Today was another long day, but in a good way. I managed to see four films! Although we did oversleep, and I did miss the VR showing of Defrost: The VR Series at 10:00AM. That's not too bad though, because I managed to catch a movie at the Grey d'Albion with Chris and Sarah at 11:30.
My original plan had been to see a Taiwanese film titled Chopin Nocturne at 12:00, which was relatively short and looked amazing. I was going to follow this up with a showing of Robin, a Danish psychological thriller about a woman who believes she has witnessed a murder. (Let it be known, I love Scandinavian films. I just love Scandinavia. There's a long story behind that.)
However, Sarah had heard of a showing at 11:30 for a film called Madtown, about a comedian who admits to murder during his stand up act and causes "controversy". The lead actor was Milo Ventimiglia, who was also the main protagonist in the four-season TV show Heroes. #RIPSylar. You were gone too soon, but your production value was gone sooner.
...In hindsight, I probably should've stuck with my original plan. But that's what reviews are for!
Following this, I met up with other students in the Am Pav to see Gil Roberston, the president of the African American Film Critics' Association (AAFCA). Kohn had been so amazing to set this up for us, and I appreciated the conversation.
Immediately after this, I got in line with Kelsey, Jacob, and Chris to finally see Wonderstruck. AND BOY WAS I AMAZED. JULIANNE MOORE PLEASE TAKE MY SOUL.
People had been telling me that Julianne Moore's role in the film wasn't that large? I disagree???? She was perfect in every way?????????
Go see Wonderstruck. That is all.
After this, we got a quick bite to eat before getting back in line at the Salle du 60e for the screening of They.
Before I go into this, there is some backstory that is necessary. I've been anticipating this film all week, because the story focuses on a nonbinary teenager who has been taking puberty blockers as they decide whether or not to transition between a boy or a girl.
The thing is, I also identify as nonbinary, specifically agender. And while I don't (often) deal with body dysphoria, mentally it can be a challenge. I don't identify as male or female, and I prefer to go by they/them pronouns when relevant. So, going into They, I was prepared for two outcomes: either I was going to cry from happiness from good representation, or I was going to leave offended at the first film I had ever seen to explicitly deal with agender and nonbinary identities that weren't necessarily transgender.
Longer story short: I need to write a thank you letter to the director.
I left this film in tears. It was slow, yes, and cinematically it might not be spectacular, but the symbolic expressions used to explain agender and nonbinary identities was so perfect. Yes, transitioning can be compared to the immigration process and makes sense, and yes, the inclusion of dementia as a foil to the confusion was perfect. I felt that the film perfectly captured the apathetic confusion that comes with not identifying with gender, and I need to thank the director this as soon as I can. Hopefully I will get the chance.
Still coming off of the high of They, however, we ran into a trap. The Kaos Brief.
God bless their publicist. Without him, I don't know how this film would have gotten me in there. (It was probably the promise of drinks. Or maybe his hair.) He deserves a raise.
Let's be clear, I didn't hate this film. But being exhausted from two longer-than-and-hour-and-a-half movies had left my ADHD focus frazzled. Throw in a "horror" genre found footage film about alien abductions and the men in black? You've lost me. It was comical.
However, I will save the rest for my review.
We never did get those drinks.
Movie count: 11
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