NASHVILLE FILM
MONTH:
'Nashville Film Festival' Report #1
April 18-21, 2013
By Chuck Whiting
MCAU Editor
The
"Nashville Film Festival" is
in full swing with filmmakers and fans converging on the Green Hills Regal
Cinema for the Red Carpet, movie screenings, educational panels, and parties.
Following are highlights of activities occurring during the period April 18 to
21.
THE RED CARPET:
The
festival spotlights various producers, directors, actors, screenwriters and
composers every day. Artists arrive at various times from the lower level of
the venue's parking deck. Channel 4's Demetria Kalodimos received a good bit of media attention when she
arrived Thursday night for the showing of her highly acclaimed documentary,
"Indelible". Others to grace the Red Carpet (so far) include director
Richard Speights Jr.
("America 101"), actress Claire Bowen ("Dead Man's Burden"), musician Big
Kenny ("Coco D. Nut"), director David
Wilson ("We Always Lie to
Strangers"), actor Joshua Burge ("Ape"), and actors Paul Eenhoorn and Richmond Arquette ("This is Martin Bonner").
(Photo: Channel 4's Terry Bolger on the Red Carpet)
The
Tuesday (April 23) screening of "For the Love of Music: the Story of
Nashville" is expected to draw a number of celebrities... possibly The
Black Keys, Emmy Lou Harris, Peter Frampton, Bruce Springsteen, and Kris Kristofferson.
The
Red Carpet also was the location for an opening night silent auction. Attendees
walked along tables to bid on items such as Southwest Airlines concert
getaways, a celebrity guitar, autographed books, and meals at area restaurants.
EDUCATIONAL PANELS:
Like
the recent "Score-Com" and "Film-Com", The NaFF offers a
wide range of film-related panels featuring some of the top professionals in
the business.
Sunday's
"Master Class" presented by
the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences (Joe Leydon, Tom Pollock, Sid
Ganis, and Ellen Harrington) offered invaluable insights on the past, present
and future (predicted) state of the film industry.
All
of the panelists agreed that digital technology (the ability to download movies
anywhere at any time) has had a huge impact (positive and negative) on
filmmaking. The blessing: New digital cameras make it possible for independents
to shoot quality films. The curse: Some movie lovers are skipping the theaters
for a living room or on-the-go experience.
"We
work hard to make movies look and sound great on the big screen," said
Pollock, former chairman of Universal Pictures. "I hope we never lose
that."
Ganis
agreed, citing the Oscar-winning "Life of Pi" as an example.
"When
I watched 'Life of Pi' on a big-screen TV, I thought it was pretty good,"
the former Academy president said. "But when I watched the 3D version in
the theater with digital projection and sound, I considered it a cinematic
miracle. There's just nothing like the movie theater experience."
Pollock
also spent a few minutes talking about the many challenges he faced after the
release of Martin Scorsese's "Last Temptation of Christ". Trouble
brewed after an evangelist led a rally protesting the showing of the film in a
Mississippi theater.
"This
shows the impact that a film can have on society," he said.
"Suddenly, we had 25,000 people protesting outside the gates of Universal.
We received 4 million letters, mostly negative. Security guards even cornered a
gun-toting intruder in the bathroom. My wife and kids had guards for
years."
Pollock
was also at the studio when "Star Wars" was released. The film cost
only $8 million to make.
"I
knew the world had changed when the spaceship crossed the entire screen on the
opening shot," he added.
As
the director of exhibitions and special events, it's Harrington's job to break
down cultural boundaries around the world. The academy faced a number of
hurdles when representatives met with filmmakers in Iran.
"The
Iranian government condemned us," she said. "Some of the filmmakers
there have been sent to jail. Despite this, they've found a way to get around
government censorship. Our mission is to build a community of artists around
the world. We all share the same passion."
Other
highlights from the discussion:
*
All of the panelists agreed that politics doesn't factor into the decisions
Oscar voters make.
*
The Academy is a "group of individuals", not an "entity".
*
Agents are used for screenplay submissions for legal reasons.
*
The Academy's Don and Gee Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting is an international screenwriting competition
established to identify and encourage talented new screenwriters. The deadline
for submissions is May 1. Learn more:
http://www.oscars.org/awards/nicholl/
*
The Academy Museum in Hollywood will feature 290,000 square feet of
state-of-the-art galleries, exhibition spaces, movie theaters, and educational
areas.
*
Most of the most successful filmmakers started as independents.
FILM SCREENINGS:
A
host of films, including many made in Tennessee and across the South, are
featured in this year's NaFF. You can see the entire list at
www.NashvilleFilmFestival.org .
*
"Indelible" -- Demetria
Kalodimos' "Indelible: The Case Against Jeffrey Womack" uses
interviews and footage from television news reports and interviews to show how
"one man was blamed, charged, and ultimately disproved as the killer of
Marcia Trimble. Kalodimos expertly merges old news footage with recent
interviews to create a surreal, unforgettable experience.
(Photo: Channel 4's Demetria Kalodimos arrives on the Red Carpet)
* "Mud" -- A packed house was treated to the premiere of
"Mud", a movie starring Matthew McConaughey (as Mud) and the now
controversial Reese Witherspoon (as Mud's trouble-making girlfriend). The film
is very moving, even prompting a few tears from the people seated around me.
The storyline is fairly simple: Two boys find a man named Mud hiding out on a
Mississippi River island in Arkansas. As the movie unfolds, the audience learns
that Mud's unwavering love for the beautiful tramp Juniper has presented
life-threatening problems, including a pursuing band of blood-thirsty bounty
hunters. The cast is terrific, especially newcomers Tye Sheridan (Ellis) and
Jacob Lofland (Neckbone). Young director Jeff Nichols (who greeted us using
Skype) has done an outstanding job drawing out authentic "Southern drawls
and mannerisms" in the snaky swamps of rural Arkansas. We'll see what
happens after it premieres nationwide on April 26, but the hunch among the NaFF
attendees is that "Mud" is sure to win an Oscar or two.
(Photo: Jeff Nichols greets moviegoers via Skype)
*
"This Is Martin Bonner" --
This movie had people talking (positively) after its showing on Sunday. Martin
Bonner leaves his old life behind and moves to Reno, Nevada, where he finds work
helping released prisoners transition to life on the outside. Meanwhile, Travis
Holloway has just been released from prison. The two men form an unlikely
friendship that offers them unspoken support and understanding. The verdict:
What a surprisingly good independent film. Paul Eenhoorn and Richmond Arquette
are simply terrific in their respective roles as Martin and Travis. Who knew
that a low-budget film could elicit such emotion among moviegoers (during and
afterwards)? The movie shows the "real" side of human experience,
revealing how poor choices and suffering can lead to healing, understanding and
friendship. How do we get back on the path of forgiveness? What do we do when
we doubt our religious faith? How do we find the strength to rebuild a balanced
life with purpose?
NETWORKING:
Certain
laminate holders, including NaFF members, sponsors and the press, have access
to the VIP tent for the opening and closing parties, and just to hang out.
Other laminate holders crowd the Red Carpet and surrounding areas to watch
filmmakers arrive and network with the pros. It's a great way to compare notes,
get to know your peers, and to encourage budding and professional filmmakers.
All laminate holders can visit the Jenis stand for free ice cream. We try out a
different flavor every time we wander the Red Carpet area.
Coming Up:
Coverage for this week's "Nashville Film Festival", including
Tuesday's panel "From Song to Sync: The Path to Placement". See all
of our stories with photos at www.MusicCityArtsUpdate.com .
Other photos from NaFF:
