Mami Film Festival madness came to an end on 27 Oct evening. 7 days. 35 films, from 19 countries. (a few left incomplete because of timing constraints, and in a couple of rare instances, because the film was really bad)
Around 4-5 films left me unhappy, a few others unsatisfied, but most of it was quite a treat. Of course, we had too many options, and too little time, and at times, too much rush. Tried to soak in as much as possible. There was a moment on day 5, when I simply left the theater, went out for the evening, as I genuinely felt drained out(also Day 4 and 5 had been pretty ordinary). That actually helped, and was followed by 2 wonderful, wonderful days.
My favorite 10 from the Festival:
1. I Daniel Blake: the way individual scenes had a graph of their own, is something that will stay with me for quite a while
2. After the Storm: The most refreshing film from the festival. One liners, and observational humor at its best
3. Elle: unique critique of Christianity, with a twisted story line. extremely dark and extremely humorous at the same time.
4. Clash: The topic, the execution, the scale. Another film from the festival which was liked by one and all
5. Graduation: This I would rate above The Salesman, because this mix of absolute simplicity and brilliant intensity, is what everyone expected from Farhadi, but this film delivered all that, and more. Masterpiece on human drama, though with an ending which surely leaves you uncomfortable
6. The Salesman: The most hyped film in the festival. The last 30 minutes ensured that it does live up to that hype
7. Tower: the intensity, the tension, the unique execution of a documentary. The second film that I saw in the festival,and the first that I had loved
8. Barakah Meets Barakah: Sociopolitical comedy from Saudi Arabia, and one of the most important films in the festival
9. Kagaz Ki Kashti: Did not expect a Jagjit Singh documentary to have the kind of impact that it did, pure magic
10. Fukushima Mon Amor: Hidden gem of the festival, kind of a discovery because the film never was one of the most talked about films of the festival. Yet I feel it was one of the most beautiful films with all the cinematic ingredients in a perfect mix
2. After the Storm: The most refreshing film from the festival. One liners, and observational humor at its best
3. Elle: unique critique of Christianity, with a twisted story line. extremely dark and extremely humorous at the same time.
4. Clash: The topic, the execution, the scale. Another film from the festival which was liked by one and all
5. Graduation: This I would rate above The Salesman, because this mix of absolute simplicity and brilliant intensity, is what everyone expected from Farhadi, but this film delivered all that, and more. Masterpiece on human drama, though with an ending which surely leaves you uncomfortable
6. The Salesman: The most hyped film in the festival. The last 30 minutes ensured that it does live up to that hype
7. Tower: the intensity, the tension, the unique execution of a documentary. The second film that I saw in the festival,and the first that I had loved
8. Barakah Meets Barakah: Sociopolitical comedy from Saudi Arabia, and one of the most important films in the festival
9. Kagaz Ki Kashti: Did not expect a Jagjit Singh documentary to have the kind of impact that it did, pure magic
10. Fukushima Mon Amor: Hidden gem of the festival, kind of a discovery because the film never was one of the most talked about films of the festival. Yet I feel it was one of the most beautiful films with all the cinematic ingredients in a perfect mix
Little Prince. Goodbye Berlin. Endless Poetry. Neruda. The Golden Wing. When two worlds collide. Donald Cried. My Life as a Zuchini: Some other films that I loved
Anatomy of Violence, Ahamaq, Personal Shopper, Vampir Cuadecuc, Echo were few films that really did not work for me at all. Enjoyed watching Shah Rukh in Ahamaq, showing how he managed to make such pathetic writing also tolerable with his energy and enthusiasm. Mostly Sunny was somewhat disappointing, because I expected more from a documentary on such a fascinating, multi-faceted character. Sandstorm seemed a seriously over hyped film, while Cinema Travelers is neither as good as its fans would say, nor as bad as the people disliking it would opine.
Should take a day off to simply sit and reflect on the past week, and all that was experienced. Experience to cherish. And above all, even with its' share of shortcomings, it was a job very well done by the organizers
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