Second week of Canterbury Film Festival

Press, 28 April 1983, Page 18

Second week of Canterbury Film Festival

Despite — or because of — the economic recession, the interest in films seems to be increasing, as indicated by the many questons about movies showing at this year’s Canterbury Film Festival, which enters its second week tomorrow.

The following, brief resume should give some idea of what is showing during the last seven days: “Gregory’s Girl” (Scotland), tomorrow at 8.15 p.m., Saturday at 5.30 p.m. and 8.15 p.m.: Gregory is at the age where school is a drag. He has trouble with the soccer team and discovers a girl. “Gregory’s Girl” is full of sharply-observed, small, telling details. Sometimes sad, mostly hopeful — Gregory plods on to a better future.

“The Nutcracker Fantasy” (Japan), Saturday at 2 p.m.: The enchanting story of Clara, a little girl who went to bed one night clutching a little wooden nutcracker doll, and drifted away in her sleep into a strange land and adventures with two-headed mice.

“Ghostkeeper” (U.S.) and “The Butcher” (France), Sunday at 7.30 p.m.: “Ghostkeeper” has the classic setting of a large, decaying house; and the victims are a group of brash, young people who are not going to let silly superstition scare them off from staying overnight, with the classic result of bloody mayhem. “The Butcher.” Not recommended for people who live alone, or who have doubts about their local butcher.

“Volti Eugenio” (Italy), Monday at 8.15 p.m.: Eugenio is a 10-year-old boy who finds himself endlessly shuffled between his indifferent parents and other ’relatives. The critic of “The Sydney Morning Herald” describes this problem as “a lytrical study of the desolation of modern childhood, with a wicked sense of humour and an almost painful generosity of spirit.” “Ticket to Heaven” (Canada), Tuesday, nobody admitted after 8.15 p.m.: David, a young schoolteacher from Toronto, is bored and unhappy with his lifestyle. On impulse, he decides to visit an old friend (Karl) in San Francisco. Karl has-a number of attractive women friends who make David feel welcome and wanted. However, what starts innocently turns into a nightmare. Brainwashed by highly-sophisticated techniques, David becomes a

virtual robot — working up to 20 hours a day to make money for his new “Saviour” and regarding anyone opposed to lus concept as “Satan.”

"La Carapate” (France),. Wednesday at 8.15 p.m„Finding himself lumbered with a death sentence for a murder he may not have committed, Marcial takes advantage of a spontaneous riot to break out of prison with his bumbling lawyer, Jean-Philippe, literally in two. The plot is relatively unimportant (the message — assuming one exists — seems to be “Do Unto Others Before They Do You”), so the film is essentially an endless flow of wild sight gags strung together as a frantically funny chase. “The Killing of America” (U.S.), Thursday at 8.15 p.m.: A brutal, powerful documentary on contemporary violence in America, and the way in which the ineffectual gun laws virtually ensure its continuing escalation. The subject is shown in graphic and gruesome detail. So, if you like watching real murders, don’t miss this film.

at the

at the cinema

hons petrovic