I’m a bit slow on the uptake at the moment – work’s been slamming me. But now that I’m back on track (more or less) there’s one bright spot in my sky – the Brisbane International Film Festival’s 2012 program guide is on the streets and there’s a ton of awesome relevant-to-your-interests stuff to see.
Featuring in their massive World Cinema program is Miike’s Hara-kiri, USA/HK production The Man with the Iron Fists (with Russell Crowe?!), Kim Ki-duk’s Pieta and Shindo Kaneto’s Postcard. In the Rescue 911 section we have Dirty Ho and something called Miami Connection (again HK/USA) which looks like it puts the schlock in schlocky. There’s also a retrospective on Chinese artist, activist and agitator Ai Weiwei, if that’s your cup of green tea, and the Biffdocs program is as strong as ever, with films from China and Hong Kong. Last but not least, the Asia Pacific Screen Awards is screening films from China, Hong Kong and the Philippines.
The schedule and ticket information can be found at the BIFF2012 website on in their free program (which you can pick up from the foyer of the old Regent Theatre in the Queen St Mall).