The first weekend of SIFF is officially in the books. And, by all accounts, this year’s fest is shaping up to be a strong one. All of the films we’ve screened so far can be strongly recommended – less one. Here are a handful of SIFF recommendations.

Fortunately, if you missed any them this weekend most have second screenings later this week. But first, here are the films we recommend that have completed their SIFF run. Hopefully they’ll be at a theater (or streaming) near you sometime soon.

Weekend Screenings Only

The Pursuit of Perfection
This doc highlights four chefs in Japan who are masters at their craft. Beautifully shot, the film spends time with each chef creating a dish while demonstrating the wholistic approach they take to create it. The inclusion of western food writers foodsplaining about Japanese food culture is a distraction. But overall, if you are in to food you’ll want to add this doc to your list.

The Pez Outlaw
As the title suggests, the film centers on the candy dispenser we all know from our youth – the Pez. Although we may have enjoyed the Pez for the pure fun of it, others saw the Pez as a big, and semi-illegal, business. As the directors pointed out at a post-screening Q&A, they want you to have fun with this one. At the heart of it, this doc is a through-and-through fun little caper. It’s a view into the world (and underworld) of collectors. The doc cleverly uses reenactments (film noir), interspersed with interviews to trace the steps of Steve Glew, AKA the Pez Outlaw, as he eluded authorities smuggling thousands of Pez dispensers out of Eastern Europe.

Spin Me Round
This had plenty of laughs from the SIFF crowd.  “Spin Me Round” is a comedy about an Italian chain restaurant in the U.S. that sends its top managers to Italy to study and visit the owner. Although the film has plenty of moments that had everyone laughing throughout, it is also clouded with some weird sexual predator undertones that are never really seriously addressed. With Alison Brie, Zach Woods, Molly Shannon, and Aubrey Plaza, this film should find a wide audience.

Findlandia
A drama that shines a light on the Muxe (two-spirited) community in Oaxaca, unknown to many. The film touches on the problems Muxes face with parents and society overall – but also centers around their fashion. The imagery is as rich and vibrant as the lives portrayed. A Spanish fashion designer is dispatched to Mexico to “get inspired” (or plagiarize) the Muxes’ designs, but the underlying story is undeniably about the life and culture of the Muxes.

2nd Chance
Richard Davis invented the bulletproof vest as we know it. This is an off-the-wall doc by the filmmaker who brought us “White Tiger.”  Davis is indeed a fascinating character and marketer who shot himself with his invented vest securely in place to prove that it worked. The doc traces Davis’ origin story, only later to call it in to question through first-hand accounts and police documents. Once hailed a hero by law enforcement, Davis’s reputation took a hit as he conspired to skirt the law. His invention and his life crumbled. But not for long. Never really brought to justice or any responsibility, Davis filed for bankruptcy and his son started a new (and prosperous) company based on his dad’s learnings, technology and marketing.

SIFF Recommended Films You Can See This Week

Young Plato
An endearing and inspiring doc set in a hardened North Belfast neighborhood at a young boys’ school. The headmaster uses philosophy to instill responsibility in students using the 30-year Protestant and Roman Catholic conflict as a backdrop. This doc has a ton of heart as these young boys featured provide hope. ALSO SCREENS: Monday, April 18 at Majestic Bay.

The Innocents
Even though it’s set in the summer, there’s a bit of Nordic chill with this thriller. A group of children discover they have kinetic powers, mind melds and other ways to manipulate at will. It’s a wild ride and you never know quite where it’s going. You’ll find yourself at the edge of your seat as the childrens’ actions only get darker as the film spins toward its conclusion. ALSO SCREENS: Tuesday, April 19 at Majestic Bay.

I’ll Show You Mine
This will probably bare out to be one of the better films of the fest. An excellent outing by Megan Griffiths, who should be quite familiar to Seattle audiences. The casting is outstanding with Poorna Jagannathan and Casey Thomas as the two leads. Jagannathan plays an author who interviews her nephew (Thomas), a pansexual, over the course of two days. Their conversations veer from sexual norms and acceptance to infidelity and betrayal. The connection and interplay between Jagannathan and Thomas comes off effortlessly and this 100-minute film is engrossing to the end.  ALSO SCREENS: Wednesday, April 20 at Pacific Place.

The Blind Man Who Did Not Want To See Titanic
This is very sensory and fascinating thriller. Jaakko, who is blind and disables from MS, gets by day-to-day with periodic visits from home caregivers. But he is still independent. During the day he checks in over the phone with Sirpa, a woman he has never met in person, but they carry on a personal relationship. One day, Jaakko decides to visit and console Sirpa, who also suffers from a debilitating disease. Without a travel guardian, he takes off on his own by taxi and then train. He is met with misfortune as amateur criminals kidnap him and demand money. Blind and in a wheelchair, Jaakko navigates the situation with sharp-witted pleas and reasoning as the tension mounts. ALSO SCREENS Wednesday, April 20 at SIFF Cinema Egyptian.

Cop Secret
Two rival cops from competing jurisdictions join forces to take on the criminals. Once arch nemeses, they are drawn to one another professionally and personally. But don’t let the trailer for the film fool you. This cop buddy movie from Iceland is not your typical fare. As any cop buddy movie, you get plenty of good chase scenes and plenty of gun fights. But, it’s also done with an over-the-top flare. This film is action packed and in your face with a wink and a smile. ALSO SCREENS: Thursday, April 21 at Majestic Bay.

Visit SIFF for the complete film line-up.