Hello Everyone,
Just three screenings today…but a solid day. It’s hard to believe that 3 days have flown by so quickly. I’ve seen 11 films, spent time with Jake (before he returned to Dayton earlier today) run into a handful of old friends and colleagues on the street, watched a movie with a filmmaker whose work we’ve screened at OUT HERE DAYTON FILM FEST (formerly known as The Dayton LGBT Film Fest), and still managed to keep up with this blog. That said, I have yet to do the whole late night party scene…things have changed a bit since I’ve been gone – the festival and myself.
My first film was made in Montreal. SOLO, dir. Sophie Dupois (Canada). “Set in Montreal’s vivacious drag scene, this tender character study from writer-director Sophie Dupuis (Underground) focuses on a talented young performer whose past and present merge in unexpected ways.” (TIFF Catalog) Simon is a successful makeup artist and drag performer, but when a Oliver, new guy shows up in the dressing room, he sets his eyes on something new. At first, the chemistry is wonderful – but eventually we realize that Simon is willing to compromise himself for what he thinks he needs in his life..and Oliver is a master manipulator. This film is well done with great, fleshed out performances…and full of people I “know.”
HIS THREE DAUGHTERS, dir. Azazel Jacobs (USA). “A tense, captivating, and touching portrait of family dynamics starring Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen, and Natasha Lyonne as sisters who converge after their father’s health declines.” (TIFF Catalog) What this film lacks in visual appeal (there are some very strange choices about shooting people up against a blank wall), it makes up for in screenplay and performances. This little gem’s third act is terrific…and the claustrophobia of being in a relatively small New York apartment for the majority of the film works on a lot of levels in creating tension and drama. These women are all terrific.
IN CONVERSATION WITH PEDRO ALMODOVAR (with screening of STRANGE WAY OF LIFE, dir. Pedro Almodovar (SPAIN)). Today’s event with Almodovar was a treat. Almodovar talked with Cameron Bailey for about 45 minutes about his career – and it was insightful and delightful. He talked about the “transition” from screwball comedies to melodrama and the industry’s rating system. Then he screened the short film STRANGE WAY OF LIFE – a gay Western with Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal…which Almodovar explained was his sort of answer to BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (which he had been asked to direct years ago). “Two lovers reunite after 25 years apart, but secret ulterior motives threaten to spoil the relationship, in this emotional western from Pedro Almodóvar.” (TIFF Catalog) Pedro then returned to the stage to talk for a bit more before taking questions from the audience. Sadly, there wasn’t much time for questions and I didn’t get to ask mine. (Almodovar apologized to the audience that neither of the lead actors would be seen naked in the film.)
I’m about to head out and meet one of our Board members for a cocktail this evening. Susan and her husband are at the festival for the first time, and I’m anxious to hear what they’re seeing and how they like their experience so far.
Until tomorrow!
Thanks for reading,
Jonathan
