Dreams in Films or Films in Dreams

Because of the non-stopping buzzes of "Inception" that are going on right now, I try to recall the great films which also feature dreams, dream sequences or alternative reality. The listed following films are not nessassarily based on dreams, but they can surely all be seen as a thread of dreams through out the whole film. I don't include the classics such as "The Wizard of Oz," "Alice in Wonderland(the original Disney animation)," "Last Year in Marienbad," 'That Obscure Object of Desire" and "8½" because I don't think I'm qualified to comment them since a few of them I haven't even seen or haven't seen enough times.

Click (Frank Corasi, USA, 2006)

It would've been a better film if it's not full of Adam Sandler's tacky jokes and cliché. This is what I called a combination of "Bruce Almighty" and "The Family Man," but it's actually more entertaining and thought-provoking(eh, I mean more). This could be by far the best product out of all Sandler projects and an unexpected tearjerker. I never get tired of a story about getting a second chance in life after a dream of moral lessons.

The Devil's Advocate (Taylor Hackford, USA, 1997)

It's actually not a dream but a flash in the head. Keanu Reeves played a devious attorney who gets seduced by the temptation of vanity. The brilliant script by the then-unknown screenwriter/director Tony Gilroy takes the audience on a journey full of twists and turns. To reveal the ending would be an absolutely guilty spoiler for people who haven't watched it yet(which might also be a sin). So if you're not only interested in Reeves' cute face and hot body, give this overlooked piece a shot and I'm sure you'll be surprised.

Donnie Darko (Richard Kelly, USA, 2001)

Warning: spoilers contained

Another poorly distributed excellent film debut by the arguably talented Richard Kelly gained a massive amount of cult fans through out the years. It would appear to be an alternative universe of the late 80's, but Kelly smartly put in the pop songs(notably two from Tears for Fears) to create the confusing reality. Some might interpret it as a time travel which is probably suggested by "Evil Dead II," the film Donnie Darko and Gretchen saw in the theater, but I would like to consider it more as a dream that makes Darko foresee the consequences that could've been prevented by a tiny change of decision. I hope I haven't spoil it too much by saying this.

Groundhog Day (Harold Ramis, USA, 1993)

This compulsorily re-watchable comedy classic is about a guy who gets trapped in the day he hates the most out of an entire year and has to deal with it and tries to get out. Bill Murray's effortlessly brilliant performance is still his best work yet(yes, better than that in "Lost in Translation"). It's like a nightmare we all might've been trapped in in our dreams, but it turned out to be an even greater modern version of "A Christmas Carol." Is it a dream? Or did it actually happen? Since it has a delightful ending like this, who cares!

Mulholland Drive (David Lynch, USA, 2001)

Talking about masterpieces about dreams, this is definitely on the list. Lynch's obsession of torturing his characters reached an ultimate solution here. But since they are dream sequences, no one can say that he's brutal. Lynch let his mind wonder to wherever it went, the first half is clearly a dream, but the second half is arguably another dream trued into a nightmare on top of the first dream. The characters never found a way to wake up. They simply moved toward to a destruction that they have it coming. Anyway, it's a truly the one and only experience you don't get from any other film.

Open Your Eyes (Alejandro Amenábar, Spain, 1997)/Vanilla Sky (Cameron Crowe, USA, 2001)

Amenábar's psychological fantasy thriller and its hollywood remake by the well-received Crowe fascinate the audience with the endearing and unexpected essence of dreams. A good-looking wealthy guy who suffers from the losing of his appeal and confidence in an accident which led him into a good-dream-turn-into-a-nightmare experience. The idea brilliantly made the contrasts between the reality and the dream. Amenábar's beautiful score was turned into the brilliantly-selected atmospheric pop songs in Crowe's remake. Both versions are worth-seeing and were made in different tones.

Paprika (Satoshi Kon, Japan, 2006)

The adult-oriented animated feature is based the novel of the famous Japanese sci-fi novelist Yasutaka Tsutsui and shares the same concept as Nolan's in "Inception." A technology was invented for therapists to cure the patients by accessing into their dreams. But it then was stolen and transformed as a way of crime. Satoshi yet again presented a rich and thought-provoking work that might be his best to date. I'm not sure if Nolan has seen the film or even read the novel, but it would surely be a spectacular coincidence if he hasn't.

Sliding Doors (Peter Howitt, UK, 1998)

Warning: spoilers contained

I know, I know, it should be two parallel universes instead of a dream, but I found this interesting way to see it if the other universe is actually a dream while the unlucky Helen is in a coma after she fell down the stairs, and that also explains why she remembers the quote James often uses in the elevator. Sorry, if you haven't seen the film and accidentally read thus this far. It can be seen as a rom-com mix of Kieslowski's "Blind Chance" and "The Double Life of Veronique" but surely not a masterpiece like them. Still, it's a very well-done storytelling with delightful views of London.

Spirited Away (Hayao Miyazaki, Japan, 2001)

Warning: spoilers contained

Here we go again, I know this doesn't seem like a dream. But I simply put in a different aspect and see it as more of an Alice experience. Chihiro gradually forgets her real name in the Gods' resort just like we wouldn't remember anything in our dreams. And she appears not to recall the things she has just been through when she finally got her parents and herself out. The time contrast is also like a dream suggestion. But this film is so great and profound that there should be many ways to interpret it.

Waking Life (Richard Linklater, USA, 2001)

Linklater's first animated feature deals with things that are hard to digest, but it gets more and more interesting if you get the idea of capturing the essence of dreams. What's said in the film does not entirely matter, but if you catch one or two key quotes here and there, congratulations, you have successfully accessed this film. The point is, don't try to get every sentence in it and let your mind flow with it, it would be a very unique experience I guarantee.

Inception

Inception (Christopher Nolan, USA/UK, 2010)

Inception, simply as its idea, is what dreams are made of. Nolan's undeniably masterful mind triumphs once again and reaches the high expectations and even beyond. It's his most complicated and arguably best work to date. Maybe many people would find this dream theme very uninteresting, but looking back at the film history, many brilliant classics are all tightly related to dreams.

Cobb is a brilliant criminal in dreams. But in his subconscious, there's always a woman who is his biggest weakness that gets in his tasks. Even his closest partner Arthur doesn't know this secret which no one knows. Until one day, this huge client Saito came to them and offered him a reward beyond any price, he finally had to face his deepest fear in his subconscious gradually. Ariadne, a genius dream architect, is the one who turned on this turning point. But Cobb has to complete an extremely difficult mission. This time it's not extortion. It's inception.

During seeing the film, many films which might inspired it or similar to it popped up in my mind. Talking about dreams, David Lynch is best known for being the master of the territory, I believe anyone who has seen "Mulholland Drive" may find the dream sequence in the first half is simply unforgettable. Alejandro Amenábar's "Open Your Eyes" has the same idea. Spike Jonze's "Being John Malkovich" has got the same excitement of entering and taking over someone else's mind. The plot of peeping into the private world of a tycoon seems to be a homage to Orson Welles's "Citizen Kane." But what didn't occur to me was the unknown woman who made the leading role fall for in Hitchcock's "Vertigo." There're also parts with strong Hitchcock atmosphere in the yet another great score Hans Zimmer handed out. Instead, the Wachowski Brothers's (or should be called brother and sister now) "The Matrix" which may remind many people of only has a similar style on the surface.

The unstable and haunting essence of memories has shown in Nolan's "Memento," "Insomnia," "Batman Begins," and "The Prestige." This time he took a further step and made his character confront the memories he can't face but can neither get rid of through the plot setting. This is what makes the film so haunting and has a heart that touches the audience besides of being a well-deserved entertaining summer blockbuster. This has always been Nolan's advantage and gift as both a British and an American.

In fact, there are three actors who were not Nolan's first candidates. Arthur, who was played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, favored James Franco. Ariadne, who was played by Ellen Page, favored Evan Rachel Wood. And Mal, who was played by Marion Cotillard, had Aishwarya Rai in Nolan's mind. But this final ensemble is even more outshining, especially the unstoppably brilliant Cotillard who wasn't limited by the limited role at all.

Just like the fairy tales we knew in childhood such as "Rip van Winkle," "Urashima Tarō," and the unmissable "Alice in Wonderland," Nolan continued our longings for dream that have never stopped. The tangled mystery of truth and fiction, its reflection of the reality, and its magic of curing minds. This was why the maestros, such as Fellini, Antonioni, Buñuel and Resnais etc., always had favored it. Nolan inherited the will of these great filmmakers and took dreams to another different level through films.

Last Cowboy Standing

Last Cowboy Standing (Zaida Bergroth, Finland, 2009)

A teenager who seems sad is on a bus back home to celebrate his younger brothers birthday. They went out to hang out with the crowd in the evening, but a little boy who doesn't belong to the occasion suddenly appears, so the memories and secrets behind the boy's sorrow face start to get revealed.

This first feature by the Finnish female director Zaida Bergroth is based on a play by Antti Raivio. It's Raivio's semi-autobiography, so it would never be easy for anyone to interpret his own very personal story, but Ms Bergroth proved herself a good storyteller and told the story very subtly.

It was a family full of Joy, until one day the older brother Rupert found a letter left on the floor, and everything would never be the same. It's not a very special story to tell, but it's a story which everyone would feel connected to in each their own perspective. Personally, I felt deeply connected to the situation and profoundly moved by the feelings that couldn't be shown in the characters.

Ms Bergroth not only fully transformed the play into a cinematic experience but also brilliantly used a few very imaginative metaphors to lead the audience to get into the story deeper and deeper, but it still maintains a clear view when the memories and the present shuffle through back and forth. It also has some funny scenes that decrease the heavy tone.

The ensemble cast is impressive. especially the two young actors who played the brothers are amazingly good. They reminded me of the equally good sisters in "In America." The use of the song "Sugar Baby Love" and a cover of "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" fit the scenes perfectly and make the film more unforgettable.

2010 Taipei Film Festival Journal: Day 12

Day 12 10/Jul/10 Sat

Though I'd started to host Mr Daniel Chen and Mr Reuben Langdon, video game producers and a stunt actor most notably in "Avatar," for the 2-day 3D seminar on the 7th and 8th, but I barely had interactions with them, so I didn't consider those two days are able to be included in this journal. But I didn't expect to host Mr Langdon at the Award ceremony on Saturday, it was a pleasant surprise for me.

I put on the suit again which I wore for the Golden Horse award ceremony in 2008. Thankfully I did cos our seats are right in the middle of the theater, so I was easily to be seen on camera which my friend confirmed that I actually was. I translated the whole speeches fairly I think, but I simply skipped the embarrassingly bad jokes. But because of that Mr Langdon had worked in Asia before, so he could understand them from the gestures as well.

Finally after the 3-hour ceremony, we got to eat something at the after party, Thankfully, I led Mr Langdon to go upstairs quick enough so that we were the first few ones in line for the buffet. I cleaned my plate as fast as I could cos I wouldn't dare to let other guests to stand. The first white wine was good, but the second one was terribly sweet. Thanks to that, my face got all red as fast as it got.

Mr Langdon got to talk to Ms Silvia Chang, who he worked on a film with a long time ago, and also a few other guests. He was a genuinely nice guy. I wish I had more time chatting with him, and I sincerely hope to see the 3D film he's working on in the near future. After taking him back to the hotel and luckily got his boarding pass he finally found(which was a great news for Matilda), I went to the Red Pavilion Plaza to meet up with Steve and Kyle who came up for the weekend with Iven and Daisy. We drank beer and chatted until 3. A lovely ending of the day.

2010 Taipei Film Festival Journal: Day 11

Day 11 4/Jul/10 Sun

Mr Paz(s) left early in the morning, I got to the hotel at 9.20am. I gave them two films by Nuri Bilge Ceylan which Mr Doron Paz told me he hasn't seen, but he has seen Ceylan's last film "Three Monkeys" and liked it very much. I just thought these would be perfect films for them. So my mission finished once again pleasantly. I do hope to see them soon and maybe to visit Tel-Aviv someday.

Then the perfect timing allowed me to finally get to see Ms Bergroth's film. It's totally a very delicate film about human emotions. It was also a big shame that it didn't win any award in the competition.

Then I took the chance of the break to see two more films, "Au Revior Taipei" and "Bus 174." The former is an okay genre light comedy, and the latter is a very subjective but powerful Brazilian documentary.

2010 Taipei Film Festival Journal: Day 10

Day 10 3/Jul/10 Sat

Before meeting up with my guests, I caught the time to see "Women Without Men." It's a very beautiful film. Then I rushed to the hotel to farewell to Mr Korki who left at 3.30pm. One of the members of the Jury Mr Jose Wilker was leaving as well, so there were more people than I thought. I still got there in time and gave Mr Korki the movies I prepared him.

Because Mr Paz(s) needed time to work, so we only met up before their second QA session. It was a full screening, and the response of the audience was surely more passionate. Just like what I informed them beforehand, there were many people who wanted their autographs and to take pictures with them. It was an incredible experience for them and made them feel like big stars for the first time for sure. I'm sure they had a great time. Afterwards, they had their last dim sum meal at a Cantonese restaurant. Because of the pre-arrangement with their friend also from Israel in town, we said an early goodnight to each other.

2010 Taipei Film Festival Journal: Day 8

Day 8 1/Jul/10 Thu

Though we called it the night late, we still had to get up for another routine event in the schedule which was the introduction of Director Tsai Ming-Liang's new decoration art film "It's a Dream" in Taipei Fine Art Museum. But it was, of course, another publicity for them guests and the film festival. Afterwards, we got on the subway heading to the east side. We ended up getting off at Taipei City Hall Station and take a walk around 101 area. It's also somewhere every tourist would go in town. But we actually took more time sitting down, having cold drinks and chatting in Vie Show Cinema simply because it was so hot and humid.

We went back to the hotel area by bus and got more dumplings to eat. I was glad that they loved the beef roll in a pancake with spring onions and cucumber which I recommended. After we were stuffed, Mr Doron Paz went back to the hotel straight ahead. Then I accompanied Mr Yoav Paz to check out the camera street, but, disappointingly, the price wasn't lower than it is in Israel. But along the way, I got so many valuable informations from Mr Paz about great cameras that also can be used to film.

Later that evening, we went another must-see in town, Shihlin Night Market. But before that, I caught a screening of Mr Korki's film "Kick Off" at 19.20 which is also in the competition which I liked very very much. I introduced them some popular local snacks, especially oyster pancake, but they were too impressed with it, and also because it wasn't really as good as it was. They liked the sticky rice sausage with a regular sausage inside though. We took a walk along the shopping street, and they got some presents for their fiancee and girlfriend. The trip ended right passed midnight.

2010 Taipei Film Festival Journal: Day 9

Day 9 2/Jul/10 Fri

We met up early at 9.40am again for the screening of "R" at 10. It was a powerful film about prisoners in Denmark. We all liked it very much. Ms Bergroth was right about it. We stayed in the theater to discuss the film for quite a long time, so it was about time for the award ceremony when we left the building.

I was also nervous for all the filmmakers I've met and wish they could all win. But the result came out, neither Mr Paz(s) nor Ms Bergroth won, I felt very disappointed, but maybe still not as much as they did. But I was so so happy for Mr Korki who won the first prize.

Later that evening, there was an Australian party held for an Australian film screening, despite of being disappointed and tired, Mr Paz(s) still enjoyed themselves with the great food and drinks, but they still went back early-ish to get an early rest.

I stayed at the party and got to chat with my colleagues and Mr Korki who was in a good mood of the winning. Cos we were not really up for the film, we went on to get more drinks at the bar of the hotel where was cool and nice. We had such a great conversation about films. Mr Korki encouraged me so much that I felt really honored. I definitely want to see his first feature as soon as possible and of course as well as his next film. He's such a great guy, and I was glad that I stayed to get the chance of having this precious time.

2010 Taipei Film Festival Journal: Day 7

Day 7 30/Jun/10 Wed

I met up with both Mr Paz early at 9.40am for the checking of the projection of the screening in that very afternoon at 1.30pm. They were impressed by the preserved old style theater which is hard to get in the world nowadays, and they also felt honored that their film can be presented in it. After a short examination, I took them to a close spot to the theater, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, they were again impressed by the size and the structures of the whole lot. The weather still remained very hot and humid, so they've thought about getting back to the hotel and change before the screening. We stayed to see the film cos they want to know the reaction since it's the first time the film is shown in Asia. Though it was a daytime on a working day, the response of the audience was quite good. They soon realized that they have become popular even before they arrived here.

After the film, I, of course, took them to Ding Tai Fong for the experience they gotta have in Taipei. They loved dumplings so much that they required every meal to be dumplings while they were in town. But I am sure that they were especially impressed by the food in Ding. The funny thing was, they went to a mini hot pot store which is very common here by themselves the previous evening. As they were asking me about the food of which the took pictures, after I explained a few food, e.g. the pig's blood cube, they were so surprised that they couldn't tell what they were at all. We took a walk along the road which is full of shops and department stores, but we still had to hide in Eslite bookstore which has friendly a/c.

Because they were up for some bar scenes, I met them up later to the famous bar restaurant which turns into a club after late evening "Carnegie's," also because it's ladies' night every Wednesday. But odd enough, it was the most empty Wednesday night I've ever been to, though I've only been to the ladies' nights no more than five times. But they seemed to enjoy it after all, we even met up with Gretta, the producer Mr Ezra and the actor Mr AL-Jabouri of another film from Denmark in the competition "R." I believe we had a great time.

2010 Taipei Film Festival Journal: Day 6

Day 6 29/Jun/10 Tue

It's always sad to say goodbye but it had to come anyhow. I prepared some movies which they haven't seen for the two ladies from what I knew from our conversations. Ms Kirwan left at 2pm, and Ms Bergroth decided to stay in the hotel to work after checking out until her time to set off to the airport at 6. I got her the most famous dumplings from Ding Tai Fong back to the hotel. It would be a shame if she never got the chance to try it. I was delighted to keep her company and even surprisingly discovered more things we like in common. I truly wish nothing but the best for her next film and hope to meet her soon in the near future.

After Ms Bergroth's departure, I stayed in the hotel to wait for my next guests, Mr Yoav and Doron Paz from Israel. Gretta was very kind to pick them up for me, it made me feel even more embarrassed and grateful that their flight was delayed. They finally arrived at the hotel before 8pm. We had a brief hello and arranged the time to meet up the next day. It was good for me cos I felt pretty tired and needed some rest for the following days.

2010 Taipei Film Festival Journal: Day 5

Day 5 28/Jun/10 Mon

Ms Bergroth and I met up at the main theater in the morning for Ms Kirwan's film "Eamon." It was a lovely, quirky little film. Ms Kirwan was very convincing as an immature mother. We enjoyed it thoroughly. Then we followed the schedule to Director Tsai Ming-Liang's cafe in Taipei county right after to make more publicities for the ladies. Afterward, we went back to the main theater area to get something to eat and prepare for the second QA session. It went at least better than the first one, and I believe everyone in the audience was satisfied with the film. But I still remained one of the people who haven't seen it sadly.

We met up with Ms Kirwan and Lea again later in the evening. Because it was already after 9, the only place I could think of was a famous spicy hot pot store since Ms Kirwan is a big fan of spicy food. I was pleased that they both liked it though we didn't eat that much.

2010 Taipei Film Festival Journal: Day 4

Day 4 27/Jun/10 Sun

It had started to rain since the early afternoon, so I couldn't make it to the hotel as Ms Bergroth and I agreed. So we missed the screening of the HK movie "Crossing Hennesy" at 4.40pm. But we went to the screening of "Lebanon" at 5.30 instead which was very good and powerful. She was also interested in a Brazilian film "Through the Window" which seemed to be similar with her next film, but it let both of us down unfortunately. Even though, it was still a lovely evening to see films with her.

Kick Off

Kick Off (Shawkat Amin Korki, Iraq/Iran, 2010)

Iraq still remains an unstable country for its people even after the overthrowing of Hussein's government. But without being noticed by the press, people would never know the following story on news. Mr Korki inherited the neorealism of the acclaimed directors such as Kiarostami, Panahi and Majidi during his time living in Iran and made this powerful second feature film.

The story starts with a delightful scene in a deserted stadium which has become a village for refugees of different ethnicities. A guy is trying to hold a soccer game not only for the wealth of the people but also to encourage his little brother who lost his leg in an terrifyingly common accident.

There's also a girl from the next door who cares for the guy and his family. They have an affection towards to each other, but they both had to hold it back because of the difference of their ethnicity, so the tragic side of the story starts to appeal.

Despite of the well-going of the preparation, they had all sorts of problems coming along. Though the troubles didn't haunt them continuously, there's an inevitable fate coming right at them that they couldn't ever see. Life is just as unpredicted as the outcome of the story to the audience.

Mr Korki bravely made this film under a very difficult situation. and the result is very effective and accessible. The color and the shots were beautifully designed. But besides being a part of the neorealism wave, he put in the metaphors that were greatly used such as the films are seen early on and a horse in the end, and this is how his film appears so unique among the Iranian or Kurdish films that we are familiar with. He's talented for sure, but most of all, his sincerity can be felt every second in the film, and this is simply what a film needs eventually.

Phobidilia

Phobidilia (The Paz Brothers, Israel, 2010)

Isolation is definitely a modern syndrome. In this internet era, everyone can do almost everything at home without walking out of the house one single bit… except for the REAL interactions. This film debut by the talented Paz brothers from Israel is based on a novel under the same name by Izhar Harlev about this whole globalization impact on individuals.

Our hero here is a young guy with some kind of mental disorder in public places, so he had to build up a world of his own detached with outside world completely. This would seem like a perfect life style for many people living in the modern world, but if you think the carefree would last forever, think twice.

When the old housekeeper Grumps gave him an limited time notice to move out, the obstacles of his perfect life came along one after another. Under the pressure of not being able to keep the house, his life was also interrupted by a cable company saleswoman Daniela. But the once-seemed obstacles gradually became a cure for his anxiety of making contacts with real human beings.

On the other hand, after being disturbed, his affection towards to the lovely webcam girl Jessica also turned into paranoia and denial. He started to aware of the emptiness of the world he lives in and let Daniela invade his heart. Surprisingly, instead of being threatened, he felt a refreshing liberation.

Though there're subplots about the past which cause his syndrome and a hint of the holocaust shadows that are hard to get rid of from Grumps, this is more of a new Israeli cinema that concerns about the younger generations not only in Israel but worldwide. It has the vitality that we couldn't find in other Israeli films with serious themes. Does this mean a whole new Israeli direction has begun? At least we know the great filmmaking of the country has widely attracted our attentions.