Vision - TIFF'09

I seen this movie on an episode of DW television a few months back and noticed it was playing at Cannes (won an award I believe?) anyhow, being the end of August - its that time of year again where I am busy selecting films for TIFF. This year, B and I purchased 2 booklets of 10 tickets each, with the idea that we would each watch a few movies together and a few movies on our own. Nada. not this year. I shouldn't complain but at least I made sure I was able to see at least 4 movies that I wanted to see. I don't have a lot of time to go and watch movies.

the following description is from the TIFF website on the film, "Vision", directed by Margarethe von Trotta.

One of the major auteurs to emerge from New German Cinema and a leader in feminist filmmaking, Margarethe von Trotta returns to the Festival with Vision, a study of the remarkable Hildegard von Bingen. Composer, scientist, healer, author and visionary, this Benedictine nun has been rescued in recent years from the shadows of history. Played here with both strength and nuance by the great Barbara Sukowa, Hildegard emerges as a Renaissance woman before there was a Renaissance.

Brought as a child to Disibodenberg abbey in what is now Germany, Hildegard is raised by the kindly Jutta the Holy (Mareile Blendl). Over the years, she observes both the cloister and the natural world around her, becoming a wise and pious woman. When the time comes for the sisters to choose a new magistra, Hildegard is the overwhelming favourite. She is already a natural mother to all, teaching the sisters about the power of herbal remedies and soothing the sick with her song.

Aware that women are forbidden to preach or interpret scripture, she is careful with her gift of visions, a conduit to God that tells her to disseminate this wisdom throughout the world. She faces great risks bringing these visions before a council of church elders, with some even accusing her of being the mouthpiece of the devil. Through her resolute strength and quiet fortitude, she breaks boundary after boundary, even rising to correspond directly with the pope.

This is the fifth time that von Trotta has worked with Sukowa, and their chemistry together is tangible. Sukowa brings a potent drive to Hildegard; the more resistance she meets, the more radical she becomes.

Von Trotta's cinema has always explored the complex relationships among communities of women – in fact, theorist Thomas Elsaesser has noted that her film Sisters could very well share its title with several of her other films. In this case, the focus comes to rest on triangles within the abbey and the eternal struggle of two daughters for the love of a mother. As always with von Trotta, it is fascinating to watch.

Cameron Bailey


Margarethe von Trotta
Margarethe von Trotta was born in Berlin. In addition to directing, her acclaimed career has included acting roles in films by Rainer Werner Fassbinder and Volker Schlöndorff. Her features include The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum (75, co-directed with Schlöndorff), The Second Awakening of Christa Klages (77), Sisters, or The Balance of Happiness (79), Marianne and Juliane (81), Sheer Madness (83), Rosa Luxemburg (86), The African Woman (90), The Long Silence (93), The Promise (94), Rosenstrasse (03), I Am the Other Woman (06) and Vision (09).

what was I thinking

This evening I had planned on hitting up a Thornhill Liberal Riding Associations' Liberal Helpings BBQ - was delayed at a family gathering, I wasn't going to leave my family; I rarely get the opportunity now to see them, a no-brainer decision right? Anyhow, I arrived home too late. I don't understand the process of nominating someone and its something I would like to take part in. Dr. Karen Mock sounds like a fabulous person. She has spent many years in one form or another focusing on human rights, anti-racism.. "Dr. Mock is included as one of the 100 worldwide “Everyday Freedom Heroes” for her human rights and antiracism work, in a permanent display at the Freedom Center in Cincinnati, the U.S. National Museum to the Underground Railroad." (source: facebook group)

Its wonderful news if she is nominated and selected/elected. Even better if she sends Peter Kent packing. I'm sure he'd like to get back to wherever he lived before. I can't imagine anyone picking up and moving into an area where they will run. But with the salary MP's get, who wouldn't? I'd love to see an actually resident run.

TIFF'09: 25 Carat (Spain)

Shot on the streets of Barcelona, 25 Carat probes the ugly side of a city known the world over for its beauty. Using stripped-down hand-held camera work, the debut feature by Patxi Amezcua pushes deep into a harsh environment of thieves, hustlers and hitmen, combining action with strong, engaging characters to keep viewers at the edge of their seats.

Abel (Francesc Garrido) works as an “unofficial debt collector,” reminding people of the consequences of not paying their bills on time. He accidentally meets Kay (Aida Folch), a petty car thief, whom he helps when one of her schemes goes awry, and the chemistry between the two is palpable. Kay is fed up with her home life; the apartment she shares with her father, Sebas (Manuel Morón), is a disgusting mess, and he has a gambling problem that attracts dangerous people. Sebas is also constantly hatching dodgy strategies, hoping to have a big win one day. These schemes usually fall apart, but this time he's figured out a way to unload three hundred thousand euros from a crooked police officer, Garro (Joan Massotkleiner), and Kay asks Abel to help out with her end of the deal.

Sharing a mutual desire to leave behind the criminal world and find a better life for themselves and Abel's young son, Abel and Kay just need to come up with a plan to make things go their way. Of course, not everything goes as expected, and the two must try to find a way out of the maze in which they have become entangled, realizing there are no easy escapes.

As the film begins to move at a startling pace, a carefully knit script reminds us that this is not a world without hope. We understand the importance of redemption, and why Kay and Abel would risk everything for the chance at a new life.

Diana Sanchez

Patxi AmezcuaPatxi Amezcua was born in Pamplona, Spain, and lives in Madrid. In addition to writing and directing the short film Mus (03), he penned the screenplay for the thriller Arian's Journey (00). He makes his feature debut with 25 Carat (09), which won awards for best film, best actor and best actress at the Malaga Film Festival.