Rifkin's Festival

Rifkin's Festival is a 2020 film feature written and directed by Woody Allen. The comedy-drama film stars Wallace Shawn, Michael Garvey, and Damian Chapa and presents an idyllic imagination of the San Sebastián Film Festival, which serves as the backdrop for the movie's intriguing narrative.

Wallace Shawn stars as Mort Rifkin, a retired American university teacher, who is dealing with an existential crisis in his life. Mort is a traditionalist, with a heartfelt appreciation for classic literature and cinema. Struggling with numerous health problems, enduring a turbulent marital life, and battling his neurotic angst, Mort is a compelling character wrapped up in layers of depth. Wallace Shawn does justice to Mort's neurotic yet endearing persona, with moments of comedy and sarcasm, resonating with Allen's unique narrative style.

The catalyst of the story is when Mort accompanies his publicist wife, Sue (Gina Gershon), to the San Sebastián Film Festival. Sue works for a hotshot, pretentious indie filmmaker Phillip (Louis Garrel), who is the antithesis of everything Mort stands for. Phillip's avant-garde cinematic style contrasts with Mort's traditional taste, creating a humorous tension. Comparatively, Michael Garvey and Damian Chapa give commendable performances in their respective supporting roles, bolstering the film's strong character-driven plot.

While dealing with his own insecurities, Mort falls into a whirlpool of admiration for Jo Rojas (Elena Anaya), a Spanish woman he meets at the festival. He finds solace in her companionship, which further complicates his turbulent and confusing life.

Woody Allen uses the festival as an artistic backdrop, transporting the viewers to the charming city, San Sebastián. Using the film festival as both, a source of literary interest and scenic beauty, Allen creates a picturesque atmosphere. Cinematographer Vittorio Storaro beautifully captures the festival city's ambiance, its narrow streets, beautiful seaside, and busy bars, which magnificently complements Allen's storytelling style.

In Rifkin’s Festival, Allen pays homage to cinematic classics, as Mort’s vivid dreams are portrayed as parodies of famous films, including Citizen Kane, 8 1/2, and Persona, among others. This imaginative exploration of cinema reflects Mort's complex psyche while adding a sprinkle of humor in a Woody Allen style. The use of black and white frames for the dream sequences gives a nostalgic touch while contrasting effectively with the colorful reality.

Throughout the movie, Allen explores themes such as existential dread, aging, the unpredictability of life, and artistic snobbery, through Mort. Armed with wit, humor, and a prolific narrative, Allen reflects on the absurdity of life while examining the human condition from an intellectual standpoint. The screenplay is loaded with intellectual conversations about art, literature, and cinema, narrated with the classic Woody Allen humor.

Rifkin's Festival is essentially a warm and ponderous film, fueled by Allen's signature style of filmmaking. His long-term fans will appreciate his quirky, meta-cinematic narrative, which is both humorous and thought-provoking, highlighting contradictions in human nature and the world of art.

The film also features a striking jazz soundtrack, with a mix of classical music, extending the film's dream-like atmosphere. The music amplifies the tone, enhancing the charm and the imaginative narrative of the film. As per usual for Allen's work, the music becomes a character in its own right, guiding the narrative along.

Scored with a memorable soundtrack, filled with witty dialogues, and packed with film references, Rifkin's Festival is Allen’s homage to both, cinema and the beautiful city of San Sebastián, a picturesque backdrop for the introspection and self-discovery journey of Mort Rifkin. It proves to be both a thoughtful contemplation about life and an amusing tribute to cinema itself.

However, newcomers or casual viewers may find the film slightly heavy, due to the intellectual dialogues and references to highbrow art and cinema. The film is a fusion of romance, comedy, and drama, all nestled within a sophisticated framework of cinematic art. Woody Allen, known for his distinctive storytelling style, presents a movie that debates the age-old notions of art versus entertainment, high art versus low art, and the existential angst that often accompanies a creative mind.

In summary, Rifkin's Festival serves as a thoughtful and humor-filled exploration of insecurity, aging, and the unpredictable dance of life. The movie is deeper than a simple dramatic tale—it's a meditation on life, the illusions we create, and the chaotic beauty of existence. It's a must-watch for film aficionados and Woody Allen fans.