As we climb higher into the Top 10, it gets harder and harder to differentiate between the films as to their level of accomplishment: these are all such great films! What this pair of films share is a boldness of writer/director vision, and a pair of show-stopping lead performances.
#8) Anne at 13,000 Ft., directed by Kazik Radwanski – Kazik Radwanski’s films are up close and personal… so much so that there is a certain level of discomfort in watching them. He uses intense emotions and extreme close-ups to drive his points home. ANNE AT 13,000 FT. introduces us to a young woman who works at a daycare center. As a bridesmaid for one of her co-workers, she, along with the bridal party, jump out of a plane to do some tandem skydiving. The exhilaration and yes, calm, Anne feels is something she yearns for again when she is back in her regular life. And there’s definitely something different about Anne. At first it’s just some inappropriate laughter, discomfort in social settings, discomfiting work decisions… that soon reveal themselves to be a struggle with mental illness. This portrait of a woman dealing with an illness is poignant, yet unflinching, as those around her struggle to provide assistance and support.
Deragh Campbell is riveting as Anne, and it’s with trepidation we watch her try to navigate every day life with this incredible burden. Her performance is so raw and open it’s hard to remember you are watching a film. Radwanski’s directing style keeps that honesty up front and in your face, daring you to judge while his camera holds unflinchingly as Anne makes bad decisions or behaves in ways we can’t understand. I look forward to following Kazik’s career as he continues to confound and fascinate.
#7) Aftersun, directed by Charlotte Wells – This British father-daughter memory tale is a remarkable work as a first-time narrative film. Writer/director Charlotte Wells tells a very personal story through the eyes of a pre-teen girl about a time spent at a Turkish resort with her Dad, who is divorced from her Mom. Wells doesn’t tell a straight-forward story.In fact, for the first half of the film I found myself frustrated, not quite understanding the point of some of the extended scenes we were experiencing The latter half grew both more compelling and more obtuse, as shifting timelines, and unexplained scenes created a sense of unease, but little detail of what was actually going on. Fortunately the film is anchored by a remarkable performance by Paul Mescal playing the young dad. Loving and attentive, there is also a sense of desperation and anxiety beneath his actions. In the end when those elements grow stronger, his behavior suggests a darkness that is surprising although not entirely unexpected. Ultimately, I was very moved and impressed with the film, despite not having a solid grasp on some of the events and their sequence or meaning. It was one of those films that I wasn’t sure how I felt about as it concluded, and the next morning found I truly appreciated.