TIFF 2010 began with a screening of Jean-Luc Godard's latest film "Film Socialism" at the Ryerson Theatre.
I arrived about 20 minutes before the screening and ended up following the line from Gerrard, down Church and on to Gould. Around us were many many students settling into Ryerson and a loud power trio tried gamely to entertain the crowds on Church (what they lacked in rhythm, they made up in volume).
The film started about an hour late. Fortunately, I had nothing else on the schedule, so it was simply a matter of soaking up the sights and sounds of a somewhat cool late summer's night.
But what about the film...?
According to the catalog, the film is Godard's "most dense, opaque and troubling film in years" (nothing like starting the festival with the easy stuff). Structured in three parts, the film is a mix of languages (English, French, German, Russian and a few others), film stocks (everything from high def digital down to cell phone cameras), obscure inter-titles and references to classic film like "The Battleship Potemkin". There were deliberate variations in the sound mix (from crystal clear to muddy) and no subtitles.
About a quarter of the audience bailed before the end. I decided to stick with it and let it wash over me. It was worth it for some of the visuals and for raising questions like "what is the llama doing at the gas station and why is no one paying attention to it?"
Tomorrow promises to be a little less opaque.
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