History is made by memorable entrances and first impressions, and Film Fest is no exception. Each year, once the breathless anticipation for the Sneak Peek guide has been appeased, the next stage of full-on VIFF worship features the coveted slot of What Film to See First.
Choosing the opening film, while somewhat dictated by the actual preset schedule, as well as how soon I can abandon my ‘actual work’ to sloth around a cinema for two weeks, is a delicate process. There are factors to be considered, options to be weighed and measured. Never underestimate the reverberating consequences of the previously mentioned half-dead talking animal, or how eloquently Keira Knightley plays dead suspended in a flooded subway tunnel. In previous years, First Film choices have given me a mix of daring, incomprehensible, emotionally strafing and soul gratifying experiences.
My first film EVER at Film Fest was Spider in 2002, featuring Ralph Fiennes and directed by David Cronenberg, and marked the time when I started to look forward to watching David Cronenberg films, without losing my lunch; I am a delicate flower. Spider featured a GASP moment close to the end of the film that guaranteed I would be a return Film Fest participant. What a great introduction.
In 2004, The Motorcycle Diaries proved I was not going to see a movie with Gael Garcia Bernal in it, only hoping he’d make out with another guy… not that that would be unwelcome in the future, Gael; keep it in mind… just sayin’.
2005 was a dark, dark time in my personal film fest history - alas, no fest love for me that year. However, out of all darkness comes the light, and 2006 proved more than capable of making up for lost time by gifting me the film version of a love letter, a film called Paris, Je T’aime. Perhaps it was an apology in advance, as my film choices for the next two years proved to be the Depressia Bookends, in the form of Atonement and Blindness.
This year, the coveted opening film choice has fallen to a comedic satire from The Netherlands, Win/win. Consideration for this selection has been weighed out to one-third schedule accommodation, one third topic, and one third title alone - how can I lose in a win/win situation? I will report back after actually seeing the film on the degree of irony to be found in the previous sentence.
My preliminary schedule is set, advance tickets have been purchased as well as the requisite VIFF memberships for me and my nearest and dearest. My first film is locked in and all that remains to fall in line is a memorable entrance. History will be made - happy VIFF everyone!
- written by Jennifer Le Vecque
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