The Calgary Underground FIlm Festival, Part One.

I obviously am not able to go to every film screened at the week long festival, because i have to work. If anyone wishes to pay to me to see all of them just so I can write about it, do it. Anyways, the film I saw was called the Disappearance of Alice Creed, a debut feature by director J Blakeson. What the J stands for remains a mystery. Despite my sarcasm I was actually really impressed by this film, and when I found out that it was his first, well that just made it all the more sweeter. Briefly, the plot is this: Two British criminals convert an apartment into a prison cell, where they hold to kidnap a women and hold her for ransom. This sounds extremely simply, but it isn't. I don't want to give anything else away, because revealing anything past that point would spoil it. The plot is an intense thriller, with a lot of Hitchcockian elements to it. The plot keeps you guessing, and will surprise you and keep you on the edge of your seat. Seriously, the film is intense, rarely does my heart started pounding faster when I see a film. The script (J Blakeson wrote the film as well) is solid, with convincing dialogue and a no nonsense approach to story. I liked it, but I don't know if I'd watch it again. Because the plot itself is based on this sort of crazy twist pattern, I don't know if seeing it twice would be as enjoyable.

I also really enjoyed how effective the film was. By that I mean, it didn't use fancy special FX (I doubt he could afford them) and there are only three actors in the whole film. I would guess the most expensive scene would be when a van is set on fire. The film also pretty much takes place in one location, though near the end there is some travel. The film is also heavily influenced by German expressionism, as the props and buildings begin to reflect the character's psychological states. The film feels very close, very tense as if it's closing in around the characters. I don't know if the room physically gets smaller (this technique is used in a lot of films) but it certainly feels like it. The music is also stellar. The entire soundtrack is made up of kind of ambient, post-rock piano, cello, and fxs. The music might actually be my favorite part of this film, as it's haunting, sorrowful yet determined notes set a beautiful tone.

I don't know where this J Blakeson is going, or if we'll ever find out what the J stands for (perhaps Jay). But if this is his first film, then I can't wait to see his next one. The next film at the festival i will be attending is not till Saturday (work and school). It's a Japanese horror film called Robo-Geisha, and it looks awesome. It's a late night screening starting at 11:45. should be fun, if you're free or an insomniac you should come down!