Fantastic Fest Report: Family Dysfunction and Japanese Strangeness

First day of screenings for the 2nd Fantastic Fest (Austin, Texas, USA) finished about 10 minutes ago: terrific venue, responsive audiences, and good batting average for the programming. What I saw (some reviews to follow):

The Hamster Cage: Director Larry Kent should be Canada's national treasure. Wickedly perverse family dynamics, the blackest of comedies, and as lovely counterpoints, a pleasant color scheme and musical score. Third act felt a bit drawn out, but a distinctive vision. Recommended. Next screening: Saturday, Sept. 23 - 6:40 p.m.

The Living and the Dead: Insanely ambitious piece by director Simon Rumley features long stretches that are haunting, disturbing, and excruciating to watch, in a very original vein. For me, it didn't quite all come together, yet it's impossible not to admire what Rumley is trying to achieve. Not perfect, but recommended. Next screening: Sunday, Sept. 24 - 6:25 p.m.

The Last Supper: A Japanese plastic surgeon becomes a cannibal, finds, er, success. Can't say more right now -- will explain later. Next screening: Tuesday, Sept. 26 - 11:50 p.m.

Naisu No Mori (Funky Forest - The First Contact): The best post-modern musical ever made. Still humming songs and fondly replaying entire sequences. I'll be glad to let this one inhabit my dreams tonight. Highly recommended. Next screening: Saturday, Sept. 23 - 8:45 p.m.

Must sleep now...