elaborate_burn

I just saw this film at the Phoenix Film Festival. Without much ado, I can only say it was, by far, the worst film accepted for competition in the festival. I promised out of respect for the filmmakers I wouldn't walk out of any films. I got about a half an hour through this garbage and stormed out. Completely amateurish, stupid, tedious and unlikeable. Good marketing hook though. The one tracking shot thing worked for "Russian Ark," and it got me to want to see this, but don't let it fool you like it did me. Even the director of the film said he was afraid it would never screen at a film festival b/c he thought no one would like it. He was half-right. It screened twice and literally everyone I talked to agreed it was the worst in the entire festival. How it managed to get picked amongst 600 films submitted is beyond me. If the main protagonist hadn't already been a ghost, I would have wanted all the characters to die horrible deaths so they would leave the screen, but even that was impossible. So, in a way, watching this film was a fate worse than death. Films like these are the reason I don't go to festivals much. If this film is somehow accepted into another festival and merges into one near you, take my advice and skip it. I feel sorry for anyone involved in this production or who had to sit through it. 0/10

One of the heaviest films I've ever seen. Also one of the best documentaries. I saw this at the Phoenix Film Festival where it rightfully won Best Foreign Film and thought it was the most moving film I saw there. Completely shows a side of death that cinema usually ignores: banal reality. Five ordinary people die of cancer over the course of 14 weeks in an ordinary hospital. No characters. No interviews. No narration. No redemption. No plot-twists. Slow paced. That's what happens to people who get cancer. This film completely takes the physical and emotional reality and turns it into a cinematic emotional abyss. Really makes you wonder how you will die or if this is an oracle into your future. Absolutely amazing footage. This is no mere snuff film, mind you. This is a film that takes reality and shoves it into your face. All these poor people have is their dignity and even that is taken away. A tragedy even more in that it is reality. Such is life.

Just saw this at the Phoenix Film Festival where it won the prize for Best Breakthrough Performance. It was by the 14 year old star of this film who plays Adam. He is an amazing talent and everyone should expect to see great things from him in the future. The plot was a little predictable and the ending was a dissapointment. Another one of those the kid ain't all right kind of sagas film fests love. Good direction, decent editing. Cinematography was only so-so. All the acting is great, though. Esp by Lousie "Nurse Ratched" Flecher. Kevin Sorbo also did a decent job with his small role. Made me forget all about "Hercules," barely. If this hits a festival near you, see it! And that's all there is to it.