The Vancouver International Film Festival has started, and they’ve added more genre films to their programming! It’s terrific that there’s more representation, but to stay true to their mission, it’s not anything that looks good, but it’s visions that can show the best genre movies can represent from an artistic perspective.
There’s not enough to form a top ten picks out of the thirteen titles, so what I offer is my top five, beginning with:
The Boy and the Heron
Spirited Away director Hayao Miyazaki returns from retirement with an enchanting swansong, the story of a young boy, Mahito, growing up in Japan during WWII, who must venture into a fantasy world in order to save his new stepmother.
For those unable to attend these film festival screenings, there’s no need to worry. This movie is making it’s theatrical debut December 8, 2023 and it’s sure to sell out!
- 6:30 pm Fri Oct 06 Vancouver Playhouse
- 12:00 pm Sat Oct 07 Vancouver Playhouse
Robot Dreams
Living a solitary existence in Manhattan, Dog is tired of being alone, and builds his own friend: Robot. Their friendship blooms while exploring 1980s New York. This enchanting 2D animation brims with love, loss, and friendship.
- 6:00 pm Mon Oct 02 The Rio Theatre
- 3:45 pm Sat Oct 07 International Village 9
The Animal Kingdom
In a world where mysterious mutations are gradually evolving humans into animal hybrids in an unpredictable and frightening way, a father tries to protect his 16-year-old son who is starting to acquire beastly characteristics.
- 9:00 pm Sun Oct 08 The Rio Theatre
Bitten
Françoise wakes up from an ominous dream that seems to foreshadow her imminent death. Not wanting to waste a minute of her remaining time, she consults her crystal pendulum and convinces her best friend Delphine to attend a mysterious costume party.
- 6:30 pm Fri Sep 29 The Cinematheque
- 8:30 pm Wed Oct 04 Vancity Theatre
Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person
Meet Sasha, the world’s most compassionate young vampire. Her family is at their wits’ end with her refusal to embrace their lethal traditions and threaten to cut her off–until she meets a brooding boy hoping to end his life, and strikes a unique deal.
- 9:00 pm, Sat Sep 30, The Rio Theatre
- 8:15 pm, Mon Oct 02, International Village 9
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