Hello NEON Fans.
Thanks for checking in. I’ve been across the country and around the world over the past several days…all via the magic of cinema. And I have broken my old record! I saw 39 films over the course of 9.25 days at the incredible Toronto International Film Festival. This is always a highlight of my year, and I have assembled quite a list of films that I want to bring to audiences in Dayton.
My last film of the festival was SHOPLIFTERS – a film that will almost certainly be nominated for “Best Foreign Film” in this year’s Oscar race. “Equal parts incisive social critique and nuanced family portrait, the latest from Japanese master Hirokazu Kore-eda — winner of this year’s Palme d’Or at Cannes — follows a small band of marginalized misfits struggling to make ends meet in a merciless urban environment.” This sad but charming film reveals itself in wonderful ways. Familial relationships aren’t what they immediately seem, and even when things seem to get a little sinister, you can forgive some of the actions because you’ve walked beside the characters for a while and better understand their motives. This film has a lot to say, and it was a great way to bid adieu to this year’s festival.
In the coming days, I’ll write a wrap-up and keep you abreast as to this year’s TIFF award-winners.
And don’t forget that we’ve got lots happening at THE NEON over the next several weeks. From THE DAYTON LGBT FILM FESTIVAL to numerous special events…and of course our traditional engagements (some of which are coming from TIFF in the very near future).
Thanks for sharing in this little journey with me.
Hope to see you soon at the movies!
Jonathan
