So the DIFF is well and truly upon us, and for the next week or so, Durbanites should be expected to take full advantage of the awesome selection of films on show. So far, two I’ve seen are worth mentioning.

Wassup Rockers sees director Larry Clark (Kids, Ken Park) take a somewhat lighter approach to his usually controversial and shocking subject matter of promiscuous teenagers, drugs and bullying. The story follows a group of poor Latino skateboarders who wreak havoc when they get stuck in Beverly Hills.

Not a whole lot happens, but we do get insight into a subculture that transcends the usual stereotypes (Hispanic skateboarder punks in toight pant anyone?)

Clark has a wonderful ability of portraying the youth of America in a fresh and dynamic way. The fact that these kids are not actors but a group of friends playing themselves makes the scenes seem pretty authentic. Not particularly hardcore, as we would expect, but real and harmless as they get off on laughing at each other and goofing around on skateboards.
An enjoyable movie. Next on @ Sneddon 21.06 and Nouveau 25.06.
www.wassuprockers.net

Me, You and Everyone we know is a funny, gentle and poignant film about connections and striving to get the most out of life. Written and directed by the main character, Miranda July, we are presented with a handful of extremely likeable, quirky characters each inquisitive and ready to tackle the issues they’re faced with. As one reviewer put it:

“Each scene builds on the previous scene, adding one more enticing facet to a personality; one more little twist to a story. By the final scene, each character has as much depth and complexity as some of the real people we know. Indeed, one might wish that everyone were as interesting as the characters in this film."?

Just beautiful, see it. Next on @ Suncoast 24.06 and Musgrave 25.06
www.meandyoumovie.com

Others that I’ve heard are fantastic are The Bloodettes, Thank you for smoking, Citizen Dog, and Look both ways.

More to follow. Any other recommendations?

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