The infamous “triple threat” – Day 9 Gothenburg International Film Festival Part 3 of 30

One of the true pleasures about a film festival, like the one present on a annual basis here in Gothenburg, is the chance to see films you otherwise might not have contemplated or had the chance to see. There is a tendency, at least in my own case, to take a chance on a few films that look interesting enough from their catalog descriptions that I perhaps know nothing about. It’s Not Me I Swear (2008) is exactly the type of film I speak of and is ever so close to being the highlight of the festival for me, if not for the inclusion of Man on a Wire (2008) it most definitely would have been.

A lot of particulars were in place to enhance the film and make this a great exhibiting experience: I got to see it in Draken, I didn’t have someone’s huge head of hair in front of me this time, and the director was there to give an enthusiastic introduction capped by a Q and A after the film. The content of It’s Not Me I Swear is simply fantastic on a variety of levels. At its simplest, the film is enjoyable for its depiction of Quebec, Canada during the 60s, which for me has always been a more rustic, offbeat version of the US, something I got to experience and enjoy growing up during annual vacations to the country. The film is also high on humor providing many laugh out loud moments, the director Philippe Falardeau possesses the ability to make an audience laugh even during scenes of great tragedy which to me is a wonderful talent. The main character and focal point of the film is Leon, a 10-year-old boy with existential questions coupled with an atomic nature. It’s a character that is wonderfully portrayed by young Antoine L’Ecuyer, perhaps as many reviewers will state the best child actor I as well have had the pleasure of seeing.

The more complex nature of the film deals with the split of the nuclear family and Oedipus complex, something that is really left up to interpretation, that is if Leon is successful or suffers from a psychosis in his resolution of one of capitalism’s main tools of control. It shows the genius of a child’s creativity at the same time that it shows the suffering as they are stripped bare and made ready to become “responsible” adults. The film brilliantly juxtaposes Leon as a child possessing a very adult psyche versus hypocritical authority figures that are not creatively up to snuff enough to rein in and or deal with the existence of a child who sees quite clearly the banality of “growing up”.

It’s Not Me I Swear simply put is one of those few film experiences I sit in awe of while watching, one of those rare few that surprises me with both their simplicity and complexity. A film I recommend for anyone who even remotely enjoys watching films!