In the Thick of It

Film Fest season has quickly arrived and taken control of my life. Though I must say, the 48th Chicago International Film Festival has provided lots of surprises, lots of guests and lots of fantastic films. Every day I’m there, at least three shows are sold out. And the films I’ve had the chance to see are simply magnificent, two in particular:

1.) Numbered— A documentary about Holocaust survivors today and what the number they received in camp means to them. Not nearly as depressing as I thought it would be, I often find myself drawn to any book or movie dealing with this topic. It was jarring, heart warming and saddening all at the same time. One of the directors is a still photographer and his images are so very poignant, they move the doc along without actually moving. Film clip here.

2.) The Sapphires–Mark my words, this film is going to do wonders when it’s released. Picked up by the Weinstein Company, it tells the tale of an Aboriginal girl group that plays for the US troops in Vietnam. Based off of a true story, I sat in my seat dancing and singing along to these tunes. You’ll surely tap your foot along. Chris O’Dowd (of Bridesmaids fame) is stellar delivering one-liners every where you look. No one left that theatre unhappy.

 

I also would recommend checking out Opening Night’s Stand Up Guys, Any Day Now, King Curling and Off White Lies. We’ve completed our first week and have one more to go with this weekend’s Junior Board event featuring Helen Hunt and her film The Sessions. It’s been exhausting, trying to keep up with Cardinals baseball has proved at times difficult, but so very worth it. Meeting various directors and other filmmakers is inspiring. They walk around the theatre wearing their passion for their film and industry right on their faces–everyone’s smiling and eager to talk. It’s very catching.

Come see the world…

Fellow Junior Board Member (and Volunteer) Marcella and I spreading the good word

This is La Vie en Rose

I know I’m super far behind, but here are some pics from Lisa’s wedding weekend. It was a perfect weekend filled with love, laughter and of course, dance offs. After arriving on Thursday, we had an impromptu BBQ in the patio of the hotel, where we met 77% of the wedding guests…Lisa’s Overman Family. And it’s where Sebastian and I first met with my poor Spanish speaking skills. He was a great sport with my charades.

Friday morning we had an early rehearsal at the mountain…my first time seeing the venue. It was simply breathtaking. I seriously felt like we were getting ready to shoot a movie, it just did not feel real. Jem also finally came in town and our 2-year absence from each other’s lives ended. I seriously could not stop smiling having him back around.

The wedding was like all weddings, a complete whirlwind that felt like it was over in minutes. But I am so very thankful I got to be a part of the day and Lisa and Ryan just looked stunning.

My favorite part of the weekend was Friday night before the wedding, sitting in a hotel room with Lisa and a few other girls. We did a jumping on the bed routine (where Bridesmaid Cora accidentally punched Maid of Honor Rachel in the face) and I was just in fits of giggles. Lisa is just the same lass I met 8 years ago.

Lisa and Ryan’s first dance was to Louis Armstrong’s La Vie en Rose from WALL-E, their first date. Needless to say, this wedding weekend purely captured the love that continues to blossoms between these two. Cheers to Mrs. & Mr. Watson!

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