UK Film Network

Toronto International Film Festival in Review 2009

[REC] 2



Directed and written by the Spanish duo Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza, this sequel to the Spanish horror film which was unfortunately remade into a Hollywood's version called Quarantine that features the same storyline, same shots with English dialogue.

[REC] has finished with the unhappy ending, and [REC]2 follows that same plot fifteen minutes after the first story has finished. But this time, the story is viewed through the team of a SWAT and a medical officer's point of view as they try to uncover the possible survivors. The concept doesn't change within its primary set boundaries with the first person point of view and mocumentary style of shooting, while the story itself changes 360°.

This film features the dramatic build up and the pay-offs with the in-your-face type scares which work effectivelly within its limits. And, needless to state, the special effects makeup department have pushed their limits of European cinema with this feature.


Trailer: (caution, graphic images)


IMDB - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1245112/fullcredits#writers
Rating:  4  / 5

Toronto International Film Festival 2009 in Review

The Day Will Come
Es kommt der Tag



The Day Will Come is a film directed and written by Susanne Schneider which highlights the impact on decisions we make in our rebellious youthful lifestyles and the damages it could bring which will affect us in the future.

The story is set in France, as a young lady played by Katharine Schüttler intentionally damages her car and stumbles upon a vineyard owners played by Iris Berben and Jacques Frantz requesting refuge for a few days. As the story unfolds, Katherine's agenda becomes more clear as she holds a secret 30 years in making.

This film unveils intense acting and scenes between Katherine and Iris, but unfortunately the story brings in the rollercoaster of events which end up repeating throughout the film and eventually come back to the same starting point, as the audience just waits for it be restarted again with the same plausiable outcomes.


Trailer:


IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1458550/
Rating: 2 /5

Toronto International Film Festival 2009 in Review

Prince of Tears

This classic, true story is set in Taiwan during the 1950s which takes a journey of happiness in one light and bitter darkness in the next. This time period is known as the White Terror as Taiwan swept through its nation with the anti-communist campaign where people were inprisoned and some simply dissappeared without any trace.

The story follows a fighter pilot who served against the communist in the Mainland China who moves to the island of Taiwan with his wife Ping, and two daughters Li and Zhou. As this looks as a promising new life to his family; the darkness unveils onto them as Li and Zhou return home to find to house ransacked by military police and both parents inprisoned on suspicions they are communist spies.

Cinematography and costumes speak out and bring the White Terror to a chilling and realistic horrors of the Taiwanese 50s through a beautiful vision of Yonfan as he remembers it through his childhood memories.

Trailer:

IMDB  - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1498834/

Rating : 4 / 5

Ctrl.Alt.Shift launched a competition in 2008 inviting aspiring filmmakers to write a treatment based around one of three global issues – War + Peace, Gender + Power and HIV + Stigma.

Those who won would be given the opportunity to bring their treatment to life on the big screen. In addition to being provided with a budget and cast, the prize included the money-can't-buy opportunity to be mentored by some of the UK's finest directors such as Aoife McArdle, Chris Harding from Shynola, Kinga Burza, Paul Andrew Williams and Jim Threapleton.

The result of these partnerships is five brilliant, engaging shorts which premiered on 14th May at Shoreditch Studios, East London and were shown as part of the Raindance Film Festival last week.

Now you can watch them from the comfort of your own PC!

HIV – The Musical
Written and Directed by: Joe Patrick and Tim Woodall
Mentor: Paul Andrew Williams

The main aim of Patrick and Woodall's film is to expose the ridiculous attitudes towards HIV. A series of video blogs posted by a young playwright, James McKenzie (played by Martin Freeman from The Office), whose artistic integrity is being challenged by the ignorance of a film company determined to hijack his script, represented by a producer played by Julian Barratt (The Mighty Boosh).

1000 Voices
Writer and Director: Tim Travers Hawkins
Mentor: Chris Harding (Shynola)

A verbose and politically correct bureaucrat (Adam Buxton) gives a lecture to a group of teenagers on the merits of the UK's efficient and humane asylum system, whilst meanwhile, in the same building, detainees, imprisoned indefinitely in different 'Removal Centres' across the UK, leave messages in vain on an abandoned telephone answering machine in the ministry basement. Their messages detail the horror of the life that they have escaped due to conflict.

Man Made
Writer and Director: Fern Berresford
Mentor: Kinga Burza

This two-minute short, based around gender + power, tackles the treatment of women as property and the lack of self worth and identity women feel due to the gender inequalities prevalent in many societies.

No Way Through
Written and Directed by: Alexandra Monro + Sheila Menon
Mentor: Jim Threapleton

No Way Through highlights mobility restrictions imposed in the West Bank, that are limiting its habitants’ access to health care, thus violating a fundamental human right.

War School
Writer and Director: Ben Newman
Mentor: Aoife McArdle

Opting for a short based around war + peace, Ben Newman came up with one of the most popular entries, gaining praise across the board by re-creating a military training camp for child soldiers in a British school. It was described by Riz Ahmed as a great idea, simple, communicating a direct message.

We'd really love any feedback you have on the films!

(I'm the community manager for Ctrl.Alt.Shift and I got permission from Doug McFarlane before posting this.)