EIFF 2012: Girimunho, Pusher and Mirage

thehollywoodnews.com:

Touching in parts, but never truly affecting, Clarissa Campolina and Helvecio Marins Jr.’s borderline documentary centres on embracing life before death and how we cope when those we love are no longer around.With very strong improvisational checkpoints used throughout, there is a lot of fun to be had in watching two octogenarians having a good old gossip on the doorstep or losing themselves to the beat of the drum-heavy music that is so very fundamental to the film’s heartbeat.

We feel as if we are peeking into the lives of others from the shots through open doorways, but it is in its most simplest moments such as preparing dinner that the film really finds its magic.Although religious undertones are hinted at, the film never becomes too heavy, but relishes in taking its time to do as it pleases (which will not be to everyone’s taste) just like our leading lady.

Luis Prieto’s PUSHER remake may have Nicolas Winding Refn on executive producer duties, but this is drug dealing for a whole new generation.

Though it is clear to see this version has come along at the right time and will undoubtedly find its market amongst the fast paced and easily satisfied portion of the public, PUSHER is rather miscast and suffers from a patchy and sometimes laughable script alongside its odd relationship between Richard Coyle’s Frank and Bronson Webb’s Tony that never quite sits right.But that isn’t to say there is no fun to be had along the way and those who haven’t seen the original films will find it easy to be sucked in during times of peril or tension that are so well assisted by Orbital’s score.