Guest Blogger - Jennifer Le Vecque: VIFF 2010

I have a confession to make.  To some, it may be just that I’m stating the glaringly obvious, but every September I seem to develop a splinter personality.  One day I am a regular person with regular habits and the next, an exuberant uber-geek, panting over the countdown to the release of the annual VIFF Sneak Peek guide. 

Missing only a vinyl pocket protector, I am Geek Film Girl once again this year, eagerly awaiting the arrival of what will mark a VERY annoying month to be my friend.  Already, viff.org has teased me, provoked a reaction and generated a minor frenzy in me with the early confirmed films for the 29^th Annual Vancouver International Film Festival, which officially commences with its opening gala September 30^th. 

Oh yes, I will have an Excel spreadsheet again this year, marking off the films I have tickets for, those films I may consider if not brain fried from shows earlier that day, and the all-important windows of availability for last minute suggestions from others.

Film Fest is equal to the Christmas movie season - I travel near or far, choose my own level of participation and reap my rewards (or punishments) for the film choices I make.  It’s a buffet of cultural goodness and weirdness in equal proportion.  I have been challenged by Film Fest - I have been beaten down and I have come through the other side.  I have been pampered, cajoled and confused, but never disappointed.

My favorite part of the fest is when I first get my official guide, before any films have actually been seen, and place my post-it flags on the films I will be seeing, as well as different flags on the ones still under consideration…what, not everyone does that?  My guide is my holy scripture for two weeks, and everything in it speaks of love of art, culture, diversity, acceptance, or a call to arms and a pressing need for change.  It is the hymnal to accompany what becomes my October house of worship. 

I have seen guides rolled up in knapsacks, cracked at the spine to cover a seat being ‘saved,’ used as a lap cover during the devouring of a particularly sloppy burger, and - how I gasp in horror, remembering the crime - as a make-shift umbrella outside the theatre in pouring rain, hoping for Rush Tickets.  Rush Tickets - the Lotto Max of the VIFF.

Last year, I realized that while I enjoy sampling what can be referred to as ‘edgier’ film fare, I will never be the full on cinematic purist that can decipher the abstract or provoking imagery of an avant garde film.  To me, when a half dead animal turns to the camera and speaks the words “chaos reigns,” it’s just freaking weird, and I don’t see much past that.  Thanks again for that, Lars.  I question your relationship with reality. 

Two years ago, VIFF taught me to get past my prejudices and appreciate the struggles that people overcome to gain a sense of validity.  I am of course, referring to the previously considered dubious ‘talent’ of Anne Hathaway, who was not only surprisingly good in Jonathan Demme’s Rachel Getting Married, but was SHOCKINGLY good.  Lesson learned.

This year, I am probably going to learn the lesson of whether or not a cute boy is a good enough reason to sit through a 5 hour film about Carlos the Jackal.  However, I did formerly manage to sit through Domino (starring Keira Knightley) to stare at Edgar Rodriguez, so I think I got this 5 hour thing nailed.

So, to most of my family and friends, I hereby issue the apology for the possibly annoying version of myself I am about to become, pocket protector or not.  If you can bear to be around me through September, I’ll see you in October.  I’ll be the one with the program,  AND the umbrella, and the biggest geek grin this side of Comic Con.

- written by Jennifer Le Vecque