Films screened as part of CIFF have been receiving widespread acclaim from the attendees which includes celebrities, media students, film-buffs, small screen stars, aspiring directors and those who want to have a taste of foreign films for the myriad experiences that it offers.
The celebrities spotted at today's festival included Cinematographers RD Rajasekhar, Vijay Chakravarthy, Sevilo Raja, Producer-Editor Mohan with his son and director Jayam Raja, actor Jayam Ravi, Director Sasi and many others, who were busy strolling in and out of Woodlands and Symphony theatres, where films were held simultaneously with a short break in between, making it easy for people to switch theaters according to their convenience. Few persons also headed to the movies screened at Film Chamber.
Films screened today included 6th Of May from Netherlands, The Gaze from Iran, Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra from France, Alexandra's Project from Australia, C.R.A.Z.Y from Canada, Upstream from Myanmar, Classic from Korea, The Telegraphist from Norway, My Daughter-Kamli from India, The Visitors from France, Heaven's Meadow from Thailand, Dreams from Iraq, Big Shar from Poland and a few documentaries and short films.
Classic, directed by Jae-yong Kwak, can definitely be called a classy film from Korea. Sprinkled with a dash of humor here and there, it tells the story of Ji-hye, a university student who unravels a secret box packed with old letters which her mother received and kept secure over the years.
As she surveys its contents, she learns of her mother's first love affair. Interestingly and most unexpectedly, it is a story which closely corresponds with her own situation and undisclosed love at the university.
A moving and subtle series of events in the film capture the essence of true love as seen by the lead characters. The flashback scenes are excellent; the credits must in particular go to the period details.
The cinematography, mellow background score and amazing performances make this film a true classic, which was evident from the way the audience cheered during and after the film with applauses that stretched for more than a few seconds.
The Australian film Alexandra's Project, directed by Rolf De Heer, is a frigid domestic thriller which talks about a traumatic sexual life between the lead characters. The film wafts through sequences of conflict and confrontation between a husband and wife, before arriving at a borderline farcical finale.
And it all happens on the male protagonist, Steve's birthday. He expects a surprise on his return back home from workplace and what he gets is not a surprise but instead a rude shock. His wife leaves behind for him a trashed house and a video recording.
All easy access to the outside world is blocked, light bulbs are missing and there lies an agenda for revenge'revenge for the way he treated her, for his sheer neglect that reduced her to the level of a vulnerable woman.
