Festival of surprises

Press, 17 July 1980, Page 12

Festival of surprises

As always, the twoweek Christchurch International Film Festival, which begins at .the Carlton tomorrow, contains a few last-minute surprises. Organised by Amalgamated Theatres in co-oper-ation with the Canterbury Film Society, the . fourth festival will feature 26 films from around the world, from countries as diverse as Belgium, Australia, Iran, U.S.S.R., Poland, Greece, West Germany, the Philippines, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Spain, Mexico, Egypt and Algeria.

Two of the pleasant surprises are films not shown at this vearis Wellington Film Festival: “Autumn Sonata,” which, for the first time, brings the two Bergmans — Ingrid and Ingmar — together; and “Being There,” Peter Sellers’ latest overseas box office hit, which has somehow sneaked its way into the festival but is bound to return later this year as a- general release. As always, the organisers reserve the right, under unavoidable circumstances, to change the schedule of films or replace any film unavailable at the time of screening. The following is a brief summary of the first week’s films:

“Opening Night,” U.S.A, 1977, tomorrow, 11.15 a.m. and 5.15 p.m.: A new play, about the problems of ageing, is being tried out in New Haven prior to its Broadway opening. After a performance, the star, Myrtle. Gordon (Gena Rowlands), is disturbed when a 17-year-old-fan is accidentally run over and killed while trying to talk to her. This film will be welcomed by those who were impressed by the last film by John Cassavetes screened in Christchurch, “A Woman Under the Influence,” especially as this latest film features another superlative performance by Gena Rowlands (winning Best Actress, Berlin Film Festival).

“Get Our Your Handkerchiefs,”. France/Belgium, 1978, tomorrow, 2.15 and 8.15 p.m.: A love story that is also a comedy of the new morality with classical charm. The film focuses on the antics of two libidinous friends (Gerard Depardieu and Patrick Delaware) who will try anything to satisfy the seemingly frigid woman (the stunning Carole Laure) they crave. Nothing seems to work and it is only when the heroine falls for a 13-year-old youth (Riton) that she is finally aroused from her stupor. “Mouth to Mouth,” Aus’ tralia, 1978, Saturday, 2.15

p.m.: Four unemployed teenagers set up house in an abandoned warehouse where survival becomes a matter of dole cheques and cunning. “One of the most important films recently made in Australia. The pace is rapid. . . it is charming and: at times harrowing.” — Australian National Times. “Autumn Sonata,” West Germany, 1978, Saturday, 5.15 and 8.15 pan.: Please do not ask me how this essentially Swedish film came to be made in West Germany, except that the director, Ingmar Bergman, must still be trying to avoid Swedish taxation laws. (His last film, “The Serpent’s. Egg,” was also made in Germany.) An internationally famous concert pianist, Charlotte (Ingrid Bergman), is invited to stay with her daughter, Eva (Liv Ullman), who lives with her husband, a country minister, in a small town in Norway. After seven years separation, the meeting between mother and daughter is a tenuous one which seems successful at first but eventually Eva’s resentment of her mother’s neglect comes to a head. Tender performances are given by Ullman and' Ingrid Bergman (speaking Swedish on screen). “Being There,” U.S.A. 1980, Sunday, 2.15 and 8.15 p.m.: This slot in the festival was originally for a French/Belgian animated film, “Shame of the Jungle,” but it failed to pass the censor and “Being There” has been substituted. Peter Sellers (who earned a “Time” cover this year for this role) plays an innocent, child-like gardener whose emergence into the world has a dire effect on him. The film shows how a totally blank, isolated man, whose only knowledge of the world comes from television, emerges from the Edenic .walled garden he has tended all his life to become a presidential adviser, media

pundit and, finally, .presidential timber himself. Also starring Shirley MacLaine. “Black and White in Colour,” France, 1976, Monday, 2.15 and 8.15 p.m.: At a small French outpost in West Central Africa, news of the First World War does not arrive until a year after the outbreak of hostilities. The French decidi to' attack the, neighbouring German colony and both sides conscript natives to do the fighting. Bad weather holds things up, however, and then illness reduces the ranks. Finally, the English arrive to declare that it is all over, so then the French side with the Germans. A witty and intelligent, . self-mocking comedy. „ _ “Man of Marble,” Poland, 1978, Monday, 5.15 p.m.: The director, Andrzej Wajda’s extraordinary film was banned for more than a year in Poland. Its heroine is determined to make a film about a longforgotten hero of the ’sos. She pushes forward in spite of warnings that the film can never be made. “Dear Inspector,” France, 1978, Tuesday, 2.15 and 8.15 p.m.: Annie Girardot is Lise, a divorcee on a whirlwind shopping spree for her little girl’s birthday; Philippe Noiret is Antoine, a placid bachelor driving through a Paris park. The two meet on the end of Lise’s fender at a quiet intersection. A witty, romantic comedy about. the mysterious mass assassinations of politicians. “Movie, Movie,” U.S.A., 1978, Tuesday, 5.15 p.m.: Take two vintage 1930 s plots, restage in parody of the- originals and sandwich together, complete with a trailer advertising next week’s colossal attraction, arid you have an. affectionate hom-,. age to.the long-lost tradition of the studio double bill. You can wallow in nostalgia, have a lot of innocent fun, and a chance for the admirable cast —

George G Scott, Red Buttons, Eli . Wallach — to show.their versatility in contrasting roles. “Viva Italia,” Italy, 1978, Wednesday, 2.15 .and 8.15 pan.: Vittorio Gassman, Alberto Sordi and Ugo Tognazzi star in some of these nine stories by three Italian directors, all of whom take a bitingly satirical look at contemporary Italian life and attitudes. The directors are Mario Moncie Monicelh. Ettore Scola and Dino Risi,

“Knife in the Head,” West Germany, 1978, Wednesday, 5.15. past: Bruno Ganz plays a man shot during a police rai<L When he emerges from a coma, he has lost his memory, speech and ability- to function in all. but the simplest ways. Who is he? The police claim he is a terrorist, but he does not know the truth , because he cannot remember. A tough, brilliant film, which should be one of the best in the festivals

“The Inheritance,” Italy, 1976, Thursday, 2.15 and 8.15 . p.m.: Dominique Sanda gives a justifiably award-wirining perform* ance in this rich production. Set in the 19th Century, the film’s centra! motif is power and money, and everything is. sacrificed to it. “Impeccably tailored ‘ period drama, ported by a convincing scrutiny of class arid society.” — Variety. . v?., “Stevie,” 1978, Thursday, 5.15 pan.: Stevie Smith was an English poet, minor in everything but the impact of her curious poems upon the eye, ear and memory. Recently dead — of a brain tumor in 1971 —- she has not yet been assigned her proper place in literature, perhaps because it is hard to sayjust where she should go. Her poems look like Emily Dickinson’s, sing like Donne’s and stay in the mind like disturbing nursery rhymes. Glenda Jack* son plays, the title role.