photo still from 'PLAY'  In the 'Open Horizons' section of the 52nd Thessaloniki Film Festival, the Swedish film (co-production with France and Denmark) PLAY (2011) by director Ruben Östlund was screened to audiences. PLAY premiered at Cannes this year in the 'Quinzaine des Réalisateurs (Directors' Fortnight)' section.This is a compelling account of theft by bullying which confronts the immigration problems during economic recession, a fitting se...

    LOOKING BACK ON TOKYO INTL FILM FESTIVAL, 2011 ~THE YEAR OF THE QUAKE ~    by Alex Deleon Not to forget that this was the year of the Great March 11 Earthquake cum nuclear disaster and "Tsunami" Tidal Wave that washed away whole cities up north, the 24th Tokyo Intl Film festival was a somewhat restrained affair with the lingering effect of the disaster in evidence in various forms, toning down the overall climate of festivity. Right outside the entrance to the main towe...

~THE YEAR OF THE QUAKE ~by Alex DeleonNot to forget that this was the year of the Great March 11 Earthquake cum nuclear disaster and "Tsunami" Tidal Wave that washed away whole cities up north, the 24th Tokyo Intl Film festival was a somewhat restrained affair with the lingering effect of the disaster in evidence in various forms, toning down the overall climate of festivity. Right outside the entrance to the main tower housing the festival offices was a green collection booth where passers by w...