Cathy Dobson
Tickets are on sale for this year’s South Western International Film Festival (SWIFF), and executive director Ravi Srinivasan is feeling good about the lineup.
“There were too many good films to choose from this year, which means the lineup keeps getting better,” he said.
Srinivasan founded Sarnia’s own film festival five years ago, drawing from his experience at the Toronto International Film Festival and Hot Docs, where he was recently promoted to official programmer.
As such, he screens up to 450 films a year, including those premiering at Cannes. After bringing some of the best films on the planet to Toronto, he is increasingly able to attract them to SWIFF as well.
This year’s opener took top prize at the Cannes Film Festival and is “by far” the best in this year’s lineup, he said. “Parasite” is directed by South Korean Bong Joon-ho and deals with the class struggle of a destitute family going to great lengths to improve its situation.
“It’s a comedy, a drama, and a thriller that constantly shifts in mood and tone,” Srinivasan said. Rotten Tomatoes gives “Parasite” a 100% rating.
Though being released in major markets the week before SWIFF, it’s not coming to Sarnia’s Galaxy Cinema, he said.
“I’m getting more and more access to these films ahead of other people and have convinced them to bring “Parasite” to Sarnia for one showing at SWIFF,” he said.
The film opens the festival on Thursday, Nov. 7 and is subtitled, which Srinivasan acknowledges can put some people off. “But I urge everyone to see it. I think they will be surprised at how good it is.”
The Friday, Nov. 8 matinee offers “Magnolia,” a film in its 20th year and chosen by Srinivasan because he says it’s his favourite of all time. With a star-studded cast that includes Julianne Moore and Tom Cruise, Magnolia igniting his love for movies and ultimately led him to study film and English lit, he said.
Friday night features “Castle in the Ground,” a story set in Sudbury about two teens – one trying to kick an opioid addiction and the other developing his own. Canadian director Joey Klein will be in attendance for a Q & A afterward, and local addiction experts are also anticipated.
“It’s a compassionate and very powerful film about an issue that everyone can relate to,” Srinivasan said.
“Castle in the Ground” stars Neve Campbell, Keir Gilchrist, Alex Wolff, Imogen Poots and Tom Cullen.
In all, SWIFF has scheduled 13 features films, in addition to a program of international and Canadian short films showing primarily at the Judith and Norman Alix Art Gallery.
The festival is also screening its first short film with a Sarnia connection. “Contrary” by Sarnia-born and raised Dylan Broda will be shown Saturday, Nov. 9 ahead of the feature film “Atlantics: A Ghost Love Story.” “Atlantics” is directed by Mati Diop and was the jury grand prizewinner at Cannes. Both are at the Imperial Theatre.
As usual, SWIFF incorporates a family-friendly movie on its closing night Sunday, Nov. 10. “Peanut Butter Falcon,” rated PG, premiered at Sundance and is about a young man with Down syndrome who escapes long-term care to go to a wrestling camp.
“It’s very funny and very good,” said Srinivasan.
SWIFF 2019 also includes a workshop series, live music and a virtual reality exhibit.
The full SWIFF film lineup and ticket purchase are available at www.swiff.ca.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: 5th annual SWIFF
WHERE: Mostly Imperial Theatre but also JNAAG with some events at alternate downtown locations.
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 7 - Sunday, Nov. 10
TICKETS: Feature films are $18 each. All access pass available. Line-up, schedules and purchase at www.swiff.ca or the Imperial Theatre box office.