Juliette Binoche who delivers as usual another brilliant performance while opera singer William Shimell and writer Jean-Claude Carrière play the supporting roles. Kiarostami stays true to his reputation as the consummate artist by making a film about art in one of its epicenters which is Italy. While the film is mostly the interaction between and a man and a woman, it always remains interesting and intriguing as the couple discuss art and life which should find interest world wide. YRCinema's coverage of films at the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

Biutiful

Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu moves into new territory with another dazzling film that is more in tune with his debut "Amores Perros" but with a more linear approach and focusing on one character. The story set in Barcelona about Uxbal, a man down on his luck who's ravaged by personal and professional problems as he tries to keep it together. Uxbal has cancer and two kids to take care of because his unstable ex-wife can't stay away from alcohol and drugs. In order to make a living he bribes the police on behalf of Chinese criminals who traffic illegal immigrants and uses his supernatural gift to communicate with the recently departed on behalf of their families. Javier Bardem delivers his most accomplished and complex performance as Uxbal that's nothing short of brilliant. Iñárritu proves he's a talent to reckon with without Guillermo Arriaga who has written his previous films, the non-linear fate trilogy. Rodrigo Prieto's dazzling cinematography shows a totally different side of Barcelona. YRCinema's coverage of films at the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

The Princess of Montpensier

Veteran French director Bertrand Tavernier demystifies period films of their romanticism with this film set in 16 century France during the religion wars which is considered one of the darkest in the history of France. The story about a princess who's forced to marry a man she doesn't love while in love with another one. Marie de Mézières is promised to Mayenne de Guise while she's in love with his brother Henri. When her father gets an offer of great wealth which would allow them a greater social status, he breaks off the engagement and marries her to the prince de Montpensier. Marie becomes the object of affection of several powerful man which causes Henri to use her to get even with his enemies while securing a better match. The film is about the politics of relationships where love is used as a weapon to gain power and wealth which has devastating consequences. Tavernier takes a sober look at the period which seems more authentic but fails to live up to Patrice Chéreau's gloriously stylized "La Reine Margot" which was set in the same period. YRCinema's coverage of films at the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

Animal Kingdom

Australian writer and director David Michôd makes his feature debut with this explosive tale of a boy caught between his criminal family and the police. After his mother dies of an overdose, teenager J connects with his estranged grandmother who's the matriarch in the family involved in organized crime that even the law can't touch. When one of his uncles kills his girl friend, J changes sides thinking he can escape the claws of his family until he realizes he has to live up to the family reputation. Clever writing, tight direction and riveting performances make this thriller an exciting ride. Jacki Weaver and Ben Mendelsohn are terrific while newcomer James Frecheville holds himself well among the pros that includes Guy Pearce and Joel Edgerton. YRCinema's coverage of films at the Marché du Film at the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

Armadillo

Danish director Janus Metz makes his feature debut with this documentary about Danish soldiers in Afghanistan. While not as intense as "Restropo," it provides a complete journey of what soldiers going through from their homes to the front where they come face to face with the enemy along with all daily ordeals and routines. The film feels like movie rather than a documentary because it blurs the lines like recent films crossing into documentary territory for greater authenticity. Metz cleverly focuses on the right soldiers as the protagonists and they are so good that it makes you think you are watching actors performing than actual soldiers. Editor Per Sandholt makes sure for the right pacing and transitions that adds to the feeling you are watching a film rather than documentary. YRCinema's coverage of films at the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

Honey

Turkish writer and director Semih Kaplanoglu's third film in his Yusuf trilogy (Edd and Milk) is told in reverse in a man's life. In this film, Yusuf is a young boy living in a remote and idyllic forest where his father collects honey for living. When the bees start disappearing, his father is forced to search for honey further away from home. A beautiful and poetic film about the simple joys of life full of wonder through the eyes of a boy. The film is full of symbolism as honey represents knowledge which is acquired through hard work by the bees and the father. YRCinema's coverage of films at the Marché du Film at the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

Heartbeats

The talented Canadian writer, director and actor Xavier Dolan hits the right notes with this stylish film about two friends falling for a mutual friend. Best friends Francis and Marie develop a crush on Nicolas, the new boy in town and start woo him that causes a rivalry that threatens their friendship. It's a film about crushes and imaginary loves that's the cause of most teenage heartaches and enemy of friendship. Dolan shows a lot of depth by channeling creative style clearly inspired by Pedro Almodovar, Gus Van Sant and Wong Kar Wai amongst others to make his own. YRCinema's coverage of films at the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

The Illusionist

French writer and director Sylvain Chomet adapts a script by French legend Jacques Tati in this magical animation. The story about an old magician who has a hard time finding an audience in the changing times of the 60's when Rock 'n' Roll bands swept the world. He's forced to take assignments at private parties that takes him to a small coastal town where he meets a young fan that changes their lives. It's a universal story of loneliness in changing times where generational gaps severely disconnects human interactions. What was true in the 60's with music, it's even more so with the Internet and computer in current times. This charming film will delight everybody, specially those who love animation. YRCinema's coverage of films at the Marché du Film at the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

Another Year

Mike Leigh returns with another outstanding film with this drama about old age and loneliness with his trademark keen observation and outstanding performances without one false beat. A happily married couple are at the center of the story around them sad and lonely friends and family who are at loss with dealing with their situation. The couple welcome and help everybody as much as they can including the alcoholic co-worker who has set her eyes on the couple's single son which they ignore until she crosses her limits when she meets the son's girlfriend. Leigh and his actors make magic out of the most common human interactions that tells volumes about the human condition. It's an utterly intelligent and compassionate film about love, family and friendship amongst others that's pure delight to those who appreciate Leigh's work that makes every mainstream Hollywood fare as a total scam. Outstanding performances across the board as you would expect from a Mike Leigh film with Lesley Manville's performance at the epicenter that should get her recognition in the award season along with Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen. YRCinema's coverage of the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger

Woody Allen returns to London after a detour to Barcelona and New York with another all star cast comedy about life and fate. The story of family torn apart as the father leaves mother for a younger woman who causes the frail marriage of her daughter to crack. The daughter refers her mother to a psychic because she has her hands full with her writer husband and art dealer boss whom she's attracted to. Since it's a Woody Allen world set in London, you can expect the usual neurotic behaviors to clash with others with some hilarious results. He assembles another top notch cast including Anthony Hopkins, Gemma Jones, Naomi Watts, Antonio Banderas and Josh Brolin along with some new and fresh faces such as Freida Pinto and Lucy Punch. The performances are superb across the board with Jones and Punch making the most impression among the more famous faces. YRCinema's coverage of the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

After several failed attempts to reclaim his status as one of the most prolific filmmakers of the 80's, Oliver Stone revisits one of his acclaimed films of that decade to comment on global financial crisis that started with the crumbling of Wall Street. In this sequel, disgraced tycoon Gordon Gekko returns to Wall Street to reclaim his status through the fiancee of his estranged daughter. There are some moments that justifies this delayed sequel but otherwise nothing new is served. Michael Douglas gets to creep back into one of his iconic performances that should raise the interest in the film along with other strong performances from the solid cast that includes youngsters Carey Mulligan, Shia LaBeouf and veterans Frank Langella, Eli Wallach and Josh Brolin. The cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto is outstanding as usual. YRCinema's coverage of the the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

Centurion

British writer and director Neil Marshall returns with another original thriller set in the first century A.D. as the Roman Empire tries to tame the British island ruled by the Picts. A Roman soldier barely escapes the Picts as he's sent out again with a new army with an enigmatic woman as their guide. A fight of survival starts again when the Romans are betrayed and a vicious tracker with supernatural powers chase the remaining soldiers across the rough territories. Michael Fassbender and Olga Kurylenko star in this period action thriller as the hunted and hunter where the traditional roles of the sexes are reversed in a refreshing fashion. YRCinema's coverage of films at the Marché du Film at the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

Shahada

Afghan-German writer and director Burhan Qurbani makes a solid debut with this compelling drama about several young Muslims struggling with their faith living in the West. The three main characters in question are a young Turkish girl who enjoys her freedom doing drugs and club until she becomes pregnant which leads her to an illegal abortion that leads to her downward spiral; a young boy of African decent who struggles to come to terms with his homosexuality when a co-worker falls for him and tests his faith; a young cop who has accidentally killed the child of an illegal immigrant mother that threatens his sanity and his family. All the characters clash with their environment and religion either seems a refuge or the cause of their struggle. While the story is set in Berlin, it could take place anywhere in the world where young Muslims live and their faith clashes with the local culture. Qurbani along with his talented cast and crew make a powerful film with an universal appeal that will resonate with many across the world as Islam continues to clash with local cultures. YRCinema's coverage of films at the Marché du Film at the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

Restrepo

Veteran writer and journalist Sebastian Junger and celebrated cinematographer and photographer Tim Hetherington make their feature debut with this riveting documentary about a year in the life of US soldiers as they embark their duties in one of the deadliest posts in Afghanistan's Korangal Valley. It's a war documentary unlike any other where it takes the audience to war with the young men who have no idea what awaits them. It's a heartbreaking journey for everybody involved where lives are lost on both sides with an invisible enemy targeting the soldiers and the civilians caught in the middle. The rough and breath taking setting seems a challenge without the war. It's documentary film making at its best where the film makers risked their lives to show that war is indeed hell. YRCinema's coverage of films at the Marché du Film at the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

The Disappearance of Alice Creed

British writer and director J Blakeson makes a riveting feature debut with this original thriller that rocks from the first frame till its satisfying conclusion. The story about two men kidnapping a rich girl for ransom that's full of twists and turns that will keep the viewers on the edge of their seats. Gemma Arterton stars along with Martin Compston and Eddie Marsan as the only characters in the entire film that relies on their strong performances more than anything. Blakeson delivers a refreshing thriller on every level, original story, inspired casting and solid vision with plenty of style and substance that hopefully marks the beginning of a promising career. Arterton and Compston have come of age as the leads while veteran Marsan continues to impress. YRCinema's coverage of films at the Marché du Film at the 63rd Festival de Cannes.

Winter's Bone

Writer and director Debra Granik delivers a powerful character study of a teenage girl caught between family obligations in this unflinching drama. Seventeen year old Ree Dolly has become unwillingly the parents to her younger siblings while her mother has totally withdrawn from her duties. While she hopes to join the military to escape her dire reality, she's forced to trace her father in the dangerous world of drug dealers in order to keep her family together. It's grim tale of a decaying society far from civilization where the nature is as unforgiving as its people. Jennifer Lawrence gives a raw performance as Ree Dolly along with John Hawkes as her uncle. Granik shows a different look of America that's seldom shown on film without any cliches or romanticism that's utterly compelling and disturbing at the same time. YRCinema's coverage of San Francisco International Film Festival.

Book of Eli

The Hughes brothers first feature in decade since "From Hell" is quite a mess. The post-apocalyptic tale about a loner who's protecting the last bible that seems to be coveted by everybody including a powerful gangster. It's clearly inspired by other films like it, specially the Mad Max trilogy but brings nothing new we haven't seen before. Denzel Washington and Gary Oldman cashing on their names. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans

German director Werner Herzog delivers his best feature in decades with this outstanding re-interpretation of a previous character based Abel Ferrara's "Bad Lieutenant." Herzog only takes the basic premise to makes an entirely original and satisfying film that succeeds on several levels. Nicolas Cage delivers as the title character who fights his personal demons while trying to solve a homicide case in shocking and hilarious ways. Writer William Finkelstein hits all the right notes with his sharp script that allows Herzog to shine along with his cast and crew that includes outstanding work by cinematographer Peter Zeitlinger and composer Mark Isham amongst others. New Orleans is the perfect location above and beyond that brings additional depth to the story. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Night Catches Us

Writer and director Tanya Hamilton makes her feature debut with this ambitious attempt about a generation that has been affected by the 60's Black Power movement in this period film. A former Black Panther member returns to his home town where he's considered a traitor to confront his past and the woman responsible for everything. The problem lies with Hamilton trying to address several issues at once that brings down the film. Instead of focusing on the main characters at the center of the story, she tries to show the bigger picture with too many characters. Kerry Washington and Anthony Mackie are outstanding as the leads but are limited by the script limitations. YRCinema's coverage of the San Francisco International Film Festival.

The Wind Journeys

Colombian writer and director Ciro Guerra delivers a stunning film about an epic journey through his country and culture. The story about a boy who joins an elderly musician on his journey to return his accordion to its rightful owner. On their journey through the country they encounter various characters, myths, legends that allows the boy to become a man and the man to find his destination. Spectacular locations are dazzlingly captured by the promising cinematographer Paulo Andrés Pérez. Music is at the heart of the film throughout with one astonishing accordion battle scene that's one of the many delights of this accomplished film. YRCinema's coverage of the San Francisco International Film Festival.

Yellow Sheep River

Taiwanese director Liu Soung depicts the way of life and nature in this documentary in a remote region of China where progress has not arrived yet. Idyllic and beautiful shows how the people live in harmony with nature where the seasons still control their lives. Stunning cinematography free of dialogue and subtitles allows the viewers to take the journey and enjoy it at their leisure. YRCinema's coverage of the San Francisco International Film Festival.

Son of Babylon

Multi-talented Iraqi filmmaker Mohamed Al Daradji wrote, directed, produced and did the cinematography on this drama about a little boy and his grandmother set out in search for his father. Set after the fall of Saddam, an elderly woman hears that her son's captured at the Nasiriyah prison and set out to find him with her grandson. A perilous journey shows the devastation on the country and people torn by war and seem to worse than before the US brought down the regime. There are some obvious flaws in the writing but it's a compelling story from the Iraqi perspective that needs to be told. YRCinema's coverage of the San Francisco International Film Festival.

RIP: Lynn Redgrave 1943 - 2010

You Think You’re the Prettiest, but You Are the Sluttiest

Chilean writer and director Ché Sandoval makes his feature debut with this character study about a angst ridden teenager as he deals with love, heartbreak and friendship through several encounters that's full of contradictions reflecting the turmoils of adolescence. Sandoval relies too much on the dialogue to get his points across which is the downside of the film. The young and talented cast have the necessary charm that the film relies heavily on. YRCinema's coverage of the San Francisco International Film Festival.

The Lovely Bones

After the colossal success of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy and the failure of his "King Kong" remake, director Peter Jackson was brave enough for another challenge that doesn't pay off entirely but delivers to some extent. Jackson and his writing partners adapted the novel by Alice Sebold which is about a murdered teenage girl who watches over her devastated family and her murderer who still haunts her in the after life. The biggest challenge with the story is how to show the afterlife or the space that's neither earth nor heaven since nobody has seen it also no way to research it. Of course being Peter Jackson, he and his team create a visually stunning realm that's a question of personal taste and aesthetic. What Jackson gets right is the tragedy of a young life cut short and the devastating consequences on the family that's heart wrenching and delivers a punch or two to the viewer. The stunning visuals and saturated look of the film can't relief the agony at the core. The solid cast includes Saoirse Ronan, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Mark Wahlberg and Stanley Tucci in a genuinely creepy role that's disturbing to say the least. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired

Writer and director Marina Zenovich's documentary may have been the cause for the recent troubles of famed Polish director Roman Polanski by stirring up the ghosts of his past. However the film's sympathetic towards the director who has been a fugitive from the US since 1977 when he realized that the judge on his case was using him for his own fame. Zenovich makes a compelling case by bringing those involved at the case to talk about what actually happened including the victim. Nobody tries to hide the crime but it happened as the documentary explains. What's outrageous about is how it was handled by the media and the presiding judge who used the case for his advantage in a game of cat and mouse that was clearly against the law which lead Polanski to flee the country. However well intentioned the film was, it clearly back fired to help Polanski within the US justice system that has started another media circus around it that's still unfolding. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.

The Man Who Will Come

It seems that the World War II is an inexhaustible source for films that make it to the big screen. While not entirely original, it's nevertheless a compelling and tragic tale of villagers paying a high price by being caught in between the German forces and the Partisans who fought a bitter war. Italian writer and director Giorgio Diritti tells the story through the eyes of a little girl who witnesses her family and friends killed while she barely manages to save her infant brother which the titles refers to. The setting of the story was also used in the recent Spike Lee film "The Miracle of St. Anna," however before the Americans reached the region. YRCinema's coverage of the San Francisco International Film Festival.