Five Whistler Film Festival cinematic offerings that immediately catch the eye:
(Canada, Directors Jen & Sylvia Soska)
Vancouvers Soska sisters launch the festivals new Late Night TerrorFest series with their perversely entertaining sophomore feature. This body modification horror flick opens with an incision and wastes little time getting under your skin.
Screens Nov. 28.
(Canada/India, Director Jason Bourque)
Having taken dead aim at the US militarys use of soldiers-for-hire with the documentary Shadow Company, Bourque now delves into another dubious enterprise: two entrepreneurs scheme to use birds as airborne advertising. Reportedly, Bourque has a media stunt of his own planned for the world premiere of this exposé. Screens Dec. 1.
(Japan, Director Goro Miyazaki)
A stirring coming-of-age romance set in the lead-up to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, the latest animated gem from Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke) screens just in time to whet appetites for the comprehensive Ghibli retrospective running at both The Cinematheque and Vancity Theatre in December. Screens Dec. 2.
(USA, Director Todd Berger)
When four couples find themselves trapped indoors due to a dirty bomb explosion, they discover that the apocalypse raging outside might pale in comparison to their interpersonal problems. Much buzzed about after its festival screenings in Los Angeles and Austin, Bergers doomsday satire seems best experienced in a packed house.
Screens Nov. 30 and Dec. 2.
(USA, Director Liz Garbus)
Garbus documentary provides new fuel for the collective torch we still carry for Ms. Monroe 50 years after her death. Home movies and archival footage play while a constellation of contemporary starlets give voice to the icons journals and letters, thus lending new insight into her inner world.
Screens Dec 1.
