VIFF 2013: Our Most Anticipated Films

September 24, 2013 Film Festival, VIFF 2013 No Comments

Burning Bush (dir. Agnieszka Holland)

Editor’s Notes: The following article is part of our coverage of the 2013 Vancouver International Film Festival. For more information on the festival visit http://www.viff.org/ and follow VIFF on Twitter at @VIFFest

Nebraska (dir. Alexander Payne) [Alex's review]
[Trailer]

I’m unfortunately going to miss the first two screenings due to Fantastic Fest, I’m hoping the festival adds more screenings. Are you listening VIFF? Directed by Alexander Payne is all I really need to hear to pique my interest. The film is about an elderly man venturing from Montana to Nebraska in order to claim a million dollar prize with his son. Bruce Dern plays the lead, Will Forte is supporting and Bob Odenkirk’s name appears in the credits. Shot in black and white this film looks great.

Ain’t Them Bodies Saints (dir. David Lowery) [Julian's review]

This film has generated a lot of buzz this year. The film is about a pair of lovers torn apart after a shootout with the police lands Bob (Casey Affleck) in jail. The cast includes a variety of talent: Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara and Ben Foster. This won a Cinematography Award at Cannes, sign me up!

All is Lost (dir. J.C. Chandor)

Robert Redford plays a man stranded alone at sea in a damaged boat. I’m a bit of a sucker for survival films. With one of our generation’s finest actors at the helm this looks spectacular.

Blue is the Warmest Colour (dir. Abdellatif Kechiche) [David's review]

Lea Seydoux has been on my radar since Midnight in Paris and I’m thrilled to check out this film. The film won the Palme D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, immediately skyrocketing this to the top of my must see list. Judging from the tweets and reviews, this film cannot be missed.

Burning Bush (dir. Agnieszka Holland)
[Trailer]

Advertised as a three-part docudrama, this could be my only chance to see this on the big screen. I read some tweets out of TIFF and while this is a large time commitment (4 hours) it looks like a grand scale experience that cannot be missed. The series is about the self-immolation of Jan Palach in 1969 and the fallout that ensued. Thankfully this film comes along with two brief intermissions.

The Face of Love (dir. Arie Posin)

This is the closing gala film of VIFF 2013. The Face of Love is about a woman who falls for a man who bears resemblance to her late husband. Annette Bening did a fine job with The Kids Are All Right, I cannot wait to see her in this film. The cast also includes Ed Harris and Robin Williams. Let’s hope this marks the return of the Williams I once adored.

Fanie Fourie’s Lobola (dir. Henk Pretorius)

This film won the audience award at Seattle Film Festival, a festival that displays great taste in cinema. It’s about an Afrikaan man falling in love with a Zulu woman and the cultural clash that’s bound to happen. Sounds a bit like Romeo & Juliet! I’m a sucker for a good romance, especially when you mix in forces set out to stop said romance.

The Kill Team (dir. Dan Krauss)

This is an expose based on soldiers killing innocent civilians for sport in Afghanistan. A young soldier stepped forward to blow the whistle and was promptly a target in a series of war crimes. While the content seems grim it sounds like the kind of story that must be told.

The Lunchbox (dir. Ritesh Batra)

I’m a man who likes to go into movies cold. It’s common for me to skip all IMDB pages and trailers if I want to see a movie. I enjoy Irrfan Khan’s work and A.O. Scott (one of my favorite critics) gave this a glowing review out of Telluride.

That Burning Feeling (dir. Jason James)

This is a rom-com centered on an STD! The premise alone sounds hysterical. The trailer is quite funny and it’s set in Vancouver, a ferry ride away from me. Let’s hope they find that fine line between gross-out comedy and heartwarming romance.

Cannes Review: Nebraska (2013)
Caught somewhere between formula and freshness, Nebraska feels like a second-hand movie touched-up by a steady hand. Directing from a script by Bob Nelson, Alexander Payne (Election, Sideways) leav...
TIFF 2013: Our Most Anticipated Films
With over 300 features and shorts, 146 world premieres, and films from 70 countries, it's easy to get overwhelmed at this year's edition of the Toronto International Film Festival. To help sort it ...
Review: The Descendants (2011)
It’s been seven long years since Alexander Payne’s last film, Sideways, lit up the screen in a truly unforgettable way. Exploring dark, complex themes of loneliness and depression, while never forg...
Melbourne Film Festival Review: Ain’t Them Bodies Saints (2013)
There is something missing from Ain’t Them Bodies Saints. Sometimes it is hard to put your finger on, other times it is glaringly obvious. A vague description, I am aware, but it is fitting for thi...
Trailer: Ain’t Them Bodies Saints
The tale of an outlaw who escapes from prison and sets out across the Texas hills to reunite with his wife and the daughter he has never met. Stars Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara and Ben Foster. Direct...

Bio
Latest Posts

Adrian Charlie

Staff Film Critic

I'm from Victoria BC and love watching films from all corners of the world. I'm fascinated by interpreting films and connecting with other film lovers. I love sharp, clever dialogue (QT), beautifully shot films (The Thin Red Line) and a filmmaker who trusts the audience to put it all together and leave room for discussion (PTA).