As SIFF wraps up this weekend, there are high-energy events to attend such as the Evening with Jason Schwartzman which is currently sold out. But there are still great films left to see, and I have suggestions for these last three days—films showing substance and different points of view, and avoiding “affluent depression.” (i.e. Let’s leave the bored housewives for the TV mini-series.) Excuse My French, Eisenstein in Guanajuato, and Sworn Virgin are films with creative spark and possess the aforementioned qualities above.
Two of the three films highlighted here have follow-up parties at various venues listed below. Following Sworn Virgin, SIFF’s Closing Gala will be celebrated at the MOHAI.
Friday, June 5: Excuse My French @ Pacific Place @ 6 PM. Afterparty @ Northwest African American Museum.
This lovely coming-of-age comedy follows young Hany, a boy raised raised in an affluent Christian home who suddenly finds himself attending a public school whose students are mostly Muslim. He impresses his peers when he wins a contest reciting the Koran.
Director: Amr Salama
Principal Cast: Ahmed Dash, Hani Adel, Kinda Allouch, Ahmed Helmy
Country: Egypt
Year: 2014
Running Time: 99 minutes
Saturday, June 6: Eisenstein in Guanajuato @ Harvard Exit @ 7 PM. Afterparty @ W Hotel.
A creative biopic of the great, Russian filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein, whose contributions to film include the famous Odessa steps scene in Battleship Potemkin, which has been replicated in a number of Hollywood blockbusters. This film explores the man himself.
Director: Peter Greenaway
Principal Cast: Elmer Bäck, Luis Alberti, Rasmus Slatis, Jacob Öhrman, Maya Zapata
Premier Status: North American Premiere
Country: Netherlands, Mexico, Belgium, France
Year: 2015
Sunday, June 7: Sworn Virgin @ Uptown Cinema @ 5:30 PM.
Sex and sexuality are challenged in this Albanian film about Mark (born Hana) who took an oath of rigid celibacy.
Director: Laura Bispuri
Principal Cast: Alba Rohrwacher, Lars Eidinger, Flonja Kodheli, Luan Jaha, Emily Ferratello
Country: Italy, Switzerland, Germany
Year: 2015
Running Time: 90 minutes