Showing posts with label Milwaukee Film Festival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Milwaukee Film Festival. Show all posts
Who knew? Abe Lincoln…a Vampire Hunter? Maybe that’s why he was assassinated….hmmm… Ok I haven’t seen the film, so if I just gave away anything it’s a total coincidence. But I will…who could resist… So what does that make Barack Obama…a Wolfman hunter? George W. Bush a Godzilla hunter? Bill Clinton a Mummy hunter (no…that is Brendan Fraser…that’s right). Plus Channing Tatum and Matthew McConaughey can now “take it off” in your home and a film I really like…Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. Also – a new Madea film, a Disney Fairies title and a powerful and potent documentary.
This Week's Big ReleasesAbraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - Rated R (Benjamin Walker, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Dominic Cooper)
Did you know Abe Lincoln was a vampire hunter? I didn’t? No this is NOT a documentary, at least as far as I know…but it looks like a horror/thriller with a twist.
Madea’s Witness Protection - Rated PG-13 (Tyler Perry, Eugene Levy, Denise Richards)
Madea’s back and is taking in a CFO as part of witness protection.
Madea’s back and is taking in a CFO as part of witness protection.
Magic Mike - Rated R (Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey, Alex Pettyfer)
Ummm… Adult Entertainment…Ladies are lining up to get their copies everywhere. And it’s actually a pretty good movie from director Steven Soderbergh.
Ummm… Adult Entertainment…Ladies are lining up to get their copies everywhere. And it’s actually a pretty good movie from director Steven Soderbergh.
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World - Rated R (Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, Connie Britton)
Ok, this is a movie I really enjoyed that no one saw…(reflected in the $6.6 million box office). This film has a touch of a comic twinge, a bit of a drama and a little romance all in an end of the world apocalyptic film for you to enjoy. And no large special effects scenes are present!
Ok, this is a movie I really enjoyed that no one saw…(reflected in the $6.6 million box office). This film has a touch of a comic twinge, a bit of a drama and a little romance all in an end of the world apocalyptic film for you to enjoy. And no large special effects scenes are present!
Also New This Week
16 and Pregnant: Season 4
Crooked Arrows – Rated PG-13 (Brandon Routh, Crystal Allen)
Disney Fairies: Secret of the Wings – Rated G
Dragon Eyes – Rated R (Jean-Claude Van Damme)
Law and Order: Criminal Intent – Season 8
Rules of Engagement: The Compete Sixth Season
Take This Waltz – Rated R (Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen)
Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines – Rated R – Yep…they made another one.
And Finally
The Invisible War – Not Rated
I got a chance to see this courtesy of the amazing Milwaukee Film Festivaland the 2012 run, come on out and check it out next year. This film is an amazing documentary on sex offenses in the military. It is a MUST see. It’s not a Republican or Democratic issue; it’s a moral issue. It is a simple case of right and wrong. If a woman (or a man) is sexually assaulted in the military, the accused should be tried as if they would be in society, and if they are guilty be convicted and punished, NOT PROMOTED. Director, Kirby Dick takes us into an area and will make everyone feel uncomfortable, and you should feel uncomfortable and angry after watching this. Here’s the trailer.
DVD/Blu-ray Tidbit of the Week
ParaNorman, my favorite scary animated film of the year…will be scaring up DVD business come November 27 – and yes…Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D releases are planned for that day.
Pick of the Week
The Invisible War is a must see doc, but I wouldn’t add it to my collection. Probably the most repeatable for folks will be Magic Mike, but not for me….hmmm… Let’s just say…SEE The Invisible War.
Pop Popcorn, Do the Diet Dew, and Bust out the Blu and remember to Save Me A Seat!
Amazing, Heart Wrenching and Moving
Alex Gibney has been the driving force behind some amazing documentaries. Sure Michael Moore grabs the headlines, but people like Gibney really shake things up. Over the past seven years alone he has been involved with some of the best documentaries of the period. Films like Taxi to the Dark Sice, Casino Jack and the United States of Money, Frakonomics and Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer have come from the directorial vision of Gibney. Now he is set to tackle the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic church.
Alex Gibney has been the driving force behind some amazing documentaries. Sure Michael Moore grabs the headlines, but people like Gibney really shake things up. Over the past seven years alone he has been involved with some of the best documentaries of the period. Films like Taxi to the Dark Sice, Casino Jack and the United States of Money, Frakonomics and Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer have come from the directorial vision of Gibney. Now he is set to tackle the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic church.
Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God has its United States premiere at the Milwaukee Film Festival. The film that starts with an emphasis on the case of Father Lawrence Murphy, a Catholic priest that abused children at the St. John’s School for the Deaf. Murphy is thought to be one of the first cases of its type where the victims actively protested the accused.
Over the course of the film, Gibney makes the case, when starting with Murphy, that the Vatican had knowledge of the abuses on all levels and refused to do anything about it. Instead of facing the criticism early on, the Vatican chose to hush up the accusations, and pay off the victims for their silence. But they will not be silent any more.
The film shows instances from the viewpoint of the victims of a man that preyed on those that couldn’t communicate with their families. Not only was it children that Murphy was interested in, but he “favored” those with parents who didn’t know sign language, so the kids could not tell the tales.
It’s a graphic look at a predator that deserved much worse in this life than he was ultimately given. It’s a look at a system that was more interested in preserving an institution, than protecting the innocent. There is abuse of power, corruption, and a film full of interesting connections – who knew and when?Ultimately, the connection is made to the current sitting Pope, Pope Benedict XVI. Gibney’s trail shows that before then Cardinal Ratzinger was elevated to the highest office in the Catholic Church that he had knowledge of all of the scandals.
How will this film play with audiences? It’s anyone’s guess. But ultimately it will break your heart to witness the total lack of protection for the most helpless in society. Our children.
This makes two years in a row that the Milwaukee Film Festival folks have shared amazing documentaries with the fans of film. Last year The Interrupters was an amazing look at the topic of gun violence in Chicago and the US. This year, Gibney lets us experience his amazing film that lays out a strong case against the leaders of the Catholic Church.
As someone who was raised Catholic, it’s hard to watch. It’s hard to listen to some of the things that Father Murphy thought were ok. It’s hard to hear that so many leaders of the Church let things go on so long. But it has to be seen!
Your stomach will churn at what Gibney shares…but much like a hard to watch scene in a fictional movie…it’s the same feeling of sickness you have. Gibney knows how to tell a story, and lay it out in a manner that flows and doesn’t feel like a classic documentary. He uses voices of Hollywood talents like Chris Cooper and Ethan Hawke to tell the stories of those with no voice. And he will have you shaken by the end of the film.
This is a must see during the Milwaukee Film Festival or whenever it heads to your neck of the woods.
A-
NR
Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God
HBO Documentary Films
Director: Alex Gibney
Rating: Not Rated
Runtime: 1 hour 46 minutes
Milwaukee Film Festival 2011, A RecapFor me, I began the festival with one goal in mind. Make this MY Film Festival.
Based for me at the Ridge – it was different than if I spent the days at the Oriental (Film Festival Central). But this was what was convenient for me and allowed me to not only see movies, but also be the man my family deserved during the festival.
I came up short on what I had hoped to see, but still ended with 15 films/packages at the theater. (Got Milwaukee Brewers tickets on the last day of the fest – thanks Bob and we had a dance class and Creek Crawl to deal with during the fest.)
That said, what did I see?
Make Believe, The Human Resources Manager, Give Up Tomorrow, Shorts: World’s Best Commercials, When the Drum is Beating, The Interrupters, Somewhere Between, Wish Me Away, The Redemption of General Butt Naked, The Last Mountain, Bhopali, Page One: Inside the New York Times, The Flaw, Breaking and Entering, How Much Does Your Building Weigh Mr. Foster
So after spending nearly 30 hours of my last week or so at the theaters what did I learn.
Chicago has a great group of individuals trying to make a difference in the violence of our neighbor to the south. (The Interrupters)
Paco needs to be freed. (Give Up Tomorrow)
Chely Wright is extremely talented, no matter what her sexual orientation is! (Wish Me Away)
If there is a record to be broken, there will be someone to break it. (Breaking and Entering)
Haitians are an extremely resilient group of people even when you don’t count the Earthquake impact. (When the Drum is Beating)
Magic is alive and well with the youth of the world. (Make Believe)
Despite it’s title, The Redemption of General Butt Naked is not a comedy. (The Redemption of General Butt Naked)
Love him or hate him, David Carr is tenacious! (Page One: Inside the New York Times)
Films can be projected poorly at film festivals. (The Flawat Ridge)
People will complain about anything and everything. (Rumblings in the crowd about having to drive all the way to New Berlin for one of the films)
Directors and producers of even the smallest of films are passionate about filmmaking and are fascinating to listen to at film festivals (Directors/Producers from Make Believe, Give up Tomorrow, When the Drum is Beating, Wish Me Away, Breaking and Entering all did Q & A sessions after their films at the Ridge)
Sure there are things that could be done better – but I’m not here to focus on those right now…but if the Milwaukee Film Festival crew wants my ideas – I’m here! :-)
Overall, Milwaukee Film Festival was a real success. Attendance up 17%, 22 sell-outs and over 35,000 people took in a film. Plus members of Milwaukee Film more than doubled.
Actual festival winners were included in a previous post but here are my picks from what I saw.
Best Film: The Interrupters
I mean it when I say this is the bar for all other documentaries I’ll view before the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards gets my vote.
Most FUN film: Page One: Inside the New York Times, Make Believe (TIE)
Quite frankly, David Carr is the reason, but this film just had a smile on my face throughout. And I just had a smile on my face throughout the magic film Make Believe.
Cause I didn’t know about, but am appalled now that I do:Give Up Tomorrow
Sure with films it takes a side, but the blatant difference between the passion we fight Casey Anthony and others could be used to help Paco get freed with the ACTUAL evidence in his case.
Craziest Title: The Redemption of General Butt Naked
He really is naked at points in here…and he’s now a Christian…but he had impacts in 20,000 deaths (by his admission).
Surprising Moment: Wish Me Away (Chely’s prayers)
I know Christians that would condemn Chely for no other reason than her personal life that don’t pray as well as she admits to in this film. To ask the Lord for peace is so much more effective than wanting a new car, or a job to pay them more money.
Film I Missed that I Really Wanted to See: We Need To Talk About Kevin
Wanted to see this Tilda Swinton film but unfortunately, schedules wouldn’t allow it.
Ok, So I only got to 15 films this year at the fest -- family and other reasons for that...but I wanted to share the winners announced today! (My thoughts coming Wednesday on the festival as a whole).
Allan H. (Bud) and Suzanne L. Selig Audience Awards
Feature: Louder Than A Bomb
Short: The Wheel
Cream City Cinema Award
Winner: Michael Hawkins-Burgos for the short film Don't Go
Fiction Competition
Nothing's All Bad
Documentary Competition
Somewhere Between
I missed Louder Than A Bomb -- was supposed to see that last night, but some a ticket to the Milwaukee Brewers game put me there instead.
I did see Somewhere Between -- solid film, solid choice -- the Documentary Competition had so many quality entrants (spent most of my viewing time with docs).
This is the part I'm most disappointed in being behind on...
The festival has begun it's second week of screenings and boy has it been exciting.
They have had the intriguing documentary 1971 kick off the festival and followed that up with a slew of interesting titles and appearances.
The Opening Saturday featured Stray Dog from the Academy Award-nominated director and
co-writer of the Jennifer Lawrence breakout film, Winter's Bone (also screened earlier the same day) Debra Granik. It didn't hurt that Ron "Stray Dog" Hall (no relation) was a Harley rider in a Harley town. Excellent programming choice if I do say so.
Saturday featured the enormous Sing-A-Long showing of Mary Poppins. Yep ... that was something special to be at, but I ... well I got sick... ARGH and bed/couch had its grip on me.
The weekend featured many appearances by Directors, Writers, Actors and more...this despite the fact that the craziness in Chicago at the air traffic control tower caused many travelers to not make it in for their appearances. The sellouts kept coming though and there are so many films already on rush through the end of the festival, that if you were thinking of going get your tickets now. (Check out what they have on rush AND what's selling quickly and buy your tickets in advance).
But the fun didn't stop for this year's turn with the Milwaukee Film Festival once the new week started.
Monday saw the Patels - the stars of Meet the Patels in town for their film and The Milwaukee Show I (always a crowd favorite with local flavor).
We saw big screenings of Man With a Movie Camera and This Is Spinal Tap on Tuesday.
Wednesday made me jealous of my colleague Gino Salomone as he sat down with Jim Abrahms and Jerry Zucker before that nights' special presentation of Top Secret! Sorry Gino - I stole this photo from your Facebook page...I love it! Catch Gino daily on Studio A on FOX 6 and well...with every celebrity under the sun!
Thursday was a slow night - let's face it...everyone was watching the Packer game - except of course myself who got called to Mayfair for a last minute look at Gone Girl before it's release on Friday.
And then....We get ready for another weekend.
What am I looking forward to as time goes on the next couple days here...
Well tonight ... legend Robert Townsend is in town for a screening of his hit Hollywood Shuffle at the Oriental, John Axford (formerly of the Milwaukee Brewers and now Pittsburgh Pirate) had an opening he'd rather not have with the Pirates elimination from the playoffs but will be doing his second favorite thing...seeing Dr. Strangelove at the Oriental and saying hi to his friends from Milwaukee Film. The Ax man is still a contributing sponsor to the festival and loves movies period! I still think it would be fun to do a review show titled, "Common Guy and The Stache" with him...but I digress.
Saturday features something I would love to see... Jimi: All Is By My Side from Mequon native John
Ridley. Ridley will be in town courtesy of Chris Abele to present the film in front of a hometown crowd that has long been on rush to see this. If you want a chance to get in...get you to that rush line as soon as you can before the 7PM show at the Oriental. And if that's not enough...that night will also feature a screening of the classic music film Stop Making Sense with Jerry Harrison schedule for the house.
Sunday features the film on rush that is truly garnering Oscar Buzz coming out of Toronto - It will take getting in line early on this Packer Free Sunday to get a chance at a seat to The Imitation Game starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Toronto film fest going critics LOVED IT and many of the the experts at Goldderby.com have it in their list of possible Top 10 Best Picture candidates - as well as Benedict being at the top of many lists in the Best Actor race.
Click each of the links for the full list - a great chance to see a true favorite EARLY!!!
So that will take you through the weekend, yes there is more...but I have to stop at some point here...
Thanks Milwaukee Film for another Great Run - Folks ... you have one week left (including today) to get out and enjoy some great films! Do it now!!!
My apologies for the less indepth coverage...but now that I'm kicking this illness - we will get in as much as we can before I have to get back to the rest of my life...
Save me a Seat!
READ MORE
The festival has begun it's second week of screenings and boy has it been exciting.
They have had the intriguing documentary 1971 kick off the festival and followed that up with a slew of interesting titles and appearances.The Opening Saturday featured Stray Dog from the Academy Award-nominated director and
co-writer of the Jennifer Lawrence breakout film, Winter's Bone (also screened earlier the same day) Debra Granik. It didn't hurt that Ron "Stray Dog" Hall (no relation) was a Harley rider in a Harley town. Excellent programming choice if I do say so.
Saturday featured the enormous Sing-A-Long showing of Mary Poppins. Yep ... that was something special to be at, but I ... well I got sick... ARGH and bed/couch had its grip on me.
The weekend featured many appearances by Directors, Writers, Actors and more...this despite the fact that the craziness in Chicago at the air traffic control tower caused many travelers to not make it in for their appearances. The sellouts kept coming though and there are so many films already on rush through the end of the festival, that if you were thinking of going get your tickets now. (Check out what they have on rush AND what's selling quickly and buy your tickets in advance).
But the fun didn't stop for this year's turn with the Milwaukee Film Festival once the new week started.
Monday saw the Patels - the stars of Meet the Patels in town for their film and The Milwaukee Show I (always a crowd favorite with local flavor).
We saw big screenings of Man With a Movie Camera and This Is Spinal Tap on Tuesday.
Wednesday made me jealous of my colleague Gino Salomone as he sat down with Jim Abrahms and Jerry Zucker before that nights' special presentation of Top Secret! Sorry Gino - I stole this photo from your Facebook page...I love it! Catch Gino daily on Studio A on FOX 6 and well...with every celebrity under the sun!
Thursday was a slow night - let's face it...everyone was watching the Packer game - except of course myself who got called to Mayfair for a last minute look at Gone Girl before it's release on Friday.
And then....We get ready for another weekend.
What am I looking forward to as time goes on the next couple days here...
Well tonight ... legend Robert Townsend is in town for a screening of his hit Hollywood Shuffle at the Oriental, John Axford (formerly of the Milwaukee Brewers and now Pittsburgh Pirate) had an opening he'd rather not have with the Pirates elimination from the playoffs but will be doing his second favorite thing...seeing Dr. Strangelove at the Oriental and saying hi to his friends from Milwaukee Film. The Ax man is still a contributing sponsor to the festival and loves movies period! I still think it would be fun to do a review show titled, "Common Guy and The Stache" with him...but I digress.
Saturday features something I would love to see... Jimi: All Is By My Side from Mequon native John
Ridley. Ridley will be in town courtesy of Chris Abele to present the film in front of a hometown crowd that has long been on rush to see this. If you want a chance to get in...get you to that rush line as soon as you can before the 7PM show at the Oriental. And if that's not enough...that night will also feature a screening of the classic music film Stop Making Sense with Jerry Harrison schedule for the house.
Sunday features the film on rush that is truly garnering Oscar Buzz coming out of Toronto - It will take getting in line early on this Packer Free Sunday to get a chance at a seat to The Imitation Game starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Toronto film fest going critics LOVED IT and many of the the experts at Goldderby.com have it in their list of possible Top 10 Best Picture candidates - as well as Benedict being at the top of many lists in the Best Actor race.
Click each of the links for the full list - a great chance to see a true favorite EARLY!!!
So that will take you through the weekend, yes there is more...but I have to stop at some point here...
Thanks Milwaukee Film for another Great Run - Folks ... you have one week left (including today) to get out and enjoy some great films! Do it now!!!
My apologies for the less indepth coverage...but now that I'm kicking this illness - we will get in as much as we can before I have to get back to the rest of my life...
Save me a Seat!
Milwaukee Film Festival – Day 4
Sunday and after church it’s a quick change into some shorts and over to the Ridge Cinema (hey people…you don’t have to go down to the Oriental to see many of these great films!)
And great is the applicable word as another of those films I had circled on the calendar was ready to start my day at HIGH NOON!
The Interrupters had shown the night before to a packed house at the Oriental theater and I couldn’t wait for my chance to experience the documentary that I’d heard so much about.
The film follows the story of members of Cease Fire Chicago as they try to “interrupt” retaliatory killings on the streets in their city. It is there goal to get to the problem, before it explodes. Within the course of the film we are introduced to a number of these brave men and women who always throw caution to the wind and get in between whenever possible.
The Cease Fire team is not filled with goody two shoes individuals. Some of them have a real past, they have street cred as they stood in the same shoes as the individuals they are trying to stop. There are people who have done time, people have run with the gangs an people who know what it’s like to want to pull a trigger in retaliation. They are folks that the kids listen to and whose voices they are willing to examine. Not everything works out for them, but preventing just a couple of killings can make a world of difference.
The stories are emotionally draining. What has a child that is just 13 ever done to deserve a bullet? What has a youngster done to deserve to be beaten to death? What can we do to legitimately intervene?
This film set the bar, off the charts, for the remainder of the docs I see this year. I was visually moved. I cried. I got angry. I felt Ameena and her impassioned cries to the youth in Chicago. I was nervous as Cobe confronted some kids on the verge of running out in front of him and shooting someone. My heart broke as Eddie comes to grips with his own past while working with kids in the present.
These stories moved me and meant something. These are the stories that will move you. It doesn’t matter what color your skin is, where you’ve grown up, who you know; NO child should have to endure sleeping with one eye open. NO child should fear who will be shot in their neighborhood next.
See The Interrupters – you will NOT be disappointed – One of the Best Documentaries this year. If I was throwing grades out here – this is a solid A.
One LAST chance to check out the film – Tuesday 9/27 at 4:15PM at the North Shore Cinema
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From there I quickly ran home to take in at least the first half of the Packers / Bears and Chiefs / Chargers games. I am, alas, the “Common Guy” and NFL Sunday Ticket was calling my name. But as we rolled into halftime of the games – it was time to head back to the 5PM screening I had circled…Somewhere Between.
Somewhere Between tells the story of 4 girls that were adopted from China and their lives as Americans. It comes from the perspective of a filmmaker who, herself, was looking to adopt and wanted some understanding of some of the struggles that exist for these special children. What she found will leave you emotionally drained but uplifted all at the same time.
The young girls were in different parts of the country and each had their own goals and dreams. They had assimilated to the families they had become a part of but some still wanted to know where their journey began. While it can be impossible to get information in many of these cases, that doesn’t stop all of them from digging deeper.
There are organizations that help these girls cope somewhat, but they still struggle with being the “Asian Girl” within an all white neighborhood or family. As teenagers, they are just like other teens, but with a story that is yet to help them define their life before America.
It is truly an emotionally draining movie that has many highs along with a few lows as well. The story centers on the girls, their thoughts and dreams and their goals and aspirations. And with that you become part of the life of a teenage girl with more on their mind than social networks, boyfriends, or schoolwork.
It was a pleasure to experience and share the story of these girls. With a successful beginning, a successful future is all but assured.
No ADDITIONAL showings during the festival.
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And I was going to go back for two additional films, but I decided at that point to call it a weekend. Lots of writing to finish, columns to submit – and off I went. So that was the end of Day 4. (I’m taking Day 5 off for family obligations – back on Day 6)
HOWEVER – if I were to give recommendations for Day 5 – I would head to the Oriental to check out The Redemption of General Butt Naked and 445PM followed by We Need To Talk About Kevin at 7PM (Though the 7PM show is currently SOLD OUT).
I had a full day at the Ridge Cinema on this dreary Saturday.
Lucky for me, a cold is setting which will make for a long day -- but I have 4 films targeted for the day. We'll see what I can get through.
The nice thing about the Milwaukee Film Festival is they have brought the festival to the suburbs and the wait is not outside in the rain, rather in a hallway inside.
That said let's get to what I did get a chance to see...
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First up was The Human Resources Manager.
This fascinating film comes to the festival with roots from Israel. It’s the story of a human resource manager who is tasked with finding some answers to an impending scandal. One of the bakery workers has been killed in a bombing and no one knows how she is involved. His task to take the body to her family gets harder by the minute. His journey is filled with a reporter who wants the story, a family of his own that he continues to let down, and a family of the girl who was killed that can’t decide where the body should be buried. Humorous moments are speckled within the serious journey to make for a solid ride.
This film was a nice kick off to the day as the comedy that was interspersed found a way to lighten up the mood. The Human Resource Manager brings together a solid, though unspectacular look into the life of this one man.
If you are a fan of the intricate foreign film that is a journey, this is for you.
Check it out at the festival on Tuesday, 9/27 at 4:45 PM at the Oriental and Sunday, October 2 at 4:30 PM at the North Shore Cinema
Give Up Tomorrow is the story of Paco Larranga and 6 other boys that were charged with the murder of 2 young girls in the Philippines. The story that’s told is one of an unusual miscarriage of justice. Paco was just a boy as he was framed for the murder of 2 girls whose bodies truly have never been found. And despite 42 students and teachers that could testify that he was on an island hundreds of miles away, photographs of him on the day with his friends and more evidence than you’ve seen in an episode of Columbo…he’s found guilty with the other boys of these heinous crimes.
A woman that lost her two daughters will stop at nothing to find “justice” for their deaths, even a justice that leaves so many things to question. While not painted as an angel, Paco’s crimes have been minor at best. But even individuals with a background more checkered than his get a fair shake when it comes to the evidence. Will Paco ever find his justice?
An amazing film that plays as part crime drama, part mystery and ALL reality; Give Up Tomorrow will make you want justice for Paco. The filmmakers long, intense efforts to follow this case makes for an ride that leaves you shaking your head at every turn. Even with the still image they show you that he was not an innocent youth, but he WAS innocent of this crime…and that is all that matters.
I really loved this film and took the time to sign a postcard on leaving the theater. As a critic we can remain neutral, but there is a point where we must act. Is Paco innocent of the crime he has been accused of? If the evidence in this film doesn’t give you reasonable doubt, I don’t know how reasonable you are.
Give Up Tomorrow is also playing Sunday 9/25 at 7 PM at the Oriental and Friday, 9/30 at 4:45PM.
http://pacodocu.com
After the film – I got to speak with Producer Marty Syjuco briefly about the project. It’s amazing the dedication that he and Director Michael Collins have had to the project. They make no bones about the fact that there is a family relation angle in the movie for them, but the story they present is nonetheless amazing. As they move to show the film at future festivals the story is still constantly developing. Will Paco gain his freedom? If Marty and Michael and the folks they are sharing the film with have anything to say about it, I can imagine nothing less than success.
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READ MORE
Lucky for me, a cold is setting which will make for a long day -- but I have 4 films targeted for the day. We'll see what I can get through.
The nice thing about the Milwaukee Film Festival is they have brought the festival to the suburbs and the wait is not outside in the rain, rather in a hallway inside.
That said let's get to what I did get a chance to see...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
First up was The Human Resources Manager.
This fascinating film comes to the festival with roots from Israel. It’s the story of a human resource manager who is tasked with finding some answers to an impending scandal. One of the bakery workers has been killed in a bombing and no one knows how she is involved. His task to take the body to her family gets harder by the minute. His journey is filled with a reporter who wants the story, a family of his own that he continues to let down, and a family of the girl who was killed that can’t decide where the body should be buried. Humorous moments are speckled within the serious journey to make for a solid ride.
This film was a nice kick off to the day as the comedy that was interspersed found a way to lighten up the mood. The Human Resource Manager brings together a solid, though unspectacular look into the life of this one man.
If you are a fan of the intricate foreign film that is a journey, this is for you.
Check it out at the festival on Tuesday, 9/27 at 4:45 PM at the Oriental and Sunday, October 2 at 4:30 PM at the North Shore Cinema
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Preceding my next film, Give Up Tomorrow, was short film Library of Dust. A story of individuals left behind when no one claimed their remains after passing away. They were in copper canisters that took on their own personalities. The footage is just amazing. There is more of a story to be told as so many didn’t even know these relatives existed. Their canisters live on and in away so do the souls that were lost.Give Up Tomorrow is the story of Paco Larranga and 6 other boys that were charged with the murder of 2 young girls in the Philippines. The story that’s told is one of an unusual miscarriage of justice. Paco was just a boy as he was framed for the murder of 2 girls whose bodies truly have never been found. And despite 42 students and teachers that could testify that he was on an island hundreds of miles away, photographs of him on the day with his friends and more evidence than you’ve seen in an episode of Columbo…he’s found guilty with the other boys of these heinous crimes.
A woman that lost her two daughters will stop at nothing to find “justice” for their deaths, even a justice that leaves so many things to question. While not painted as an angel, Paco’s crimes have been minor at best. But even individuals with a background more checkered than his get a fair shake when it comes to the evidence. Will Paco ever find his justice?
An amazing film that plays as part crime drama, part mystery and ALL reality; Give Up Tomorrow will make you want justice for Paco. The filmmakers long, intense efforts to follow this case makes for an ride that leaves you shaking your head at every turn. Even with the still image they show you that he was not an innocent youth, but he WAS innocent of this crime…and that is all that matters.
I really loved this film and took the time to sign a postcard on leaving the theater. As a critic we can remain neutral, but there is a point where we must act. Is Paco innocent of the crime he has been accused of? If the evidence in this film doesn’t give you reasonable doubt, I don’t know how reasonable you are.
Give Up Tomorrow is also playing Sunday 9/25 at 7 PM at the Oriental and Friday, 9/30 at 4:45PM.
http://pacodocu.com
After the film – I got to speak with Producer Marty Syjuco briefly about the project. It’s amazing the dedication that he and Director Michael Collins have had to the project. They make no bones about the fact that there is a family relation angle in the movie for them, but the story they present is nonetheless amazing. As they move to show the film at future festivals the story is still constantly developing. Will Paco gain his freedom? If Marty and Michael and the folks they are sharing the film with have anything to say about it, I can imagine nothing less than success.
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So after two heavier films…I may a 180 and decided to catch the Shorts program, World’s Best Commercials. I admit, it was an attempt to lighten my day – plus I had an ulterior motive…it would let me run home and say goodnight to my daughter before the final film of the evening.The Shorts program had some humor, some seriousness but left a bit to be desired. It just wasn’t the same watching 90 minutes worth of commercials, some of which seemed amazingly out of place. It was a fun diversion for the period, but it wasn’t my best choice to this point.
Shorts: World’s Best Commercials is also playing Sunday 9/25 at 2:45PM at the North Shore, Monday 9/26 5PM at the Downer and Friday 9/30 at 7:15PM at the Oriental.-------------------------------------------------------------
After a quick run home to tuck my little girl into bed and say goodnight to my wife I was able to catch another film that I had circled early on in my festival program, When the Drum is Beating.
And I was not to be disappointed.With Director Whitney Dow in attendance, the film on Haiti and the Septentrional band gives us a different look at Haiti and the Haitian people. From archival footage of Haiti at the height of prosperity to the depths of a variety of regime changes both in the government and the band, the Haitian people are survivors. Most of the footage is in a pre-Earthquake timeframe and it just reinforces the strength of the Haitians. If they could survive all of the challenges put in front of them throughout the 65 years the band has existed, there is not one of us that should be betting against them after this crisis.
The island is full of poverty and a plethora of issues. However they are still strong at their core. When the Drum is Beating all of their problems melt away and the drum will continue to beat, and the people will continue to endure.
Also playing Tuesday 9/27 at 9:45PM at the North Shore and Saturday 10/1 at 5:30PM at the Oriental.
Mad props go to Director Whitney Dow. First, he stuck around despite a small crowd to have some one on one time discussing his labor. He told us how he took the film from strictly about the band to going deeper and telling a deeper story. I respect him for his efforts to make a film that not only told a compelling story, but also entertained the audience. He believes in the film and that belief is reflected in his passion for all things surrounding it.
And so the Saturday schedule ended – whew…I’ve got Sunday films and then Monday off for personal reasons. Save Me A Seat. |
| Loved this photo by the MKE Film crew! Credit: MKE FILM |
With the dawning of the day, it is time to get things started for the 2014 edition of the Milwaukee
Film Festival.
Film Festival.
Opening Night brings with it a documentary this year, one of my favorite things to check out during the festival. This film is 1971 and it is your only pick on opening night (well there is the big shindig after the film, but I’m only talking about the movies here.)
Here’s your breakdown for tonight.
FEATURED TITLE
1971
7PM Oriental Theatre (SOLD OUT - RUSH TIX MAY BE AVAILABLE)
The story of the 1971 break-in at the FBI office in Media, PA and the subsequent release of the confidential documents to the media came before Snowden, before Wikileaks and before Watergate. It is the first time that some of the individuals that carried out the brazen break-in had their story come out.
The story from director Johanna Hamiltion (Scheduled to appear for questions) turns into a skillfully crafted thriller.
There is a combination of interview footage (and some good stuff here), archival footage and reenactments to tell the story.
The journey comes from the protest backgrounds of the individuals through the break-in and on to the investigation.
In light of all that is going on in society today, it is interesting to see this look inside the entire process of what must have gone on with many a case through the year.
A fascinating and riveting film that shows one of the reasons I LOVE documentaries!
Get out and see it.
Welcome Johanna to our incredible city and welcome back Milwaukee Film Festival 2014 – We’ve missed you!
OTHER SHOWINGS
Saturday 9/27 – 1:45PM Oriental Theatre
Saturday 9/27 – 1:45PM Oriental Theatre
Check out the 1971 Trailer, below!