The Talkies...

Part 1

Spring is here, the crocus are blooming and Seattle International Film Festival has returned. The 2009 SIFF schedule includes a stellar selection of archival films, but alas, only one from the silent era. This year’s festival trailer created by Digital Kitchen however, is a stunning homage to German silent era animator Lotte Reiniger.
The following previews are offered in order of their press screening dates. Favorite and must-see from this group is The Escape.

In the Loop (2009)
Thursday May 21, 7pm, Paramount Theater

Perverse, acidic and silly behavior in the now popular worker-bee mockumentary style is paired with the stupefying government bureaucracy and inter-agency bickering of an international treaty negotiation. Plenty for fans of the genre to enjoy, but better suited for the small screen. I kept looking for Ricky Gervais! (109 minutes)

Involuntary (2008)
Friday June 12, 9.30pm, SIFF Cinema
Sunday June 14, 3.30pm, SIFF Cinema

A contemporary look at youthful indiscretions of the Swedish middle-class, interesting for the anonymity of its focus on dialog and body language, while avoiding the actor’s faces. Static and forgettable. (98 minutes)

The Escape (2009)
Thursday June 4, 9.30pm, Harvard Exit
Friday June 5, 4pm, Harvard Exit

A Danish Journalist (Iben Hjejle) working in Afghanistan is kidnapped by Taliban extremists and exploited to further their political agenda. At times, both harrowing and completely implausible, The Escape succeeds as a charged and surprising political thriller. (114 minutes)

Morris: Life With Bells On (2008)
Sunday May 23, 11am, SIFF Cinema
Tuesday May 25, 7pm, SIFF Cinema

This spoof of traditional British folk dancing, in the style of Christopher Guest and Monty Python is thin, overly long, and not terribly funny. A huge disappointment. (101 minutes)

Passing Strange (2009)
Wednesday May 27, 7pm, Egyptian
Tuesday June 2, 6.30pm, Kirkland Performing Arts Center

A young artist struggles to find his place in the world. The final performance of composer/performer Stew’s Tony Award winning production Passing Strange at New York’s Belasco Theater, is presented in this technically brilliant Spike Lee documentary. (135 minutes)

I’m No Dummy (2009)
Saturday May 23, 6.45pm, SIFF Cinema
Sunday May 24, 4pm, Pacific Place
Wednesday June 3, 7pm, Kirkland Performing Arts Center

Fans of ventriloquism will enjoy writer-director Bryan Simon’s tepid, but entertaining, "Documentary about venting." This historical look at the world of professional "vents", from Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy to the Las Vegas performers of today will, no doubt, eventually find its way to PBS or Comedy Central. World Premiere. (86 minutes)