Fantastic Fest 2010 Day Three: I Gotta Feeling

I am utterly amazed -- after only three days at Fantastic Fest, it feels like I've been at it a solid week. So many wonderful films and conversations, many that I'll share in later entries. I've yet to be in bed before 4 am, but it's been worth the lack of sleep to be part of the magic and chaos of Fantastic Fest. As a veteran attendee, the best advice that I can impart on newbies is to "go with the flow." Plans are great, but you never know when being in the wrong place at the right time means seeing firsthand why Fantastic Fest is what you make of it -- and there might be someone filming, more on that after the jump. The best part is seeing celebrities relaxing and enjoying the festival along with regular attendees, without fanfare or massive entourages.

My Saturday was one of martial arts and karaoke, with my first dive in the deep end of the Fantastic Fest party pool. Here are the highlights:

I started the day with Naan Kadavul, described as "a music-infused Tamil epic about a dope-smoking Vedic superman and a group of beggar slave children." Nothing could have prepared me for the culture shock of this film. Naan Kadavul is one of those films that I -- or any American, for that matter -- would have been able to see if not for the dedication of Tim League and the Fantastic Fest programmers in bringing this film to the festival. The film is not a masterpiece, but its gift is a view of a landscape that is both colorful and dirty, full of tradition and tragedy. 

Next up was Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen. I'd not grasped the cultural significance of Chen Zhen when I saw Fist of Fury many years ago, but Legend of the Fist takes care of that for the audience. Director Andrew Lau brings together history with amazing action sequences and stunning sets of Japanese-occupied Shanghai during the First World War to re-invent the tale of a cultural hero, played brilliantly by Donnie Yen. I loved the rich colors and elegance of the nightclub Casablanca which is owned by Mafia boss Mr. Liu (Anthony Wong), with the lovely star hostess, Kiki (Shu Qi). It's the time when the Japanese are spreading their power throughout China. Power comes in Shanghai through the form of a death list, causing a panic with death for those who don't flee in time.

I headed over to the Paramount where my appetite for martial arts was well-sated by director Yuen Woo-Ping's True Legend. I arrived early to cover the red carpet, as Master Yuen was in attendance to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by artist RZA. Although I was able to have a few questions with Master Yuen, my best experience was talking with RZA about films including his upcoming projects. His outlook was so genuine and refreshing, I would love to spend more time interviewing him.

True Legend tells the story of Su Qi-Er, a renowned Qing dynasty general who retires to spend time with his family and create his own Wushu martial arts school. Su's peaceful life is shattered when his vengeful adopted brother, Yuan Lie, kills Su's father and kidnaps his son, with Su and his wife Ying -- who is also Yuan Lie's blood sister -- presumed dead. Su and Ying survive thanks to the intervention of Sister Yu, played beautifully by Michelle Yeoh. There's so much more to this story, including a cameo appearance by David Carradine in the last performance of his lifetime, that I'll have to save details for a full review later.

The seats at the Paramount Theatre can be a bit uncomfortable after a couple of hours, so I skipped the second Yuen Woo-ping feature, Snake in the Eagle's Shadow, which was his first film. It was time for some karaoke, and I arrived just in time to get in "Video Killed the Radio Star" at Nerdeoke. Alamo Drafthouse co-founder Karrie League sang "I Like Chinese" in honor of Master Yuen, and then it was on to the highlight of the night -- the Criterion "Chaos Reigns" Karaoke Party.

I intended to sing a song at the begining of the party and then hightail it over to see a midnight screening, but I was delayed so guest singers could perform. Fantastic Fest founder Tim League took the stage along with RZA, Elijah Wood, director Nacho Vigalondo, director Eugenio Mira, and a few others to perform The Black Eyed Peas "I Gotta Feeling." The energy onstage was infectious, with the whole room on their feet -- and League surfing the crowd. See the carnage in this video:

Bill Pullman joined the singers next as a backup dancer for "It's Raining Men," and thankfully Henri Mazza then performed a solo song so the next singer wouldn't have to follow the rampage. I had picked "Feels Like the First Time" for all the Fantastic Fest newcomers, and was rewarded with a prize of a Criterion Collection DVD set -- I chose Two Lane Blacktop, a film that has been adamantly recommended by a friend for years.

Since it was too late to join my fiance at the midnight screening, I decided to leave "early" to get to bed. Getting out of the Highball is a challenge, with so many conversations with new and familiar friends and acquaintances. I was pleased to end my night with a long conversation with Johan Lundberg and Johan Storm, the filmmakers behind the Swedish suspenseful thriller Corridor. If you didn't catch this film during its first screening, I highly recommend seeing its Tuesday screening at 3 pm.

A significant element of Corridor is that the protagonist Frank (Emil Johnsen) isn't the most likeable character, as he's not very altruistic and yet studying to be a doctor. The tension builds up quite well throughout the film, with enough reprieves to allow the audience time to relax along with the main character. Lead actress Ylva Gallon bears a striking resemblance to Kirsten Dunst, and her character Lotte strikes a wonderful balance between annoying invasive neighbor and hapless victim. It was interesting to note that supporting actor Peter Stormare (Fargo, The Big Lebowski) was the easiest and least compensated cast member -- until Storm admitted that Stormare is his uncle. Veteran actress Marie Delleskog also appears in a role outside her usual typecast, and I'm awarding Corridor the Best Head Butt award thanks to Delleskog. You can also see her as a terrorized grandmother in Lundborg and Storm's short film Rosenhill, which screens today and also Monday afternoon in the Short Fuse! Severe Shorts program.

There was enough fun in Day #3 for me, now it's on to Day #4 after plenty of rest and relaxation.

[Photo Credits: Elijah Wood at Criterion "Chaos Reigns" Karaoke Party, RZA on the True Legend Red Carpet, by Debbie Cerda, on Flickr]