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Second Sight (2008, Director: Alison McAlpine): Through the wit and charm of near-80 Donald Angus MacLean, filmmaker Alison McAlpine explores the oral tradition in northern Scotland on the Isle of Skye. Donald “Angie” is quite a character, an entertaining rogue with an eye for the ladies and an ear for a good story. A former preacher, Donald drives around the town in his red car (his name written across the trunk), his dog in the passenger seat, visiting a few of the island’s even more entertaining characters. These residents reveal their stories of premonitions, spectres and ghost cars. Their ability to see what is unseen, known as second sight, is set against the hills, moors and mist that make up the island. However, these are not simply ghost stories—at least, that’s what the residents would have you believe. They tell their tales in earnest, retelling them as if what they witnessed happened only hours earlier. McAlpine certainly captures the overall eeriness of the subject while at the same time framing the beautiful landscape that is Scotland north. With a few laughs along the way, Second Sight will make you think twice about the things you cannot see.
Official site of the film
(9/10)
Tagged as:
scotland
Red Road (Director: Andrea Arnold, UK/Denmark, 2006): I saw Red Road back in September as part of TIFF, and it was definitely one of my favourites. The director was on hand to explain the concept behind “The Advance Party”, a project/concept for a trilogy of three films of which Red Road is the first.
I didn’t know anything about The Advance Party before seeing the film, nor did I realize that Lars von Trier was involved at all, so that was a pleasant surprise. It is an intense, riveting piece and I really enjoyed how the themes and plot slowly rolled out. It was especially interesting afterwards, too, to read the character descriptions/restrictions that Arnold and the next two films’ directors were given to work with.
As the film is concluding its festival tour, Indiewire has a short article which details Red Road’s success and also sheds some light on The Advance Party, including some challenges that Arnold faced working within its structure.
UPDATE: The film will open in Toronto at the Royal Cinema on June 29th.
Official site for the film
More information from Glasgow Film
Interview with director Andrea Arnold at Reverse Shot
Tagged as:
denmark,
independent,
larsvontrier,
scotland,
TIFF,
uk
Sweet Sixteen (UK, 2002, Ken Loach, director): A completely charming mix of hope and despair set in Greenock, a troubled shipyard town about an hour outside of Glasgow. Fifteen-year old Liam spends his time trying to scrounge enough money to buy a caravan (trailer) for his mom and him to live in when she’s released from prison. He needs money fast, and decides to cut in on his mom’s boyfriend’s heroin trade. Of course, he’s soon in way over his head. Among the rest of the non-professional cast, Martin Compston’s performance floored me. He captures that period between childhood and adulthood with just the right mix of emotions. He was sitting in the seat right behind me and when the film was over, I turned to him, speechless, and just shook his hand. 10/10
The Man Without A Past (Finland, 2002, Aki Kaurismäki, director): This sweet-natured film tells the story of a man given a fresh start. After being brutally mugged, the man loses his memory and has to rebuild his life. Without a job or money, he lands among the poorest of Helsinki’s denizens, living in a cargo container by the docks. He meets and falls in love with a Salvation Army worker, and this relationship in particular made the film seem like an old 50s melodrama. The warm lighting and bright colours added to the romantic feel. This little twist of irony, as well as a generous helping of deadpan humour, had me smiling even as our hero struggled against the prejudices of a society unable to trust a man without a name. 9/10
Tagged as:
finland,
scotland