FantAsia started in the mid-1990s, pretty much as a festival of horror and science fiction, with some Japanimation, or anime, thrown in. It was held around Halloween time then, with most screenings at the Imperial Theatre. Today, while it’s still true to its roots, it has become SO important and SO internationally-significant, that it is finally receiving some government funding. And let’s call it an “imagination festival” rather than a horror, s.f. and anime festival, shall we? Because it reaches across many genres to deliver some of the finest international filmmaking you will find.
Cases in point: this year’s opening film last Thursday evening was actor Jay Baruchel’s chance to shine before his home crowd, as FantAsia screened new-release The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, which opens to the general public just this week. Several years ago, the closing film was local producer Kevin Tierney’s Bon Cop, Bad Cop, about as far removed from horror or fantasy as you’ll get, but everyone in attendance loved it.
Many of the films are screened before their directors, who remain behind for a question and answer period following their films. If you are a film fan and have never previously attended a Q&A session, it’s a real treat. And almost EVERY film is screened at Concordia’s downtown Hall Building or its J.A. de Seve theatre across the street. Many films are sold-out, so it’s a great idea to buy a thick, gorgeous catalogue (which includes a DVD) for just $5 and peruse it to carefully choose your films... and then rush to the Hall Building to buy your tickets - in advance - from the second floor ticket booth.
Cote Saint-Luc’s Mitch Davis is one of the main reasons FantAsia’s international programming is so interesting, fun and, well, out there. The heavy metal-haired Davis plied his trade for the Cinema du Parc previously and is now the FantAsia’s Director of International Programming, as well as co-General Director, and a good thing, too. Davis loves focusing on bizarre or merely unusual convention-breaking material, so if he raves about something, you know it’s going to be memorable... though admittedly not for everyone. A film he loved several years ago, Live Freaky, Die Freaky, was a stop-motion (as in animation) recreation of Charles Manson’s 1969 Tate/LaBianca murders, complete with blood and racy dialogue. It was screened before a packed house from midnight till 2:00 a.m. and I found it quite deranged and not at all entertaining. Yet I agree with Davis more than I disagree and I consider him quite the programming genius. I also respect creative people who aren’t afraid to break through the envelope.
One event NOT to be missed this year is the screening of the restored original cut of the silent cult classic Metropolis, featuring an additional 25 minutes of previously lost footage and a new soundtrack written and performed live by the Cinematheque quebecoise’s Gabriel Thibaudeau and a 13-piece orchestra -
One event NOT to be missed this year is the screening of the restored original cut of the silent cult classic Metropolis, featuring an additional 25 minutes of previously lost footage and a new soundtrack written and performed live by the Cinematheque quebecoise’s Gabriel Thibaudeau and a 13-piece orchestra. That’s at Place des Arts on July 28 and I suggest you buy your tickets to this one immediately.
FantAsia is on the web at www.fantasiafestival.com. Tickets are also available from admission.com or by calling 514-790-1245. The festival runs from July 8 – 28, 2010.
Bus to Baseball Hall of Fame morphs into a van
Grab your baseball cap and sign on to the City of Cote Saint-Luc Parks & Recreation department’s trip to Cooperstown to experience former Expo Andre Dawson’s Hall of Fame induction, from July 23 – 25 inclusive. Due to low registration, a chartered bus has been cancelled and a minibus will be rented instead. They need something like 7 more people to make it, so call Brian Blumer (ext. 2015) or Harold Cammy (ext. 2011) at 514-485-6806 right away to register. I really want to go, so do it for me, please? The price is amazing for a three-day trip to the States, almost everything included.
