Schema's Coverage of VIFF 2012
Sponsored by the Toronto Reel Asian International Film FestivalVIFF 2012 | Opening Night Gala Pictures
Deepa Mehta and cast of her film Midnight's Children from VIFF's Opening Gala. Photography by Mimi Dejene.
VIFF 2012 | Clean Break
VIFF's short film program "Clean Break" showcased nine Canadian films where individuality takes centre stage. Patricia Lim reviewed three of the strongest films in the program.
VIFF 2012 | Together
I didn't quite know what to expect entering the screening of Together, but in the end I found myself pleasantly surprised. Together is lively and humorous, but perhaps even more so, heart-felt and thoughtful.
VIFF 2012 | Come As You Are
Lars, Philip and Jozef are three very typical young Belgian men. They hang out, annoy their siblings, and fantasize about girls. Yet two things set them apart from the rest of their peers: they all have physical disabilities, and they're all crazy for wine.
VIFF 2012 | This Ain't California
This Ain't California is officially labeled a documentary, but, much like the skaters the film follows, it pushes all boundaries. Part doc, part found footage mashup, part reenactment, the film reflects Perisel's previous work in music videos and commercials with brilliant results.
VIFF 2012 | Midnight's Children
Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children made it to the big screen — finally. But if there ever was a film worth waiting for, this is it.
VIFF 2012 | Bitter Seeds
For those involved in the ongoing GMO-labeling debate, Bitter Seeds is a must-see. As it is for anyone who's ever questioned the value of organic cotton. Although the film does very little visual justice to the stunning people and landscapes of rural India, it excels at delivering a powerful message through unforgettable moments.
VIFF 2012 | People's Park
People's Park, which has its North American premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival this month, is set in the vibrant People's Park in Chengdu, Sichuan. In this documentary, American directors J.P. Sniadecki and Libbie Cohn transport the audience to Southern China on a sunny Saturday in July.
VIFF 2012 | Nameless Gangster
Director and writer Yoon Jongbin has a Tarantino-like touch in his third full-length film. If you dislike watching people getting beat up with bats or sticks, do not watch this film.
VIFF 2012 | We Were Children
Devastating and powerful, We Were Children tells the story of a shameful and often overlooked chapter of Canada's history through the stories of Lyna Hart and Glen Anaquod, two First Nations survivors of church-run residential schools.
VIFF 2012 | I Carried You Home
The weight of disappointing futures, family strife and high expectations is explored as two estranged sisters embark on a two-day journey to transport their mother's body home.
VIFF 2012 | Riko
As we follow a disoriented girl from the stranger's doorway to the homeless man's tent to the seaside and back again, we are increasingly confronted with the question: what is home?
VIFF 2012 | Violeta Went to Heaven
Violeta Went to Heaven is a must see not only for everyone interested in Latin America and its culture, but for everyone who enjoys stories about extraordinary and courageous people who dedicated their lives to make their dreams come true.
VIFF 2012 | Lou Harrison: A World of Music
Eva Soltes' tribute admires Lou Harrison's abilities as a twentieth century composer who seemed "out of his time... out of fashion."
VIFF 2012 | Egg and Stone
I was glad to have taken a meditative swim after watching this film. As my arms methodically dove and pushed through the water, I thought about the film that I had just watched. I had been anticipating this film with a quiet sense of dread. For me, this was about pushing myself out of my cinema comfort zone (usually occupied by documentaries and animated movies) and the film did not disappoint.
VIFF 2012 | Beautiful 2012 (Meihao 2012)
A stunning collection of four mid-length movies commissioned by the Hong Kong Film Festival, featuring filmmakers from China, Taiwan and South Korea. The topic was supposed to be "beauty," but the result is a complex and diverse rainbow with stories about Tibetan monks, transsexual businessmen and love.
VIFF 2012 | Key of Life
This big budget Japanese comedy mustered VIFF's first rush ticket queue of the year, with fans waiting over an hour for the mere chance to squeeze into an empty seat. Key of Life, by emerging favourite, Kenji Uchida, who also wrote and directed A Stranger of Mine (2005) and After School (2008), is being praised for a hilarious new crowd pleaser.
VIFF 2012 | Sleepless Night
Jang Kunjae's Sleepless Night is surprisingly engaging as it follows a newly married couple through their everyday mundane experiences, from cooking noodles to eating popsicles in the park.
VIFF 2012 | The World Before Her
A thoroughly fascinating and expertly shot film, Pahuja does an excellent job of drawing inexperienced viewers in to the complexities of modern India.
VIFF 2012 | Like Someone in Love
Subtle and soulful, Abbas Kiarostami's latest film chronicles the budding relationship between an elderly professor and a prostitute in Japan.
VIFF 2012 | The Unlikely Girl
In her feature debut, director Wei Ling Chang attempts both pulp and philosophy in the story of a scandalous love-triangle in a small French town.
VIFF 2012 | Peculiar Vacation and Other Illnesses
Viewers looking for an exercise about sexual desire, remorse and deteriorating relationships will definitely don't want to miss Peculiar Vacation and Other Illnesses.
VIFF 2012 | McDull: The Pork of Music
It's animated. It's set in Hong Kong. And it stars a pig.
VIFF 2012 | White Night
LeeSong Heeil, described by the VIFF guide as a "pioneering gay filmmaker," deals with the issues of homosexuality, violence and love with such subtlety; it is hard not to appreciate how much the film says despite literally not saying much at all.
VIFF 2012 | 10 + 10
Twenty shorts from 10 emerging and 10 veteran Taiwanese filmmakers—10+10 is a must see!
VIFF 2012 | Jesus Hospital
Jesus Hospital is a film about death, money, religion and family tensions that goes far beyond any sitcom.
VIFF 2012 | Dreams for Sale
Dreams for Sale rewards audiences with an exquisite set of performances, a view from Tokyo and a romance like no other.
VIFF 2012 | Raising Resistance
In the fast-growing canon of anti-agribusiness cinema, Raising Resistance leaves a striking impression.
Review VIFF 2012 for Schema!
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Recent VIFF 2012 Entries
VIFF 2012 | Opening Night Gala Pictures
VIFF 2012 | Clean Break
VIFF 2012 | Together
VIFF 2012 | Come As You Are
VIFF 2012 | This Ain't California
VIFF 2012 | Midnight's Children
VIFF 2012 | Bitter Seeds
VIFF 2012 | People's Park
VIFF 2012 | Nameless Gangster
VIFF 2012 | We Were Children
VIFF 2012 | I Carried You Home
VIFF 2012 | Riko
VIFF 2012 | Violeta Went to Heaven
VIFF 2012 | Lou Harrison: A World of Music
VIFF 2012 | Egg and Stone
VIFF 2012 | Beautiful 2012 (Meihao 2012)
VIFF 2012 | Key of Life
VIFF 2012 | Sleepless Night
VIFF 2012 | The World Before Her
VIFF 2012 | Like Someone in Love
VIFF 2012 | The Unlikely Girl
VIFF 2012 | Peculiar Vacation and Other Illnesses
VIFF 2012 | McDull: The Pork of Music
VIFF 2012 | White Night
VIFF 2012 | 10 + 10
VIFF 2012 | Jesus Hospital
VIFF 2012 | Dreams for Sale
VIFF 2012 | Raising Resistance
Review VIFF 2012 for Schema!
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Schema's VIFF 2011 Team
Sadiya Ansari | Co-Editor in Chief and Executive Web Producer
Viola Chen | Senior Web Producer
Writers
Beth Hong
Billie-Ann Woo
Allison Griner
Annie Chung
Ashleigh Withall
Aurora Tejeida
Jennifer Giesbrecht
Carlos Tello
Jordana Mah
Mimi Dejene
Patricia Lim
Shima Ghailan
Zoe Tennant
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