The best part about actually making it out of my bedroom to see a film (can't seem to find the energy to put on pants lately), is going to see it for free. Monday Movie Nights at Morning Brew in Kailua offers up a monthly night where cinephiles and broke folk alike can join forces and get real weird with it.
This coming Monday, Morning Brew will be showing Czechoslovakian film Sedmikrasky (1966) - a surrealist flick by director Vera Chytilová. Come hang out in the loft area, grab a glass of Cabernet and make plans with me to revive this whole modern surrealism movement, because it has to happen, you guys. IT HAS TO.
Oh MANNN! Last night I popped by the festival to do a double-header of WOMEN WITHOUT MEN and MUTANT GIRLS SQUAD--BEST. MOVIE. NIGHT. EVER.
WOMEN WITHOUT MEN had the most gorgeous cinematography I've seen in a while, complete with a great story and a few laughs. I'm so glad I caught the second showing. Speaking of which, have you checked out the list of second showings we've recently added to this year's line-up? Don't sleep--we've added second showings for a reason! You won't regret it.
Anywho, MUTANT GIRLS SQUAD was MUTANT GIRLS SQUAD, if you know what I mean (basically INCREDIBLE). There are so many disgusting-meets-hilarious moments that left the movie feeling like a roller coaster nose-diving into a giant ocean of blood (in a good way!). Never a dull moment, prepare to get your face kitsch-ed off. Two words: Chainsaw butt.
Don't miss the second showing of MUTANT GIRLS SQUAD this Saturday at 10:15 PM if you missed it last night (or see it again like I'm definitely going to).
Also, the EuroCinema Gala is this evening 7 PM - 10 PM at the Moana Surf Rider in Waikiki. What does one wear to a Gala? I can't decide if I want to wear my long black veil or my monster claw / school girl outfit combo--someone help a sister out!
Let me explain--ever since I was a kid, I had this weird fascination with gore, guts, blood, chainsaw hands; you know, the usual. It pleases me so that this year at HIFF, we'll be showing a couple of rad cult-y horror films to fulfill my disgusting insatiability. And for my not-so-kitschy friends, we'll also be premiering a non-cult-y-regular-horror horror film that is equally impressive, and hopefully, equally disgusting.
Brains--Three movies that will make your head go, "AAAHHHH!!"
Yes, we read your mind. This year HIFF is premiering a bunch of rad films that are guaranteed to leave that face of yours all bruised and melty. SOUND X VSION (YEAH, with an X) is a brand new section in our festival and is the only one to have an all leather dress code (just kidding...OR AM I?). And because you just can't get enough, there will also be a music video showcase, a LIVE music showcase at Nextdoor in Chinatown (mostly so we can party with you) AAAND--for the aspiring musicians--a meet-and-greet with folks from THE INDUSTRY (or the 'BIZ,' as I never call it).
Lace up those chucks and check out...FILMS TO ROCK OUT TO:
Yes, I realize a couple of the films overlapped with my other list--ROCK 'N' ROLL HAS NO RULES, YOU GUYSS!
Can someone PUHLEASE bring me a paper bag, I've started hyperventilating after seeing the 2010 Film Program for this year's fall film festival. New to HIFF this year will be the SOUND X VISION section, which offers up some pretty killer films that make me want to quit everything I'm doing to live the rock 'n' roll lifestyle (I mean did you SEE the footage from BLANK CITY). HIFF will also be presenting some sweet films from across the Atlantic that are sure to convince you to book your ticket for next years Cannes Film Festival (thanks, Eurocinema Hawai'i!//can someone puhlease send me to Cannes already?).
Anyway, because HIFF loves you, we'll be compiling lists for all of you incase you find the 224 Film Program a little intimidating.
Speaking of intimi-DATE-ing (I'm pretty proud of that one)...FILMS YOU SHOULD SEE WHILE YOU'RE ON A HIFF DATE:
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I'm all for judging a book by its cover, but click on any poster to check out the synopses in our newly posted FILM PROGRAM. I don't know if you guys heard (it's pretty exclusive news), but it's UP, IT'S UP, IT'S UP, IT'S UP, LOOK AT IT ALREADY, etc.
The HIFF staff will be shaking it to the ground in our meat dresses this coming Tuesday at PEARL, and we want YOU to join us! Tuesday 6PM - 2AM Pearl will be hosting another fundraiser to celebrate 30 years of HIFF and the upcoming film festival (we're almost there!).
During this event, we will be giving out HIFF30 buttons with a donation of at least $10; which not only will support the film festival, but will also get you 10% off all your purchases at Pearl. Happy Hour pricing all night on drinks and food until 8PM.
Thank goodness everyone and their mom has a HD camera now, as it leaves us all with so many more options on the internet and beyond (I consider watching Youtube and Vimeo videos my other job). There are a few really neat (yes, neat) websites in particular that collaborate live music with interesting and just plain beautiful cinematography. What's really cool about these video blogs is that they take the musician out of context and create a sort of Michel Gondry dreamlike reality--this is getting confusing. Just check 'em out at La Blogotheque, They Shoot Music Don't They and Black Cab Sessions.
Hey guys, here's another great opportunity brought to you by Youtube. If you missed out on our 2010 HIFF Fall Festival deadline (which, by the way, is still open to high school students and younger), you may want to check this out. The call seems pretty open ended as far as content goes, so let's get real weird with it everyone!
Oh and PS, did I forget to mention that the most interesting and compelling footage will be used in an experimental documentary, directed by Kevin Macdonald (THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND) and produced by Ridley Scott (this guy literally has 33 projects in production).
Life In A Day is a historic global experiment to create the world's largest user-generated feature film: a documentary, shot in a single day, by you. On July 24, you have 24 hours to capture a glimpse of your life on camera. The most compelling and distinctive footage will be edited into an experimental documentary film, executive produced by Ridley Scott and directed by Kevin Macdonald.
Recently it's been hotter than a cat on a tin roof, which has been a blessing for people who actually enjoy water fun, beach bumming, being outside in general and all those other really warm things. For those of us with less melanin and more hobbit-tendencies, it's almost tempting to go to this refreshing "beach" thing I keep hearing people talk--but now we don't have to!
Opening night is this Friday at 6PM, with free drinks by Kona Brewing Company and Barefoot Wine, food for purchase by Da Spot and entertainment by Dr. Zaius. Get there early as the opening film Lost Prophets: Search for the Collective (which looks pretty fab) starts at 7:30.
Traditionally, HIFF has been a pretty big hitter when it comes to films of Asia and the Pacific; and don't get me wrong, I dig it. However, if I were to pick a favorite (and believe me, I'm going to be the type of parent that will have a favorite child), I'd have to say that European film has stolen my heart--and with style.
Pierrot le fou (1965)
Celebrating it's 30th anniversary, HIFF will be bringing in a new-cool to this year's fall film festival. Anderson Le recently took a trip to the 63rd Festival de Cannes, and although it's not set in stone which films will be chosen, I can guarantee HIFF30 will be one of the best yet. If not, I'll go to Cannes myself next year to make sure of it (did that work? Can I go to Cannes yet?).
HIFF has also partnered up with EuroCinema Hawaii this fall, to whom I'd like to thank for making our Euro-faves a whole lot easier to enjoy. Founded in 2009, EuroCinema Hawaii has taken some significant strides in assisting creative media students with scholarships and the means to have their stories heard worldwide.
And because I love posting trailers and movie clips, the following are three trailers I've casually come across (see: have been obsessing over) this summer. Tournée and Dogtooth both premiered at Cannes, and Terribly Happy is what would happen if the Coen Brothers had a baby with David Lynch.
