This is a past local hangout
Viewing the film “Chess Story” at the VIFF Theatre followed by dinner together at a local restaurant
- Initiated by:
- Lee
- VIFF Theatre
- 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver
Details
Hey there, You are welcome to join me in attending this film at the VIFF Theatre in Vancouver (Saturday March 25.) The film begins at 3:30pm. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. Let’s aim to meet up around 3:15. Following the film, we can enjoy dinner together. I’ll make a reservation after I know how many will be in our party. And if you’re available, and still feeling energetic, you can stick around for a second VIFF film after dinner. Check out the other film event I’ve posted and rsvp if you’re able. Hope to see you soon! Here’s the VIFF review: “Chess is about grinding down your opponent’s ego,” claims the SS captain interrogating Josef Bartok (Oliver Masucci) the night Vienna is taken over by the Nazis. Bartok, a Jew and a notary public who holds the codes to a treasure trove of private bank accounts in his head is not a chess player, but he’s arrogant, or competitive, or principled enough not to give the German what he wants, and is condemned to indefinite solitary confinement until he should change his mind. Days give way to… months? Bartok loses track and gradually his sanity. Then fate throws him a lifeline, a single book…. a book of chess games… Freely adapted from Stefan Zweig’s novella, and dominated by Oliver Musucci’s multifaceted performance, Philipp Stölzl’s gripping movie is a compelling psychological study of torture, defiance and the kind of mind games no one can hope to control. “Chess Story masterfully confounds expectations as a tautly calibrated, intricately constructed Chinese puzzle of a period drama set during Nazi Germany’s annexation of Austria. Masucci, who appears in every scene, potently conveys a multitude of unspoken emotions with his remarkably expressive face…. He’s never less than riveting….” ~Michael Rechtshaffen, Los Angeles Times “A diabolically knotted psychological thriller… Thanks to an outstanding performance by Mr. Masucci, who recalls Mads Mikkelsen’s haunted intensity; an elegant turn by Mr. Schuch as his genteel torturer; and charged direction by Mr. Stölzl, who parsimoniously hands out each clue, the film remains breathless throughout.” ~Kyle Smith, The Wall Street Journal “Stölzl craftily melds the genres of period drama and psychological thriller, not for the purposes of reheated nostalgia, but to shed a cold light on the recursions of historical trauma.” ~William Repass, Slant Magazine
Joanne
Oh, noooo! Susan, I'm in the same boat. I didn't realize advance tickets were recommended. My bad. I haven't been to a VIFF film in ages. Here's what I found! I will try for stand-by. If not possible, should we join for dinner, Lee? Maybe not ideal for those who didn't see the film. Hmm... What is Standby? If a screening has sold out of advance tickets, there may be some tickets that become available at the door just before the screening starts (returned tickets, unused complimentary tickets, etc.). If you’re in the Standby line when a show is being admitted, our front-of-house team will do their best to find a seat for you, but this is not guaranteed. To be fair to anyone in line, we can only sell one standby ticket per person.
Joanne
Wonderful dinner! Excellent restaurant choice. Thanks for organizing, Lee. As promised, here’s a little background on Chess Story. The film was based on a novella by Stefan Zweig, The Royal Game. The author and his and his wife committed suicide by overdose in February 1942. The book was completed in 1941. (Wikipedia) Some speculate that this movie was his suicide note, a symbolic story of his own challenges. Food for thought. I can’t find that source. So, you be the judge. I enjoyed doing the research and was even inspired to brush up on my chess! Great seeing everyone. :) I hope to see many of you next week at First Saturday! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefan_Zweig https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Royal_Game
Lee
I’ve made us a reservation at Sushi Mugen for 5:45 (903 Davie St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1B9). Please confirm if you think you’ll be joining us for dinner after the film. Thanks! :)