Filmfestivalen 2016

As
lighthearted French comedies go, I’m all yours is the darkest ever, as we
slowly and painfully get to realise. Though the tone is light and there are
chuckles aplenty, the darkness creeps in. It’s not a dark comedy, it’s more of
a mood dissonance thing, and as such is difficult to judge. The leads are
brilliant, as is the mother. It’s obvious how environment sometimes trumps
genetics when shaping a person. I just can’t seem to be as moved as I should.

Failed
the Bechdel test

3
miniskirts of 6

https://festival.giff.se/events/i-m-all-yours

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4025194/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_3

The film starts with
a greeting from the director and the main actors to the audience. Well, not the
actual film, but at least this particular screening. The filmed greeting sets
the tone, though: it’s personal, it’s easygoing and it’s joyful.

The actual movie
also sets the tone right from the get-go. Fastpaced, humorous and innovative,
yet familiar in a sort of comforting way.

Some films are
predictable, and that can make the viewers feel that their intelligence is
being underestimated. Other predictable films can instead evoke a sense of
smartness. Requisitos…. is predictable, but in a good way. It is a romcom,
after all, the most formulaic genre there is. It’s fine for a romcom to be as
expected; the trick is to make the journey to the inevitable finale (where the
two obvious lovebirds finally kiss after some grand gesture) as enjoyable as
possible. And that, RPSUPN does. The disposable romantic foil is not a douche,
just… disposable. The little quirks the protagonist have are fun and unique,
not just there for the sake of quirkiness. There’s laughter and tears, some
Swedish (which is always good fun to come across in a foreign film) and a
general feelgood feel.

When Hollywood
attempts a remake, they will cast Anna Kendrick, Jason Segel and Paul Rudd in
the leads. But as always, there’s no need for that: the original is better!

Passed the Bechdel
test

5 ovens of 6

https://festival.giff.se/events/requirements-to-be-a-normal-person

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3720724/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_6

In a
contemporary alternate take on christian mythology, jjjjj presents the god of
the bible as a married man, living in a closed apartment with his completely
silent wife and a preteen emo daughter. His son, JC, has already moved out.

God is
portrayed as a complete douche, abusive and commanding, ordering his submissive
wife around and beating his daughter. At work, he controls creation by means of
computer, and takes pleasure in torturing mankind for his own sociopathic
reasons. So, slightly more sympathetic than he’s portrayed in the bible.

Ea, the
daughter, gets sick and tired of her dad’s cruelty, and decides to go to the
mortal world and get disciples.

It’s
wonderfully blasphemous, and a quick take and easiness not far from Jeunet’s
style. It effortlessly mixes poetry and laughter, profoundness and profanity.
The camera work is beautifully put together, and all actors are terrific. Some
could see the film as somewhat pretentious, but personally I think it stays on
the right side of the line. Others, quite a few I’d wager, probably find it
blasphemous and will chose to get offended. Tough shit for them; I, for, one,
welcome a work of art that at least sheds light on the fact that Christians,
Jews and Muslims worship a complete arsehole, and especially when it’s done in
such an entertaining and visually stunning way.

Failed
the Bechdel test

5
stitches of 6

https://festival.giff.se/events/the-brand-new-testament
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3792960/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_1