The Twentieth Century

2.2 I’m fine with this weird but it’s needs to be matched with equal enjoyment

Didn't know much about Canadian political history before, and I probably know even less after the viewing, but the peculiarity, the charm and the sense of humor of the film makes it time well spent.

Part drunk history and total farce, 'The Twentieth Century' could be a straight faced account an American would give on Canada politics in 1950. Matthew Rankin, after making a series of shorts, brings us the kind of unique vision for a feature that will either captivate you or lose you. Put me in the mesmerized camp. I liked the artistic expression Rankin uses coupled with a hint of comedy. There may also be several inside jokes that Canadians get more than the neighbors to the south. What an escape from all the normals! Final Score: 8/10

A smart and funny take on a chapter of Canadian history defying the laws of contemporary cinema: cross-gender acting, almost non-existent scenery and so on. All these 'new' tools do not turn film into a Frankenstein monster though, on the contrary adding a new perspective.

Rankin is clearly indebted to Guy Maddin here and while the world building isn't as airtight I can appreciate the go for broke weirdness and some truly hilarious sequences.