The 5th Dubai Int’l Film Festival (DIFF) is halfway in, with three more days to go. WearetheMovies.com has been very busy watching all kinds of films at the fest. And we must be honest: there has been both suffering and joy! Speaking of joy, we shortlisted films that won unanimous praise from our discerning team members.
A few these films may not screen again, but others have second or even third shows lined up (at the time of writing) before the festival’s conclusion on the evening of Thursday, 18th December 2008. We will be revisiting this shortlist again after the festival, to compile a complete WearetheMovies Best Films of DIFF 2008 list. Until then, here are films that we have loved wholeheartedly so far, in no particular order of preference:
The Wrestler
Darren Aronofsky | USA | 2008
109 min
A devastating film about washed-up wrestler Randy “The Ram” Robinson played with astonishing sincerity and charisma by Mickey Rourke, whose own real life mirrors that of his tragic onscreen character. Director Darren Aronofsky exercises uncharacteristic visual restraint and draws out powerful performances that may move you to tears.
Che
Steven Soderberg | USA | 2008
262 min
Steven Soderberg’s Che is a tour-de-force of storytelling. The film which will be distributed in two parts — Argentine and Guerilla — is being shown as one film at DIFF, just as it was at Cannes. Both halves work perfectly to complement each other: the first focuses on the electrifying campaign to seize Cuba for Fidel Castro while the second documents Che’s unsuccessful Bolivia campaign which ended with his execution. Benicio Del Toro gives one of the year’s best performances.
Vacation (Kyûka)
Hajime Kadoi | Japan | 2008
112 min
One of the big surprises at DIFF, Vacation (Kyûka) studies in excruciating detail the process of executing a condemned prisoner in Japan, and how this affects both the accused and his executioners. A meticulously crafted chamber drama that delighted us with unexpected deadpan humor.
Ballast
Lance Hammer | USA | 2008
96 min
Ballast keeps its secrets close to the chest, revealing them in small bursts that only later form a complete picture. Moody and contemplative, and perhaps not for all tastes, it is director Lance Hammer’s debut film and will reward only the very patient viewer.
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