Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/362765
17 | bcliving.ca or Japan is not necessarily a hard-core art lm," says Franey. "It might have been the most successful lm in the commercial marketplace in that part of the world, and it might have a lot of the same sort of virtues people associate with blockbusters. ere are some that are more artsy and maybe more slow-moving than people are used to, but I think the average adult can appreciate most of the lms in the festival." e challenge, even for seasoned cine- philes, is deciding on what to see. For most people, the rst step is picking up the festival guide. Usually available the rst week of September, the guide provides synopses of the lms and information about the genre, lmmakers and the cast. e online sched- ule goes live around the same time as the release of the guide. A great place to start is with the festival's opening and closing lms. Often, these have already won awards or gathered acclaim elsewhere, and are guaranteed to be among the most buzzworthy picks of the fest. ey might also be high-pro le lms having their world premiere. Savvy lm-fest goers will often Google the other titles they're interested in for reviews, since many of the movies will have col- lected at least a few notices based on other, earlier screenings. ese veteran festival attendees know that some lms might have been selected not because they are success- ful overall, but because they have one or two redeeming qualities – an exceptional performance or stunning cinematography, for example. e guide and schedule also provide screening information, of course, and usually there are multiple screenings of each lm. One way to enjoy the lm festival is to make it work for you, rather than stressing about seeing one particular lm at a certain time. Usually you can see at least some of what you want to see, when you want to see it. Also, it's a good idea to check out at least one lm in each of the areas in which VIFF excels. e festival is known for its expansive selections of documentary/essay-style lms as well as East Asian and Canadian cinema. "Some years we've had the largest collec- tion of Canadian lms in the world," says Franey. "We do have some Hollywood lms here, but we see ourselves as kind of the complementary aspect to what's onscreen throughout the year." But perhaps the best way to enjoy VIFF is to talk to other lmgoers. A lm festival is as much a social occasion as it is a cultural one. Everyone wants to talk about the movies they've seen or are going to see, and most folks – whether standing in line to get into a movie or seated next to you in the theatre – are more than happy to share their tips. And who knows? Someone's recommenda- tion about that three-hour grain-harvesting drama could be, to paraphrase a 1942 Acad- emy Award winner, the start of a beautiful friendship. vi .org ■ MR. TURNER This biopic from British director Mike Leigh features an award- winning performance by actor Timothy Spall as famed British artist J.M.W. Turner. LIVING IS EASY WITH EYES CLOSED Borrowing its title from The Beatles hit "Strawberry Fields Forever," this Spanish fi lm about a die-hard Beatles fan won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Writing and Best Leading Actor at Spain's Goya Awards this year. The Vancouver Fringe Festival turns 30 this year, and it's leaving its 20s in style. With over 700 perfor- mances by 89 artists over 11 days, it's tak- ing birthday week to a whole new level. This celebration of all things theatre provides opportuni- ties for artists of every level to participate. It's so inclusive that mainstage shows are randomly chosen – literally drawn from a hat. A star could be born before your very eyes, and it's that feel- ing of 'anything could happen' that makes Fringe truly special. All shows will take place in the Granville Island area, and over 30,000 attendees will experience some of the best up-and- coming talent that the region has to o er. All performers receive 100 per cent of box o ce revenue, so when you buy your ticket, you're truly supporting the arts. On September 2, to kick o the festivities, Fringe is throwing an opening party at Performance Works on Granville Island with performances by award-winning writer/ performer/director TJ Dawe and Seattle- based band The Cave Singers. Yes, Fringe Fest might be getting a little older, but 30 years out, it continues to prove it deserves its place in Van- couver's spotlight. vancouverfringe.com Vancouver International Film Festival Sept. 25 – Oct. 10 FRINGE FESTIVAL September 4 – 14 LIVING ON THE EDGE MR. TURNER This biopic from British director Mike Leigh features an award- winning performance by actor Timothy Spall as famed British artist J.M.W. Turner. The Body of a Woman as a Battle- fi eld in the Bosnian War will be playing at this year's Fringe