First Weekend of 30th Cleveland International Film Festival almost over

Well, the first weekend of the 30th Annual Cleveland International Film Festival is coming to a close. It has been an extremely busy couple of days, the biggest Friday attendance in the history of the Festival. But of course with all this going on its been extremely hectic as well. I will be heading up there to see some more films tonight, but here is a rundown of what I have see so far:

THE PORCELAIN DOLL (A Porcelánbaba), from Hungary, is a film in three parts all surrounding events in the mystical village of Star Farm. It is based upon the book "star Farm" by Ervin Lázár, which consists of grimm fairy tales. The film is directed by Péter Gárdos

QUO VADIS, BABY?, from Italy, is a neo noir thriller about a woman snoop who is prompted to investigate her sister's apparent suicide 16 years earlier. As she comes closer to understanding what happened to her sister that night, she feels that she is being watched, and that things might not be as they seem. Directed by Gabriele Salvatores.

KARLA, from Canada, is the true story of Canadian serial rapist and murderer Paul Bernardo and his wife and possible accomplice Karla. The film tells the unflinching story from Karla's point of view as she speaks doctor who is evaluating her in prison. Directed by Joel Bender and starring Laura Prepon ("That 70's Show")

SCREAMING MASTERPIECE (Gargandi Snilld), from Iceland, is an amazing documentary about the current musical scene in the small country of 300,000. It takes a look at over 20 bands, and how they have taken influence from their native roots and American and European cultures. Artists include Björk, the Sugarcubes, Sigur Rós, Bang Gang, Quarashi, and many more. Definitely my favorite so far this weekend.
Directed by Ari Alexander Ergis Magnusson. Soundtrack available at Amazon.com.

MIDNIGHT MOVIES: FROM THE MARGIN TO THE MAINSTREAM, from Canada, is a fun look at six films from the late 60's and 70's that started the trend of the Midnight Movie, films which didn't make it at the box office, but gained a cult following playing a few nights a week at midnight. It looks at "El Topo," "“Pink Flamingos,"” "“Night of the Living Dead,"” "“Eraserhead,"” "“The Rocky Horror Picture Show,"” and "“The Harder They Come." Directed by Stuart Samuels.

ZOZO, from Sweeden, tells the story of ten-year-old Zozo growing up in 1987 Beirut during the civil war. He and his family are awaiting paperwork so that they can escape to Sweeden to be with their grandparents. Unfortunately, once the paperwork arrives his family is killed, and Zozo must rely on himself to try and make it to the airport and to Sweeden. Directed by Josef Fares.

RED MERCURY, from the United Kingdom, is about three British Muslims who must flee when the police are tipped off that they are making a bomb. In the confusion, they Greeke to take a greek restaurant and its patrons hostage. Police and counter-terrorism are called in to assess the situation, as the three inexperienced bombers converse with their hostages, and weigh the heavy burdon of what they have to do. Directed by Roy Battersby.

Today I'll be seeing AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE (En Folkefiende), directed by Erik Skjoldbjærg from Norway, and SOPHIE SCHOLL: THE FINAL DAYS (SOPHIE SCHOLL: DIE LETZTEN TAGE) directed by Marc Rothemund from Germany.

Also check out Left Of Center at PCN in the coming weeks as I review the films I see at the 30th Cleveland International Film Festival.