Impact
UK
Hungary
Coup 53
The Euphoria of Being A létezés eufóriája
TAGHI AMIRANI, UK/IRAN/USA, 2019, 118 MIN.
TUE, OCT 8 WED, OCT 9 FRI, OCT 11
6:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:45 PM
Switzerland
PLAY SFU VCT
Canadian Premiere. In 1951, Mohammad Mosaddegh became the democratically elected Prime Minister of Iran with a promise to nationalize the oil industry, a policy that cost him his post within two years. Digging into this still under-reported but epochal geopolitical turning point, Taghi Amirani and co-writer/editor Walter Murch (Apocalypse Now) come across a fascinating nugget, a scoop-that-never-was, involving an ex-MI6 agent eager to stake his claim to history, TV censorship, and keen-eyed film detective work. Prod Paul Zaentz
RÉKA SZABÓ, HUNGARY, 2019, 83 MIN.
FRI, SEP 27 THU, OCT 3 FRI, OCT 4
12:30 PM 7:00 PM 10:00 AM
IN08 VCT VCT
A 90-year-old Holocaust survivor, a 47-yearold choreographer, and a 32-year-old dancer embark on an extraordinary collaboration in Réka Szabó’s enthralling documentary. As the three women lend their unique perspectives to an unflinching contemporary dance piece delving into the 20th century’s darkest chapter, Szabó’s candid document of their process is in turns horrifying and amusing, unsentimental and joyous. A truly uncommon film, Euphoria inspires a sense of genuine uplift that is to be cherished. Featuring Éva Fahidi, Emese Cuhorka, Réka Szabó Prod Sára László, Marcell Gero, Réka Szabó
Norway
Gateways to New York MARTIN WITZ, SWITZERLAND, 2019, 88 MIN.
SUN, OCT 6 WED, OCT 9
11:00 AM 6:00 PM
VCT VCT
Canadian Premiere. Swiss engineer Othmar Ammann not only redefined the art of bridge building but also catalyzed the evolution of New York City into a metropolis. Celebrating the visionary who designed nine of Manhattan’s 11 bridges, the Golden Gate Bridge, and many others, Martin Witz’s documentary offers awe-inspiring access to these towering, miraculous amalgams of engineering and artistry. This is a testament to the exhilarating spirit of modernity that guided a century of urban development. Featuring Edward Cohen, Margot Ammann Durrer, Tom F. Peters, Laura Norton, Alex Mayo, Paul Deer, Andrew L. Sichenze Prod Andres Pfaeffli, Elda Guidinetti, Silvana Bezzola Rigolini Selected Filmography The Substance - Albert Hofmann’s LSD
Mexico
Insights
The Men’s Room
PETTER SOMMER, JO VEMUND SVENDSEN, NORWAY, 2018, 75 MIN.
SUN, SEP 29 FRI, OCT 4 WED, OCT 9
1:15 PM 3:45 PM 9:30 PM
PLAY PLAY IN10
Canadian Premiere. The barebones description provided in the press notes of Petter Sommer and Jo Vemund Svendsen’s delightful documentary—“Every Tuesday, 25 tattooed middle-aged men take a break from their everyday lives to meet and drink beer, tell bad jokes, and sing dirty rock songs”—doesn’t begin to convey the humour and emotion on display here. While the choral group prepares for its biggest gig ever, as the opening act for Black Sabbath, the film evolves into a deeply moving study of friendship and loss… Prod Kari Anne Moe, Gudmundur Gunnarsson Selected Filmography (Petter Sommer) When Dad Kills; Operation Conspiracy; (Jo Vemund Svendsen) When Children Become Pop Stars
USA
viff.org
Midnight Family
The Rabbi Goes West
LUKE LORENTZEN, MEXICO/USA, 2019, 81 MIN.
SAT, SEP 28 FRI, OCT 4
9:15 PM 4:00 PM
AMY GELLER, GERALD PEARY, USA, 2019, 78 MIN.
IN10 IN09
Mexico City has only 45 public ambulances serving a population of 9 million. Hence the need for private ambulance services, and one such enterprise sees the Ochoa family eking out an existence by transporting the needy every night. Documentarian Luke Lorentzen embeds himself with the Ochoas for a riveting piece of cinéma vérité that shocks and fascinates. “A compelling documentary that blends the engaging family dynamic of a Koreeda drama with the socio-economic realities of a Ken Loach classic.”—Screen Grand Jury Award, Sheffield 19 Prod Kellen Quinn, Luke Lorentzen, Daniela Alatorre, Elena Fortes Filmography New York Cuts
MON, OCT 7 TUE, OCT 8
6:30 PM 11:30 AM
CINE IN10
Canadian Premiere. Multi-talented VIFF alumni Gerald Peary and Amy Geller raise many timely and important questions about the rise of the right (and the overly confident) with this fascinating documentary about 34-year-old rabbi Chaim Bruk, who moved from Brooklyn to Montana to brandish his Hasidic Orthodox Judaism. As he travels across “big sky” landscape, he confronts neo-Nazi threats, and a more secular and liberal Jewish community who don’t quite know how to respond to his charisma and Chabad brand of religion.
Looking for a venue extraordinaire? Designed to dazzle, the beautifully appointed Vancouver International Film Centre can be used for screening films, multi media presentations, live simulcasts, closed circuit broadcasts, seminars, receptions and live performances.
Prod Amy Geller Filmography (Amy Geller) The Guys Next Door; (Gerald Peary) For the Love Of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism; Archie’s Betty
The greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society is a not-for-profit educational and cultural organization incorporated and registered in British Columbia, and a federal charity. Charitable Registration Number: BN118946821 RR0001
Buy tickets and read full film descriptions at viff.org
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