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the RusSian maestro’s oeuvre, Chris Marker (La Jetee) offers up a Cineaste’s delight. Marker, utilising numerous clips from Tarkovsky’s films, constantly cross-references as he pinpOints both recurring
elemental images of fire and water, and camera shots that frequently adopt a grounded low angle before rising heavenwards. Simultaneously intimate (the eXiled Tarkovsky reuniting with his family) and intellectually demanding (the ideas ; espoused are like mini-theories), Marker’s film packs a lot into its 55 minutes. (Tony McKibbin)
I Une Journee d’Andrei Arsenevitch, Fi/mhouse 7, 74 Aug, 4.30pm,
Fi/mhouse 2, 75 Aug, 5.30pm, £7 (£4.50).
DOCUMENTARY
De Ustillede (The Exhibited) *t‘kt
Lars von Trier’s conceptual mischief Ignore ’high concept’ Hollywood for the multiple variables of Lars von Trier’s (Dancer In The Dark) latest piece of
conceptual mischief. Here's the deal: imagine the story isn't dictated by the usual formulas, isn’t even determined by the human mind. Instead, actors at the Arts Sooety Building in Copenhagen have their roles dictated by . . . New Mexrcan ants. Connected through a satellite link-up and colour-coded, the ants’ movements dictate the characters’ actions, so that when, say, an ant moves into the colour yellow, one of the 53 imprOVIsmg actors must adjust their
- character accordingly. This documentary by Jesper Jargil films the fascmating developments. (Tony McKibbin)
I De Usti/lede, Fi/mhouse 3, 74 Aug, 6pm, Cameo 2, 25 Aug, 5.30pm, £7 (£4.50).
HORROR Anatomie he Turgid medical thriller
Ambivalent and annoying and a shame, given the horrific posSibilities surrounding the gruesome medical shenanigans a young medical student becomes involved in while studying at Heidelberg University. But it would be better re-titled 'Act, Lola, Act’; the students, slabs and speCimens are Silky , smooth and sleek, but Run Lola Run's Franka Potente is practically indistingUishable from the twitching
corpses she dissects. The real highlight of a turgid 103 minutes is Anna Loos as the lasciVious Gretchen, the Teutonic temptress destined to die horribly for haVing a personality. Somehow Anatomie takes lots of tasty, spicy, fun ingredients and churns out the Cinematic equivalent of airline food. (Adele Hartley)
I Anatomie, Cameo 7, 76 Aug, 72.30am, £7 (£4.50).
HORROR
Audition ****
Unconventional, perverse Japanese thriller
lvliike Takashi’s film is destined to upset a lot of people. Refusmg to play by horror mowe conventions, it leads its audience down a garden path clearly marked ’endearing romantic comedy', but what waits at the end is something altogether more horrid. It all starts when a Widower filmmaker makes a terminally wrong casting chOice in his lead actress for a new film. Audition, though, is well cast — radiant Shiina Eihi is all the more menacrng for her fragility — and beautifully shot. The most perverse of gth trips, it’s a non- linear, begUiling treat for even the most jaded horror fan. (Adele Hartley) I Audition, Fi/mhouse 7, 76 Aug, 70pm, Fi/mhouse 2, 23 Aug, 70.30pm, £7 (£4.50).
DOC Uiv'vE NTARY
Gaea Girls ***
Japanese women in the wrestling ring
Blood, sweat and tears. You’ll find all three in abundance in Kim Longinotto and Jano Williams' Gaea Girls. The documentary delves into the world of female wrestling in Japan, in particular the fortunes of troubled team, the Gaea Group. It’s a popular sport, but few of the team’s members are cut out for the t0ugh and humiliating training regime. Forget the WWF’s play-acting — you’ll flinch every time you see very real pain being inflicted on the new recrUits. It makes for captivating, if disturbing Viewmg, but the womens’ reasons for choosing this career path are never revealed, rendering their story incomplete. (Loursa Pearson)
I Gaea Girls, Fi/mhouse 2, 76 Aug, 5.30pm; Cameo 2, 24 Aug, 7pm, £7 (£4.50).
.‘ \‘.,.;._/41"
Explosive Fragments comprises six programmes of cutting edge short filmmaking
including ‘I’he Scottish Indie Mix (24, 26 Aug). Programmes 1 and 2, Filmhouse 2. 15 Aug, 1pm. 16 Aug, 3.45pm; programme 3, Filmhouse 3, 17 Aug, 3pm, £7 (£4.50).
54th edinburgh
international film festival 13-27 aug 2000
www.edfilmfest.org.uk information hotline 0131 229 2550 credit card booking line.- 0131 623 8030
3—10 Aug 2000 THE “ST FESTIVAL GUIDE 77