Top Unique Movies at VIFF
Reviews from the 2007 Vancouver International Film Festival
American Venus, Taming Tammy, Operation Filmmaker, Keepers of Eden and Garbage Warrior
American Venus (Canada)
It’s a blessing to have a supportive mother who’s committed to your well being. But when said mom is gun-addicted and overly loving, things can get a little out of hand. Starring Rebecca de Mornay in Bruce Sweeney’s newest film, a strong supporting cast keeps the story from being too unbelievable. It takes dysfunction to new heights and revels in the outcome. The genuinely refreshing and offbeat narrative make this a solid Canadian offering that will surely please crowds with its unique taste.
Sat Oct. 6 @ 7:00pm, Mon Oct. 8 @ 1:00pm
Taming Tammy (Canada)
This energizing remake of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew sees the modern Tammy, a sex toy party organizer, living the single life in bliss. When she’s set up with a handsome company VP and then a washed up boxer, things get even funnier. The ensemble acting is magical and the script flows along with funny moment after funny moment. This is not one to be missed.
Sun Oct. 7 @ 7:00pm, Thurs Oct. 11 @ 12:30pm
Operation Filmmaker (USA)
An intriguing premise captures your attention right from the beginning. As Liev Schreiber is prepping to direct his film Everything is Illuminated in New York, he happens upon an MTV show of a young Iraqi man who wants to be a filmmaker. Curious, he contacts Muthana and flies him to location in Prague to intern on the film. It’s a documentary full of cultural clashes, a steep learning curve and many poignantly funny moments. Not only a behind-the-scenes look at filmmaking, but a timely stare at the current events that shape us.
Sun Sept 30 @ 10:30am, Mon Oct 8 @ 9:30pm, Tues Oct 9 @ 12:30pm
Keepers of Eden (USA)
This outstanding documentary records the Huaorani tribe in Ecuador, living in the Yasuni in the Amazon. They’ve been inhabiting this area for thousand of years and have only met with the outside world recently. It is one of the most bio-diverse regions in the whole world, existing as the “lungs” of our global air. But oil companies are sucking the life out of it and competing for drilling rights. Since Texon occupied 99% of their land, there have been oil spills and other contamination. Yoram Porath digs deeply into the jungle and its people to reveal the sickness that the oil companies have caused. Babies with skin disease, families dying of cancer one by one, and angry tribes people take the matter into their own hands by staging a revolt on the companies and the government that has allowed this to happen. The film is shocking and heartbreaking at the same time.
Mon Oct 1 @ 4:30pm, Sun Oct 7 @ 9:15pm
Garbage Warrior (UK)
If the thought of building a house with trash piques your curiosity, so too will this outstanding documentary. Oliver Hodge tracks Michael Reynolds, an architect in New Mexico, on his quest to use garbage to build self-sustainable housing. Watch the charismatic go-getter as he gets his bill into the House of Commons (to hilarious effect), his team’s journey to after Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami in South East Asia, and the communes in New Mexico. Riveting, solid work.
Fri Oct 5 @ 7:00pm, Sun Oct 7 @ 11:30am, ADDED SCREENING Fri Oct 12 @ 7:00pm
