I’ve already seen almost twenty offerings from Cinequest 2018, and here are my initial recommendations. As usual, I focus on the world and US premieres. Follow the links for full reviews, images and trailers. I’ve also included some tips for making the most of the Cinequest experience under “Hacking Cinequest”.
MUST SEE
- Bikini Moon: The Must See indie at this Cinequest, this gripping drama features a mesmerizing performance by the ridiculously charismatic Condola Rashad. It’s the first American feature for renowned filmmaker Milcho Manchevski. World premiere. Simply brilliant.
SOMETHING YOU HAVEN’T SEEN BEFORE
- 7 Splinters of Time is the trippiest film in this year’s Cinequest. Eye candy galore, as time travel goes wrong and doppelgängers abound. Listed in the Cinequest program by the alternative title of Omphalos. World premiere.
- Tommy Battles the Silver Sea Dragon has to be the bravest and most artistically ambitious movie premiering at Cinequest. In his debut feature as director, writer, composer and star Luke Shirock has imagined a guy put on trial by his own subconscious. And it’s a musical. World premiere.
- Voevoda: This is a well-crafted historical epic; what makes it different is the female protagonist – a guerilla rebel leader in 19th Century Bulgaria. US premiere.
- The Wind: Okay, you may have already seen this if you’re about 100-years-old. But most of us haven’t experienced watching this Lillian Gish silent classic on the big screen of a period movie palace, the California Theatre, accompanied by world-renowned Dennis James on the Mighty Wurlitzer organ.
THRILLERS
- Amateur This taut Argentine thriller reminds us of Psycho, but with more grisly killing and more sexual perversity. US premiere.
- Hunting Lands: This indie is a slow burn thriller about a recluse emerging from the woods to right a horrible wrong. First time writer-director Zack Wilson lets the audience connect the dots. World premiere.
SLICE OF LIFE
- Luba: This realistic Canadian drama explores the challenges of co-parenting with an addict. There’s a ticking time bomb finish. World premiere.
COMEDY
- Venus: This appealing Canadian transgender comedy is funny, touching and genuine. Transitioning is challenging enough, but a zany Indian family and a previously unknown biological son complicate matters. US Premiere.
- Threesomething: This bawdy sex comedy comes with a smart and acid perspective on the “Are you OK?” generation. World premiere.
THE BEST OF WORLD CINEMA
- Barefoot: This Czech historical drama is from director Jan Sverak, who won an Oscar for Kolya. Cinequest Director of Programming Mike Rabehl has secured the rare black-and-white director’s cut. I haven’t seen it yet, but the buzz is that it’s excellent.
- Ismael’s Ghosts: I’ve been waiting for the chance to see this French drama, not yet released in the US. Stars Marion Cotillard, Mathieu Amalric and Charlotte Gainsbourg. From director Arnaud Desplechin (My Golden Days, A Christmas Tale, Jimmy P.),
AUDIENCE-PLEASERS
- Venus: (see above).
- The Pick of the Litter: I haven’t yet seen this feel-good documentary about adorable puppies trying to become Guide Dogs for the Blind. Directors Dana Nachman and Don Hardy made the sentimental recent Cinequest and PBS hit Batkid Begins.
BEFORE IT’S IN THEATERS – SEE IT HERE FIRST
Several Cinequest films already are planned for theatrical release later this year. I haven’t seen them yet, but you can see them first at Cinequest: Krystal, Submission, Borg/McEnroe, Beirut, Submergence, The Ashram, The Last Movie Star, What They Had, Where Is Kyra?, Love After Love and Brothers in Arms.
HACKING CINEQUEST
The renovation of the old Camera 3 Theater into 3Below Theaters & Lounge means that Cinequest will regain its Downtown San Jose vibe, with concurrent screenings at the 1122-seat California, the 550-seat Hammer and the 257-seat 3Below, all within 1600 feet of the VIP lounge at The Continental Bar. There will still be satellite viewing in Redwood City.
3Below has lost Camera 3’s middle aisle and replaced all the seats. The decor is sharp, and they’ve added a movable stage for performances, lectures and Q&As. The once notorious restrooms are remarkably clean (and no longer accessible from the neighboring parking garage, so they have a chance to stay that way).
At Cinequest, you can get a festival pass for as little as $165, and you can get individual tickets as well. The express pass for an additional tax-deductible $100 is a fantastic deal – you get to skip to the front of the lines!
Take a look at the entire program, the schedule and the passes and tickets. (If you want to support Silicon Valley’s most important cinema event while skipping the lines, the tax-deductible $100 donation for Express Line Access is an awesome deal.)
As usual, I’ll be covering Cinequest rigorously with features and movie recommendations. I usually screen (and write about) over thirty films from around the world. Bookmark my Cinequest 2018 page, with links to all my coverage (links on the individual movies will start to go live on Sunday February 25). Follow me on Twitter for the latest.