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Well, at least now we know that Colin would never lie to us.
Inside delivered on all fronts, making us laugh, flinch, scream, cheer and generally be glad we don't have a uterus (ok, maybe that last one was just me).
The crowd got into it early and often, amazing directors Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury from minute the first with the beachball antics. I think a little piece of Julien's heart was broken when that sad, deflated beachball was thrown at his feet. We spoiled a good thing just then, but it would be made up for.
Seriously, it's movies like Inside that bring a smile to my face when thinking of the future of cinema. Not only that there are directors courageous enough to make such bold and original films, but that there are studios (albeit foreign ones) to give guys like this carte blanche and that there is a definite audience for their work, as we proved last night.
Sadly, Inside may not see a North American cinema, as early rumours have their deal being DVD only release pact.
I'm sure we can look to a half-hearted, slightly less thrilling, American remake starring Jennifer Love Hewitt or something, but that's just not the point. The fact is, that we gave those guys a huge boost last night, and when they make that film that brings them worldwide fame and repute, our response to their incredible work will have been part of what moved them forward.
It was also the perfect way to cap this year's Madness. I seriously think every film ended up being better than what played the night before. This is especially amazing considering the electric response Argento got on Night One.
You guys deserve a huge round of applause for keeping this program running strong and for the fact that it gets better every year. I heard many of you say that this was the best line-up in almost a decade, but great films are only half as good without a great reaction from the crowd, and that's the main thing the directors had to comment on after last night's rave-up at the Ryerson.
If you missed the Q&A, they claimed to have done everything they wanted to do with the film from day one, developing the characters they wanted and ending it how they saw fit. Every shock and slice was authorized and they never held back. That's what makes the Madness films the most daring of the fest, and particularly, that's what made Inside the best film we ran this year, in my personal opinion.
I wish there were another screening I could tell you to see, but alas, it's all over now. So look for the DVD in coming months at Suspect Video, or Queen Video or your local indie rental house, and let Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury blow your mind.
As for me, I'm pretty much out. Thanks for reading and for your input. Also another huge shout out to my crew of friends and helping hands, particularly Colin Geddes, Chris Sanchez, Sanjay Rajput, Darryl Shaw and Suzie Maynard.
See y'all next year!
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