The Toronto International Film Festing continues … I am no fanwhore like my dear friend, willariah, but I am enjoying the flicks I’ve picked thus far. Though, I must say, I’m still waiting for a film that provides me the ‘wow factor’. I saw one last night, and three today!  So, onto the movies:

The Bubble
Another gay-themed film by Israeli, Eytan Fox (previously did Walk on Water and Yossi & Yagger). This outing pits the gay theme with a touch of taboo politicaliness (predictable I might be tempted to say) when gay Israeli Noam brings home a gay Palestinian, Asraf. More predictable woe and grief ensue as these two try to make their relationship work outside ‘the bubble’ that is city life in Tel Aviv. This movie is very good … until the last 7 minutes or so when we’re supposed to believe (spoiler alert) that 1) Asraf suddenly decides to leave his moderate views on the occupation behind and opts to become a suicide bomber to avenge his dead sister, and,  2) when he does blow himself up (while cornily hugging Noam outside the restaurant in Tel Aviv where they worked) enough of their bodies remain to be bagged center stage for the camera to focus on. Com’on!  Such potential only to be ruined in the last few minutes. My rating: 5 out of 10.

I Don’t Want to Sleep Alone
Tsai Ming-liang directed this ever-so-quiet, minimalist film. I don’t know where to even start to explain it. Essentially, it is about a a migrant worker, Haiso-kang, who after being beaten up is rescued by a Bangladeshi worker, Rawang, and nurtured back to health. On the way, he consorts with Rawang, Chyi (a waitress he meets) and Chyi’s female boss. This is a ‘difficult’ film to watch because it is so quiet. Haiso-kang, the main character, does not utter a single word the entire film (unless you count moans during sex). It is an existentialism tome played out on film. These characters are all reaching out to grasp someone and none want to sleep alone. My rating 6 out of 10.