Nicholas Jamison FILM 486 Prof. Kristin Hole 16 March 2020 State Funeral Sergei Loznitsa’s State Funeral takes the form of a ‘city symphony’ of people in the aftermath of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin’s death. With no original footage, the film is comprised entirely of archival footage and audio recordings of the massive and ritualistic exerciseContinue reading “State Funeral”
Author Archives: Portland State School of Film @ PIFF 2020
Atlantis
Nicholas Jamison FILM 486 Prof. Kristin Hole 16 March 2020 Set in 2025, one year after the end of ‘The War’ — presumably the current conflict in eastern Ukraine that further escalates in the near-future — Valentyn Vasyanovych’s film Atlantis follows former soldier Sergiy as he copes with PTSD whilst transitioning back to civilian life. Continue reading “Atlantis”
Shorts Block III: The Good and the Ugly
By Sam Schrader I had the pleasure of seeing the third block of shorts at the 43rd Portland International Film Festival with Charlie Faulker. This was the first screening I attended since the COVID 19 situation really picked up, and the last event PIFF held before cancelling the festival due to concerns of unnecessary exposureContinue reading “Shorts Block III: The Good and the Ugly”
Indecipherable Secrets
By Cornelia Laakso In a short preface to the Portland International Film Festival screening of The World is Full of Secrets (2019, U.S.), attending director Graham Swon advised that the film has a “strange rhythm,” and suggested that the audience relax and let it get into their bloodstream. The film, which follows five girls atContinue reading “Indecipherable Secrets”
Onward, Future Filmmakers!
By Sam Schrader Even before the 43rd Portland International Film Festival, or PIFF (immoderately titled “Cinema Unbound”), began, there was buzz in the community regarding their rather unusual opening weekend selection. There is usually an understanding that one will encounter, at a film festival, what might be considered a “festival film.” This is typically somethingContinue reading “Onward, Future Filmmakers!”
Shorts Two: Filmic Records, Done Six Ways
By: Cornelia Laakso The six films in “Chronicles,” the 43rd annual Portland International Film Festival’s second block of shorts, are linked in one common trait; as the title suggests, they can each be described as documenting an occurrence which might otherwise recede into historical or cultural obscurity. The first film in the series, Remembrance (Oregon,Continue reading “Shorts Two: Filmic Records, Done Six Ways”
PIFF 2020: It Must Be Heaven, drawing Palestine through the different worlds.
A cynical but heartwarming message for Palestine and for people all around the world. The opening sequence of It Must Be Heaven has something out of the ordinary. The sacred religious procession is blocked and goes wrong because of the greek orthodox church gatekeeper’s absurd excuse. This opening sequence makes the audience laugh and givesContinue reading “PIFF 2020: It Must Be Heaven, drawing Palestine through the different worlds.”
Purple Rain: Community Building Through Camp
Film Festivals above all else are meant to bring people together. They are meant to create conversations, create a community, celebrate filmmaking and spectacle. The retrospective on Purple Rain was fun, energetic, and campy. Prince’s film debut celebrated his talent and theatrics and above all brought people together to dance and laugh. This retrospective setContinue reading “Purple Rain: Community Building Through Camp”
The Good, The Impactful and The Problematic: PIFF’s Short Program Number Three
By Charlie Faulkner For the PIFF the shorts programming was guided by specified themes; for shorts program number three, the theme was longing. The structure of the night was divided into nine shorts (two of which were not listed on the program for shorts three and came as a bit of a surprise to myselfContinue reading “The Good, The Impactful and The Problematic: PIFF’s Short Program Number Three”
Thunderbolt in Mine Eye: Coming of Age in the “Me Too” Era
by Karlee Boon Thunderbolt in Mine Eye is a local feature film directed by Portland-local brother/sister directing duo Sarah and Zachary Sherman. The film had its World Premiere on Tuesday, March 10 at the Whitsell Auditorium, with both directors and the lead actress all in attendance. The film follows Harper (Anjini Taneja Azhar) as sheContinue reading “Thunderbolt in Mine Eye: Coming of Age in the “Me Too” Era”
PSU School of Film @ PIFF 