daily scoop
Film 1: Graduation. A young lady, who has who entire future ahead of her, is attacked and must deal with the aftermath of the attack as she prepares for college. The movie was very slow, and offered no real purpose. The dad in the film centered more on the father of the victim than the girl who was attacked. It was an okay film, but this was the second film that I actually walked out of during the festival.
Film 2: The Handmaiden. This has to be one of my favorite films of the festival. The Korean - Japanese film follows a professional swindler, as she goes undercover as a handmaiden in order to obtain the riches of a wealthy woman. I would describe this film as an intricate, but also twisted Cinderella-like story. It's a real, rags to riches story! It's hard to express how beautiful this story is without exposing specific points in the story or plot. Just know this: I would absolutely re-watch this film.
Daily Scoop (Week 2 | Friday)
The Appetizer:
That One Guy Who Thought We Had The Answers
"Why does the black person die first in the horror film?" Asked an Egyptian filmmaker after we'd been talking about the lack of diversity on HBO, which is actually a British company. I definitely agreed with him, but couldn't give him any answers. I blamed it on the Writers, Casting Directors, and maybe even the Directors of the film.
The Main Course:
A Grad and A Crook
Film 2: The Handmaiden. This has to be one of my favorite films of the festival. The Korean - Japanese film follows a professional swindler, as she goes undercover as a handmaiden in order to obtain the riches of a wealthy woman. I would describe this film as an intricate, but also twisted Cinderella-like story. It's a real, rags to riches story! It's hard to express how beautiful this story is without exposing specific points in the story or plot. Just know this: I would absolutely re-watch this film.
Dessert:
The Things I Hear Across The Pond
Today was quite an eye opener as Jessica and I found out how deep the stereotypes about the south and America run. I happened to run into the bubbly Egyptian filmmaker that I'd met earlier in the day. He was very talkative and wanted to discuss topics such as diversity and the various styles and tools filmmakers use in various parts of the world. The best advice that he gave us (not a direct quote): If you want to work in film, you should watch at least 1 movie a day. Same goes for television. I loved how insightful he was!
As the train was boarding, we met another guy, and I don't think either of us were prepared for the conversation that we were about to have with this guy. According to him, a former PR Executive turned French army guy (the army enlistment is due to a bet he made with his friends?) that we met on the train:
1) There's this idea abroad that there are no black people in Georgia.
2) If you live in Georgia you must own a gun.
3) If you live in Texas you must be driving a big truck...although after visiting Texas he found that he loves the people and everyone does not drive a big truck.
4) The people in LA are ver stuck-up; feminism is a big thing out there.
5) Boston and New York are cold and no match for the British trench coat thingy that he wears.
He was an interesting guy and he did make a normally quiet ride a little better. We got off the train and we're a bit chatty (or maybe it was just me). Because of our chatter, we met 2 more girls who were American. One was from Georgia/Seattle and the other was from California. We talked for a bit and then we're approached by a random guy. Turns out he was asking if we wanted to buy drugs. Who knew? Our new American friend, who had been living in France for 6yrs did. We went our separate ways for a bit and met back up later that night.
Turns out I found a new plug. One of the girls actually has been living in the area, and so she knew where to go. First she took us to a nice sit down bar that was lively. We got to know her and her friend a little more. Next, we headed to a club. From the outside, thr club looked like a quiet restaurant. A random guy started dancing with fire (literally) as we patiently waited to get in. Once inside the club, there was a pay window (similar to the window that adorns most skating rinks in America). Entry was 15 Euro! That was a bit much. Most of us didn't have it so we started to head out. Luckily, the bouncer gave us the okay, and we got in for FREE!! It was a fun night! We danced on a table, that the club so graciously placed and bolted down for patrons. There was smoke, buff guys dancing with fire, lots of lights, and lots of bass. There was a also an interesting man that had his own section on stage. His only job was to dance. Haha. The DJ was also very legit and his mixing skills were flawless! He played mostly EDM and American music. My favorite mix was definitely Classic Man. The French party late! It was about 2:30AM when we left and they were still going strong. Who knows what time the club actually shut down. I was completely done when the DJ started playing 679 by Fetty Wap and Up Down by T-Pain! Everyone literally knew ALL of the words to both songs. LOL
