Inside Out 08 Day 9 - Friday May 23/08

On Friday for my journeys at Inside Out I went with my sister Jamie, we always have fun together - especially at dance movies. Considering that Razzle Dazzle: A Journey into Dance was one of the films to be seen, it was destined to be a fantastic night, and it was! Great films, lovely company and the weather behaved which made hanging out around Vic and the Bader all the better.

Berlin Hair Today
Dir: Ole Bendtzen
Germany/Denmark, 14 minutes

Hilarious documentary following an on-the-fly hairdresser set out to cure Berlin of bad hair cuts. I loved the openness with regards to whom they would approach and offer free hair cuts to. I loved the short, however I question the logic of having blue subtitles with a pink outline as they were a challenge to read a times.

Derek
Dir: Isaac Julien
UK, 76 minutes

This documentary chronicles the life and work of Derek Jarman, in part through a 1991 interview and voice overs by Tilda Swinton. The film also shows a variety of archival footage as well as well known films of Derek Jarman, his work and his home. This provides us with the opportunity to see the different facets of his life and how he played a strong role in many capacities be they as an artist, filmmaker, activist or all three.

Razzle Dazzle: A Journey into Dance
Dir: Darren Ashton
Australia, 95 minutes

This hilarious Australian dance film in the style of a mockumentary feels like what would happen if you put Mad Hot Ballroom in the world of Strictly Ballroom. It has many of the classic dance film elements (a competition, popular vs the underdogs, stage moms), and a bucket load of humour which for the most part was delightful but a few times felt a bit biting. I loved the fantastic deadpan performance of Ben Miller as Mr. Jonathan, the dance teacher from the underdog school. Overall extremely enjoyable, especially the performance by all the young dancers, how they captured the culture of the dance schools and lives of those involved.


The packed out for the sold out screening of Razzle Dazzle: A Journey into Dance

Schedule change for Saturday May 24/08
The 4:45pm screening of With Gilbert and George will be replaced by a repeat screening of Shelter.

The Inside Out Toronto Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival 2008 runs from May 15-25, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.