FFCC members report on Miami International Film Festival’s GEMS lineup
FFCC members report on the Miami International Film Festival unveiling their lineup for the mini-fest, GEMS 2015, today.
Juan Barquin, Miami New Times
“For closing night, accompanied by a gala party, the festival offers Patricia Riggen’s The 33, loosely based on the true story of the 33 Chilean miners trapped 2,300 feet underground for 69 days. It’ll be sure to pull in the big crowds due to its cast – including Antonio Banderas, Juliette Binoche, Rodrigo Santoro and Kate del Castillo among others – but the fact that the film is comprised of barely any Chileans and everyone speaks English with a Spanish accent makes it a worrisome endeavor.”
Hans Morgenstern, Independent Ethos
“This year’s edition, however, includes some highly anticipated movies that created big buzz at C the annes, Berlin and Sundance film festivals. The stand-outs include Hou Hsiao-hsien’s The Assassin. Over the years Hou has grown into the darling Chinese filmmaker of film critics. Wong-Kar Wai, Zhang Yimou, former critics darlings, have also had their chances at the Wuxia genre to various levels of success. Like Wai’s Ashes of Time, word around The Assassin, is that Hou’s film hews incredibly close to his contemplative, rich, mise-en-scène-driven cinema.”
Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald
“Film festivals are dazzling times, when the shiniest lights of the current cinema are collected in one place for a concentrated moment,” festival executive director Jaie Laplante stated in a press release announcing the lineup. “So it is with this year’s GEMS selection, and I invite film lovers of all types to experience las joyas de la corona [the jewels of the crown] of the season.”
