I saw this film at the opening night of the Williamsburg Film Festival on Kent Ave at South 2nd street. It is a great portrayal of a life in NYC. I have lived in NYC for 17 yrs and could relate to the characters and scenes, even though I am 1/2 Swedish and 1/2 Jewish. The movie is unbelievably funny... I laughed and laughed. It is not a serious film, but it is not meant to be serious... it is a window into the world of this artist that touches on political issues... as I think for many of us living in the States experience global issues... horrors go on across the world and we still go to parties and benefits. The dichotomy between silly and serious, paranoid and real, superficial and important are acutely captured in a way that is representative of young culture today... At the same time, it is a charming love story. The directing is fantastic - I was really amazed at the complexity of the shots... the Chinatown scenes, the cars, the parties... so many people and elements in so many of the scenes for such a young director. Enjoyable on so many levels - to be seen!!
The Imperialists Are Still Alive!
2010
Action / Drama
The Imperialists Are Still Alive!
2010
Action / Drama
Keywords: woman director
Plot summary
Asya is a conceptual artist living in Manhattan, active in ex-patriot Middle Eastern politics and fearful of arrest for pro-Palestinian sympathies. Israel is shelling Beirut, her brother is there seeking escape. She meets Javier, from Mexico. They go to nightclubs, embrace in hallways, and begin a relationship. One of Asya's friends, who is to be married, believes her fiancé has been kidnapped - a rendition. Others are careful what they say in public. Aysa's mother organizes pro-Arab activities. A cab driver tells Asya to drop Javier and be with him. She receives word from Beirut. Can a person pursue art and a relationship while the imperialists are still alive?
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See this film!!!
Saw this at Sundance...wish I didn't
This is not a good movie.
The script and direction are terrible and its supposed use of New York locations was pretty much a waste. It looks like the whole thing was shot within a limited set of blocks in the East Village and rarely ventured elsewhere. They pretty much could have shot this entire film in a warehouse in Toronto, saved themselves a bunch of money and been no worse off for it.
The acting of the male roles was fair, but all the woman's roles were both written and acted terribly, leading me to believe that the director doesn't know how to direct or cast women.
I gave this movie one star at Sundance.
Summary: not good, skip it.
Not At All Compelling
Oh my god, I truly hope this thing was not paid for by tax payers, namely the National Endowment for the Arts.
When independent filmmakers go out of there way to make a non-Hollywood movie, they wind up making a disaster. This is a disaster.
I saw this mess on the Sundance channel presented by Robert Redford. Apparently, old man Redford thought this movie was good enough to present himself. Poor misbegotten soul.
They describe this movie as a: "Manhattan artist Asya (Elodie Bouchez) suspects that her friend has been abducted by the CIA in this compelling drama detailing the effects of the war on terror on the lives of average Americans. Meanwhile, her new beau dismisses her fears as paranoia."
Not at all. There is no compelling drama, No war on terror, No CIA, No abduction. The only paranoia I can see in this movie is the investors who paid for it. This movie has the same importance as the controversial "Piss Christ." No merit of art can be seen anywhere in this movie.
Characters meander around for 90 minutes doing absolutely nothing to involve the audience. You will not care what happens to the characters. Because the director gives the audience nothing to care about. An ingrown toe nail is more compelling than this.
I will recommend this movie only so you can see why movies like these should never see the silver screen.