The International Festival of Films on Art kicks off on March 17, and this year, it’s a doozy; there are 227 films from 22 countries being screened over 11 days. Only 37 of the films are in competition, but according to festival co-founder René Rozon, the non-competition sections are also worth checking out. Since Concordia University is a partner, many films will be shown in the J.A. De Sève Cinema. With this many films ranging in subject from Tintin to Jean-Paul Gauthier, there is certain to be something for everyone playing at the festival. Here are the films I’m excited about seeing.
1. HOOP
Marites Carino’s five-minute film about hula-hooping will be shown as part of the Diagonales program. It will be accompanied by a performance flashmob on March 18 when hula-hoopers will take over Place Des Arts for three hours in the afternoon.
HOOP premiers on March 20 at the Cinémathèque Québecoise.
2. Comic Books go to War
Director Mark Daniels looks at how the violence and senselessness of war has been translated into comic book form in this full-length documentary. He takes a look at the journalistic and political information in comic books by artists such as Art Spiegelman, Joe Kubert and Marjane Satrapi.
Comic Books go to War opens at the Museum of Contemporary Art on March 19, and will play at Concordia’s J.A. De Sève Cinema March 20.
3. Dix Fois Dix
Following the exhibit of Otto Dix’s work in the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Concordia grad Jennifer Alleyn explores the artist from 10 different points of view, and looks at how he used art to force the world to see the truth about itself.
Dix Fois Dix premieres at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on March 24.
4. The Picture of the Napalm Girl
When people think of the Vietnam War, one picture often sticks in their memory: that of a girl running down a road, screaming, her clothes completely burnt off by napalm. But what has become of the child in the photo? Marc Wiese finds Kim Phuc in Canada, and gets her story about the famous photo.
The Picture of the Napalm Girl premieres March 19 at the Museum of Contemporary Art, and will play at Concordia’s J.A. De Sève Cinema March 27.
5. Sur les Traces de Marguerite Yourcenar
The opening film of this year’s FIFA looks at writer Marguerite Yourcenar through the lenses of a road movie, showing viewers the paths traveled by the first woman named to the Académie Française.
Sur les Traces de Marguerite Yourcenar premieres at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts March 17.
6. MTL Punk – The First Wave
Concordia grad Érik Cimon looks at what happened when the punk movement arrived in Montreal in 1977, from the point of view of the people who were there to experience the scene. Thirty years later, former punks recount the music, drugs and rebellion associated with the movement.
MTL Punk – The First Wave premieres at the Cinémathèque Québécoise March 21.
For more information and the full program, check out artfifa.com.
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