“It’s like a Who’s Who of Champaign-Urbana!” squealed a delighted patron as she embraced a cinema comrade. I overheard this exchange at the Fifth Annual New Art Film Festival this Sunday; and, truly, it was sort of a who’s who of filmmakers and actors from the area, as well as a delightful time. The 2014 Festival kicked off at 5 p.m. this past Sunday with an impressive array of work from area filmmakers in conjunction with the Boneyard Arts Festival. The festival screenings were divided into four groups of three: two documentary/short films and one local feature. I must confess at this point that I was a film festival virgin and, as such, was unsure how long I’d last, but I made it to the very end. I do see a lot of films in the theatre, but I’d never experienced more than one — to say nothing of a dozen! So, eager for this new adventure, I decided to brave the elements and see a few hours of local films, and I am so glad I did! This was a display of truly gifted filmmakers’ work, covering a wide range of emotions and topics. When asked to cover the piece, I was unsure how to proceed, but I think the best way is to recount my favorite film moments. Here are some thoughts on my favorites:
Documentary Shorts:
Ordinary Video Series #1 and #3: Images for the Airport, directed by David Gracon: This simple meditation on an afternoon in O’Hare was a truly interesting snippet of time spent waiting in one of the country’s largest airports. A potted palm dancing manically under an air duct… A flock of random sparrows trapped inside and wandering about, looking for exit as human onlookers do the same. It was a simple piece, but visually arresting and with some nice contemplative moments and images.
Death Work, directed by Angela Aguayo: A very different sort of documentary discussing the care and maintenance of a rural cemetery by one of the groundskeepers. The film consisted of images of the equipment used for burial and maintenance, and the grounds of this final resting place, as the worker’s matter-of-fact voiceover detailed the pain and reverence of those visiting their loved ones’ graves. His recounting of a woman’s irritation of their having to run over the grave of her son while mowing is both sad and an odd commentary on how we all deal with loss.
Losing an Enemy, directed by Will Hagel and Joe Hood: The insurgence of Western punk rock into Eastern-bloc countries as seen through the eyes of the surviving band members of the movement. A hypnotic meditation on the political power of music.
Sriracha, directed by Griffin Hammond: A delightful documentary on a favored hot sauce and its rabid fan-base and creators and distributors. Wonderfully filmed and full of fun imagery and interesting insights.
Feature #1:
The Drunk, directed by William Tanoos and Paul Fletcher: This is an impressive new dramedy, partly produced by Shatterglass Studios of Champaign and filmed in Indiana during a blistering summer. It’s a funny and thought-provoking piece about an imagined grandson of the real-life labor leader Eugene V. Debs (1855-1926) getting his act together and running for office in Indiana against a political rival. With great performances by an array of both local and recognizable talent (Tom Sizemore, anyone?), this film was funny, touching, and a breezy retreat from the gloomy afternoon.
Narrative Shorts I:
Carrot Corn, directed by Thomas Nicol: A cute animated short about coexisting in a cinema complex with your fellow man, er, rabbit. The claymation figures were cute, and the film struck some very funny notes.
Stardust, directed by Mike Trippiedi: One of the funniest offerings of the festival, featuring local theatre greats Gary Ambler and David Barkley as feuding mortals affected by a UFO landing! A complete delight from beginning to end.
Imaginary Pancakes, directed by Jeremiah Stanley: This was a very creative and surprisingly romantic short about the erosion of a relationship and the things we miss after our loved one is out of the picture. Funny, sweet and ultimately quite moving.
The Hobo, directed by Andy Due and Dustin Tylman: A cool, modern, Chaplinesque short about a wayward hobo’s trials and tribulations with some great music and original songs.
“The Art of Pulling,” a music video for Elsinore directed by Chris Sotelo and Oliver Peng: Very well done, using area talents and locations to highlight the local band’s new effort. The use of chalk drawing and dust is visually interesting throughout.
detachment, directed by Robin Berthier: This short was one of the more creatively filmed and choreographed offerings of the day, with several “joined-at-the-hip couples” navigating the confusing and somewhat hazardous world outside of their bubble. Skillful camera work, storyboarding, and acting throughout the piece.
“Better than Yesterday,” a music video for Sun Stereo directed by Matt Harsh: Rocking song from a local band, a clever video storyline with an engaging cast, and the lead singer sporting an iridescent sequined jacket that WILL BE MINE!!!!!
Fluffystein, directed by Thomas Nicol: Fluffy-licious! Fluffin’ amazing! A fan-fluffin’-tastic short about an abducted stuffie bunny and his little owner’s efforts to retrieve him with a great cast and clever script. (See window below.)
Silent, but Deadly, directed by Andrew Gleason: Another very creative short about the deadly consequences of mime-lovin’! Very creative and well-acted!
Those are the highpoints of what I saw at this year’s New Art Film Festival. Watching all the entries, from beginning to end, can be a marathon, but it’s well worth it. Plus, with breaks in between most segments, those who must can come and go as they please. So, if you missed this year’s offerings, be sure to make plans for next spring at the Art Theater Co-op.
Come see “who’s who” in our local film community and, more importantly, what they have to offer.