Eden Is West (Costa-Gavras, 2009)

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LQ · #1 Post by LQ » Mon Oct 12, 2009 12:39 pm

To anyone in the Philadelphia area who is interested: Costas-Gavras will be at the screening of Eden is West at the Prince Music Theater to receive an Artistic Achievement Award for Directing on October 22nd. Details & ticket information.

Here's the trailer for the film, in French.

#2 Post by **mfunk9786** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 3:54 am

What a fantastic film this was. Approaching a difficult topic with good humor is handled extremely well here. And the lead was overwhelmingly charming in the role. Costa-Gavras displayed a lightheartedness and whimsy in this film that I don't typically associate with him. One of my favorite films of the year.

Oh, and the man himself was incredibly charming, and he handled the audience's occasionally idiotic and dumbfounding questions with grace and good humor. I'd type more but I'm on my cell phone, so just take my word on this one and track it down.

bearcuborg · #3 Post by **bearcuborg** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:49 am

Agreed. I saw him earlier at UARTS, and his post screening comments filled in the gaps for me. I wish the Prince showed movies more often!

#4 Post by **mfunk9786** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:32 am

I like the Prince, but that part of the city is a nightmare parking-wise. I think I'll just stick with the Ritz, or failing that, never ever coming into the city ever again.

Cde. · #5 Post by **Cde.** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 12:22 pm

I really wanted to see this, but it lasted about a week in Australian cinemas that I just happened to be busy for the duration of. I doubt the distributor will bother with a DVD release.

With a few notable exceptions, only the blandest, safest foreign films around tend to be released over here.

LQ · #6 Post by LQ » Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:00 pm

I really enjoyed the film too, it's balance between enchantment and disillusionment in light of it's topic was very well done. The tone was decidedly picaresque and playful as Elias proved to be the eternal optimist on his odyssey to Paris, but the film didn't skirt around the reality of exploitations that an illegal immigrant faces.
I'd never seen Riccardo Scamarcio in anything before, but I was impressed by him. He's nearly quiet through the entire movie, only able to communicate in rudimentary scraps of French & mime, but he carries the entire movie effortlessly with his wide-eyed vulnerability and charm (and of course his smoldering looks).

#7 Post by **mfunk9786** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:10 pm

I have a feeling he carries his entire life effortlessly with his wide-eyed vulnerability and smoldering looks.

bearcuborg · #8 Post by **bearcuborg** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:15 pm

mfunk9786 wrote:I like the Prince, but that part of the city is a nightmare parking-wise. I think I'll just stick with the Ritz, or failing that, never ever coming into the city ever again.

I live in/around the city and use a bike. When I have to drive and park I find lots of free parking around a 6 block radius around Bainbridge and 13th Street. Did you stick around for the post Q&A? Someone asked if Costa-Gavras would allow his film to be edited to reach a wider audience and he agreed that he would... Somehow I don't think he heard the question.

Cde. wrote:I really wanted to see this, but it lasted about a week in Australian cinemas that I just happened to be busy for the duration of. I doubt the distributor will bother with a DVD release.

With a few notable exceptions, only the blandest, safest foreign films around tend to be released over here.

The shame of it all is that this film has potential to be a hit not unlike Amelie.

LQ · #9 Post by LQ » Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:22 pm

Someone asked if Costa-Gavras would allow his film to be edited to reach a wider audience and he agreed that he would... Somehow I don't think he heard the question.

From our vantage point, Costas-Gavras didn't hear the majority of the questions, they came to him via the guy from the Cinema Alliance. It was like a game of Telephone in some cases

bearcuborg · #10 Post by **bearcuborg** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 5:41 pm

LQ wrote:
Someone asked if Costa-Gavras would allow his film to be edited to reach a wider audience and he agreed that he would... Somehow I don't think he heard the question.
From our vantage point, Costas-Gavras didn't hear the majority of the questions, they came to him via the guy from the Cinema Alliance. It was like a game of Telephone in some cases

Earlier at UARTS he mentioned he only saw Randolph Scott westerns in Greece, but it was his viewing of Greed at the Cinémathèque Française that made him see the possibilities of film. I have since dug up my 4 hour version of Greed with the still images that attempt to complete the film.

Also, I noticed the final plug for the Z DVD and can't believe they didn't plug TLA Video which owns the Cinema Alliance. By the way, the store on South Street is closing for good this coming week. Everything is being sold off.

LQ · #11 Post by LQ » Fri Oct 23, 2009 5:48 pm

bearcuborg wrote: Also, I noticed the final plug for the Z DVD and can't believe they didn't plug TLA Video which owns the Cinema Alliance. By the way, the store on South Street is closing for good this coming week. Everything is being sold off.

!! That's sad to hear. Thanks for the head's up, at least.

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