Film Festivals 2005
Once again the wide world of cinema offers a cache of captivating films. From France the delightful 'Look at Me', Tony Gatlif's 'Exils' and horror/slasher 'The Ordeal'. 'Hotel Rwanda' and documentary 'Darwin's Nightmare' unlock some of Africa's darkest secrets while from Hong Kong came the diverse '2046' and Stephen Chow's comic tour de force 'Kung Fu Hustle'. From the US, Gregg Araki's disturbing 'Mysterious Skin', 'Birth' with Nicole Kidman and understated Southern pot-boiler 'Undertow'. Stand-out documentaries also included 'Wal-mart: The High Cost of Low Price', the incredible 'DiG!' and from North Korea a fascinating insight with 'A State of Mind'.
Look At Me (2004)
6.9/10
Director: Agnes Jaoui
Starring: Virginie Desarnauts, Keine Bouhiza, Gregoire Oestermann, Serge Riaboukine, Miche...
Lolita is the daughter of a famous writer, struggling to define her own identity in this witty French comedy. She's self-concious about her weight but... Read more
DIG! (2004)
7.8/10
Director: Ondi Timoner
Starring: Courtney Taylor, Anton A Newcombe
Ondi Timoner followed and filmed the divergent paths of two rock bands for seven years: the ill-fated Brian Jonestown Massacre and their one-time fans... Read more
Turtles Can Fly (2004)
8.1/10
Director: Bahman Ghobadi
Starring: Soran Ebrahim, Hirsh Feyssal, Avaz Latif
On the border of Iraq and Turkey, in the days leading up to the second US-led war, a young technology-obsessed boy nicknamed Satellite convinces the v... Read more
2046 (2004)
7.5/10
Director: Wong Kar-wai
Starring: Maggie Cheung, Takuya Kimura, Tony Leung (Chiu Wai), Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi, Faye W...
Wong Kar-wai's lush companion to 2000's festival hit 'In The Mood For Love', sees Tony Leung return as Hong Kong writer Chow, who has given up journal... Read more
Undertow (2004)
6.7/10
Director: David Gordon Green
Starring: Devon Alan, Jamie Bell, Robert Longstreet, Dermot Mulroney, Josh Lucas, Kristen...
You can practically feel the humidity coming off the screen in David Gordon Green's atmospheric, Southern Gothic-flavoured thriller, evoking 'The Nigh... Read more
Ae Fond Kiss ( aka Just A Kiss ) (2004)
7.2/10
Director: Ken Loach
Starring: Eva Birthistle, Atta Taqub, Shamshad Akhtar, Ghizala Avan
Ken Loach and writer Paul Laverty team again ('Sweet Sixteen', 'Carla's Song', 'My Name Is Joe') for this romantic drama set in Glasgow, Scotland wher... Read more
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2004)
7.7/10
Director: Alex Gibney
Starring: Narrated by, Peter Coyote
Alex Gibney's Oscar-nominated documentary is a searing indictment of the corporate mentality. Based on the best-seller by 'Fortune' magazine writers... Read more
Thumbsucker (2005)
6.6/10
Director: Mike Mills
Starring: Lou Taylor Pucci, Tilda Swinton, Vince Vaughn, Vincent D'Onofrio, Keanu Reeves,...
Striking the perfect balance between adolescent awkwardness and black comedy, this film stars Lou Taylor Pucci as a neurotic 17-year-old whose coping... Read more
Mountain Patrol ( Kekexili ) (2004)
7.7/10
Director: Lu Chuan
Starring: Duobuji , Zhang Li, Qi Liang, Zhao Xueying
Based on the true story of Beijing reporter, Ga Yu, who travelled to the remote mountain region of Kekexili on China's Tibetan border to cover a story... Read more
Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
7.8/10
Director: Stephen Chow
Starring: Stephen Chow, Yuen Wah, Yuen Qiu, Leung Siu Lung, Dong Zhi Hua
Charismatic Hong Kong comedy legend Stephen Chow's ('Shaolin Soccer') frenetically paced martial arts spoof is a delirious mix of quickfire gags, surr... Read more