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

Dancin’ in the Sun

It’s no secret my love, passion and obsession with Indie films and film festivals. Seeing as Sundance is the one on my list of “Must-do,” I was immensely excited to learn of Sundance Film Festival U.S.A. last year. This one night event selects cities throughout the US to screen a Sundance film and hold a Q&A with filmmakers. Last year I saw Jack Goes Boating and Philip Seymour Hoffman came out to hold a Q&A. I think these Q&As with filmmakers really make the festival atmosphere. Even if a film is not something I enjoyed, a director can totally change my mind just be detailing all of his trials and tribulations in the film.

One of these days, I will make it to Sundance. But until then, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for the Sundance Film Festival U.S.A. coming to Chicago.

And another cool thing about Sundance U.S.A., you get a Festival program, as if you’re in Park City. I even got swag this year with a really cool Festival mug and gloves.

This year, Chicago got to see The Music Never Stopped. It was amazing. Truly amazing. And thankfully, the film got picked up by Roadside Attractions before Sundance even started. So it should be hitting most markets around March/April. It’s one I’m definitely going to see again and buy the soundtrack to. If you’re a music lover of the 50s, 60s, 70s; then you’ll enjoy as well. My review of the film is on The Parallax Review.