Sitges Dispatch. 3.

The "Anima't" section gave us a gift yesterday. Shinji Aramaki's Appleseed is an incredible adaptation of Masamune Shirow's classic manga, previously translated to big screen by Katayama in 1988. Aramaki's version surpasses the old one, rising to the level of Akira and Ghost in the Shell. The impossible, incomprehensible density of its screenplay doesn't matter too much when you're in front of such cutting-edge visuals. Entirely shot on 3D, frantic and infinite, the new Appleseed presents inventive action in an inventive way and reminds viewers why they came to love cinema in first place.

The same can be said, really, about Park Chan-wook's Oldboy, the famous ultraviolent thriller that took Sitges by storm yesterday. It was the most sought-after ticket of the festival, and it'll be the most talked-about film once the festival wraps. It should take all the awards with it. By comparison, Johnnie To's Breaking News isn't much - but To's combination of action flick and meditation on the power of media deserves special attention for its transparency, its honesty and, as always with To, its effortless grace.

If Appleseed and Oldboy are reminders of the curative powers of motion pictures, then The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things reminds us that not just anyone ought to be allowed to pick up a camera. Adapted from the works of JT Leroy, Asia Argento's second feature after Scarlet Diva pretends to portray the other side of American dream in a sympathetic, natural, realistic mode, but it's just an offensive atrocity exhibition with no apparent point at all. Simply said, turkey.

Posted by dwhudson at December 5, 2004 12:50 PM