A gorgeous film in the “Bright Nights Festival” at the ByTowne caught my eye. Queen without Land is a documentary by Norwegian filmmaker Asgeir Helgestad about his encounters with a beautiful mother polar bear, whom he names Frost, and her two adorable cubs. He filmed it over a four-year period in Svalbard, an archipelago between mainland Norway and the North Pole; we see Frost’s home transformed through all the seasons. But we also see the dramatic effects of global warming on the sea ice which is so vital to Frost’s survival. A true story from the melting Arctic.
Another beautiful documentary with a message, River is on my must-see list at the ByTowne. Its stunning cinematography reminds me of Edward Burtynsky’s massive aerial photographs. Human civilizations exist because of rivers, but our civilization’s insatiable appetite for rivers’ resources is endangering the existence of both rivers and humanity.
At the ByTowne, you have another chance to see an exceptional film: Women Talking, based on the novel by one of Canada’s best novelists, Miriam Toews, based on an actual event in an isolated fundamentalist Mennonite colony in Bolivia. Sarah Polley’s screenplay won her the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. And in the opinion of many, she should have been nominated for best director, too; she and a group of excellent actresses produced a profoundly beautiful and thought-provoking film. Women Talking follows a group of women in a strict Mennonite colony as they struggle to reconcile their deep faith with how to react to the vicious sexual assaults they and their children have suffered for years from some of the colony’s men. Should they stay and fight, or should they leave? A profound film that will have you thinking about their dilemma long afterwards.
I’m a fan of animation, so Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman is on my must-see list. Based on stories by the Japanese author Haruki Murakami, it follows three people who are seeking meaning in their lives. Somehow, they’re also being tasked by a giant talking frog with saving Tokyo from total destruction. The director, Pierre Földes, has used a live-action 3D motion capture process for the characters’ memories, dreams and visions. At the ByTowne.
The annual celebration of commercials (yes, commercials) is back at the ByTowne. The International Festival of Creativity pits commercials from around the world against each other in various categories to win a coveted bronze, silver, gold or grand prix Lion. The 2022 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity at the ByTowne lets you see many of the award winners. They were some of the year’s most entertaining, inspirational and humorous commercials on the planet.
The ByTowne’s “Fonda Forever” festival kicks off with Klute, which I think is Jane Fonda’s best role. Her performance as Bree Daniels, a call girl and aspiring actress, won her one of her two “best actress in a leading role“ Oscars. It’s also one of Donald Sutherland’s most memorable roles—he plays John Klute, a small-town detective who is searching for a missing man, with a possible connection to Bree. Plus, someone is stalking Bree. This taut psychological thriller will have you holding your breath.
I’m so glad both cinemas have brought back a small Irish gem—The Quiet Girl! It tells the story of Cáit, a young girl sent away from her neglectful poverty-stricken family to live with “her mother’s people,” a prosperous middle-aged farming couple. The wife is welcoming and though initially the husband is brusque with their little guest, he gradually warms to her presence. Cáit is quiet and withdrawn, but begins to blossom under the care of her temporary parents. All the actors are superb, especially young Catherine Clinch as Cáit. Everyone I know who has seen The Quiet Girl has loved it; I think you will, too. P.S. At the ByTowne, it’s playing on Mother’s Day. I don’t have any info about the Mayfair’s mid-May schedule, but maybe they’ve programmed the film on Mother’s Day, too.
What else can you treat Mom to on Mother’s Day? How about tea, a yummy scone, and a romantic Jane Austen film? Yep, the ByTowne’s “High Tea Cinema” is back, this time with director Ang Lee’s gorgeous Sense and Sensibility. The multi-talented Emma Thompson wrote the Oscar-winning screenplay and stars as Elinor Dashwood, along with Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman and many other excellent British actors. The film won BAFTAs for best film, best leading actress (Thompson) and best supporting actress (Winslet), and Thompson’s screenplay won an Oscar. Sense and Sensibility is a real treat.
So much to see! Enjoy yourselves!
Dates, times, and tickets are available on the ByTowne and Mayfair websites.
.gif)