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.