Friday, October 19, 2012 - 12:44 AM CDT

'Passion' screens this evening and tomorrow evening as well. Donaggio receives his award on Saturday, and will introduce the Friday screening. I'll be seeing the movie this evening ... YESSSS!

Coïncidentally, I think Belgium is one of the few countries where a general release date for 'Passion' has been announced. It will be released on 13 February 2013 by Lumière Pictures. 

Friday, October 19, 2012 - 6:59 PM CDT

That's awesome, Alex-- have fun!

Saturday, October 20, 2012 - 9:04 AM CDT

Saw the movie yesterday evening. My expectations as avid De Palma fan (recently scored 'Home Movies' on dvd) were way too high of course, but just the fact that Brian is making a movie again just like in the good old days is enough reason to anticipate.

So, on the one hand, I was a little bit disappointed. There are some very sloppy scènes, the dialogue is sometimes awfully flat and it takes a while for the whole movie to get going. I also saw the original French version when it came out two years ago, and the story is quite similar. With exceptions of one gender twist, the tale of the twin sisters and the climax of course. Besides the fantastic split screen scene (with a real jolt at the end - worth the price of admission alone) and the very De Palma-climax, there are almost no real trademark scenes. Which is basically the reason of my 'disappointment'. 

On the other hand, even with all the remarks and critique, 'Passion' remains a real treat for De Palma fans. Even if it is not up to par with his real thriller classics (then again, 'Dressed To Kill', 'Blow Out' and 'Body Double' remain unbeatable) it entertains the whole time. It doesn't mesmerize, but it entertains. And is a lot 'sleazier' than the more high brow original. Donaggio's score (although not memorable after one listen) is a big plus as well, since it provides a nice connection with De Palma's thriller classics. Three out of five stars, and chances are big that I will see it again in February. 

Sunday, October 21, 2012 - 4:36 AM CDT

Some things I forgot to mention earlier:

One other reason 'Passion' is not up there with the best, is the lacklustre supporting cast. This movie is desperately in need of a Dennis Franz or Gregg Henry in the role of the investigating police inspector. With the supporting cast as is, 'Passion' looks cheaper than it really is.

I timed the movie, and the running time is 100 minutes.

Due to time restraints, Donaggio had only two short questions to answer, although I think that he talked longer at the screening in the other venue where a lot of sponsors of the festival were invited. Which explains why we had to wait 50 minutes before the movie finally started :-). But in an odd way I liked the longer anticipation time. 

Talking about Dinaggio: what I didn't know prior to the festival is that Donaggio was quite famous in Italy before he started composing movie soundtracks. Go to YouTube and check out his quite stunning original Italian version of 'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me' (made famous by Elvis among others). Listen carefully, and in the orchestration part you hear the wonders that came to be with 'Carrie', 'Dressed To Kill', 'Blow Out' etc. 

And let's all hope that 'Passion' does not turns out to be De Palma's final film just as 'Crime D'Amour' was the swan song of Alain Corneau.

Sunday, October 21, 2012 - 5:56 PM CDT

Oh god, I hope somebody films the live performance of Donaggio's music.  I'd love to hear his themes in a concert!