SXSW 2006
This year's South By Southwest Music Film and Interactive Conference started off with a ton of great movies, many of them premieres. I've heard that there were over 19,000 registrants this year (which may increase with walk-ups), way more than any of the previous 19 years. Thus, the 20th SXSW is crowded and makes getting in to see a popular choice event difficult if you can't get there early.
One of the best things that's happened to movies in the last decade has been the emergence of the DVD format, with its bonus features and Directors' Commentaries. This gives the average viewer insight into the art and science of movie making, as well as greater story and plot details never before available. One thing film festivals have that is even better are Q&A sessions with the film-making teams (whether that be directors, producers or principle actors). Hearing them explain their hopes and dreams and challenges of the particular movie is another cool angle or insight into film.
American Gun
This was the first movie I've seen. The movie has multiple stories of people effected by guns -- the single mom (the conflicted role played brilliantly by Marcia Gay Harden) and brother of one of the Columbine shooters (with the fictitious yet rhyming name of Ridgline High School); the first cop on the scene (Tony Goldwyn), who keeps reliving the nightmare of that school shooting, even three years later; a girl that moved East to escape something (perhaps the mountain region out West where the school shooting occured), who earns money for her Virginia college by working for her grandpa in a gun store; a principal (Forest Whitaker) that struggles in maintaining safety and order in a big high school; a bright student at that same school that totes a handgun around to keep safe to and fro work and school. Personalizing the issue drove the point home deftly. The surviving members of the shooter's family was an especially fascinating perspective to explore. I would've loved to have stayed for the Director's Q&A, but I had to rush to the next movie.
Al Franken: God Spoke
I have to admit: I have some friends that are Republicans... But none of them were present with me at this world premiere. It was a packed room, and it was like my experience long ago on the campus at the University of Texas, where I attended a meeting of the Evolution Club (can't remember what they were called), where I sat in a small room with people mocking Creation Science, Christianity, and all their adherents. It was uncomfortable but fun being an outsider peeking in on a very insider's party. I once participated in an Operation Rescue event in this same week of March many year's ago (Spring Break), where about six of us posed as clients at a local abortion clinic. Armed with a positive urine sample, I came with an older woman, posing as my mother, as we got my fictitious girlfriend's sample tested. I used this experience to write a song that my band later recorded -- "Operation Rescue." Anyway, I digress in a big way. This sort of polarization and demonizing happens with about any group; where the opposing party gets lampooned and mocked at every chance. Politics is as polarizing as religion in this world, so it can be uncomfortable fun to wander into the other camp from time to time. I think this does wonders for the cause of Christ -- seeing how non-believers view the church, etc. Seeing this movie has given me perspective on how my liberal friends will probably always remain liberal (even if we agree on the topic of abortion), as this side of the political spectrum can have a ton of fun, as this movie is evidence. This possible future Minnesota Senator is shown at his comedic best, as well as viewpoints into his real-life tension and relaxed sides. The movie starts with a plane's window view at the clouds below and the "voice of God" telling Al to torment the right and write a book -- Lies And The Lying Liars Who Tell Them, which God had "instructed" him to title: "Bearing False Witness and the Bearers of False Witness."
Brothers Of The Head
Here was a bizarre and creative take on the rock and roll documentary film. Here was an entertainment investor who purchased two conjoined twins that he would develop into a punk rock phenomenon in the UK. It's a hilarious romp that shows these attached brothers playing guitar and singing in British pubs and becoming an instant hit with "Bang Bang." The band's inner politics and relationships run the gamut of rock and roll cliche, and bring a bunch of rough-edged laughter along with it. Many of the songs tip their hat ever so slightly to punk and alternative rock and roll classics, if only for a riff or melody. Unforgettable.
Eve And The Fire Horse
This is easily one of the stand-out films for me this year. It's an up-close and personal journey through the eyes of a child (Eve Eng). She is promised by her grandmother one morning as she heads off slightly late to school that she'll water the garden for her so she can get going with her sister, Karena. Upon returning they find out that grandmother collapsed due to the work in the garden. Ridden with guilt, the young Eve has visions of the grandmother after her death. When her slightly domineering older sister (aren't they all?) starts exploring the Christian faith, little Eve has other visions as well -- goddess statues coming to life and dancing in the house at night; the Buddha and Jesus figures dancing together in the living room. It's quite humorous to see the young girl's mind try to wrap around the conflicting faith with her Buddhist background. Her mother starts to come around, too, surmising that it's better and safer "to have two gods around the house," instead of one. There's lots of fun adventure as the two girls begin their mission of perpetual sorrow, trying to convert their friends, and learning more about their newfound faith at a local Catholic church. The Q&A with Director Julia Kwan was charming. When asked how much of the story was autobiographical, she answered, "Well, I've never seen anyone choke on long noodles before," but then later described how her mom did accept and embrace the girls' faith with the "two gods are better than one" attitude. Fascinating.
It brings up many good questions and ideas about evangelism and living the life of a believer in a world where not everyone shares our belief. The close-minded and mean behavior of some of the girls in the Sunday School class (where they torment Eve for being named after "the original sinner") shed some insight into real struggles. The polite rejection they face as Karena tries to convert her Sikh friend that she's obviously attracted to as an adolescent girl. The difficulty of family tension revolving around faith is explored heavily, giving some example of acceptance and love even without total conversion.
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