Did anyone discover any hidden gems at the film festival this weekend?
I saw reluctant traveler at 5 points theater last night, it was supposedly the world premiere. I enjoyed it as I'm a sucker for any film/documentary that involves traveling and expanding one's horizons. The director spent a month in Ethiopia of all places and documented his travels and interaction with the local cultures. It was very eye opening to see how primitive they still live in that part of the world. It's crazy how remote that country is too. There's very little in the way of paved roads.
Usually, I have to drag myself to the film festival every year, because sometimes I feel like it's a big "to do" event where people go to hobnob and be seen, but I always come away from it feeling like I've finally had some fresh air. It's nice to take a break from the Hollywood format and see what film makers can do when they don't feel restricted.
We went with my brother-in-law and wife to see Racing Dreams. They are both sports car fanatics and drive vintage racing cars. The theater was packed and everyone seemed to be loving the film judging by the laughter and deep silences. Loud applause at the end. The kids and their families featured in the movie seemed to have given unprecedented access to the cameras to film all their problems and heartaches.
Before the main film there was a locally made short, can't think of the name, but featuring two radio controlled cars on a neighborhood street. Very clever and amusing.
We also saw the 400 Years of the Telescope. Very timely, with Hubble repairs going on right now but just a parade of history and textbook scientific information. Lots of tantalizing bits of history were not followed up due to chronological format. 400 years for heaven's sake. :D Planetarium was not the most comfortable venue and part way through the film about half the audience got up and left. It was designed as a PBS special which was probably it's best presentation but didn't work as an independent film.
Love this festival. Hope next year they have more films and more times to see them.
I thought about catching 400 years of the telescope, but it did sound like something more suited to a viewing on the couch at 1am as I drift off to sleep (Like I do every night when watching the history channel)
But I didnt know it was in the plane-arium, that is an interesting venue. Speaking of...the venues, celebrations and schedules did seemed to be scaled back a bit this year. And I don't remember the festival running for so many days in the past.
There's talk about pushing the festival to the fall as the dates it's held on currently are the same week as the Cannes mega-film festival in France, because you know...it's doubtful any filmmaker would choose jacksonville over that one, but it's all speculation I believe.
In my opinion someone who's going for the Cannes film fest would pass over Jax anyway, so the dates shouldn't matter.
Either way, I hope this is a tradition that we keep alive. I've been going every year since we first started and it seemed to take off from a small endeavor the first two years, to a bigger, better known festival for a few years following that and now it seems to be scailing back a bit.
What a laugh! Oh dear, how can I decide? Jacksonville or Cannes?
I don't really care what season they decide on but they shouldn't have it up against so many other local events - jazz festival, Memorial Day, beaches festivals.
Exactly, there's a good bit to do in the area during the month of May. Mostly events that draw people to the outdoors, which makes it hard to convince friends to sit in a theater and watch documentaries for a few hours. So I think doing it during the fall might work a little better actually. Less daylight, the weather won't be as nice.
I got the Jax vs Cannes info from this past week's folio, which yeah, is a bit of a joke to even consider a comparison in the first place.
QuoteI got the Jax vs Cannes info from this past week's folio
Like comparing Broadway to the Alhambra Dinner Theater
The Festival is going to be moved to the Fall next year, so it doesn't conflict with Cannes and the other outdoor events. Although, as it turned out this year...
We are also extending the festival Friday, Saturday and Sunday so that the most popular films can be re-shown. I would bet that Racing Dreams will be re-shown - it was a crowd favorite.
We'll release the updated schedule at FilmFestival.Jacksonville.com (http://filmfestival.jacksonville.com) and www.5pointstheatre.com (http://www.5pointstheatre.com).
Quote from: 5 Points Theatre on May 21, 2009, 11:15:56 AM
We are also extending the festival Friday, Saturday and Sunday so that the most popular films can be re-shown.
Excellent. Year before, if you missed one showing of the big films, there was another opportunity, sometimes a different venue.
Someone with vision should consider getting the old Annie Lytle School No. 4 next to Riverside Park fixed up as a center for arts, dance, music, crafts classrooms, studios, exhibit halls and museum. The auditorium would be dynamite for festivals like this. In fine weather we could sit outside.