Tiff is taking over our city and we couldn’t be happier. BHD will be featuring movies and exhibits that are worth checking out.

Tiff’s Fellini / Felliniesque: “Dream” Double Bills is a film programme featuring a number of Federico Fellini’ s films, running from June 30 to August 26. Tiff has put a unique spin on this exhibition asking select artists to pair one of Fellini’s films with another film that the artist believes either parallels or contrasts Fellini’s. There are a number of double bills featuring many of Fellini’s films, such as: La Strada, 8 ½ and Roma. This exhibition would be a great way to sharpen your knowledge of classic cinema and get comfy with a group of friends or a significant other.

A specific double feature caught BHD’s eye! The pairing by Miranda July is especially interesting. July paired Fellini’s La Strada with Jane Campion’s  An Angel at My Table (“Angel”). Having seen and enjoyed both films it’s obvious why July believes that Angel was inspired by La Strada. Both films follow a young woman on her journey through life. In both La Strada and Angel, the girls’ journeys aren’t very pleasant, although, their stories are beautifully conveyed and tug at the viewer’s heartstrings.

In La Strada we follow Gelsomina, a girl who is sold to a travelling performer and is forced to leave the comfort of her home. She endures a lonely life plagued by misfortune, which causes her to wonder what her purpose in life is.  This is similar to Janet Frame, the main character in Angel.

Janet is a quiet and shy young girl whose journey in life is not easy. She endures a poor upbringing, the death of two siblings and a stint at the psychiatric clinic before she leaves her home in New Zealand. She travels Europe and experiences life, but most seem tainted. However, Janet is a bright young woman who eventually becomes a well-respected writer and finds her way back home. In this quote describing Angel July says, “In my heart there is another version of La Strada where Gelsomina eventually finds her way, like Campion’s Janet Frame, and gets to feel how much we love her.”

Extremely talented directors portray these two young lady’s journeys in great detail. The films compliment each other very well as a double feature. You will surely be able to draw many comparisons between the two films. If you’re looking for a great way to spend a Saturday then drop by the Bell Lightbox for the films! The films are being shown on July 30, 2011. Check them out!