Our first film was "One Way Ticket to Mombasa" [Menolippu Mombasaan from Finland] directed by Hannu Tuomainen and written byAtro Lahtela and Hannu Tuomainen. When I read the synopsis for the flick, I dismissed it as another "Someone's dying so let's get out of here" plot. What made me appreciate it was its disturbingly laidback way of showing Jusa's journey towards his death, Pete's struggle to find a real life and the friendship that was formed in between living and dying. It was depressing because both characters were at PEACE amidst their own struggles. The flick brings out FEEL GOOD DEPRESSION, if it that exists.
Of course it didnt hurt that Pete [played by Antti Tarvainen] is a total hottie.
We psyched ourselves for the next film by going to Starbucks for a quick "drink". A few topics downed, we went back to the cinema excited and intrigued at what effect our second film for the night will have on us.
from IMDB
Our second film was "Simon" [Directed and written by Eddy Terstall from Nethelands]. "Simon" was a consolidation of a lot of things that are "DUTCH". It successfully demonstrated the synergy of these idiosyncrasies into a compact and solid whole that is the Dutch Culture. It tackled socially relevant issues like gay marriages, euthanasia, inter-cultural marriages, hash etc.
My favorite line would be, "Time does not exist." which I sort of connected to the circuity and continuity manifested through flashbacks. Simon, in my opinion, is more depressing than "One Way Ticket to Mombasa" because the pain, grief and fear of the characters are masked by the humour and color of the plot.
Eddy Terstall successfully presented the film not as something which gives rise to arguments, nor as a film hinting on what is right or what is wrong but as a film which plays with the emotions of the audience without dictating what should and should not be felt. It is in this film that you can independently decide as to whether you would want to dwell on the perfection that Camiel Vrolijk [brilliantly portrayed by Marcel Hensem] found in his homosexuality or on Simon's [played by equally wonderful actor Cees Geel] "seemingly" nonchalant acceptance of the oddities in his life. It can be described as "looking at the stars, appreciating different constellations without having to decide which constellation is most mystifying".
In the end, I felt bittersweet contentment at the same moment that Simon jumped towards his decided death.
There was an open forum right after the movie.. I sort of managed to ask two questions because I am a true blue "pa-star". haha...
camwhoring w/ Eddy Testall [director of Dutch film SIMON]
IT WAS A GREAT, GREAT WAY TO END MY SEMBREAK WITH A BANG THANKS.
RACH for coming up with the idea of checking Cine Europa out. Let's do this again next week.
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