Alternative films arrive, then suddenly depart
Anna Nguyen
Issue date: 3/9/09 Section: Lifestyles
I have, many times, frequented a theater in which I - or, on some occasions, with a companion - have been the sole patron in an auditorium. If my memory doesn't fail me, I've seen "My Blueberry Nights," Stephen Chow's "CJ7" and "Ashes of Time Redux" in empty, petite rooms.
Perhaps it should be noted that these films are categorized as either foreign or independent films. And while I commend AMC Theatres for screening alternative selections, the general life expectancy of these films, unfortunately, is only about a week before they depart.
In fact, one day I arbitrarily decided to see "Ashes of Time Redux" again for the upcoming weekend, the decision made just four days after my friend and I had watched it in isolation.
It was of good fortune that I decided to check the show times, to ensure that it would be shown on a Friday or Saturday night; the listings, however, indicated that that night, a Thursday, would be the film's final showing.
So I went to the theater that very night to revisit the lovely desert, enjoy the stringed-instrument composition and Leslie Cheung's gorgeous face.
So it wasn't completely absurd that I assumed the theater would be empty when I went to an evening show of "Il y a longtemps que je t'aime" or "I've Loved You So Long."
It was about a month ago that I lamented its unavailability. A local newspaper had published another review for the French film about two weeks ago, assuring that it was indeed in town.
A week passed by since its release, and I made no great haste in going to the cinema, perhaps as a way to prove my point that it would suddenly disappear.
I was proved wrong, as I went to the theater to watch "I've Loved You So Long" on a Saturday evening. When I entered the auditorium, there were about four other patrons already seated. As I sat down, two more couples came in.
"I've Loved You So Long" is an extremely bleak French film starring the formidable Kristin Scott Thomas as Juliette.
In the beginning, Juliette has been released from prison after a 15-year sentence for the murder of her six-year-old son. She tries to begin a new life with her younger sister Léa, from whom she's been estranged because their parents disowned her. Léa eagerly tries to reconnect with her elder sister, as her memories of Juliette have been jilted.
Thomas plays Juliette in a brutally cold and fragile manner, and her character is somewhat difficult to truly sympathize with. However, the scenes in which Juliette tries to avoid speaking of her past are painful; perhaps the most heartbreaking scene was when Juliette was dining with her sister's family and friends and her furtive past was brought to attention. One of Léa's friends drunkenly suggested a game to find out why beautiful and intelligent Juliette has been absent for the last 15 years. As everybody sat in silence, Juliette forced a smile and bluntly said, "I was in prison for the murder of my son." The response of the crowd was of laughter.
The film ended on a redemptive note, as Juliette finally acknowledges the reason she decided to kill her son.
"I've Loved You So Long" is not the best film of the year, but it certainly is a good one and well worth the rather frustrating wait for Juliette to finally open up.
It was a lovely evening, and I decided to walk to Hastings after the film ended. As I perused the foreign films section, I noticed the DVD of "I've Loved You So Long" is already available for rent. Although I could have saved about five dollars had I rented the DVD, I enjoyed a night out at the cinema, as I've not seen a film on the big screen for some time now. And it certainly was nice to see a foreign film in town.
Anna Nguyen is the Lifestyles editor for The Arkansas Traveler. Her column appears every other Monday.
Perhaps it should be noted that these films are categorized as either foreign or independent films. And while I commend AMC Theatres for screening alternative selections, the general life expectancy of these films, unfortunately, is only about a week before they depart.
In fact, one day I arbitrarily decided to see "Ashes of Time Redux" again for the upcoming weekend, the decision made just four days after my friend and I had watched it in isolation.
It was of good fortune that I decided to check the show times, to ensure that it would be shown on a Friday or Saturday night; the listings, however, indicated that that night, a Thursday, would be the film's final showing.
So I went to the theater that very night to revisit the lovely desert, enjoy the stringed-instrument composition and Leslie Cheung's gorgeous face.
So it wasn't completely absurd that I assumed the theater would be empty when I went to an evening show of "Il y a longtemps que je t'aime" or "I've Loved You So Long."
It was about a month ago that I lamented its unavailability. A local newspaper had published another review for the French film about two weeks ago, assuring that it was indeed in town.
A week passed by since its release, and I made no great haste in going to the cinema, perhaps as a way to prove my point that it would suddenly disappear.
I was proved wrong, as I went to the theater to watch "I've Loved You So Long" on a Saturday evening. When I entered the auditorium, there were about four other patrons already seated. As I sat down, two more couples came in.
"I've Loved You So Long" is an extremely bleak French film starring the formidable Kristin Scott Thomas as Juliette.
In the beginning, Juliette has been released from prison after a 15-year sentence for the murder of her six-year-old son. She tries to begin a new life with her younger sister Léa, from whom she's been estranged because their parents disowned her. Léa eagerly tries to reconnect with her elder sister, as her memories of Juliette have been jilted.
Thomas plays Juliette in a brutally cold and fragile manner, and her character is somewhat difficult to truly sympathize with. However, the scenes in which Juliette tries to avoid speaking of her past are painful; perhaps the most heartbreaking scene was when Juliette was dining with her sister's family and friends and her furtive past was brought to attention. One of Léa's friends drunkenly suggested a game to find out why beautiful and intelligent Juliette has been absent for the last 15 years. As everybody sat in silence, Juliette forced a smile and bluntly said, "I was in prison for the murder of my son." The response of the crowd was of laughter.
The film ended on a redemptive note, as Juliette finally acknowledges the reason she decided to kill her son.
"I've Loved You So Long" is not the best film of the year, but it certainly is a good one and well worth the rather frustrating wait for Juliette to finally open up.
It was a lovely evening, and I decided to walk to Hastings after the film ended. As I perused the foreign films section, I noticed the DVD of "I've Loved You So Long" is already available for rent. Although I could have saved about five dollars had I rented the DVD, I enjoyed a night out at the cinema, as I've not seen a film on the big screen for some time now. And it certainly was nice to see a foreign film in town.
Anna Nguyen is the Lifestyles editor for The Arkansas Traveler. Her column appears every other Monday.
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