HIFF 2009 / One of the greatest appeals of a film festival that doesn’t rely on some sort of theme (be it length-based, region-centric, genre-specific or otherwise) is that each film you see is like a palate cleanser to the last. As this year’s Hawaii International Film Festival offerings demonstrate, it can leave a viewer both overwhelmed and exhilibrated in the best possible way.

Mary & Max

(Mon 10/19 & Tue 10/20)

A masterpiece, pure and not so simple. This claymation comedy-drama will be, in its international release, one of the most celebrated movies of the year, as all the elements–animation, story, acting-voices–are superb.

This amazingly funny and moving Australian flick, out of Mel Gibson’s Icon Productions, is a friendship story about two unlikelies–an 8-year-old Australian girl and a 42-year-old New York Asperger’s Syndrome-sufferer named Max. The use of color is inventive, the scope of the animation is almost epic and the story soars as heavyweights like Philip Seymour Hoffman, Eric Bana and Toni Collette weigh in for major roles. It’s not for kids so much as for adults (some of the material is quite frank) who will take their kids to see this delightful charmer. Run–don’t walk–to see this one. It will restore your faith in movies.

First Squad: The Moment of Truth

(Wed 10/21 & Fri 10/23)

A Russian medium, only 14 years old, escapes from her Nazi captors (in 1942) and returns to Russia, where she is assigned to a paranormal team to combat Germany’s supernatural resources with those of her own, in this live/anime production.

The Girl On the Train

(Thu 10/15 & Mon 10/19)

France’s perennial popular director–André Téchiné–and its most durable star–Catherine Deneuve–re-team for this unusual drama (based on a real-life incident) co-starring Emilie Dequenne in the title role. Said girl claims she was attacked by a gang of Jewish teens on the train, but this later proves to be a dangerous lie. Little by little, the film exposes realities about the new France, where anti-Semitism is returning, drug-use is exploding and familial traditions have been turned asunder. This is a well-done, thoughtful movie in the Téchiné oeuvre, well worth seeing.

Amreeka

(Sat 10/17 & Sun 10/18)

A single mother and her teenage son leave the West Bank for life in a small U.S. town, and find the adjustment both exhilarating and perplexing. Told in both English and Arabic, the story yields up much heartfelt humor–with some decidedly earthy touches.

Art & Copy

(Thu 10/22 & Fri 10/23)

A documentary investigation into the rise of American advertising since the 1950s, featuring interviews with some current ad stars, men and women who are luminaries in the profession. Certain influential advertisements and commercials are featured, as their creators discuss them. One wonders as he watches if these hard-talkin’ propagandists realize just how much they are revealing. Worth seeing.

White Thunder: Glacier Surfing

(Fri 10/23 & Sat 10/24)

Hawaiʻi’s surf champion Kealii Mamala and champ Garrett McNamara face the challenge of surfing the waves produced by the annual partial collapsing of an Alaskan glacier into a large lake. This doc is routine as can be, but the central content is irresistible, and the partial collapse of the glacier and subsequent waves are spectacular. What about our two brave surfers? Just wait and see. Cautiously recommended.