Tag: Juliette Binoche

SLIFF 2017 Review – SLACK BAY

 

SLACK BAY screens as part of the 26th Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival on Saturday, November 11 at 2:45 PM at Landmark’s Plaza Frontenac Cinemas. For ticket information click HERE. it also screens at the same venue on Sunday, November 12 at 5:15 PM. For ticket information click HERE.

In the mood for a frantic fast-paced farce filled with slapstick with a French flavor? Then pack your bags, or at least grab a bag of popcorn, and escape to the sandy beaches and rolling waves of SLACK BAY. It’s set in 1910, just as modern technology was creeping in via the “horseless carriage”. The story focuses on two families at the opposite ends of the economic spectrum. We first meet the poor but proud Bruforts headed by patriarch L’Eternel who make their main living as oyster and mussel farmers. But in order to make ends meet they also operate a ferry for the vacationing “swells” to cross a wide shallow stretch of water. L’Eternel and his tall, lanky teenage son Ma Lout either shuttle folks across in a canoe or carry individuals, “across the threshold”-style to the dry land. However, they’ve got another way to put…ahem…food on the table (a most unusual diet, indeed). One of the families that make use of their ferry service is the Van Peteghams who occupy a swanky vacation home high in the hills. Their head of the household is the doddering Andre (Fabrice Luchini) along with his jittery wife Isabelle. Their two teenage daughters, Gaby and Blanche are there along with cousin Billie, who alternates male and female attire (a flowing dress in the morning, a crisp suit and tie in the afternoon). Their routine is upending by the arrival of more relatives (they’re a really, REALLY close family). First is Isabelle’s wildly eccentric brother Christian, followed by Andre’s melodramatic sister Aude (Juliette Binoche), mother of Billie. Not far from the estate, the local authorities, led by corpulent Inspector Machin, are investigating several missing Bay visitors. Add to the mix a romance between Billie and Ma Lout, and the stage is set for complete comic chaos.

 

Several different story threads are kept in motion like a vaudevillian’s spinning plates by director/ screenwriter Bruno Dumont. The surly, quick-to-violence Bruforts snipe and squawk while stuck in squalor. Meanwhile the boorish Van Peteghams berate their servants and wreak havoc while trying to have fun (sand-sailing for one). Literally bouncing between them is the husky Machin who gasps and wheezes before rolling down inclines like a careening boulder. Luchini’s Andre is stuffier, stammering take on the “upper class twit” from the Python gang. And Binoche gets to cut loose in a “go for broke” comic performance full of fluttering swoons and wild-eyed mugging and shrieks. The calamities cruise toward a startling climax which literally takes flight into the realm of far-flung fantasy. For those who think French cinema is oh so somber and serious, the loopy SLACK BAY should make them change their (loony) tune.

Win Passes To The Advance Screening Of GHOST IN THE SHELL In St. Louis

GHOST IN THE SHELL

In the near future, Major (Scarlett Johansson) is the first of her kind: A human saved from a terrible crash, who is cyber-enhanced to be a perfect soldier devoted to stopping the world’s most dangerous criminals. When terrorism reaches a new level that includes the ability to hack into people’s minds and control them, Major is uniquely qualified to stop it. As she prepares to face a new enemy, Major discovers that she has been lied to: her life was not saved, it was stolen. She will stop at nothing to recover her past, find out who did this to her and stop them before they do it to others. Based on the internationally acclaimed Japanese Manga, “The Ghost in the Shell.”

Directed by Rupert Sanders and stars Scarlett Johansson, Pilou Asbæk, Takeshi Kitano, Michael Pitt & Juliette Binoche.

See GHOST IN THE SHELL in theaters nationwide on March 31, 2017 in REALD 3D and IMAX 3D.

WAMG invites you to enter for the chance to win TWO (2) seats to the advance screening of GHOST IN THE SHELL on March 29TH at 7PM in the St. Louis area.

Answer the following:

Scarlett Johansson stars as Griet, a young 17th-century servant in the household of the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer in which 2003 film?

TO ENTER, ADD YOUR NAME, ANSWER AND EMAIL IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. YOU MUST BE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA THE DAY OF THE SCREENING.

2. No purchase necessary. A pass does not guarantee a seat at a screening. Seating is on a first-come, first served basis. The theater is overbooked to assure a full house. The theater is not responsible for overbooking.

This film has been rated PG 13.

http://ghostintheshell.tumblr.com/

xGITS_Online_Dom_Teaser 1-Sheet

Scarlett Johansson Stars In First Superbowl TV Spot With GHOST IN THE SHELL

GITS_Online_Dom_Teaser 1-Sheet

Everything they told her was a lie.

Get a first look at the new GHOST IN THE SHELL spot before it debuts in the Big Game on Sunday.

Based on the internationally-acclaimed sci-fi property, GHOST IN THE SHELL follows Major, a special ops, one-of-a-kind human-cyborg hybrid, who leads the elite task force Section 9. Devoted to stopping the most dangerous criminals and extremists, Section 9 is faced with an enemy whose singular goal is to wipe out Hanka Robotic’s advancements in cyber technology.

Directed by Rupert Sanders, the film stars Scarlett Johansson, Pilou Asbæk, Takeshi Kitano, Michael Pitt & Juliette Binoche.

GHOST IN THE SHELL opens in theaters nationwide on March 31, 2017 in REALD 3D and IMAX 3D.

GHOST IN THE SHELL Social Handles
#GhostInTheShell
Instagram:@GhostInTheShell
Twitter: @GhostInShell
Facebook: /GhostInTheShellMovie

Scarlett Johansson plays The Major in Ghost in the Shell from Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures in theaters March 31, 2017.

Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
© 2016 Paramount Pictures. All rights Reserved.

Scarlett Johansson, Takeshi Kitano And Director Rupert Sanders Share First Look At GHOST IN THE SHELL Trailer

gitsonlinedomteaser-1-sheet

In celebration of the upcoming film GHOST IN THE SHELL, stars Scarlett Johansson, “Beat” Takeshi Kitano, and director Rupert Sanders joined fans and influencers from across the globe in Tokyo on Sunday for the film’s global launch party.

Scarlett Johansson on stage during the Ghost in the Shell Fan Event at Tabloid in Tokyo, Japan November 13, 2016
Scarlett Johansson on stage during the Ghost in the Shell Fan Event at Tabloid in Tokyo, Japan November 13, 2016

Opening with Taiko drummers, including the legendary anime film composer Kenji Kawai, the event held at TABLOID began with a screening of never-before-seen footage from the film. Attendees were given an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the costumes and props from the film, as well as an opportunity to capture their experience in a film-centric experiential photo booth – “Becoming the Major.” The exciting show concluded with Johansson, Kitano, and Sanders debuting the film’s global trailer, triggering its worldwide launch.

Based on the internationally-acclaimed sci-fi property, GHOST IN THE SHELL follows Major, a special ops, one-of-a-kind human-cyborg hybrid, who leads the elite task force Section 9. Devoted to stopping the most dangerous criminals and extremists, Section 9 is faced with an enemy whose singular goal is to wipe out Hanka Robotic’s advancements in cyber technology.

GHOST IN THE SHELL opens in theaters March 31, 2017.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GhostInTheShellMovie

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GhostInShell

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostintheshellmovie/

Tumblr: http://ghostintheshell.tumblr.com/

Scarlett Johansson plays The Major in Ghost in the Shell from Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures in theaters March 31, 2017.
Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures © 2016 Paramount Pictures. All rights Reserved.

Win THE 33 Digital Soundtrack And Prizepack

Txtd Miners Names Vertical THE33 (691x1024)

WAMG is giving away TWO (2) prizepacks from the film, THE 33.

Win THE 33 digital soundtrack download. The digital soundtrack by composer James Horner will be released Friday, November 6.

the 33

TWO GRAND PRIZE WINNERS WILL RECEIVE:

  • The Digital Soundtrack
  • T-shirt
  • Book
  • Flashlight

THREE WINNERS WILL RECEIVE:

  • The Digital Soundtrack

Order the soundtrack here: http://www.amazon.com/33-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack/dp/B017NVUWII/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1447078022&sr=8-3&keywords=the+33+soundtrack

33-BA-04946r

ENTER YOUR NAME AND E-MAIL IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION BELOW. WE WILL CONTACT YOU IF YOU ARE A WINNER.

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. YOU MUST BE A US RESIDENT. PRIZE WILL ONLY BE SHIPPED TO US ADDRESSES. NO P.O. BOXES. NO DUPLICATE ADDRESSES.

2. WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN FROM ALL QUALIFYING ENTRIES.

No purchase necessary.

From director Patricia Riggen, THE 33 stars Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Juliette Binoche, James Brolin, Lou Diamond Phillips, with Bob Gunton, and Gabriel Byrne.

In 2010, the eyes of the world turned to Chile, where 33 miners had been buried alive by the catastrophic explosion and collapse of a 100-year-old gold and copper mine. Over the next 69 days, an international team worked night and day in a desperate attempt to rescue the trapped men as their families and friends, as well as millions of people globally, waited and watched anxiously for any sign of hope. But 200 stories beneath the surface, in the suffocating heat and with tensions rising, provisions—and time—were quickly running out.

A story of resilience, personal transformation and triumph of the human spirit, the film takes us to the Earth’s darkest depths, revealing the psyches of the men trapped in the mine, and depicting the courage of both the miners and their families who refused to give up. Based on the gripping true story of survival – and filmed with the cooperation of the miners, their families and their rescuers – THE 33 reveals the never-before-seen actual events that unfolded, above and below ground, which became nothing less than a worldwide phenomenon.

THE 33 opens Friday, November 13th

Read Jim Batts SLIFF 2015 review HERE.

The film is rated PG-13 for “a disaster sequence and some language.”

Visit the movie’s official site: www.the33movie.com

33-BA-05614r

SLIFF 2015 Review – THE 33

33-header

Here’s a docudrama unique in the long history of films “inspired by true events”. It seemed that during the actual event, many in the media remarked that it was “tailor-made” for the movies, some even speculated, and offered suggestions, on casting. The story captured the attention of the world for several weeks into months, just five years ago. And now that motion picture has finally come to pass. The harrowing ordeal of the Chilean miners is told in the film titled after them, for around the world they were  known as THE 33. The story begins the day before the ordeal, at a party thrown by Mario Sepulveda (Antonio Banderas) as he pleads with a mine supervisor to give him tomorrow morning’s shift (foreshadowing). Early the next day, we ride along on the bus as they pick up the daytime mining crew. One man regales his co-workers with Elvis Presley trivia and snippets of classic tunes. An old-timer is congratulated on his upcoming retirement (just gotta’ sign the papers). The womanizer Yonni (Oscar Nunez) breaks up a fight between his wife and mistress before he boards the bus. Alcoholic Dario (Juan Pablo Raca) tumbles off the park bench just in time to catch a ride as his older sister Maria (Juliette Binoche) gazes sadly at her estranged sibling. Arriving at the site, the crew’s  safety supervisor Luis (Lou Diamond Phillips) complains to the mine foreman about the shifting rocks to no avail. Not long after the mountain does give way, trapping the men in the “ready room” with little food and water, miles below the surface (the main rock atop them is twice the size of the Empire State Building) In the next few hours, the miners’ families gather at the gate, demanding answers. The  Chilean president sends an eager young aide, Laurence (Rodrigo Santoro) to calm the crowds. Eventually rescue teams from around the globe converge on the mine site with massive drills in an effort to reach those trapped before they run out of time.

Director Patricia Riggen, along with her  screenwriting team wrangle suspense, heartache, and, yes, humor from this crackling true tale. The energetic performances of Banderas, Binoche, and Gabriel Byrne (as one of the rescue drill captains) elevate the film from standard “ripped from the headlines” TV cable fare. Happily Riggen knows just how to balance the pace between those waiting and the men below. One of the best moments occurs when the men sit down to digest what they believe to be their last meal. Instead of the watered-down tuna they imagine their favorite mouth-watering delicacies served by their much-missed loved ones. A very funny and touching moment as the men battle the intense heat, hunger, and a descent into hopelessness that could lead to madness. THE 33 is an entertaining, inspiring tale of determination and courage.

THE 33 screens at Landmark’s Tivoli Theatre on Saturday, November 7 at 7:30 PM as part of the 24th Annual Whitaker St Louis International Film Festival. Purchase tickets here

the33poster

 

Chilean Miners Reunite For Fifth Anniversary Screening Of THE 33

33-Rome Event-IMG-8059
©2015 ALCON ENTERTAINMENT, LLC Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

The Chilean miners – whose miraculous rescue from a collapsed mine five years ago today captivated more than a billion people around the world – reunited in Rome on Tuesday to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the day they emerged from the mine.

In the Eternal City, the miners were applauded at a special anniversary screening of Alcon Entertainment’s and Warner Bros. Pictures’ inspiring drama THE 33, where they were joined by director Patricia Riggen and producer Mike Medavoy.

The film not only reveals the remarkable story of their survival against the odds but of the families, whose unwavering faith and support was instrumental in the rescue, and of the international team of rescuers, who would not give up until they brought the miners home.

THE 33 opens nationwide in US theaters on November 13, 2015, exactly one month after the five-year anniversary of the rescue. The film will be released in UK cinemas on January 29.

During their trip, the miners took the opportunity to visit some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Coliseum, the Pantheon and the Basilica of San Giovanni.

On Wednesday, the miners will go to the Vatican to participate in an audience with Pope Francis.

In 2010, the eyes of the world turned to Chile, where 33 miners had been buried alive by the catastrophic explosion and collapse of a 100-year-old gold and copper mine. Over the next 69 days, an international team worked night and day in a desperate attempt to rescue the trapped men as their families and friends, as well as millions of people globally, waited and watched anxiously for any sign of hope. But 200 stories beneath the surface, in the suffocating heat and with tensions rising, provisions – and time – were quickly running out.

A story of resilience, personal transformation and triumph of the human spirit, the film takes us to the Earth’s darkest depths, revealing the psyches of the men trapped in the mine, and depicting the courage of both the miners and their families who refused to give up.

Based on the gripping true story of survival – and filmed with the cooperation of the miners, their families and their rescuers – THE 33 reveals the never-before-seen actual events that unfolded, above and below ground, which became nothing less than a worldwide phenomenon.

THE 33 features an international cast led by Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Academy Award winner Juliette Binoche (“The English Patient”), James Brolin, and Lou Diamond Phillips, with Bob Gunton and Gabriel Byrne. The cast also includes Mario Casas, Jacob Vargas, Juan Pablo Raba, Oscar Nuñez, Tenoch Huerta, Marco Treviño, Adriana Barraza, Kate Del Castillo, Cote de Pablo, Elizabeth De Razzo and Naomi Scott.

33-BA-07370C

Patricia Riggen directed THE 33 from a screenplay by Mikko Alanne, Oscar nominee Craig Borten (“Dallas Buyers Club”) and Michael Thomas, based on the screen story by Jose Rivera and the book Deep Down Dark by Hector Tobar. The film was produced by Oscar nominee Mike Medavoy (“Black Swan”), Robert Katz and Edward McGurn. Carlos Eugenio Lavin, Leopoldo Enriquez, Alan Zhang and José Luis Escolar served as executive producers.

This film has been rated PG-13 for a disaster sequence and some language.

33-8

319887id1c_The33_FinalRated_27x40_1Sheet.indd

Warner Bros. Pictures To Hold VIP Screenings Of THE 33 On October 13

33-BA-05322Cr

On October 13, 2010, the world held its collective breath as the global media broadcast the miraculous rescue of 33 Chilean miners that had been trapped 200 stories below ground for 69 days following the disastrous collapse of a copper-gold mine in Copiapó, Chile. Spurred on by the support and faith of the miners’ families encamped outside the mine, the Chilean miners’ rescue is one of the most moving real-life events of modern times, watched by more than a billion people around the world.

On October 13, 2015, Chilean Consulates across the United States and in Canada will celebrate the five-year anniversary of this daring rescue with events, including special screenings of Alcon Entertainment’s and Warner Bros. Pictures’ new film THE 33.

Made with the cooperation of the real-life miners, their families and their rescuers, THE 33 opens nationwide on November 13, 2015, exactly one month after the five-year anniversary of the rescue.

Patricia Riggen, director of THE 33, stated, “I am thrilled and honored that our film is playing a part in celebrating the five-year anniversary of this momentous event. Our main goal in making ‘The 33’ was to show the courage and resilience of the men who were trapped, the hope and faith of their families, and the determination of the rescuers who overcame near-impossible odds to bring them home. Their inspiring story captured the attention of millions five years ago and it should never be forgotten.”

In New York, San Francisco, Houston, Toronto and Chicago, the Chilean Consulates will join with Alcon and Warner Bros. to hold VIP screenings of the film. The Chilean Consul General in each city will serve as host of the event.

In Ottawa, Canada, the Chilean Embassy, together with Alcon and Warner Bros., will present a special screening of THE 33 and reception, hosted by the Chilean Ambassador to Canada.

In Miami, at the AMC Sunset Theaters, the General Consul of Chile will help unveil a replica of the Fenix capsule that brought the 33 miners out from the depths of the collapsed mine.

33-BA-05614r

THE 33 features an international cast led by Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Academy Award winner Juliette Binoche (“The English Patient”), James Brolin, and Lou Diamond Phillips, with Bob Gunton and Gabriel Byrne. The cast also includes Mario Casas, Jacob Vargas, Juan Pablo Raba, Oscar Nuñez, Tenoch Huerta, Marco Treviño, Adriana Barraza, Kate Del Castillo, Cote de Pablo, Elizabeth De Razzo and Naomi Scott.

Patricia Riggen directed THE 33 from a screenplay by Mikko Alanne, Oscar nominee Craig Borten (“Dallas Buyers Club”) and Michael Thomas, based on the screen story by José Rivera and the book Deep Down Dark by Hector Tobar. The film was produced by Oscar nominee Mike Medavoy (“Black Swan”), Robert Katz and Edward McGurn. Carlos Eugenio Lavin, Leopoldo Enriquez, Alan Zhang and José Luis Escolar served as executive producers.

The film has been rated PG-13 for a disaster sequence and some language.

Visit the film’s official site: www.the33movie.com

facebook.com/the33movie

twitter.com/the33film

instagram.com/the33movie

319887id1c_The33_FinalRated_27x40_1Sheet.indd

First Trailer For THE 33 Stars Juliette Binoche, Antonio Banderas And Gabriel Byrne

the 33 _a

Warner Bros. Pictures has released the first trailer for the unforgettable true story of THE 33.

In 2010, the eyes of the world turned to Chile, where 33 miners had been buried alive by the catastrophic explosion and collapse of a 100-year-old gold and copper mine.

Over the next 69 days, an international team worked night and day in a desperate attempt to rescue the trapped men as their families and friends, as well as millions of people globally, waited and watched anxiously for any sign of hope. But 200 stories beneath the surface, in the suffocating heat and with tensions rising, provisions—and time—were quickly running out.

A story of resilience, personal transformation and triumph of the human spirit, the film takes us to the Earth’s darkest depths, revealing the psyches of the men trapped in the mine, and depicting the courage of both the miners and their families who refused to give up.

Based on the gripping true story of survival – and filmed with the cooperation of the miners, their families and their rescuers – THE 33 reveals the never-before-seen actual events that unfolded, above and below ground, which became nothing less than a worldwide phenomenon.

the 33 _b (2)

The international cast is led by Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Academy Award winner Juliette Binoche (“The English Patient”), James Brolin, and Lou Diamond Phillips, with Bob Gunton and Gabriel Byrne.

The main cast also includes Mario Casas, Jacob Vargas, Juan Pablo Raba, Oscar Nuñez, Tenoch Huerta, Marco Treviño, Adriana Barraza, Kate Del Castillo, Cote de Pablo, Elizabeth De Razzo, Naomi Scott, Gustavo Angarita, and Alejandro Goic.

Patricia Riggen directed THE 33 from a screenplay by Mikko Alanne, Oscar nominee Craig Borten (“Dallas Buyers Club”) and Michael Thomas, based on the screen story by Jose Rivera and the book Deep Down Dark by Hector Tobar. The film was produced by Oscar nominee Mike Medavoy (“Black Swan”), Robert Katz and Edward McGurn. Carlos Eugenio Lavin, Leopoldo Enriquez, Alan Zhang and José Luis Escolar served as executive producers.

The behind-the-scene creative team included cinematographer Checco Varese, production designer Marco Niro, editor Michael Tronick and Oscar-nominated costume designer Paco Delgado (“Les Misérables”). The Academy Award-winning team of Alex Henning and Ben Grossman (“Hugo”) supervised the visual effects. The score was composed by Oscar winner James Horner (“Titanic”).

THE 33 was filmed on location in Chile’s harshly remote yet stunningly beautiful Atacama desert just kilometers away from where the event took place, and deep within two mines located in central Colombia.

A presentation of Alcon Entertainment and Phoenix Pictures, THE 33 is slated to open on November 13, 2015 and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

http://www.the33movie.com/

https://www.facebook.com/the33movie

the 33 _c

CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA – The Review

cosm_image

The “metacinema” is a small but ever-present category of films that span all genres, typically are of a smaller, art house or independent scale of production and typically are also hit or miss. Metacinema, for the sake of this review, is loosely defined as a film presented as a story about its own production. These films, albeit possible, are usually not documentary, but are presented in a way that can seem based in non-fiction. For this reason, some viewers find them confusing or distracting. Some of these films are rather pretentious, while others are quite groundbreaking.

CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA falls somewhere safely between pretentious and groundbreaking on the scale of successful metacinema filmmaking. Truth be told, this is not actually a true example of metacinema, as its not a film about its own production. However, it is a film about an actress preparing for a major role in a play and the insecurities she has in connection with the play, her career and her stage in life.

Juliette Binoche plays Maria Enders, a popular but aging actress who must face an uncomfortable reflection of herself when she reluctantly agrees to taking part in a revival of the play that kick started her career 20 years prior. In the revival, however, she plays an older character, while a much younger rising actress named Jo-Ann Ellis (played by Chloe Grace Moretz) takes on the role Maria played 20 years ago. Struggling to connect with her current role and still emotionally attached to her original role, Maria must face the young actress and herself and embrace her place in time.

CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA is set within the Swiss Alps as she and Valentine, her personal assistant, travel by train to attend a tribute to the playwright and director that gave Maria her break, only to have tragedy strike and alter their plans. Having made the journey into the mountains, Maria and Valentine decide to make the most of it and prepare for her role. What ensues is a rather surreal, often uncomfortable blending and blurring of reality and rehearsed performance that juxtaposes the two throughout the two women’s time in the mountains.

Valentine, played by Kristen Stewart, provides a sort of balancing reality check for Maria, who is far too caught up in her own drama to focus herself on the role. Maria needs Valentine, not only to organize and plan her daily life, but also to challenge and force her to delve into her role, no matter how it makes her feel. Stewart gives a surprisingly deft and articulate performance, carrying much of the philosophical workload for the film. Stewart trademark persona is still present, but it takes a backseat to the script’s strengths and to her veteran co-star who outshines her, despite Stewart’s commendable portrayal.

CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA is written and directed by Oliver Assayas. As is typical of his past work, Assayas still proves to be a writer filling the role of a filmmaker, delivering though-provoking stories with strong characters. Aside from the most obvious dilemma of dealing with one’s own aging and sense of losing relevance, some other smaller but related themes pop up as well. There is a thread of generational and cultural gaps that runs through the film, represented by Maria and Valentine. One of my favorite scenes occurs when the two are having drinks together and discuss a new big budget superhero science-fiction blockbuster in the works and their difference of opinions on the topic. Valentine thoughtfully supports and defends the underlying nature of the genre and its themes while Maria can only laugh and mock the over-the-top, often cheesy superficial appearance of the genre, which she clearly discredits.

Continuing this string of underlying subsurface themes, Maria gradually proves herself to be the quintessential self-indulgent elitist, the type who is concerns with herself and her own life before all else. Manners and compassion for other matter only when convenient for her, but these less desirable traits are subtle and not forthright enough to make her a villain, only occasionally uneasy to like. On the other hand, there are moments when the generational and cultural gap present themselves in reality as well as fiction. For example, when Maria and Valentine take a dip in a lake amongst the mountains, its the aging, not as fit as she once was Binoche that strips down to her full birthday suit, whereas the younger and still more conventionally desirable Stewart who chooses to swim in her panties and bra. This is not to say she should have stripped down as well, but what does this say about the generational and cultural difference in how we see ourselves? I do not believe this was a choice by the character, but rather by the actors.

CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA ultimately proves to be an interesting, if somewhat uneven character study that occasionally gets lost within itself. Accompanied by a score that is curiously engaging and eclectic and some immensely beautiful scenic landscapes, the film is certainly not a disappointment, but also does not quite live up to its own potential.

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

cosm_poster