Wuthering Heights
This is one of five films directed by a woman (Andrea Arnold) from the Official Selection.
Based on Emily Brontë's novel, it is a beautifully shot adaptation that provokes by the insertion of a racial element that is not from the source material.
Basic human traits of longing, jealousy, hatred, revenge, love, and family are artfully addressed.
However, I found this film to be a bit too pretentious by bringing too much attention to the cinematography and forcing emotional responses upon the audience that hadn't been earned in the story.
Nice to look at but I can't recommend it...
A Simple Life
A simple story set in Hong Kong about a woman (Ah Tao) who has worked as a servant to one family for sixty years. It is time now for her to retire as her health is failing and she moves into a retirement home and experiences a new "family".
All of the members of the family she served for so long have emigrated to San Francisco and only Roger, a film producer, remains in Hong Kong. He realizes the significance of Ah Tao's contribution to his family and his own upbringing and does his best to help her.
A powerful story about serving others, humility, growing old, and compassion.
4:44 Last Day on Earth
We were unable to see this film directed by provocateur Abel Ferrara due to a small fire in one of the projection booths. Two of the screenings were cancelled and the third was delayed and did not begin until approximately midnight.
From what our jury gathered from other press members that saw this, it was not well received and certainly not for our jury...
