KEY POINTS:
00.30 And then there were none.
So, it is finally over. I shall keep this brief, as I have really had enough of this movie guff.
I ended my marathon with the disturbingly gory, yet surprisingly funny, Severance. Think Saw meets The Office.
The late screening drew a motley crowd of predominantly teenage boys there for the bloody glory.
While I'm generally not one for horror, I have to say it was very well done.
It was definitely the wake up I needed, following the pathologically boring German documentary, Con Man Confidential.
So that is it. I am done and dusted. Champion of the film festival.
Though it has driven me mad, it has also been a bit of fun. I do not suggest anyone emulate my viewing habits, but I do encourage you to head along to the festival and check out some of the films for yourself.
Don't read the programme - we've already established it's no indication of what's good or not. Just take a punt and try your luck.
As for me, it's back to reality, aka the bar. Catch you all next week.
17.30 Three for three. Looks like I'm going for a record...
Radiant City was a humourous yet interesting look at the rise of suburban sprawl in North America. What was perhaps most unsettling thing about the film was how easily and precisely it could apply to Auckland.
The suburbs they filmed could have been Botany Downs, Dannemora or any of the other legoland developments on Auckland's outskirts.
In fact, I think all of Auckland City's Councillors and town planners should be forced to watch this film before they are allowed into office.
What I particularly liked about this film was that it offered some solutions. It raised the issue, explained the problem and then provided some answers. Which is something that has been lacking from a lot of documentaries on show at the festival.
So day five is shaping up well. I now have a three hour break until Con Man Confidential. I am going to make the most of this and shoot home to do a much-needed clean and try to put my life back in order.
Just two more films till freedom...
15:19 Two for two - things are shaping up nicely. As I cruise through my final day of film madness, it seems I finally got my ducks in a row and chose some good films.
Stephanie Daley wasn't about a nurse, as I mistakenly thought, but about a teenage girl accused of murdering her premature baby, and the forensic psychologist who examines her.
Harrowing, yes. But not nearly as depressing as it sounds.
Tilda Swinton was exceptional - as always.
Not much else to report. I am mentally sound, physically comfortable and psychologically stable.
Next up - Radiant City. A doco on 60s suburbia. Shouldn't be too much of a struggle - plus it's only an hour long. Sweet.
13:31 Right, this has to be brief as I have ten minutes until my next film.
My day started with the utterly delightful Czech film, I Served the King of England. It was super. Whimsical, enchanting and brilliant. If not my favourite film so far (I'm still rather smitten with Priceless) it is definitely a close second.
Next up is the award-winning Stephanie Daley. Not sure what it's about - something about a nurse, I think.
Only four more films to go. Excitement is building. Soon this will all be over and I can make a triumphant return to reality, knowing I survived this ridiculous challenge.
10:13 One more day to go, one more day to go...
Jubilation dear readers. This time tomorrow it will all be over. No more mind fog, dry eyes, aching back or numb bum.
When I took on this challenge, I knew it would be trying. I knew I would get sick of sitting still. But my biggest concern was that the films would be rubbish and boring.
As it turns out, that has been the least of my worries. Sure I may have whinged that some of the films dragged on a bit, or weren't my cup of tea, but overall the festival line up has been outstanding.
What I didn't count on was the mental toll watching so many films would take on me. How physically and emotionally draining this process would be.
In the past five days, I have seen multiple murder, rape and beating scenes. I have seen births - in all their gooey, gory glory - and drug abusers.
I have suffered information overload of the highest order, watching in-depth documentaries on the holocaust, Helvetica, corn, crazy old people, religious zealots and the American justice system.
I don't know what's on today's agenda. I can't remember. It doesn't matter anymore - because no matter how desperately dire they are (and I'm sure they won't be) today's screenings are the last I will have to endure.
Having said that, I am sorely tempted to go and see Jesus Camp at The Civic tomorrow afternoon. God, I really have gone mad!
