Black Nights Film Festival hits the screens

  • 2010-11-24
  • By Laurence Boyce

STUCK: James Franco in “127 Hours”, tells the tale of a hiker trapper in a canyon for almost five days.

TALLINN - The main program of the 14th Black Nights Film Festival, which began on Wednesday, Nov. 24, cements its status not only as one of the most important film festivals in the Baltic region but one of the most important in the world. Showing over 220 feature films, the festival offers something for everyone, from the hardened cinema fan to the curious bystander.

The International Competition EurAsia focuses upon cinema from Europe and Asia and will include a screening of the eagerly anticipated “127 Hours,” the latest film from the director of the Oscar winning “Slumdog Millionaire” Danny Boyle. Starring James Franco, the film tells the story of mountain climber Aron Ralston who became trapped on a mountain for nearly five days in 2003.

Acclaimed for its high tension (and a gruesomely realistic amputation scene) the film will be a sure fire success. Also look out for “Son of Babylon,” this year’s Iraqi entry for the Academy Awards that follows a young boy who attempts to find his father after he fails to return at the end of the Gulf War. It’s a moving and hard hitting tale about an important issue that is both brave and human. Other highlights include Essential Killing, Poland’s entry for the Oscars, which stars Vincent Gallo in a Kafkaesque tale of mysterious imprisonment and redemption and the multi award-winning Estonian feature “The Temptation of St. Tony,” the dreamlike film about a midlevel manager who begins to question the notion of goodness.

“The Temptation of St. Tony” will also be competing in the Tridens Baltic Feature Film Competition which looks at the very best cinema emanating from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Other highlights of the competition include the world premiere of “Pit No. 8,” a film set in a Ukrainian coal mining region now overcome with poverty that is a timely portrait of parents and teenagers trying to earn a living in abandoned coal pits. Other films include “Eastern Drift,” a film that is already being touted as one of the best Lithuanian films of 2010 after receiving hugely positive reviews after its premiere at the Berlin Film Festival and “Jaguar’s Corner” (Dir. Andis Miziss, Latvia), a documentary that explores the relationship between a Baptist mission and the indigenous people of Bolivia.

The North American Independent Film Competition will focus upon those American Independent productions that have the best potential for distribution with new works that include “White Irish Drinkers” (Dir. John Gray, USA),  a powerful coming of age tale set in 1970s Brooklyn starring Karen Allen, “Incendines” (Dir. Denis Villeneuve, Canada) a film which sees two siblings search for their middle Eastern roots at the behest of their late mother and “Year of the Carnivor” the first feature from Sook-Yin Lee, one of the stars of the controversial sex film “Shortbus.”

The director of the Black Nights Film Festival Tiina Lokk said: “The competitions bring together established talent and new directors who will take cinema into the future. It will be a great chance for the Black Nights audiences to see some truly exceptional films whilst giving those who work in the industry a chance to get an overview of the past year’s happenings on the big screen. And let’s not forget that the competitions are the tip of the iceberg, with Black Nights presenting many other excellent screenings, retrospectives and special events.”

The 14th Black Nights Film Festival will also provide the kick off to Tallinn’s hosting of the 2011 European Capital of Culture. On Dec. 4th, the European Film Academy will be presenting the 23rd European Film Awards in Tallinn. Hundreds of film professionals across Europe will be attending the annual industry highlight event, including huge numbers of film stars, to provide glitz and glamour in the depths of winter.

You can also look forward to some excellent documentaries, a focus on Human Rights films and the Vitamin Boost, a selection of films designed to give your system a jolt after you’ve spent the day in the cinema. And trust me you’ll be spending much of your time there. With such a great selection of films from all over the globe how could you not? o

For more information about the festival schedule visit www.poff.ee