TIFF report

[Udo Helms]

	There has been not too much discussion of the TIFF yet, so I thought I?d 
submit a few impressions of its organization and the Japanese films I?ve 
seen there over the next couple of days - I hope this is OK for the list. If 
not, please tell me.
	Let?s start with the organization: It?s been my first time this year, but 
some veterans told me that they shared the feeling that it?s a bit boring in 
competition and more lively in Cinema Prism. I think it?s a great idea 
though that the audience gets the chance to ask the guests questions, which 
is a privilege all too often reserved to journalists.
	Otherwise the organization seems so bound on perfection that, as with 
subways, the slightest flaw leads to collapse and/or irritation. This can be 
amusing - as when Tokyo Governor Ishihara Shintaro gave an impromptu rant on 
the Japanese film industry coupled with reminiscences of his colaboration 
with Toho back in the 50s during his address in the opening ceremony. 
Audience and photographers were delighted - one has to admit Ishihara has a 
charisma quite unusual for Japanese politicians, as much as one may differ 
politically with the author of "A Japan That Can Say No". A visibly 
distressed translator however apologized for not being able to translate his 
non-stop 5-minute-speech, saying that "his words came very unexpected".
	The most serious flaw, however, was the Asian Film Award ceremony, which 
was incomprehensibly held before the screening of Korea's most successful 
film ever, Shuri. Shibuya Public Hall was packed - with at least as many 
people staying outside, as purchased tickets and advance tickets had 
apparently been sold for twice the amount of available seats. A second 
screening was therefore held, but the announcement of this came much to 
late, as people were already trying to push their way into the theatre.
	The biggest irritation I ever experienced on a film festival was however 
caused by the award ceremony itself. The presentation of the jury and 
handing over of the award to actress Lee Kang-i of "Darkness and Light" 
(which also won TIFF itself) went smoothly enough. However, jury president 
Sai Yoichi then embarked on a 30-minute explanation of the jury`s decision, 
complete with explanations of the other four films they seriously 
considered, all of which was to be translated in English. This was a blunt 
display of disrespect to a mainly Korean audience, many of whom had 
travelled a long way to see Shuri. Noticing unrest, Sai even added oil to 
the fire by repeatedly saying "May I continue a little more", obviously 
mocking the audience. It didn`t help to calm things down that the MC then 
questioned director Kang Je-gyu on his film, on which he responded equally 
lenghtily. This might have been more to the interest of the audience; 
however, it lasted a full 35 minutes, after which everybody was so exhausted 
that the initial enthusiasm for Shuri had all but vaporized. The spy 
thriller therefore left me and my accompanying Korean friends unimpressed - 
James Bond with a Korean accent, but what the heck? But without having to 
wait more than 90 minutes for the screening to begin, this might have been 
different...
	Apart from this blunder, I was surprised at the large amunt of helpers who 
ensured correct queuing at the theatres, thereby allowing a quick admission 
process which I`d yearn for at the Berlin Film Fest, and have to credit the 
organization to have done a much better job than what I`ve seen elsewhere.

Udo Helms

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