WHO TO CALL: Community Editor Entertainment Editor Andrew McCredie Layne Christensen 985-2131 (147) 985-2131 (118) sac NEE eal CON Ea Rai cia LUE SPAS ly RECESS aise A Ni i ek THE DIRECTOR of the Vancouver. International Film Festival. — inadver- tently or otherwise — let slip a few tips about which ‘films are likely.to be smash. hits at this year’s event. - Here they are. Don’t say we didn’ t warn you, ' The Delegation: A collabo- fation between Russia and Ttaly, this film set in Venice stars Inna Churikoya,- who shone in last year’s: marvellous festival pre- sentation, The Year of the Dog. This",:time, Churikova is charmed by a man (Luca Barbareschi) who is not exactly what he seems. “This is a film that. no: distributor seems to know about yet,” says Franey. In other words, if you don’t see it “now, -you “may” never . get. the chance again. Mother Dao, The Turtlelike: Franey describes this Dutch pro- ° t jf by -Vincent. Monnikendam as an “absolutely : duction. fascinating film,” one of the best he’s ever seen’'— and in his - case, that must be saying some- thing..Monnikendam ‘used over 260,000 metres of 35 mm nitrate film shot between 1912 ‘and 1933 for the purpose of edu- cating Netherlanders on the sub- ‘ject: of. their territories in Indonesia: ‘eschewed » The .. director narrative in favor -of Indonesian poems, songs. and | ‘sounds. » Shanghai: Triad: The latest collaboration , between: Chinese director ‘Zhang Yimou (Raise the. Red. Lantern) and actress Gong Li is likely to be especial- ly. appealing ‘to Vancouver's . Chinese community.’ Its tale of betrayal and revenge won the Jury award at Cannes earlier this year. An addition to saluting the “Centenary ‘of Cinema”. with ' such events as the opening-night gala. screening. of a. newly “restored classic, Paul. Fejos’ ‘Lonesome; the festival is mark- ‘ing. the SOth anniversary of the ‘end of World War 1] with four films by the great British film- ‘making ‘team of ° director “Michael: Powell and screen: writer Emeric Pressburger: The “Spy in, Black (1939), The’ 49th Parallel (1941), One of Our Aircraft is Missing (1942) and A Matter of Life .and»' Death (1946). : > Kate Zimmerman . IF. THE Vancouver Internationa! Film Festival is a circus, director Alan Franey is ils star acrobat. By Kate Zimmerman Contributing Writer Every year he walks the tightrope between pre-- senting independent films which have already proved to be crowd-pleasers at other festivals, and launching others which will pique the interest of the movie . industry worldwide. : “What happens at film festivals i is public opinion is formed.” says Franey. What else happens? Industry people: schmooze —": at both the festival, which runs Sept, 29-Oct. 15, and - its attendant. two-day;.Film- and Television’ Trade Forum, which takes place Oct. 5-7. “Film festivals are the conventions of the movic business," Franey explains. “That's really where one gets in touch with state-of-the-art new technologies’ and the problems shared between countries.” ‘ The event is also’a chance for. the industry's : movers and shakers to see first hand how real audi- ences respond to the movies on the'screens. Directors can meet producers, actors can meet casting agents, and members of the public can rub shoulders with great artists of the movie world. This year, the 60 guests from the international film world include Inna Churikova, the actress Franey characterizes as “Russia's Katharine Hepburn.” Other visiting luminaries to ‘see and be seen are director Tran Anh Hung (Cyclo, The Scent of Green Papaya), cinematographer Sacha Vierney (the 1959 classic Hiroshima Mon Amour) and Allan Francovich, who : will discuss his controversial documentary about the alleged cover-up behind the Lockerbie air disaster. The. world’s most famous film stars are more likely to: appear at the high-profile Cannes festival than at the VIFF. But chances that the audience will enjoy. the movie they see here “may be greater, since Vancouver's selections ‘are curated, unlike those at the French event. “ “When'l go there (Cannes), there’s no 0 guarantee that the film I see has been chosen because of its virtues,” says Franey, ‘ who takes in up to 12 movies 2 day at Cannes and often walks out of them. “We show films we think the audience will like.” Franey has a crack team of movie enthusiasts helping him . make those decisions; between them, they see. between 5,000 and 10,000 movies a year. In addition to relying on staffers -. who attend film festivals and screen videotapes, the festival « ” has experts in Berlin, Paris, New York and Boston who make recommendations based on what they have seen there. “We have to do the follow-up,” Franey says. “We get the film, but we - trust their. opinion.on it and often we'll, get them to write the program note on it.” . ~ Though Franey jooks youthful, he“ might be described as a grizzled vet- “eran of this scene. He’s been involved Wednesday, September 27, 1995 - North Shors News — 15 2 STORIES ESS “this year —= ~ 500 volunteers and five full-time staff. It's a big deal, fraught with complica- . tions. ~“f-don't think people realize that/a prini? fe weighs 75 pounds and has to be: Fed-Ex'd:: from the Haifa Film Festival and’a few days later sent on to Ghent.” Franey says in refer-_ ence to the diminishing supply of independen films chased by an ever-increasing number of film festivals. : a Franey’s challenge in this competitive mar-,. ’ ket is to distinguish the Vancouver event :;— which -this year celebrates: the centenary of cinema — from its many competitors.“ He says its themes achieve that. In general, “We concentrate on documentaries, Canadian “ and East Asian films.” TOP PHOTO: J A scene ‘trom Dutch = This year Canadian film specialist Alison’ filmmaker Vincent Monnikendam’s Vermee has selected over 50 new features and’ Mother Dao, The Turtlellke. Above shorts from across Canada. with an emphasis photo: Luca Barbareschi stars:in. : ° on those from the west. °° The Delegation. Boih films wiii' be... ° But the first films to sell out at the festival shown during the » Vancouver « : international: Film Festival, Sept. _ ‘See Schmooze es page 16 "29-0et. 15. . an cAITICS' eae ane eae Theake tee. | THIS WEEK'S PICKS: © avenact Ramina tion at the Ridge Theatre: — the. brainchild of Leonard Schein. Franey became festival director in 1988 and has seén‘it grow from an attraction that. played to'17,000 people at the . Ridge to the. mammoth operation monopolizing five theatres that drew 112,000 in two weeks last yeur. There -are.35 people working on short-term’ contract for the festival : HARRISON GALLERIES presents an exhibition of new works by José Salvador Come and enjoy the sunny | patios & courtyards of Spain he 1471 Marine Drive, 7 28x22”. 0 West Vancouver oo 926-2615 Mild = Mild Mild ie “FICTION | Rent it from Tom’s Video and VIDEOS Se sk" enter for a chance to ; ron 3 BAYS. ONLY S90: "WIN DELUXE PULP FICTION . 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