Labor Day Sept 4 Telluride last day

 I’m always surprised when it’s suddenly the last day of the festival,  Although having an extra day, this year was nice. I didn’t feel compelled to see four films in a day because I had an extra day to see more.

Our morning started with a tribute to Alice Rohrwacher, an Italian screenwriter, and Director, who brought her film “. La Chimera.”  I was not at all familiar with her and the clips of her films they showed were not very impressive to me. Perhaps that set the tone for me but I was not enamored with her film either. I guess it spoke to some people, but not to me. Not recommended. 

Next was “ Fingernails” — about a  dating service, where  compatibility of potential couples is measured “scientifically.”  It stars, Riz Ahmed and Jessie Buckley.  Funny, romantic, good entertainment. 

Finally was “teacher’s Lounge”  a German movie about a theft issue at an elementary school class  leading to the entire student body yielding to be gossip, innuendo, and lies.  It was a bit of a teacher’s worst nightmare, but a good movie.  I recommend it but it’s not a “ must see.”

So that concluded my marathon of movie watching. I don’t want to try to rank the films I saw, but I will put them in categories, and as a teacher I’ll use a grading system.  We all agree that this was an outstanding year! 

  All of my A list movies are Oscar worthy  in one category or another.  I saw15 total but I could’ve seen more if I went without  some sleep.

A LIST:

NYAD;  Rustin;   Fingernails ;  PoorThings;  Anatomy of a Fall;  Daddio; Holdovers; Tuesday

B LIST:

The Pigeon Tunnel; Wildcat; Occupied City, Teacher’s Lounge

Skip the rest  

Au revoir Telluride! 

Sept 3 Sunday Telluride day 4

1.  Our day began with a tribute to the filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos (who also did “The Favourite” which we saw here 2018. )

He brought us a screening of his film “Poor Things”  Starring Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo & Willem DeFoe.  Superb acting! OMG hysterical!!  The photography and sets were incredible!  The program says it’s a “ funny, furious, proudly feminist take on the Frankenstein story.”  We laughed OUT LOUD over & over.  There’s a lot of sex which is hysterical but not for prudes.  This will get Oscars for sure—-probably several.  We all agreed we have to see it again because there was so much going on, we’re sure we missed bits.  

2. “They Shot the Piano Player” was a documentary in animated form about a Brazilian samba pianist in the height of the development of bossa nova music (think Antonio Carlos Jobim) as the country was undergoing a military coup, ending in dictatorship.  This one was not in the program but was added as a “TBA” so we don’t have the background material in the program.  Meh

3.  Finally we saw “The Holdovers”  which is set at a Massachusetts boarding school in the 1970s (Milton?).  A strict and universally disliked teacher, Paul Giamatti, is stuck caring for the boarding students (5) who are not traveling home for the Christmas break.  The program hints that it starts out like the “Breakfast Club.”  True. But as the 2 weeks pass, we see relationships evolve and there are very poignant moments.  This is from director Alexander Payne (his “Sideways” and “Nebraska” were others of his I loved) who introduced the film to us.  The story and acting are excellent.  I highly recommend this one.  Oscar contender.

Sept 2, 2023 Telluride day 3

 Three films today.  My day was very full and I had no time to write blog. It is now the next morning, waiting in line for the first film, and I’m going to give a very brief summary of each of yesterday’s films.

1. “NYAD”—about Diana Nyad, played by Annette Bening,  an actual marathon swimmer who Returned to the sport at age 61 to complete the swim she was unable to do 33 years before: from Cuba to Key West. Jodie Foster plays her friend & coach.  This movie will have popular appeal and I think both actresses deserve nominations for Oscars. Quite commercial & entertaining.

2. “Daddio” starring Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn.  It is about a young woman taking a cab ride from the airport to Manhattan & having a very in-depth conversation with the taxi driver. They got stopped for quite awhile waiting for an accident to be cleared on the road ahead, which gave them the time to have their in-depth conversation. The description in the program said to think “my dinner with Andre “ in a cab— an apt comparison.  I thought Sean Penn was fantastic.  Dakota Johnson was present to introduce the film and to do a Q & A after. I really enjoyed hearing in the discussion after how the filming was done. The cab scenes were all done in a studio with screens all around the actors so that they could watch the actual road and surroundings as they acted their characters. I definitely recommend this one. It will get attention.  

3. “ Wildcat” is directed by Ethan Hawke and stars his daughter Maya and the Telluride favorite daughter: Laura Linney. All three of those people were here to introduce the  film  which made it special. I thought the women were fantastic in their portrayals.  It is a disjointed ride and I’m not sure the general public will find this appealing but I very much appreciated the acting and learning more about Miss O’Connor. The screen writers portray Flannery O’Connor from her personal life as well as clips from various stories of hers. Therefore the actors portrayed multiple characters which is very interesting theatrically. I recommend it for fans of acting and American literature.

As always, please forgive typos, as I am dictating this on my phone in a rush!

Sept. 1, 2023 Telluride Day 2

 My day began with a tribute to filmmaker Wim Wenders followed by his new film: “Perfect Days.”  Wenders has done such films as “Paris, Texas”, “Wings of Desire” and others I am not familiar with.  In his interview before the screening I found his style very appealing.  From the program: “ But all his wide-ranging explorations have ultimately been lit up by a profound concern with our spiritual well-being.”  The film he showed was an example. It’s a simple movie, some might say boring, but I didn’t see it that way.  It took place  in Japan and focused on the daily routines of one man, played by Koji Yakusho, who won the Best Actor at Cannes!  He was present to greet us before the film.  I can see why he won that award.  He gave a gentle, Zen -like portrayal of a man who appreciated the little things in his day.  I found it to be peaceful and calming.

The 2nd film today was “Rustin” directed by George C. Wolfe, who also has some excellent Broadway directing credits as well including a favorite of mine: “Jelly’s Last Jam”—which I saw on NY with Gregory Hines, “Angels in America” and “Ma Rainey’s Back Bottom,” to name a few.   Bayard Rustin  was “the unsung hero of the civil rights era, the mastermind of the March on Washington.”  His name was not credited in history as he was deemed “a liability to the movement because he was a gay ex-communist.”  He was an inspiration to many and the film was uplifting.  I highly recommend this one. I cried at the profound achievement that the March was, and at the same time at the reversal of civil rights encouraged by many states in the US today and provoked by horrors like the storming of the capital by white supremacists led by the criminal Trump. 

The 3rd film was a documentary by Errol Morris, who interviewed the novelist John Le Carre, “ The Pidgeon Tunnel.”  Absolutely a fascinating look into Le Carre’s life!  It was rather dry and some others were not impressed with this one. But I found him to be very interesting.  It makes me want to re-view some of the films made from his books, e.g. “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” and “The Spy who came in from the cold.”  Etc.  I recommend this to fans of Le Carre especially.

There were 2 more films I could have seen today but I got tired after 3, so I called it quits at 6 pm.  An excellent day. 

Aug 31 Telluride

 Today I saw 2 films although I should get credit for two for the first film due to the length (3.5 Hours).

1).  Steve McQueen, who directed  “12 years a slave”, brought his brand new documentary: “Occupied City.”  It’s about Amsterdam, under Nazi occupation.  His ingenious method of telling the story was to visually show sites in the city today, and the activities going on now  while the voice narrative told what happened on that site during occupation.  His impetus for the film was his wife’s ( Bianca Stigter) book on this topic.  Both of them were present for a Q & A after the screening.  They live in Amsterdam—-she’s from there and he’s been there 27 years.  Of course we all knew that Amsterdam had been occupied —at least from Anne Frank—-but the extent of the inhumanity …. Well… what can I say…  The cinematography was super and the message urgent. 

I’ m not sure how well distributed this film will be, but if you have a chance, I do recommend it.

2) So the next film (“ Tuesday “)was a Completely different kind of film.  Part fantasy, part tragicomedy, and other adjectives, Julia Louis-Drefus (who was here to introduce the film before the screening!!!) is in a Completely different role —-a mother of a terminal teenage daughter, who has great difficulty dealing with the situation.  If you can suspend reality and just go along for the ride, I loved this film.  It speaks to anyone who has dealt with death—and shows it  in a way that is not painful but rather philosophical.  I highly recommend this film.  

There was a late night film but I’ve decided to be sane and pace myself. 

I did see my former middle school student who comes every year.  Fun!  

Pre Telluride Aug 30, 2023

 Officially the festival starts tomorrow but we were able to get our programs  & schedule of events today. The programs were printed before the actors were given the go ahead from the union to come to festival, so we do not know if we will have any of the actors present, but we are hopeful. 

Today I was able to go to a special screening ( as a Legacy member)  of one of the films: “Anatomy of a Fall” — a French film , but half was is English. The filmmaker— Justine Triet — was present. It won the Palme d’Or at Cannes!  It was compelling & I highly recommend this one. I don’t like to give away too much of the plot but much of it was in a courtroom where you’re constantly challenged to consider the other side.  Keeps you guessing!  

I look forward to my companions seeing it Saturday so I can debate it  with them.  

So tomorrow we’ll see 2-3 films— and we’re off!  😀  

We’re so happy to be here!  Nice condo & weather.  

Telluride Film Festival 2023---50th year!

 This year marks the 50th year of the festival, so we expect to see more films as 1 more day has been added to the festival---so 5 days of viewing!  We're going early to get acclimated & settled and we have a new condo this time.  The pre-festival begins on Wednesday Aug 30 when I'll see a sneak peek ahead of the full line up.  We'll  probably get our programs Wednesday and the excitement begins.  Just the other day it was announced that although the writers strike is still on and the actors have joined them, there has been a concession/ tentative agreement granting actors permission to promote their films at festivals,  including Telluride.  So we hope to see some folks.😁

We are our typical foursome: Michelle, Pat, Julie, & moi.  

I'll probably start blogging on the 30th.  As usual, I may be writing on the fly, so forgive brevity & goofs! 

Anxious Jane