Where Movie Critics Get A Taste Of Their Own Medicine

Ebert introduces first full day of films

by Herb Kane
April 26th, 2001

Day 2 was our first full day of watching films. An interesting piece called "Stanley Kubrick, A Life in Pictures" kicked off the day and an interesting panel discussion followed with Jan Harlan (brother-in-law to Kubrick). He spoke of Kubrick as being "the only real perfectionist" he has ever known. Kubrick was indeed one of the industry's most talented directors, but I think he lost it when he completed his final project - "Eyes Wide Shut." Yet the movie was done in Kubrick style - a thinking vehicle that forced you to discuss the many mysterious elements of the film's characters and plot. Shortly after filming "Eyes Wide Shut," Kubrick died.

The next movie was "Maryam," and director Ramin Serry and producer Shauna Lyon joined Ebert on the panel following the film to talk about the importance of the film's theme and how the events of that time effected society's view toward one another.

Director Sturla Gunnarsson joined Ebert on the panel and spoke of the challenges presented in filming the movie "Such a Long Journey" in another country (India). They often times used hidden cameras in real street settings. "Songs From the Second Floor" was a stranger than strange movie. Lars Nordh and Stefan Larsson III, the film's stars, joined Ebert on stage following the film's screening.

Maryam
by Herb Kane

April 26th, 2001

out of 4 stars

CRITIC DOCTOR EXAMINES: Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times, "Ebert & Roeper and the Movies" - Buena Vista TV, and host of "Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival" - 2001)

Maryam is a movie about an Iranian-born teenage girl who has lived most of her life in suburban New Jersey. She thinks of herself as an American and never thought twice about it. Then comes her cousin from Iran who confronts the girl's non-traditional view of her Iranian roots. Then havoc breaks out across America due to the hostage crises in Teheran. It's a touching movie and you really want everything to work out for the girl, the cousin and the family.

Ebert welcomes Ramin Serry, director of "Maryam."

Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times) said, "In a time when most movie teenagers are bubble-headed pawns in sex comedies, here is a teenager with brains and courage, who doesn't simply rebel against her parents but wants to understand them, and who doesn't collapse into weeping victim hood but depends on her mind and values."

Yes - it is nice to see a smart movie about a smart teenager, thoughtful of family and friends. You watch her handle the bullies in her school with her own cool; and how she brings together a family on the verge of separation due to the political climate of the time. I enjoyed Maryam - a movie not to be overlooked.

Such A Long Journey
by Herb Kane

April 26th, 2001

out of 4 stars (unrated)

CRITIC DOCTOR EXAMINES: Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times, "Ebert & Roeper and the Movies" - Buena Vista TV, and host of "Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival" - 2001)

"Such A Long Journey" is a movie about Gustad - an Indian husband whose life is suddenly challenged by a rebellious son, a sick daughter, and a break-out of violence in his neighborhood. At every corner, it seems he faces challenges and must make difficult decisions to overcome them. I may have actually liked this film if I had understood what people were saying in the film - literally.

Indian dialect isn't the easiest form of speech to understand - it's fast and muddled. Makes me kind of sad because there was a real story here, real characters and good acting and direction. But my own senses wouldn't allow me to enjoy this movie. There are elements I couldn't overlook - like Gustad's loving relationship with his wife; many of the comedy elements featuring some really strange characters; the texture of the plot and the interesting area in which it was filmed.

In a panel discussion with Sturla Gunnarsson, he said they used hidden cameras during some of the street scenes. So at times we are seeing real people in real situations. I admit. I think others may enjoy this film - but I just couldn't bond with it. For some, maybe it shouldn't be overlooked.

Roger Ebert and Sturla Gunnarsson (director of "Such a Long Journey")

Songs From The Second Floor
by Herb Kane

April 26th, 2001

out of 4 stars (PG)

CRITIC DOCTOR EXAMINES: Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times, "Ebert & Roeper and the Movies" - Buena Vista TV, and host of "Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival" - 2001)

Perhaps this film should have been called "Songs From the Third Dimension." Here director Roy Andersson creates a strange world with strange people in strange situations. Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times) recalls: "The Swedish film is audacious, offensive, original, surrealistic. It is a series of vignettes in a lonely city gripped by psychic meltdown."

I found the movie to have some of the most hilarious moments I've seen on film. Then other times, I just wanted to puke - like when I saw one man doing just that in a local bar scene. A drunk girl was trying to stand up next to him and kept falling down. You think of that old woman in American commercials advertising one of those medical alert systems for the elderly. The lady panics and says, "Help! I've fallen and I can't get up!"

And that's pretty much what happens to all the characters in this movie. There was one disturbing scene where a man is stabbed for no apparent reason. He falls to the ground and blood flows like a tiny river from his body. There is a scene involving a broke business man who loses all his money from investing in crucifixes he could not sell on the market. He throws them all in a junk pile and calls Jesus a loser. Indeed the film wasn't trying to put down Jesus or Christianity (merely showing the level in which greed had consumed this man), but still came across somewhat offensive.

Ebert said in a panel discussion that this kind scene of reminds us of how religion profits off the things of God. We've all witnessed much corruption in religious circles due to the dollar bill - and this movie made it brilliantly clear. Lars could not speak any English and Stefan could barely be understood. But I did catch one comment.

Stefan said about one scene in the movie, "It took us two months to film one scene."

"It took us two months just to film one scene," said Stefan Larsson III (actor) during a panel discussion.

I'm not so sure this movie should be overlooked or not. I enjoyed much of the comedic elements and the way the characters were put in all of these ridiculous situations. However, I doubt I will want to see this one again.

-- CRITIC DOCTOR

Lars Nordh (played Kalle), Stefan Larsson III (played Stefan) and Ebert pose after panel discussions.

Maryam:

Jill: Sabine Singh
Reza: Maz Jobrani
Ali: David Ackert
Mary: Mariam Parris

Directed by Ramin Serry. Produced by Shauna Lyon. Costume design by Nancy Brous.Release date: April 14, 2000 (Los Angeles Independent Film Festival).

Such A Long Journey:

Gustad Noble: Roshan Seth
Dilnavaz Noble: Soni Razdan
Ghulam: Om Puri
Major Bilimoria: Naseeruddin Shah
Pavement artist: Ranjit Chowdhry

Shooting Gallery presents a film directed by Sturla Gunnarsson. Written by Sooni Taraporevala. Based on the novel by Rohinton Mistry. Photographed by Jan Kiesser. Edited by Jeff Warren. Music by Jonathan Goldsmith. Running time: 113 minutes. No MPAA rating (suitable for mature teenagers).

Songs From The Second Floor:

Kalle: Lars Nordh
Stefan: Stefan Larsson
Pelle: Torbjorn Fahlstrom
Lasse: Sten Andersson
The Magician: Lucio Vicino

ICA Projects presents a film written and directed by Roy Andersson. Original music by Benny Andersson. Edited by Roy Andersson. Produced by Lisa Alwert and Roy Andersson. Running time: 98 minutes. Release date: July 7, 2000 (Czech Republic)