Your Entertainment Ticket.net

Film Lover’s Guide to the 2009 Miami Int’l Film Festival
By Denise Castillón

Under the guidance of its’ charming new festival director, Tiziana Finzi, the 26th edition Miami Int’l Film Festival runs March 6th through 15th. Once again, red carpets will unfurl to showcase a line-up of independent arthouse films, particularly from Latin American countries, from where some of the best cinema has been produced for the past several years. The 2009 Miami Int’l Film Festival (MIFF) will screen 137 films, from 43 countries, through traditional programs, such as World and Ibero-American Competition, as well as its new program of artistic audio-visual experimental films, Cutting The Edge.

The festival opens on Friday evening, at the glorious Gusman Center For The Performing Arts, with Matt Tyrnauer’s feature-length documentary, VALENTINO: The Last Emperor. Culminating with a magnificent celebration honoring 45 years of the legendary designers’ contribution to haute couture, the film spotlights the career of the revered fashion icon and temperamental creative genius along with his equally-talented business and life partner, Giancarlo Giammetti. [The nights’ festivities, including the opening night celebration party, will be captured on video and posted on this website.]

Beginning this weekend, MIFF festival-goers will have a variety of films to enjoy at the festival. Here are the top recommendations, followed by reviews: 5 DIAS SIN NORA (Nora’s Will), LA NANA (The Maid), and PARQUE VIA

From MIFF’s Ibero-American Competition Program:

5 DIAS SIN NORA (Nora’s Will)
Mexico
Spanish, with English Subtitles/Running Time: 92 min

Mariana Chenillo makes her directorial debut with the delightful dark comedy, CINCO DIAS SIN NORA. The title character, Nora, has carefully prepared her family’s Passover holiday dinner, before committing suicide. Her ex-husband José grudgingly arranges for her kosher burial, which, according to Jewish law, must be postponed until five days later, after Passover.

The necessity of preserving Nora sets off a series of very comical situations and disputes between atheist José, the hypocritical Rabbi Jacowitz, and the devoutly Catholic servant, Fabiana, all of which are mediated by their only son, Rubén. During the preparations, José discovers an incriminating old photograph that reveals Nora was keeping a secret. José’s relentless pursuit into their shared past to uncover the truth evidently melts away his hatred for Nora to reveal his undying love.

The ensemble cast, led by Fernando Luján, includes Juan Carlos Colombo, Max Kerlow, Enrique Arreola, Angelina Peláez, Ari Brickman, Cecilia Suárez and Verónica Langer.

Written and directed by Mariana Chenillo. Cinematography Alberto Anaya. Edited by Mariana Chenillo. Produced by Laura Imperiale.

Screens at Regal South Beach Cinema 18:
Saturday, March 7th, 7pm
Wednesday, March 11th, 7:30pm
Sunday, March 15th, 7pm


LA NANA (The Maid)
Chile/Mexico
Spanish, with English Subtitles/Running Time: 95 min

Writer-director Sebastián Silva’s “The Maid” is an amusing character study of a well-to-do family’s long-time live-in maid, Raquel (CATALINA SAAVEDRA). Sullen and rigid, Raquel’s obsession with her duty to maintain the household for her employers, Mundo Valdes (ALEJANDRO GOIC), and his wife Pilar (CLAUDIA CELEDON) masks her underlying loneliness. What Raquel truly desires to be regarded as a valued member of the family.

When, Raquel begins to have fainting spells from overworking, Pilar decides to hire a second maid to help out. Instead, Raquel feels threatened to the point of harassing each new hire until they quit. Although her behavior becomes quite antagonistic, these antics also provide the films’ comedy.

Then, Lucy (MARIANA LOYOLA) arrives as the latest maid to offer her support to the family. Soon, Lucy’s confidence and energy affects the whole household. But, when Lucy is attacked by Raquel’s temper, she reacts very differently, -with compassion. For the time, Raquel develops a true and caring relationship through her friendship with Lucy.

Starring Catalina Saavedra as “The Maid”, Claudia Celedon, Mariana Loyola, Alejandro Goic, Anita Reeves, Delfina Guzman, Andrea Garcia-Huidobro, Mercedes Villanueva, Agustin Silva.

Directed by Sebastian Silva. Screenplay by Sebastian Silva and Pedro Peirano. Cinematography by Sergio Armstrong. Edited by Danielle Fillios. Produced by Gregorio Gonzalez.

"The Maid" won at the Grand Jury Prize for World Cinema-Dramatic, plus actress Catalina Saavedra received an Special Jury Prize for Acting at this years’ Sundance Film Festival.

Screens at the Tower Theater:
Saturday, March 7th, 9:30pm
And at the Regal South Beach Cinema 18:
Monday, March 9th, 9:45pm
Thursday, March 12th, 7:15pm.


From MIFF’s World Competition Program:

Enrique Riveros’ drama "Parque Via", like “The Maid”, is a character study of a lonely servant. However, the tone and style is completely different and unusual. The extremely slow pace of "Parque Via" may be difficult to bear, but it sets up very well its shocking climatic conclusion.

Beto (NOLBERTO CORIA) is the elderly caretaker of an extravagant house that is up for sale by its refined owner. Because of the extended length of time the residence has been on the real estate market, Beto, through his repetitive daily rituals of maintaining the home and watching the TV news, has surrendered to an isolated and almost wordless existence. His only company, beyond visits by his employer or her real estate agent, is Lupe (NANCY OROZCO), a hooker who makes house calls.

After ten years, Beto has become so resigned to living cloistered indoors that he now experiences panic attacks whenever he does venture out into the real world. Then, his worst fear is realized, the house, his home, has been sold. The dilemma of where can Beto go from here is addressed quite radically.

Stars Nolberto Coria as “Beto”, supported by actresses Nancy Orozco and Tesalia Huerta. Written and directed by Enrique Rivero. Cinematography by Arnau Valls Colomer. Edited by Javier Ruiz Caldera and Enrique Rivero. Produced by Paola Herrera and Enrique Rivero.

Enrique Riveros’ feature directorial debut, PARQUE VÍA, won the Golden Leopard and FIPRESCI Award at Locarno International Film Festival 2008, and the Best Latin American Film and Audience Awards at the Ficco Festival in Mexico.

Screens at Regal South Beach Cinema 18:
Saturday, March 7th, 4pm
Monday, March 9th, 7pm
And at the Tower Theater:
Sunday, March 15th, 9:30pm

***Confirm film dates and times at: www.miamifilmfestival.com" www.miamifilmfestival.com

PLAY THE GAME

Starring: Andy Griffith, Liz Sheridan, Paul Campbell, Marla Sokoloff and Doris Roberts

Directed by: Marc Fienberg

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and language

By John Delia

I don’t remember when I have laughed so much at a showing of a movie involving older people. Well, Play The Game did it for me! The wonderful little story took me by surprise, kept my attention throughout and provided me with some great entertainment. To tell the truth I didn’t know Andy Griffith and Liz Sheridan had it in them to pull it off. Pull off what you say? Well it my be gross to some and engrossing to others, but in the world of sex, yes oldsters still do it.

The story goes something like this: Ladies’ man David (Campbell) teaches his dating tricks to his lonely, widowed grandfather Joe (Griffith), while using those same tricks to meet Julie (Sokoloff), the woman of his dreams. While David's foolproof techniques prove to be anything but, the same techniques quickly transform Joe into the Don Juan of the retirement community leading to an unexpected intimate affair with Edna (Sheridan). But soon, it’s up to Joe to teach David that sometimes the best way to win the game of love is not to play games at all.

I liked the feisty little film as all the characters were interesting, the actors on their mark and the directing brilliant. I was totally amazed by the performance of Griffith as the old timer lost in memories in his retirement home. In Play The Game he shows how spry an 82 year-old can be with a memorable characterization that is enchanting and admirable. Check out his very suave dance steps for laughs.

All that have seen Liz Sheridan (Seinfeld) before know what a great comedian she is and in this film she shines even more. I loved her performance as the forward woman that goes after Joe and teaches him some new tricks. But, she’s also the one who brings Joe back to the reality that life has some downfalls as well.

You will probably recognize Doris Roberts from Everybody Loves Raymond. Here she plays the lonely widow that picks up the pieces. Seeing her in this film reminded me of how many times I have seen Roberts in the over 100 appearances in film and TV. She is the consummate actress that most all have come to love.

The film is written and directed by Fienberg who treats the film with a loving hand, making his characters enjoyable to watch. His ability to bring out the best is shown in the performance of both Griffith and Campbell.

The film does contain some sexual material and some brief language, so be cognizant of this when bringing youngsters along.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A great film for those in love and a look at life’s realities. (4 of 5 Palm Trees)

FOUR CHRISTMASES
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Duvall, Jon Favreau, Mary Steenburgen, Jon Voight, Sissy Spacek
Directed by: Seth Gordon
Rated PG-13 for some sexual humor and language
By John Delia
Vince Vaughn does his best to save Four Christmases from doom, but the nervous little comedy is too over the top to come out a winner. Trouble in the film includes overacting, a too predictable plot and a lot of overused comical banter. The film may have been a lot better had they used lesser known actors. If you like Vaughn so much that you have to have more of his glib humor, then Four Christmases will be your mistletoe of delight.
Brad (Vaughn) and Kate (Witherspoon) are an unmarried couple that has been avoiding spending the holiday with their dysfunctional divorced parents and going on a vacation instead every year. This year has not been any different, except when they get to the airport, they find out that there flight to Figi has been cancelled for at least a day. To top it off, a news crew spots the disappointed couple and they become the number one TV news item. With their plans revealed they decide to visit each of the four families in reckoning for their ill-fated plan. When they do, however, a lot more gets revealed about their lives then they want told.
The film has many problems, some of which could have been avoided with more directorial control. In addition, Four Christmases is void of imagination and so predictable that it becomes more of a stand up for Vaughn than a platform to show his genius. Some of the blame for the not so original script has to be placed on rookie feature film director Gordon who seems to let his high profile cast get away from him and take over the production.
Vaughn plays himself, the glib comic that doesn’t see his own faults except when they are pointed out to him. He seems to go off on tangents at times and Gordon allows Vaughn to dominate. Miscast Witherspoon seems to be trying to just keep up with Vaughn as he overshadows her overly abiding character. The topper comes with Favreau putting wrestling holds on his brother (Vaughn’s character) time an again until it isn’t funny anymore.
The film is not devoid of humor however, and contains some very funny scenes, including one with Witherspoon getting cornered by kids in a bounce house following a pregnancy test and another when she handles a puking child. Vaughn’s funniest involves him attending a church and volunteering to be Joseph in a Nativity play.
The film contains some sexual humor and language so be cautioned when deciding to bring youngsters.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Four Christmases gets a little too predictable with not enough original comical situations. (2.5 of 5 stars)