KaleidoJDIFF

Time for another kaleidoscope (view Large for the best effect).

The excuse this time was a second visit to the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival Two films in succession last Friday (one Italian, the other Spanish) were followed tonight by a German film. It hasn't been a good crop so far. The volunteer staff hand out pre-perforated voting strips after each screening for the choice of the audience award at the end of the Festival. I gave *** to the Italian film, and ** each to the Spanish and tonight's German one (and I was being generous tonight).

Another German effort on Thursday evening and the Surprise film next Sunday complete my involvement for this year. Back in the glory days of the festival I'd go to far too many shows, on some days rushing from one cinema to another without interruption and fitting five into a single day. A change of Director led to a move to more main-stream choices, and I wasn't the only one who fell away in recent years. I hope the standard improves on Thursday and Sunday, or it could well be another few years before I attend.

One good thing, though, is the amount of shows which are being put on in the truly wonderful Lighthouse cinema. It's a tremendous building which makes cinema-going a really rewarding experience. Today's blip is based on a light fitting in the cinema which pays tribute to the Festival's principal sponsor (though the word on the street tonight was that they're pulling out after this year).