Last August, there was a meme going around that involved dreaming up your very own film festival: six days of double features.  Well, it’s been nearly a year, and it seems as good a time as any to revisit the concept.  You can view last year’s dream festival here.

Day One: HOPE YOU’RE NOT DIETING Night
Mostly Martha
Ratatouille

Both these films feature unlikely pairings that work fabulously.  Both will likely make you want to cook or, at least, to eat.  And both will leave you feeling warm and full.   Perfect start to the festival, I think.

Day Two: LOVE ‘EM AND/OR LEAVE ‘EM Night
Jules et Jim
Vicky Cristina Barcelona

A little more serious fare for our second night.  Catherine and Maria Elena are cut from the same cloth: passionate, psychotic, intoxicating.

Day Three: SUPERINDIE BUT SUPERGOODIE Night
Sita Sings the Blues
Bigga Than Ben

Both these movies are super low-budget indies.  Sita, of copyright battle fame, can be viewed online for free, but some of its animated sequences are just begging to be seen on the big screen.  Bigga Than Ben is a surprisingly poignant and hilarious look at two self-proclaimed Russian scum trying to make their fortunes in London.  The storytelling is quirky but quality, and the acting far surpasses anything I’d normally expect from such a low-budget production.  I wish it had made it to the indie theatres in my area because it would have been fun to see the famous London landmarks through the eyes of immigrants on the big screen.

DAY Four: GUNS ABLAZIN’ Night
In Bruges
The Professional

Night Four showcases two films that walk the line between quirky dark comedy and simple dark drama.  I didn’t know what to make of In Bruges at first, but it’s become one of my favorites of 2008.  I was always going to like The Professional because it’s Luc Besson AND supercute little Natalie Portman.  What’s not to love?

Day Five: GUARDIAN ANGEL Night
Angel-A
Harvey

Speaking of Luc Besson, Angel-A is a gorgeously-shot black & white film from 2005.  The way he captured Paris on film actually made me cry.  Seriously.  And Harvey has Jimmy Stewart at his best (though I’m not sure I could name a film where Jimmy Stewart is at his worst).  I’ve paired these two because they both speak to learning how to accept and be comfortable with oneself in different and lovely ways.

DAY Six: A SONG IN YOUR HEART Night
This is Spinal Tap
Mamma Mia!

And that brings us to the last night of my film festival, during which we will have a spectacular, romping, singing-and-dancing-along, and altogether great time.  Both films here are sort of ridiculous but also really awesomely fun.  And you get the feeling that the casts of both films really just wanted to get together with friends and have a good time, and, “Hey, let’s make a movie while we’re at it.”  Sounds good to me.

And that’s it.  Anyone want to loan me a theatre for a week?  How about you all?  What would you show at your very own film fest?