MIFF 2010 Review: Picture me: A Model’s Diary

Picture Me is a ‘behind the scenes’ look at the fashion industry that fails to offer any surprises and only scratches the surface of some of the more disturbing aspects of modeling.

While it’s comforting to realise that models suffer from the same doubts and insecurities that many in their 20s face, any chance at sympathy is lost given that many of the girls have been able to afford luxury Manhattan apartments with their earnings even if they did have to work pretty damn hard and be treated like pink fleshy attractive robots to do so.  Potentially sinister stories are hinted at but never properly explored and after reluctantly clapping during the films credits I felt as if I could have learnt as much had i watched the fashion channel for a couple of hours.  If you’ve ever been interested in fashion and modeling you might find this interesting but i was bored. **

GM

MIFF review 2010: Four Lions

An odd film about a touchy subject given the comedic treatment by master satirist, Chris Morris. It’s a fun piece of work that leaves you slightly agape and unsure about where it’s taking things. This is a film after all that has at its centre four Muslims from northern England comically planning the death of innocent civilians.

The overly clowning approach in Four Lions doesn’t always work however, the reduction of faith bound terrorists to goofy dads army nincompoops seems like a cheap shot for easy laughs. The characters work well together, but sometimes fail to create a cohesive or believable alternative universe. Even so, Morris takes an innovative approach and has a lot of fun with playing with stereotypes and taking the fear out of the bogeyman of jihad believers.

There are a lot of laughs to be had, but you wont see in full flight the satirical brilliance the director showed in his groundbreaking TV work here. ***1/2

MIFF 2010 Review: The Illusionist

This delightful yet melancholic foray into the music hall world asks the poignant question – does magic really exist?

A quirky, emotionally crafted animation based on an un-produced script by pioneering comedy legend Jacques Tati (Mon Oncle, Monsieur Hulot’s holiday), L’illusionniste whimsically invites us to explore the eccentric personalities of backstage Paris, the kilt-flying Scottish countryside and finally Edinburgh, the capital of all things arty.

mmmm arty

Along the way veteran magician Msr Tatischeff (Tati’s real Russian surname) takes pity on young Alice and magically presents her a new pair of pretty red shoes. She stows away in adoration while the magician trudges wearily from one audience-absented-auditorium to another to keep up his struggled pretence.

He’s aging, his stubborn rabbit won’t cooperate and the new young rock stars get all the glory. It’s the story of disillusionment – as the child grows up into a woman she lets go of all things childish; the magician realises he can’t maintain his illusion of money and success. He’s even pushed to get a secret midnight job at the car wash. This beautiful, disappointed fairytale speaks louder than words as we shift into a new era, leaving us in wonder of the bygone days of red velvet theatre, magical men and naughty white rabbits.
Beverley Callow