Le Fear II: Le Sequel (2015)

Murphy's Law

 

 

 

Imagine that you are making a movie and everything that can go wrong does. This is the premise of Le Fear II: Le Sequel. Director Carlos Revalos is talked into remortgaging his house to produce his new horror movie. On shooting day the so-called film set is what appears to be a tiny second-hand trailer parked by the busy street. The unprofessional movie crew is made of the worst people to ever be on set. Le Fear II: Le Sequel is a funny take on what can go wrong with a nymphomaniac make-up artist or an Avatar-special effects wannabe. The documentary-style camera follows the very slow breakdown of the director. The plot is original enough to surprise you at first with its bizarre characters but I believe it would have made a better short than a feature-length movie. The story drags the viewer along for longer than needed. In the beginning of the movie, I obviously rooted for the director but as he tripped over the same obstacles again and again, I started to think he deserved it. Le Fear II: Le Sequel is an unpretentious comedy made from an original and simple idea and featuring a very eclectic cast. We can only expect the worst to happen to Carlos as he will try to get his bloody horror movie selected for the Cannes festival in Le Fear III: Le Cannes.

1 reason to watch: if you are a filmmaker with production issues, it will make you put things into perspective.

 

Read my interview with director Jason Croot here!

 

 

Aatsinki: The Story of Arctic Cowboys (2013)

Reindeer Slaughter Made Poetic

Aatsinki: the Story of Arctic Cowboys is a visual marvel and a mind-blowing tribute to Finnish Lapland and self-sustainability in the harshest natural environment. The title is a little misleading as this documentary is not a story per se, it is an observation of the Aatsinki family and their reindeer herder business. The director, Jessica Oreck, seems to pose as a discreet and spy-ish witness of their Lappish way of life. The lack of narrative and explanation may seem strange to most viewers. They legitimately can think that the film's structure is dubious but I feel like this is an ideal directorial commitment that captures the essence of the Finnish mindset: the majesty of silence, the harmony of man with nature, the everyday rituals - especially the religious Finnish coffee-making process. Anyone who is slightly familiar with Finnish culture knows that Finns are not the biggest sharers and that there is no such thing as small-talk in Finland. Oreck takes us where winter's endless nights oppose the summer endless days. You will almost see it all - this includes a wonderful aurora borealis. But I said 'almost' because I do think there is a major thing lacking from this movie: the importance of Finnish sauna. I'm pretty sure that the Aatsinki family possesses a traditional sauna but not even once is it mentioned. This is probably due to the fact that this is an American movie. I haven't seen such a beautiful and masterly-handled cinematography since Heima. The sound editing in itself immerses us into a cottony winter wonderland that subtly muffles the wilderness sounds. Even with minimal dialog and no exchange with the observer, Oreck makes us enter the privileged and very intimate Aatsinki family circle and heightens our senses. I wouldn't recommend Aatsinki for anyone with vegetarian or vegan sensitivity as there are scenes of reindeer slaughter and various animal branding acts. This documentary is a beautiful ode to the wild that you ought to watch on a big screen in a comfortable theater to witness each magnificent detail.

1 reason to watch: one of the best cinematography

1 reason NOT to watch: if you are vegetarian/vegan, you may want to pass

Heima (2007)

A Tribute to Iceland, its People and Culture

Heima is one of these movies that makes you feel. Just feel. With each pore of your skin. And makes you  reflect on your life fundamentals. All my senses and emotions are surfacing at the sound of live music of the incredible indie band that is Sigur Rós. Heima (meaning 'at home' in Icelandic) is a cultural journey through the Land of Volcanos & Geysers following the unannounced home tour of the band. This music tour documentary is more about Iceland, its people and culture than the band itself. In my opinion there is no better impression of Iceland : the calm and slow way of life, the shyness of its people, their clever and down-to-earth state of mind. I find Heima's cinematography and sound mind-blowing through their simplicity. I believe there is no such thing as a good movie without a good soundtrack: in Heima, the music simply is the story. I was able to hear the ‘sound’ of Iceland while watching the movie; not only through the band's live performances but also through the sounds and silences of nature itself. I find this movie truly soothing and revealing of the power and greatness of Icelandic nature. I believe there is no better tribute to the Icelandic people and land than this very poetic and artistic piece. And no better gift to the world to get a real feel of Iceland. The live performances are incredible and diverse: you will notice them play in big venues or in little houses or even outside an abandoned barn somewhere in the middle of nowhere. You will witness the band in intimate environments like solo interviews where the members share their feel of fame and happiness to go back to their home and roots. The magical part of the movie is to see how Sigur Rós gives back to their community: they invite locals to perform with them from the marching band of a village to a peculiar instruments maker. Since Sigur Rós is generally the only thing foreigners know about Iceland, Heima is a great preview of what else the country has to offer to its visitors. 

1 reason to watch: get a real feel of Iceland!