Opening Night NIFFF from Blake on Vimeo.
Part Two: Opening Night NIFFF
Tribute to Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF)
Note if the Vimeo video is too choppy I have it available in Quicktime here (view).
Ceremonie d’ouverture
The Substitute
Tuesday July 1, 2008
Apollo 1
NIFFF kicked off their 8th edition last year with Ole Bornedal’s great sci-fi dark kids thriller, The Substitute. For those at Fantastic Fest (link) last year you may have seen me introduce this film. It was months before Fantastic Fest when I had first seen it at NIFFF. Kicking off a fest with a powerhouse and very evil Paprika Steen performance is such a great way to get things started.
Opening night kicked off in a 3 story movie theater in Neuchatel called Apollo (link). It was in their main movie theater that sits 400 with a balcony. The third floor theater seats 200 and the one in the basement seats 102. Outside of the Apollo, NIFFF features a giant party tent that has a full service bar, DJ’s, lounge, couches and bustling atmosphere where everyone chats NIFFF and all things great cinema (not just genre related).
In this video we have some footage from opening night with Anais and its director making opening remarks. The clip ends with a scenic view of Lake Neuchatel as the sun rises and the Swiss Alps can just be fleetingly seen in the distance.
My Quick Review of The Substitute:
What happens when an alien invasion doesn’t come in the form of crop circles and giant spaceships with lasers blasting, but arrives in the form of a 6th grade substitute teacher with a sweet spot for chicken blood and tormenting the kiddies? Somewhere sitting on another planet and universe an alien race has decided to kick a little 6th grade ass and perhaps take over Earth while they’re at it. Can a group of ragtag punks and whiners led by down-on-his-luck Carl look past their differences, put their headphones down and overcome their inner demons long enough to stop an alien invasion from happening and even better yet, convince their parents they simply aren’t crying wolf? The stakes are high as they begin to be mercilessly tormented and the bodies (and chickens) start piling up.
THE SUBSTITUTE is a movie that could go in many directions. Luckily, in the hands of Ole Bornedal we get one of the more refreshing science fiction entries about a group of kids since Joe Dante’s EXPLORERS. Unlike EXPLORERS, it earns an R rating as it explores some very dark themes and has one of the grisliest chicken death scenes in the history of cinema. With themes exploring the innocence of youth and its endless imagination, Bornedal crafts a modern day Brothers Grimm tale that ponders large themes with a sugary sweet demented smile. Who knew alien invasions could be this much fun? Adding to the enjoyment, this is by far the wildest and most primal part to date from Paprika Steen, one of the greatest of the current crop of European actresses. Much like Heath Ledger as the Joker in THE DARK KNIGHT, you can’t wait for her to reappear in the film to see what she will do next. Is she an alien with a secret desire to have us all for breakfast or is she simply a misunderstood creature with a jam box standing outside our windows blasting Huey Lewis on a quest to find love? Dan Lausten (BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF) does the cinematography.
Tribute to Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF) – March 2009 (Archive):
::: March 6 – Part Two: Opening Night NIFFF
::: March 1 – Part One: Ride into NIFFF
::: February 25 – Preview
About Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF) Month:
All month long in March 2009, Cinema is Dope will be profiling and paying tribute to the Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF) that takes place annually in Switzerland. Most coverage will feature their 8th edition which took place in 2008.
Please note that their 2009 dates are June 30th-July 5th.
It was the summer of 2008 and I found myself for the first time in Neuchatel, Switzerland, to take part in one of the worlds most blissful film festivals. What adjectives you say and yes they many and all do apply sincerely. To a certain degree you could call this a small genre fest and you in a way would be right but still so damn wrong at the same time. There is something so intoxicating and refreshing going on here each year at the Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF) that regardless of size it feels infinitely grand and magical. Every screening is filled with energetic but respectful audiences and with its newly added outdoor screenings where you can gush over Wong Kar Wai’s Ashes of Time Redux set against the backdrop of the Swiss Alps, there are few things in life that can compare, let alone film going experiences. Many people put Venice, TIFFF, Cannes and more on their dial as must fests to attend and I’m sure those are great and all, but seriously you have not lived until you have stepped foot here. Recommended for film lovers of all kinds, treat yourself right someday. Please follow along in March of 2009 as I profile this film festival.
Please help and spread the word on Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF) Month here at Cinema is Dope. Tweet your friends. Mention it in your Facebook status or Friendfeed. Link to it on your blog. Any support is greatly appreciated!!!!!
You can follow along at these specific urls/web addresses:
::: www.cinemaisdope.com/category/film-festivals-nifff-month
::: http://tinyurl.com/nifff-fest
Related Links:
::: NIFFF Web Site
