Saturday, October 17, 2009

Day 9: PATRIK, AGE 1.5 (Closing Night)

I can easily say that this is by far the best Closing Night film I've programmed in my 7 years with ImageOut. I've seen Patrik, Age 1.5 in festivals twice already and audiences gave the film a standing ovation in both instances. It will make people think, laugh and cry. And I cannot wait to hear what the ImageOut audiences think about the film, possibly the winningest gay film in the film festival circuit this year.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

I loved this film. Call me a sap, but I was actually choked up at the end. Great programming, Michael.

Stefan said...

Love it, love it, love it. Another DVD I'll have to buy (provided, of course, that it actualy comes to DVD)

Rick said...

This film was a perfect closing night film. It showed the ups and downs of relationships of any kind. I don't think Hollywood would make this sort of film, not without the extreme sentimental aspect and more tears.

The film let the viewer make decisions about the characters and their behaviors without all of the above. It simply showed how the characters lived and their actions and reactions. Loved this film!

Unknown said...

What a GREAT closing night movie! I loved it! Who wouldn't? Excellent acting, first rate production values, interesting story...even two nice guys to look at! It was wonderful to see such a large turnout for closing night, and the audience seemed to really enjoy the film. I would get this DVD if and when it'd available. Wonder if the Mayor ever got back to see the last part of it. I doubt it. :-)

Woody said...

I really enjoyed the film, and liked the way it ended, in a vague kind of way.

The best part for me was how it repeatedly and unapologetically showed the challenges of gay adoptive parents (abroad and in the US). It clearly addressed the all to common false assumption that homosexuality equals pedophilia, or that gay men wanting to be parents harbor some desire to convert or pervert their adopted children. The scene with the adulterer captured and summed up the experiences of millions of adoptive gay parents, and shows the clear double standard put in place by our collective societies.

This movie was touching, beautiful, and more importantly firmly grounded in reality to the point that one could almost mistake it for a documentary. It was a great choice for closing night, and a wonderful film to catch on video for those that missed it.

Michael G said...

Looking at the ballots, people were just pouring all kinds of superlatives to describe our Closing Night film (which many of you agreed as being the best choice for Closing Night in years, if not the best film they've seen). People have called PATRIK, AGE 1.5 from sweet, touching, romantic, cute, to life affirming, heartwarming, and inspiring. People gushed about the great story, great acting, great directing, and even the cinematography and sound. So this is definitely one of the contenders for our Audience Award.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
Very good. Great acting. Needed more of the dog at the end.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
Cute. Dragged a little.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
Cute but I didn't want them to get back together at the end.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
I usually don't like foreign films but I really liked this one.

Anonymous said...

This was excellent because I was also adopted.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
Behind only "Big Eden" - this movie was excellent! Good call, ImageArt!

Michael's comment:
Ahem. You mean ImageOut?

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment from P.B.:
Perfect. Wonderful. I will now spend the night talking Todd into being a dad.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
Best of festival. Free of the fluff and corn. Real human needs, problems of communication, and it's incidental that the one willing to listen, to assist, to support is gay. And that human caring and support help the youth, who blossoms in his care. Really a beautiful film about love and support.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
Very moving journey of learning mutual respect and acceptance. Best film I've seen this year.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment from B.P.:
The best one I've seen at the festival. Had everything - good acting, good story, good casting etc.

Nice that everything worked out so perfectly - but just as good if boy liked new family.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
I LOVED this movie! Made me laugh, made me cry. Loved the acting, writing, directing.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
Choked me up!

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
Good audio quality!

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment from T.W.:
Perfect choice - I wondered at first but of course you knew what you're doing.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment from J.A.:
I'd see it again =)

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
Great closing film. Big heart& Top Ten. Cute actors too! LOL

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment from S.N.:
I'd tell my friends!

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
Keep bringing foreign language films. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
Subtitles too small sometimes. Couldn't see.

Dog was cute.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
So good! Would watch again. Will probably buy on DVD, etc.

Anonymous said...

Ballot comment:
Subtitles not bad. Too many speeches. Too long.