© the other press e Culture Go See a Foreign Film Melissa Beedle OP Contributor In honour of this year’s Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF), I would like to encourage moviegoers to see a foreign film. You may think seeing Once Upon a Time in Mexico fits the bill, but let me forewarn you—that is not a foreign film. You are experiencing Hollywood’s Mexico, and their version is quite different—it has no subtitles and shows only bits of scenery between explosions. The movie lacks the cultural per- spective I’m referring to. You want to aim for the full foreign experience. For those of you who have yet to see a foreign film, you may need a little convincing. Choosing a movie at a Silvercity is like choosing between a happy meal and super-sized—same stuff, just different amounts. Seeing a foreign film is more like tasting an ethnic food wonder, you don't know what youre eating but it hits the sweet and sour spot. At first, reading the subtitles can feel like work, considering American films usually spoon-feed us their storylines. But reading dia- logue gets easier. After a few minutes you'll for- get the subtitles are even there. The un- Hollywood perspective will pull you into a world so remote that you may be tempted to bid American cinema farewell for good. There's just something about glimpsing into another culture that makes you feel like you're on a two-hour trip. And yet, there’s something familiar about it. In spite of the differences, there’s an element of shared experience. For a few hours you become a part of this foreign world. In the end, you may walk away with something special. I'll let you decide what. You can view foreign films regularly at the Ridge, Tinseltown, Fifth Avenue, and Granville Cinemas. Check out the The Georgia Straight for show times. The Douglas College library is another option for students on a tight budget. They carry a few interesting possibilities: Madame Butterfly The story of a young geisha who sacrifices her family, her religion, and ultimately, her life for her American husband. Ararat Edward, a filmmaker, is in Toronto shooting a film. Raffi has been sent to Turkey to shoot background footage for the film. As Raffi attempts to re-enter Canada with cans of film, he’s detained by a suspicious customs official who has an agenda of his own. Last year at Marienbad A stranger tries to convince a young woman that they had a passionate affair a year ago “perhaps at Marienbad,” but she claims not to remember him. He haunts her mind with images by mix- ing memory and fantasy, fear and desire. For seasoned foreign moviegoers, you have lots of alternatives. All is not lost if you missed the VIFF. According to the festival’s Media Coordinator Helen Yagi, films might be avail- able for rent at specialty stores such as Videomatica (1855 W 4th, Vancouver), and Canadian features may be shown at theatres such as Fifth Avenue or Tinseltown. Check Cinematheque and CBC TV’s Zed program for Canadian short films. Festival Film descriptions can be found at . OT set | CONTEST Amanda Aikman Culture Editor What can you do in 24 hours? Personally, I’m lucky if I get around to brushing my teeth, attending at least one of my classes, and listening to a few Martin Tielli songs—but then I’m not exactly what you would call a “go getter.” Not everyone is as ambi- tionally challenged as I am, however; apparently there are people out there who can make an entire film in just one day. An entire film! Presumably (or so they claim), these people aren't doing this just to make me look bad; rather they are inspired by a creative drive or artistic vision or something. What's up with that? I don’t know. I’m impressed with myself if I’m able to watch a film in one day, never mind actually being able to create one. If you think that you, or someone you know, may be keen enough to accomplish a project like this—or if you fall into my, considerably lazier camp, and just want to watch the finished prod- uct—here’s the low-down. What is it? A contest. Okay, there’s more to it than that. Competitors have to create a five-minute original film from conception to final print in 24 hours. The contestants—made up of 24 registered teams of eight filmmakers (which includes cast and crew)— meet at 9am to receive the rules and story elements that they are required to incorporate into their films. After that the teams have just 24 hours to write, shoot, and edit their film with their own gear, and get the final copy to the finish line by 10am the next day. The films are viewed at a public screening the following week, where they are judged by a panel of industry professionals. Prizes are awarded for the top-voted films, including an audience choice award. Following the contest the entries are added to an online library of over 100 short films from previous events. Who is it? The contest’s producer, Kryshan Randel, has worked as both a camera operator and editor for various short films and videos. He has studied in the Capilano College Film and Media Program, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts acting pro- gram, and the Flash Forward program (where he was both a participant and a coach). Randel began the 24 Hour Film Contest in January of 2000 as a series of five-hour exercises for him and his film schoolmates. The response was so overwhelming October 15, 2003 that it led to the creation of the public contest that it is today. The contest also benefits from the talents of co-producer Ed Hatton, production coordinator Karen Nielson, event coordinators Michael Chmara and Ami Catriona, publicist Rechna Varma, pho- tographer Richard Ellis, and of course many com- mitted volunteers (which they are always on the lookout for, hint hint). Where is it? The 24 Hour Film Contest is organized and held in Vancouver. The contestants are already registered for the October event, but tickets to the public screening are still available at The Celluloid Drugstore (1470 Commercial Drive). The screening is held at The Maritime Labour Centre (1880 Triumph Street), and has a limited capacity of 500, so buying tickets in advance is recommended. When is it? The next contest closes on October 18 and the screening will be on Saturday October 25, 7pm. For more information on tickets and details on past and future contests be sure to visit . ee Page 16 hittp://www.otherpress.ca