A great start to the festival with two fantastic films:-

Mon Ange (My Angel) [Serge Frydman, 2004]

A strange fable with good-hearted prostitutes, violent pimps and
abandoned sons; something that you would expect to be rich in
clichés and shoddy characterisations. But this film confounds
expectations and turns out to be a real gem.

Directed with assurance by Serge Frydman, it features astonishing
performances by Vanessa Paradis and Vincent Rottiers, in a film
which is full of surprises. A frantic sequence will suddenly switch
into a moment of tremendous stillness. Visually astute and
perfectly paced, the film takes a mixture of genres and somehow
brings them together in a credible and satisfying whole.

It's a fable where the narrative, though not to be taken too
literally, provides an intriguing framework for the characters'
journeys. That these characters are so well drawn is testament to
the underlying seriousness of the piece. The central relationship
which develops between the leads is heartbreaking in its mutual
yearning for love and companionship, yet disturbing in its
incestuous implications.

The music is supplied by the great Tom Waits, and is – of course -
terrific. There is a particularly effective sequence underscored by
Waits' ballad `On The Nickel'. I notice that British arranger Colin
Towns orchestrates most of Waits' tunes, and that the musicians
playing including some of the cream of the British jazz scene – such
as pianist Huw Warren.

A highly recommended film.

[IMDB link: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0385548/ ]

Volver [Pedro Almodovar, 2006]

You simply have to watch in awe as this master filmmaker shows just
how good he is: this is Almodovar at his very best.

The plot might on the surface look like a television soap of the
most sensational kind, but he transforms it into something magical,
warm, witty, and deeply moving. With naturalness and ease the story
at one moment is brightly coloured comedy; the next it pitches into
Hitchcock-like gruesomeness (complete with all the horrific little
details); then it effortlessly transforms into moments of
overwhelming poignancy. The whole is beautifully supported by the
superbly crafted score of long-time Almodovar collaborator Alberto
Iglesias (Almodovar's equivalent to Hitchcock's Bernard Herrmann,
and for my money one of the best composers for cinema around).

As so often with Almodovar, women are at the heart of the film:
strong yet vulnerable, naturally funny, a self-supporting community
of characters drawn with empathy and understanding. And what
actresses to play the leads! Penelope Cruz (giving one of her best
performances), Lola Duenas, Yohana Cobo, and a welcome return to the
Almodovar fold of the wonderful Carmen Maura.

Their story is one of facing up to a dark past, of coming to terms
with the abuse suffered at the hands of men. Above all, it is a
touching story of mothers and daughters on a journey to rediscover
love.

The film is simply wonderful and should not be missed.

[IMDB link: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0441909/ ]