Last of SIFF
The Seattle International Film Festival ended this past Sunday. I had four more films scheduled from last Thursday through Sunday. I saw only three of them. By the time Sunday rolled around, I was well and truly done with sitting inside movie theaters on some of the first truly warm and beautiful days this spring. So here are notes on the last films I saw.
Love Among the Ruins: A mockumentary about the discovery of a legendary, long-lost Italian silent film. The director got some major names in film scholarship (including Serge Bromberg, whom I mentioned in my notes about Saved from the Flames) to comment on this film-that-never-was, and then shot said film with actors local to the Italian village where the story was set. I suspect that were I more literate in silent film, its scholarship and community, there might have been more in it for me to appreciate. Nevertheless, I found it a fun, clever project, a pleasant diversion for a Thursday night.
In Utero: A documentary that examines how life before birth affects life after birth. Discussing the latest research and current theories of physiological and psychological development, the doc posits that life before birth is a chemical and emotional journey linked to the mother's experiences and the environment around her as well as the environment she creates in the womb. The stresses she experiences, the happiness, and so on, are transmitted chemically to the fetus, influencing from the earliest days of development who that bundle of cells will be when it develops into a fetus, is born, and grows into an adult. While there was some interesting commentary, I also occasionally felt like the director was reaching a little bit, like some of the experts were pushing too hard on making their points. Still, there was some fascinating discussion, especially from Gabor Mate, who is apparently one of the front-running thinkers in this area. Thought-provoking stuff. Here's a link to the film's official website for further reading, if you're so inclined. The director was present with a number of experts for a panel discussion afterward, but I couldn't stay because I had another film to catch.
The Great Alone: Winner of SIFF's Grand Jury Prize this year, this documentary about second-generation, four-time Iditarod champion Lance Mackey was a fascinating glimpse into what, for me, is a completely alien life and experience. Chronicling his 2013 attempt at the race, it also told his story from rebellious kid to cancer survivor to racing phenomenon. The documentarian did a terrific job using home movies, news footage, and fresh film of that 2013 race to weave it all together into a compelling experience. Mackey has lived a life so different from mine--little schooling, an almost primal relationship with his dogs, a life lived more outdoors than inside, and an almost obsessive drive to participate in, and win, the Iditarod. This is why I go to SIFF and see documentaries--for views into totally different lives and experiences. After the film, the director, Mackey, his mother, and one of his dogs were present to answer questions and do a meet-and-greet. When Mackey walked into the room, he received a standing ovation--and it was for him, not just for the film. I stood, too, because I had to respect someone so driven, so completely at the top of his field of endeavor--especially having seen what it takes to get there--and, as it turned out, so completely down to earth and genuine.
Final thoughts for SIFF 2015
The Great Alone was terrific, one of the films that the programmers could not stop talking about at the member preview event last month. After that, I had one more film on my schedule--The Muses of Bashevis Singer--a documentary about the great Jewish writer. But, as noted above, I was tired of spending beautiful days inside in the dark. Since The Great Alone was so good, I decided to end the festival there, on a high note. It was exactly the right thing to do. Interesting to me was that this year, though everyone was talking about Phoenix, the post-Holocaust drama--there didn't seem to be a consensus among the regular attendees about which fiction films were particular stand-outs until much later in the festival than usual--at least, that was my perception. People did talk about Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, which went on to win a Golden Space Needle and already has distribution. It looks like a number of the other films I particularly wanted to see will be turning up at SIFF Cinema later this year, which makes me happy; I'd like a chance to see them. Good festival this year overall. As ever, so glad I went.
Love Among the Ruins: A mockumentary about the discovery of a legendary, long-lost Italian silent film. The director got some major names in film scholarship (including Serge Bromberg, whom I mentioned in my notes about Saved from the Flames) to comment on this film-that-never-was, and then shot said film with actors local to the Italian village where the story was set. I suspect that were I more literate in silent film, its scholarship and community, there might have been more in it for me to appreciate. Nevertheless, I found it a fun, clever project, a pleasant diversion for a Thursday night.
In Utero: A documentary that examines how life before birth affects life after birth. Discussing the latest research and current theories of physiological and psychological development, the doc posits that life before birth is a chemical and emotional journey linked to the mother's experiences and the environment around her as well as the environment she creates in the womb. The stresses she experiences, the happiness, and so on, are transmitted chemically to the fetus, influencing from the earliest days of development who that bundle of cells will be when it develops into a fetus, is born, and grows into an adult. While there was some interesting commentary, I also occasionally felt like the director was reaching a little bit, like some of the experts were pushing too hard on making their points. Still, there was some fascinating discussion, especially from Gabor Mate, who is apparently one of the front-running thinkers in this area. Thought-provoking stuff. Here's a link to the film's official website for further reading, if you're so inclined. The director was present with a number of experts for a panel discussion afterward, but I couldn't stay because I had another film to catch.
The Great Alone: Winner of SIFF's Grand Jury Prize this year, this documentary about second-generation, four-time Iditarod champion Lance Mackey was a fascinating glimpse into what, for me, is a completely alien life and experience. Chronicling his 2013 attempt at the race, it also told his story from rebellious kid to cancer survivor to racing phenomenon. The documentarian did a terrific job using home movies, news footage, and fresh film of that 2013 race to weave it all together into a compelling experience. Mackey has lived a life so different from mine--little schooling, an almost primal relationship with his dogs, a life lived more outdoors than inside, and an almost obsessive drive to participate in, and win, the Iditarod. This is why I go to SIFF and see documentaries--for views into totally different lives and experiences. After the film, the director, Mackey, his mother, and one of his dogs were present to answer questions and do a meet-and-greet. When Mackey walked into the room, he received a standing ovation--and it was for him, not just for the film. I stood, too, because I had to respect someone so driven, so completely at the top of his field of endeavor--especially having seen what it takes to get there--and, as it turned out, so completely down to earth and genuine.
Final thoughts for SIFF 2015
The Great Alone was terrific, one of the films that the programmers could not stop talking about at the member preview event last month. After that, I had one more film on my schedule--The Muses of Bashevis Singer--a documentary about the great Jewish writer. But, as noted above, I was tired of spending beautiful days inside in the dark. Since The Great Alone was so good, I decided to end the festival there, on a high note. It was exactly the right thing to do. Interesting to me was that this year, though everyone was talking about Phoenix, the post-Holocaust drama--there didn't seem to be a consensus among the regular attendees about which fiction films were particular stand-outs until much later in the festival than usual--at least, that was my perception. People did talk about Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, which went on to win a Golden Space Needle and already has distribution. It looks like a number of the other films I particularly wanted to see will be turning up at SIFF Cinema later this year, which makes me happy; I'd like a chance to see them. Good festival this year overall. As ever, so glad I went.