Focusing on the human dilemma of navigating through the moral quicksand that divides righteousness and desire, this week's rather grim FYC centers around tales of unsuspecting victims. Whether it's dolphins being lured to their deaths in The Cove, parishioners falling prey to a priest-turned-vampire in Thirst, or a junkie unaware that his wife is hiding plans for his demise in Lorna's Silence, no one and nothing is completely safe when faced with humanity's lust for more.
THIRST
What: The eighth feature film from director Park Chan-wook, the most internationally successful member of the Korean New Wave and visionary behind Oldboy and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Thirst is the story of a selfless priest that finds his faith tested when a blood transfusion leaves himself thirsting for the blood of the people he swore to protect and matters become even further complicated when he finds himself hungry for more than the blood of a local married woman.Where: NY - Landmark Sunshine Cinema, LA - Sunset 5
Why: Winner of the Cannes' Jury Prize, Thirst is the latest entry into the criminally underrated oeuvre of director Park Chan-wook. His films are often praised and marginalized for their superficial trappings - his sharp eye and violent scenarios often draw comparisons to Quentin Tarantino and his use of graphic violence often finds him mentioned in the same breath as other 'extreme' filmmakers like Takashi Miike, but unlike these 'extreme' filmmakers, he doesn't use these techniques to be 'cool' or commercially successful, his body of work reveals that he's much more interested in what makes humans tick in extreme situations than how much fake blood he can pour on a floor. Often spotlighting characters that seek revenge because they refuse to accept responsibility for their own actions, Park shows a poignant empathy for all the characters in his films - no one is evil just to serve as an antagonist, everyone acts because of very human emotions. In a Park Chan-wook film, the filmmaking and violence never takes precedent over the characters, instead the violence serves to terrifyingly underscore the frailty and plight of the characters in a world where everyone is ultimately looking out for themselves. Featuring another stunning performance from versatile Korean superstar Song Kang-ho, Thirst promises to be another immensely engaging, character-centric piece in the tradition of the Korean New Wave. The Korean New Wave - Foreign Films You Don't Have To Be Afraid Of (TM)
THE COVE
Where: NY - Angelika Film Center, The Beekman Theater, LA - The Landmark, The Arclight Hollywood
Why: Thanks to the genuine stakes provided by its undercover nature, The Cove is one of those rare documentaries that will likely garner a lot of mainstream attention. The product of people willing to risk their lives to fight for something they believe in, The Cove is decidedly not for people looking for a balanced debate, but should provide a heart-wrenching experience for anyone looking for a suspenseful, enlightening look about an underreported epidemic.
LORNA'S SILENCE
Where: NY - Cinema Village 12th Street, LA - Playhouse 7, Monica 4-Plex, Sunset 5
Why: The Dardenne Brothers' style of hyper-realistic filmmaking that often focuses on marginalized characters trying to find their place in a post-industrial society definitely isn't for every audience, but if you're looking for an entry way into the work of two of the most influential foreign filmmakers of the last decade, you'll be hard pressed to find a better film than this one. Another highly praised piece of social realism that never feels pessimistic for pessimism's sake - a staple of far too many recent arthouse films, Lorna's Silence is worth considering.
Everything Else
NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD
FLAME & CITRON
GOTTA DANCE
ADAM
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