Director/producer/independent reporter Kempton Lam has made three Cantonese documentaries with English subtitles (廣東話、英文字幕) in the last decade from 2004 – 2015. Collectively, the three films are known as his “Revolution Trilogy” 「革命三部曲」. Kempton’s debut documentary Long Hair Revolution 長毛革命 has been collected by the Canadian national archive since 2009.
You can have a watch of the three films on YouTube (projected on your HD TV) or the links here. Enjoy!
Elle info from CIFF: //As the head of a video game company, Michèle (Isabelle Huppert, AMOUR, I HEART HUCKABEES) is accustomed to – and ruthless in – high stakes games of strategy, cunning and intrigue. When she is violently attacked in her home, Michèle is lured into a curious and sexually charged test of nerve, strength and emotional stamina. Resolute to not be a victim, Michèle turns to a dark family legacy to find the means of her salvation.
Adapted from the Novel “OH…” by Philippe Dijan, ELLE is a dark twist on the tale of a seemingly helpless victim. In his first French feature film, Paul Verhoeven [RoboCop (1987), Total Recall (1990), andStarship Troopers (1997), and Basic Instinct (1992)] and screenwriter David Blake (13 SINS, GACY) have collaborated to create a heightened emotional landscape where Michèle can be vindicated through violence and her darkest intentions can become reality.//
Suntan info via CIFF: //On the small Greek island of Antiparos, new town doctor Kostis (Makis Papadimitriou, CHEVALIER) leads a solitary life – until he treats an injured tourist named Anna (Elli Tringou). Middle-aged and awkward, Kostis becomes immediately enamoured by the much younger woman and her easy charm. But when he tries to tag along with Anna and her partying friends, Kostis’ attempts to woo her become increasingly uncomfortable. As Anna’s friends grow tired of Kostis and the summer vacation draws to an end, the doctor’s efforts to relive his youth and win Anna’s love threaten his entire career.
The latest in Greek New Wave, SUNTAN is a deadpan comedy/thriller that offers uncomfortable truths about how we see each other.//
How To Prepare For Prison info from CIFF: //Director Matt Gallagher and producer Cornelia Principe in attendance at both screenings! (K Note: Will be very cool to meet the director and producer.)
HOW TO PREPARE FOR PRISON examines the lives of three very different convicts as they navigate the legal system from conviction through sentencing. The cases aren’t considered in terms of guilt or innocence, but rather pragmatically in terms of each convict’s unique life and emotional landscape.
Director Matt Gallagher (IN HER FOOTSTEPS, GRINDERS) follows Joe, Courtney and Demario (respectively charged with marijuana trafficking, fraud and felony assault) over a period of three years as they work with lawyers and prison consultants to anticipate the needs of their families and emotionally prepare for the physical rigours and threats of incarceration. Gallagher also interviews Lee (sentenced to 40 years for armed robbery) whose open and frank discussion of his experience begs the viewer to consider the difference between the humiliation of punishment and constructive rehabilitation.//
Hooligan Sparrow (流氓燕) info from CIFF: //Chinese activist Ye Haiyan already had a reputation as an agitator when six schoolgirls went missing in her province in 2013. A prominent women’s rights activist, she had made a name for herself protesting for the rights of sex workers while blogging under the name of “Hooligan Sparrow.” So when two school officials are investigated for kidnapping and sexually abusing six schoolchildren, Ye’s fierce protests quickly go viral.
Documentarian Nanfu Wang chronicles the resulting harassment, eviction and violence that Ye endures while also investigating corrupt public servants, plain-clothed policemen that suddenly turn their intimidation efforts towards her. A harrowing whistleblower story shot mostly on a hidden camera and smuggled out of the country, HOOLIGAN SPARROW is a testament to the bravery of both the subject and the filmmaker.//
P.S. 7 minutes video from Guardian. “Wang Yu was the most high profile of the lawyers arrested in July 2015 in a crackdown on rights campaigners in China. She was held on suspicion of inciting subversion after one of her last cases, a sexual assault involving six underage girls and their school headteacher in Wanning City. Despite pressure on the girls’ parents to stay quiet, Wang Yu took up their case, risking her safety to inform the public about their rights, and fighting for the incident to be classified as rape.“
It’s Only The End of The World CIFF2016 info: //IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD tells the heartbreaking story of Louis, a writer who must confront his past near the end of his life. Twelve years after leaving his hometown, Louis receives an invitation from his family to return home for a meal – but he brings with him news of his terminal diagnosis and impending death.
Directed by Canadian festival darling Xavier Dolan, IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD features a star-studded cast of French acting talent like Marion Cottiard (LA VIE EN ROSE), Vincent Cassel (LE HAINE), Léa Seydoux (SPECTRE), Nathalie Baye, and Gaspard Ulliel. The film was named the Grand Prize of the Jury winner at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival while Dolan received a Palme d’Or nomination.//
Reuters report: //27-year-old Canadian director Xavier Dolan returns to Cannes with family drama ‘Juste la fin du monde’ (It’s Only the End of the World). Rough cut (no reporter narration).//
Burn Your Maps info from CIFF 2016: //Director Jordan Roberts in attendance at the screening on September 23! (K Note: I very much looking forward to watch the film and the CIFF2016 Q&A.)
Eight-year-old Wes (Jacob Tremblay, ROOM) has always felt a little bit out of place. After a family tragedy, Wes comes to realize that he’s not truly a young American boy – he’s supposed to be a Mongolian goat herder, and was born in the wrong place. Enlisting the help of an Indian filmmaker and a crowdfunding campaign, they set off to the steppes of Asia with Wes’ family in tow. Against all odds, trekking across the other side of the world might be just what they need in order to be close together again.
Co-written and directed by Jordan Roberts (BIG HERO 6) and starring Vera Farmiga (BATES MOTEL, SOURCE CODE) and Martin Csokas (NOAH), BURN YOUR MAPS is an comedy-drama filmed in Alberta that highlights the indomitable spirit of humanity, hope and finding your place in a big, crazy world.//
//When balancing compelling cinematic storytelling with a technology still in an experimental stage, creative, production, and post-production teams must work together in uncharted territory to build cohesive blueprints for VR projects. Trailblazers in the field walk us through the unique challenges and creative possibilities of this burgeoning medium.//
//Just as the film industry embraced early digital technologies, which have now evolved into the SVOD platforms, OTT, and on-demand services we see today, there is now mass movement into Virtual Reality. Companies are formulating strategies on how best to monetize this new technology and the content available. This discussion will examine the business models they are exploring, look at how they plan to overcome the challenges associated with evolving technology, and highlight the ways the film industry and filmmakers could best exploit the financial opportunities VR presents.//
//From Swingers and Go, to the Bourne Series, Mr & Mrs Smith, and The Edge of Tomorrow, director/writer/producer Doug Liman is always seeking innovative ways to deliver high-octane compelling stories in film and television. Liman reveals why he and his company, 30 Ninjas, are venturing and investing in VR, multi-platform and interactive content, and discusses his new VR short-action series. Invisible, a partnership from Condé Nast Entertainment, 30 Ninjas, Jaunt and Samsung.//
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