Showman!
Directors come and go. Enjoy a documentary of one of the best directors in the business in the appropriately titled De Palma. Part of the retrospective on the uncanny career of filmmaker Brian de Palma courtesy of ace programming at the Van City film centre on Seymour this movie really puts it all together. Consider this Elevation Pictures a must see entertainment that will be enlightening for not only cinephiles but film fans in general.
Told in his own words words this is one documentary chalk full of film clips, both hits and near misses. Through it all we see the jovial nature of this master storyteller and learn of the role other creative geniuses like Hitchcock had on this upstart fresh out of film school. Born into a privileged life this maverick ultimately made it to the studio system where he joined the likes of Lucas, Spielberg and Scorsese in largely shaping the cinematic world we know today.
Insightful thoughts convey how key scenes from memorable classics like Carrie, Scarface, The Untouchables and a slew of others came into being. Behind the scene studio intrigue and the rapport or lack thereof with actors and writers also open a door to the mysterious world of making movies.
Fully engaging from start to finish De Palma is a refreshing revealing look into the magic of movie making and the blood, sweat and tears that go into turning dreams into reality.
Playing at the Vancity Theatre on
July. 12. 8:30 pm
July. 14. 4:20 Pm
Be sure to check out other De Palma directed films at the Van City Theatre as part of the film festival of his films.
By Alan Samuel