Every year the IFFR places several directors in the spotlight, by tagging them as ‘Filmmaker in Focus’. This year the honor goes to three directors, knowing American director Robert Breer, Russian Svetlana Proskurina and the Japanese director Kobayashi Masahiro. These directors have extensive oeuvres that deserve more international promotion.

The first official day of the festival is filled with four films. I started with the Brazilian Tiger nominee Still Urangutans, followed with my first Kobayashi film ever, Bootleg Film. Then there was the musical/documentary of Talking Heads frontman, True Stories. Last on the list was the documentary The Reinactors about the impersonators on Hollywood Blvd. who try to make a living by having their pictures taken with tourists.

STILL URANGUTANS (2008)

This Tiger nominee looks as if it was taped in one take, when in fact it took director Gustavo Spolidoro six takes and an awful amount of craftsmanship and patience to lead this ambitious project. The start is ominous when a Japanese traveler discovers his sleeping girlfriend died on the train. He decides to leaves her behind and then the story shifts to a little boy who buys a watch from the Japanese man and then enters a bus. The boy starts a conversation with two women on the bus who get into a fight with a drunk Santa. To name but a few of the pallet of characters Spolidoro introduces.

This is a very well planned film that shifts from character to character in one smooth flow. The biggest flaw would be there is simply not enough time for you to really get to know these people. With its 81 minutes it is just about right to keep you occupied and entertained. Some tricks, for instance when it become night in a minute time are very well excecuted. Still Urangutans (the title remains unexplained but can easily be guessed) is more form over matter though.

Directed by: Gustavo Spolidoro
Starring: Karina Kazuê, Lindon Shimizu, Artur José Pinto
Runtime: 81’
Also screened on: Saturday January 26, 7:30 pm; Sunday January 27, 9:45 am; Tuesday January 29, 2:30 pm
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BOOTLEG FILM (1999)

Kobayashi Masahiro (1954) apparently writes and directs his own films and Bootleg Film (in Japanese Kaizokuban Bootleg Film) is his second undertaking on the directing chair. It is described as being influenced by François Truffaut as well as Quentin Tarantino as well as containing a lot of references to other films by one of its protagonists. Bootleg Film is a road movie that takes place in a snowy Japan (Hokkaido to be precise) in which two men, police officer Seiji and his friend Tatsuo drive home after having attended the funeral of Seiji’s ex-wife. She also turns out to be Tatsuo’s former lover. Subsequently, Tatsuo had hidden a dead body in the trunk of Seiji’s car, which is noticed by a young couple who consequently also have to be dealt with.

Tatsuo is a huge movie buck and even though the references he makes to (mostly) American films are obvious choices, these references are part of the charm. Even though Bootleg Film was made in 1999 it looks kind of dated, especially when it comes to the special effects (speeding up the reel when a car is supposed to drive at high speed, come on!). I know, this is not supposed to be about the special effects at all, but it is still a shame. The dialogues are funny when the two protagonists are arguing and negotiating. The start is slow and vague, but the middle which is most reminiscent of Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs is cheer fun. Then the last segment is very much like the first.

Directed by: Kobayashi Masahiro
Starring: Emoto Akira, Shiina Kippei, Maika
Runtime: 74’
Also screened on: Saturday January 26
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TRUE STORIES (1986)

This 1986 musical directed by Talking Heads lead singer David Byrne is set up as a fake documentary. Besides Byrne it also stars well-known American heavy-weight John. Byrne based his colorful characters on a small newspaper article and this film is an extension of his work as director of several Talking Heads music videos. Byrne’s self-portrayal is of a deliberately exaggerated nature. He plays the eccentric singer of a band that travels to the fictious town of Virgil, Texas in celebration of its 150th anniversary. The soundtracks is delivered by the Talking Heads as well as other cast members.

Americana in the eyes of David Byrne is littered with strange people especially when it comes to the town of Virgil Texas. One woman stays in bed all the time, another only speaks to her husband via her kids and John Goodman plays a man desperate to find the woman of his dreams. He has the perfect Panda bear figure and he is just happy with that. The best scene is the one that features a rather extraordinary fashion show.

Directed by: David Byrne
Starring: David Byrne, John Goodman, Spalding Gray
Runtime: 90’
Also screened on: Friday February 1, 10:15 pm
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THE REINACTORS (2008)

This documentary is about those people you have probably seen many times in documentaries about Hollywood and make their living impersonating Hollywood stars. Some consider themselves stars on the verge of being discovered, others just take pictures with tourists to make ends meet. This documentary by American David J. Markey does not comment from the sideline, but simply lets the impersonators tell their story. Markey (1963) is a self-taught musician and independent director who directed music videos for Sonic Youth, Nirvana and The Ramones. The Reinactors was mainly shot around Hollywood Blvd.

This world premiere is pretty hilarious especially when you come to the conclusion these wannabe actors make complete fools of themselves. Most them have the sincere believe one day are gonna be big as actors. An unintended coming out scene of a Freddy Krueger impersonator is the highlight of this freak show. Then there is a Christopher Reeves look-alike who is nothing but a racist homophobe pig who wants to control and rule the Hollywood Blvd. area. Some of these people need to be protected against themselves even though Markey makes very clear that if they want their fifteen minutes of fame they shall have it.

Directed by: David J. Markey
Starring: Gerard Christian Zacher, Christopher Dennis, Michael A. Luce
Runtime: 95’
Also screened on: Saturday January 26, 11:45 am; Wednesday 30 January, 9:45 am, Thursday 31 January, 10:30 pm
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All images courtesy of the International Film Festival Rotterdam