Next in V. Dyck's film week

November 7: Salmon fishing in the Yemen

A fisheries expert is approached by a consultant to help realize a sheik's vision of bringing the sport of fly-fishing to the desert and embarks on an upstream journey of faith and fish to prove the impossible possible. (courtesy of Imdb.com)

Swedish film-maker Lasse Hallström (you may remember "Chocolat" or even his fantastic screen adaptation, which I eagerly recommend, of John Irving's famous novel "The Cider House Rules") directs this - at least that's my impression after watching the trailer - seemingly weird yet charming romantic drama, written by Simon Beaufoy - how fondly I remember his delightful "Slumdog Millionaire"!

I think I've told you how much I've always liked simple, good heartfelt stories in this day and age of movies fraught with frantic car chases, gratuitous violence, 3D special effects and stuff. And it seems to me that Hallström's film does just that, tell a story focusing on human feelings. Now, why do I sometimes get the impression that too often "modern audiences" find romance kind of prudish, you know, sloppily sentimental? Well, I'll tell you something loud and clear: I LOVE ROMANCE!! :-D 
I sometimes wonder if the world wouldn't be a much better place if we had more of it ...

Anyway, judge by yourselves, this is the film's official trailer. I cannot help looking forward to it if only for the strong British cast - I'm really fond of Scott-Thomas and Blunt, not so much of McGregor, he he!

Feel like reviewing the film? No problem, post your comments here!

And it seems it's my turn first. I’d told you I guessed “Salmon” would be delightful. Well, I’m afraid I have to rectify: it’s sheer joy, to me the “feel-good” romantic comedy of the year so far. 

Simon Beaufoy’s script is brilliantly witty (as it was in the unforgettable Slumdog Millionaire), even if sometimes predictable, both the editing and directing make almost every scene flow and the performances are, all in all, fantastic, really accomplished. Not only do I love the on-screen chemistry between Blunt (I’m in love with her!) and McGregor (to me, one of his best roles to date) as well as the part played by the always effective Kristine Scott-Thomas - arguably, to my mind, one of the most underrated actresses of her generation – as the domineering PR chief, but even the salmon are up to the task, he he! Perhaps she overacts at times? But I like her a lot.

Well, I know many brainy critics (f**k them!) will find fault with many aspects of the movie, they might even accuse its director of being pretentious, blah blah, blah. Fair enough, but Hallström proves he can pull off some intelligent film-making by means of a simple, enjoyable story. The dialogues are lively as well as funny, the story well construed, the photography fits the scenes.

On the minus side, I suppose I didn't like the cliched generalisations about the Muslim world, though I reckon the fishing-obsessed sheik plays a likable enough character. Al things considered, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is an utterly entertaining flick which makes you leave the theatre with a beaming smile. Who could ask for more in this day and age of constant troubles! Call me foolishly sentimental, but I admit I even shed a tear or two at the end of the film. You know, I cannot help getting emotionally involved in this kind of romantic stories. 

Will you allow me to embed a couple of funny TV interviews with the cast? Good stuff for listening comp skills after watching the film!

Firstly, this is Ewan on American TV, actually in Conan O'Brian's talk show:

Then both Ewan and Emily. After suitably playing "Go Fish", they discuss the movie. They do have a sense of humour, don't they?

Today's movie @ Van Dyck's 31st "Semana de cine e Idiomas": The Ides of March

November 5: The Ides of March.

An idealistic staffer for a new presidential candidate gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail (blurb courtesy of Imdb.com). Such is the premise of this political thriller directed and starred by George Clooney, who just comes in handy with the forthcoming US presidential election, which as you well know pits the current occupant of the White House, Barack Obama, versus hopeful Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney on Tuesday 6. 

This is not Clooney's only politically-charged movie behind the camera, as he also directed - and starred - the 2005 drama "Good Night and Good Luck", based on real events and set in 1950s America, during the days of anti-communist Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy, who had this fierce conflict with Edward Burrow, a pioneering television journalist in the 50s.

The always effective George Clooney leads a star-studded cast, consisting of some great names in contemporary Hollywood like Philip Seymour Hoffman (one of my favourite American actors, I daresay), Paul Giamatti and Marisa Tomei, alongside one of the most exciting young actors on screen today, Ryan Gosling, who I recently saw play a very convincing role in "Drive" (a bit too violent to my taste but interesting enough anyway).

The trailer looks really promising and I just hope you guys will join me and watch "The ides of March".

If you guys eventually do so, please post your comments here. How much you liked / hated the film and why, your favourite scene, ... any contribution is welcome!

My favourite advert

Belén Sanchez: 

Do you remember the legendary ONCE summer advertising campaigns in the early / mid 2000s? They had great success across the country, mostly due to their popular jingles, which are still hummed by many Spaniards. Some of their catchy melodies became the “song of the summer”, namely “Tapitas”, “Cremita”...

They were created by advertising agency DDB, and funnily enough, the striking lyrics were written by the publicists while having a beer.

They wanted us to associate the "Cuponazo de la ONCE" with some typical Spanish summer scenes, and there is nothing more typical in July and August, especially in the South of Spain, than a waiter “singing” the tapas you can taste in a bar, or someone applying sunscreen protection on someone else’s back on the beach.

The same agency workers - who were truly surprised by the overwhelming success of the campaigns - lent their voices for the radio commercials, and starred the famed TV ads. Almost everyone in the agency took part in the advertisements, from the secretaries to the cleaning staff. In my opinion, not only are these adverts absolutely brilliant, but also a good example of how to make a successful campaign without paying millions of dollars to a media star.

Thanks Belen! Your post brings good memories of past summers. I also remember the hilarious ONCE commercial breaks on the radio featuring the voices of Gomaespuma. Let me remind you of one famous example:

Diana Dominguez: 

TV ads are, in my view, part of the so-called seventh art (like short films). I must admit that, by and large, ads have improved a lot over the last few years.

We are used to watching them without paying much attention - probably because of the large amount of crappy ads we usually watch (for example, soap ads. I just can´t stand them). But suddenly, one day we are sitting idly in front of the TV and we become absorbed in a song, a feeling or a funny slogan. 

Unquestionably, this is the goal of the ads: captivate the viewer / consumer. Many big brands have shown that ingenuity and creativity are the key to advertising success.

One of the ads that have hooked me lately is the one for Fanta: it´s witty, funny and realistic. I just love it!

Well done, Diana. I do like this extended version of the ad, which I'd not seen before. Now, you told me you were looking for an equivalent in English. Well, how about this other one starring ... Mr Hitler himself! - sometimes fiction is larger than life!

C'mon folks, keep sending your fave ads!