Isabelle Huppert starts in Elle, an unconventional rape-revenge movie from director Paul Verhoeven.
Among the many films coming to this year’s Vancouver International Film Festival (Sept 29-Oct 14) are a number that recently won accolades at the Toronto International Film Festival. Among the highlights are a claustrophobic domestic drama, an unconventional rape-revenge movie from the director of Showgirls, and Shia LaBeouf.
After Love – This Belgian movie takes place inside a household where a couple has lost that loving feeling. From a Variety review: “… audiences will be clawing to get out as (director Joachim) Lafosse’s suffocating, play-like drama unfolds — the discomfort mounting like so much poison gas as Lafosse captures the toxic hostility of ex-lovers forced to live together long after both parties have decided to separate.” Sounds like a typical Monday to us.
American Honey – According to a Variety review, this fourth feature from British-born director Andrea Arnold is “Part dreamy millennial picaresque, part distorted tapestry of Americana and part exquisitely illustrated iTunes musical… [it] daringly commits only to the loosest of narratives across its luxurious 162-minute running time. Yet it’s constantly, engrossingly active, spinning and sparking and exploding in cycles like a Fourth of July Catherine wheel…” American actor Shia LaBeouf (Transformers) stars alongside a cast of unknowns.
Elle – Paul Verhoeven is best known for audience-satisfying yarns like Basic Instinct, Starship Troopers and Showgirls. More recently, the Dutch filmmaker has seemed to retreat to a smaller, more intimate (and European) style of filmmaking. Elle follows Tricked (2012) and Black Book (2006), and stars Isabelle Huppert. Variety calls it a “remarkable rape-revenge drama, a possible career high” for the director.
Gimme Danger – American filmmaker Jim Jarmusch’s long-awaited documentary of what many consider one of the greatest of American rock bands, the Stooges. Includes archival footage and contemporary interviews, including with lead singer Iggy Pop.
Iggy the Stooges (L-R Dave Alexander, Iggy Pop in front, Scott Asheton in back and Ron Asheton) pose for a portrait at Elektra Sound Recorders while making their second album, Fun House, on May 23, 1970 in Los Angeles. Photo by Ed Caraeff/Getty Images.
The Girl With All the Gifts – You wouldn’t know if from the title, but this is a zombie movie – one that the Guardian calls “provocative and imaginative” and “fiercely intelligent.” It’s based on a 2014 novel of the same name, directed by Scottish director Colm McCarthy (British TV series Sherlock, Peaky Blinders) and stars British actress Gemma Arterton.
Newcomer Sennia Nanua stars in the “fiercely intelligent” zombie thriller The Girl With All the Gifts.
For more movies, showtimes and ticket info, visit viff.org.
