Wednesday, June 10, 2009
SIFF Today at SIFF: Manhole Children and The Fortress
Posted by Lindy West on Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Hey, SIFFers! There are two excellent documentaries screening today—two of the Stranger's absolute favorite films in this year's festival.
Here's Charles Mudede on Manhole Children (it starts at 4:30—sorry about that—but there's still time!):
I could spend hours on Manhole Children, my favorite film of SIFF 2009. It is a story about the effects of neoliberalism (after the fall of the Soviet Union, Mongolia turned to capitalism and plunged thousands upon thousands of people into a deep hole of poverty). It is a story about the city (for shelter and warmth, thousands of homeless children moved into manholes beneath the freezing streets of Ulan Bator). It is a love story (there is one broken heart, and two broken souls). And, lastly, it is a story told with Japanese objectivity, which is not the same as Western objectivity. Do not miss this documentary; it is sad but also as strange as your strangest dreams. Ulan Bator has population of one million.
And Paul Constant on The Fortress:
Thousands of refugees from around the world try to seek asylum in Switzerland, and only a small fraction of those people are actually allowed to stay. The Fortress is about the people stuck in between, guests who are forced to remain in Switzerland’s care during the long documentation process. It’s remarkable to watch the staff deal with two different young men from Africa who have been emotionally crushed by the system. One Swiss social worker hugs his charge and tells him he’ll be okay, but the other coldly repeats the pleas for help to a typist, who dutifully copies them down. Both scenes are riveting.
The Fortress also screens this Friday.
Update: michael strangeways adds...
FYI: SIFF has added another screening of Manhole Children, due to popular demand. It'll screen on Sunday, June 14th at 9pm at SIFF Cinema (McCaw Hall)...it'll be one of the last movies screened at SIFF this year.
No excuse, people.
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1
FYI: SIFF has added another screening of Manhole Children, due to popular demand. It'll screen on Sunday, June 14th at 9pm at SIFF Cinema (McCaw Hall)...it'll be one of the last movies screened at SIFF this year.
2
Hrrmm. Well, since Tetro is probably sold out ...
A better choice would be to hurry over to the Harvard Exit at 4:30 and see Cold Souls.
Manhole Children ... not everyone loved it that saw it, from what I heard, but have also heard it's interesting. Worth a shot.
The Fortress - beats me why everyone wants to watch movies about immigration restrictions in Switzerland.
Thursday - try to catch My Suicide at Pacific Place at 4:30pm and back to back showings at the Uptown of Home at 7 and Krabat at 9:15.
Friday - Go to the Cinerama for A Pain in the Ass at 7 and Buddenbrooks at 9:15. No Age is at the Triple Door at 7 and 9:30 and The Hills Run Red is showing at Midnight at the Egyptian. Or you can go all Michael Phelps and watch hot boys in swim suits at Swimsuit Issue at the Egyptian at 9:30.
A better choice would be to hurry over to the Harvard Exit at 4:30 and see Cold Souls.
Manhole Children ... not everyone loved it that saw it, from what I heard, but have also heard it's interesting. Worth a shot.
The Fortress - beats me why everyone wants to watch movies about immigration restrictions in Switzerland.
Thursday - try to catch My Suicide at Pacific Place at 4:30pm and back to back showings at the Uptown of Home at 7 and Krabat at 9:15.
Friday - Go to the Cinerama for A Pain in the Ass at 7 and Buddenbrooks at 9:15. No Age is at the Triple Door at 7 and 9:30 and The Hills Run Red is showing at Midnight at the Egyptian. Or you can go all Michael Phelps and watch hot boys in swim suits at Swimsuit Issue at the Egyptian at 9:30.
3
"Manhole Children" sounds like the title of a NAMBLA brochure.
I'm sure it's an excellent film and all, just sayin...
I'm sure it's an excellent film and all, just sayin...
4
Manhole Children was a bit disappointing. From the title you think they're going to focus on children in manholes. Instead, you spend lots of time watching people arguing about their child. And this part seems to go on and on. I really wish the filmmakers were around for a Q&A as this film will likely create many questions if you watch it. For example, at what point would the filmmakers have be willing to intervene in an argument/abuse situation? There's some great stuff in the film and I suppose it lets people peek at a culture/society they likely don't usually see, but don't blame me if you and become slightly frustrated with it.
Garbage Dreams was more satisfying, although at times I wanted to yell at the screen "Dooder, at least you aren't in a mongolian manhole!". Also, this is another film that would have greatly benefited from a Q&A. The film doesn't touch on the (recent) pig killings and how that greatly affected what the Zaballeen do. I'd like to know more about that aspect.
I think I'm going to try to stay away from the Tetro craziness tonight.
Garbage Dreams was more satisfying, although at times I wanted to yell at the screen "Dooder, at least you aren't in a mongolian manhole!". Also, this is another film that would have greatly benefited from a Q&A. The film doesn't touch on the (recent) pig killings and how that greatly affected what the Zaballeen do. I'd like to know more about that aspect.
I think I'm going to try to stay away from the Tetro craziness tonight.
5
Oh, also, the narration of Manhole Children drove me batty at times. I guess Mr. Mudede would chalk this up to "Japanese objectivity", but it often sounded like the narration from an elementary school wildlife documentary (i.e. "The little beaver has returned. The platypus goes over to it!").
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