I survived my movie marathon!! It was a grueling 3 days and I don’t think I will ever schedule 6 movies in 3 days again. However, I had a great time at the festival this year and I’m happy I caught a few good films. =)

I guess the biggest hype this year from Japan was the North American premiere of Norwegian Wood. I couldn’t get tickets to the first two screenings, so I missed the Q&A with the director. I was lucky to catch the last screening Saturday morning, which was completely sold out.

The movie left a really good impression on me. While there were parts that were omitted, I felt it kept the integrity of the book. I’m sure other people might disagree and say it was a letdown, but I thought the movie was beautifully put together. From what I’ve heard, Murakami’s only requirement was for Tran Anh Hung to ‘make a beautiful movie‘. Tran Anh Hung really did fulfill his end of the agreement. For those who haven’t read the book, the movie can surely stand on its own. The cinematography and the soundtrack combination just made it much more worthwhile to see.

With that being said, my favourite film at the festival this year was actually Nakashima Tetsuya’s Confessions. Just like how Inception took over the box office in North American, I understand why Confessions stayed at the top of the box office in Japan for weeks. It was just so…smart. I can’t describe it. It was the combination of the script, the acting and how the story unfolds. All the elements were placed in front of you and everything simply clicks together at the end. I want to watch this again!

Another one I caught this year was Feng Xiaogang’s Aftershock, about the earthquake in Tangshan in 1976. It was the first film I saw Sunday morning and I really wished I hadn’t seen it then, because my face was all tear stricken by the end of it. I highly recommend watching it purely for the story. (Bring a box of kleenex.)

I saw a documentary Sunday afternoon, then I wrapped up the filmfest with Miike’s 13 Assassins. The film was very Miike, but I felt it lacked his usual humour. I wish he added a bit more of a personal touch to it, because it seemed like another typical samurai movie at the end.

Overall I had a really great time at TIFF! Another year to scope out more films I want to see. Sadly no celebrity sightings this time around, but at least I can now stand on the spot where Gackt once stood. =P