Showing posts with label Loussac. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Loussac. Show all posts

Friday, December 13, 2013

AIFF 2013: Lion Ark - Film Makers In Anchorage for Sat and Sun Showings

I've been holding up this video til Lion Ark was about to play here in Anchorage.  I got to see the film and talk to the directors when we were in LA.  They are due in Anchorage for the showings Saturday (3:30pm Loussac) and Sunday (3 pm AK Exp large theater)

This is somewhat like a reality show where you watch the animal rescuers plan their attacks on the illegal circuses that have lions.  You hear them discuss how they helped get the Bolivian government to pass the strongest legislation around to prevent little circuses from using animals.  While some (most?) have given up their lions, there are a few outlaw circuses left.

None of this is really spoiler material because it's the telling of the story that matters.  Most, if not all, of the questions at the Q&A in LA were about the content of the movie, so afterward I focused my questions more on the movie making. 




There's a little bit of disturbing video of beating of animals in the film, so the younger kids probably shouldn't see this.  (It's PG 13)

There are a lot of Bolivians involved in the rescue and an important part of the film for me was that a number of them were brought with the lions to Colorado at the end, to see the lions' new home.  

The program says the film makers will be there Saturday, and probably they'll be at the Sunday showing but I'm not sure.

With Tim Phillips and Jan Creamer in town for Lion Ark, Will Francome for One.For.Ten, and Laurance Relton here for Reel Life, you'd think Captain Cook had made Alaska an English colony.  All their films are well worth watching.  Will's interviews with people who have been released from death row after their convictions were overturned can be seen at the one.for.ten website.  

Laurence's wonderful short film, Reel Life, plays as part of the Reel/Real Life Short Docs program at 3pm Saturday at the AK Exp Theater. 

AIFF 2013: One.For.Ten - DNA, The Instant Replay For The Justice System

The highlight of the film festival for me so far was Thursday night at Loussac Library.

The showing was the most innovative and powerful I've seen.

The film maker, Will Francome (and his colleagues), as he explained it, determined to take a cross country trip in the US to interview people who had been exonerated of capital offenses and been released from death row.

But they jumped onto Facebook and Twitter to include their audience in developing questions for the people they were going to interview.  They made their film, edited it quickly, and put it online for their FB and Twitter team to see within 24 hours.

And the 'showing' Thursday included a panel of three local leaders in the fight for justice for innocent people convicted of crime.  There were ten short interviews.  One or two were shown.  Then the audience was invited to ask questions or comment.  The panel commented.  Then the next couple of films were shown.

WOW!  The audience was included in making the films and in the showing.  This takes AIFF into new film territory - making the audience participants, not simply passive viewers of the films.  I know people will immediately, and legitimately respond that the festival has had Q&A with film makers from the beginning.

But this was more than that.  At One.For.Ten  the audience was involved from the beginning.  Live audience reaction was part of the film experience.

And if all that weren't enough, the topic - innocent people on death row - is as powerful as you can get.

Most of you missed this.  I didn't know what I was going to experience before I went.  But, you can see the ten films and join into the social media discussions.  The films are at the One.For.Ten website.

These stories are so compelling because they challenge the very basis of our justice system.  I had so many thoughts jumping through my head.

Clearly DNA can change the court's call, just as instant replay can change a sports call.  But saving an innocent man or woman wrongly convicted is far more significant than changing a referee's call.  But like instant replay, it's the kind of objective evidence, that breaks through most human error. (And I'm sure there are ways to incorrectly collect, test, and interpret DNA evidence.)

I asked about the reactions of prosecutors, and, unfortunately, the answers suggested they react badly.  They deny they were wrong.  And, as the blogger at What Do I Know?, I'm fascinated by how people 'know' what they 'know'.  And how they simply cannot see 'truths' that conflict with their own well being.  I know that prosecutors dismiss the claims of innocence of inmates.  Every inmate has found a way to believe he's innocent.  (And I believe that many extremely guilty folks believe they're innocent, making it harder for people who really are innocent.)  The irony is that while prosecutors can see these people deceive themselves, apparently they can't see it when they themselves fall for the same delusion.

So much to think about.  They discussed about ten different reasons/causes for people to be falsely convicted and each of the ten films is supposed to highlight one.  (Though most involve several.)  Some were;
  • wrong eyewitnesses
  • snitch testimony -  informants lying for their own benefit
  • wrong expert witnesses
  • racism
  • prosecutorial misconduct
  • perjury and false testimony
  • false confession
It seems to me, short of banning the death sentence, anyone convicted without concrete evidence based on things like eyewitness testimony or snitch testimony and probably other conditions, should not be sentenced to anything more than life.

By the way, one for ten refers to stats that there is one exonerated convict for every ten executed.  

Did I tell you I liked this session? 

AIFF 2013: Choosing From So Many Good Options Friday

This is getting impossible.  There are too many options.  (Full schedule with links and times below.)

Lunch Discussion at 11:30 at the Bear Tooth:
"Guest speakers include: Tony Sheppard, AIFF founder; Ron Holmstrom, regional Screen Actors Guild Feature representative; Jerry Levine, producer, director and president of Connections Doc Film and Video; and other guests representing various groups who’ve been involved with 'Film in Alaska.'” 

This event doesn't conflict with any other event - except maybe your life.

The rest, I can only mention the films I've seen and I leave the rest for you to choose for yourself.  The links should help.


Eskimo Star - I saw a short portion of this a couple of years ago, if I remember correctly.  And I also knew Ted Mala the son of Ray back when I first got to Alaska in the late 70s.  Again, it doesn't conflict with any other events and what I saw before fills lots of Alaska and Hollywood history gaps.

Recommendations:

Some of my favorite shorts will play at the Martini Matinee at 3:30 at the Inlet Towers: Animation Hotline* - one of the few animated films that had both great original visuals AND meaningful content.
Reel Life - a great filmic comment on film reality
The Words I Love -  learning language is a great interest of mine and it's told in it own original way  (I'd note that the film maker, 'Benz' Thamachart Siripatrachai, is staying with us.)
Mr. Super Juice* - won me over with its irreverence, it pulls no punches (or juices)
Coffee Time - This one is so unexpected.  I won't say anything about it, except to say it's delightful.  Not for children.

*also playing at 7:30 in the Animation Program.  Three others I really liked in that program:

The Rose of Turaida -  a beautiful and original animation style tells a Latvian legend.
Lost and Found - visually beautiful adaption of a children's book.based on Oliver Jeffers' award winning children's picture book
Mr Hublot -  Magnificent visuals.

The Guide - I also found this short from the Biology Gone Wild Docs Program definitely worth a view - an African young man wants to be a tour guide in Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park.  That's already a pretty good story, but it gets additional power by the appearance of an intellectual hero of mine - biologist E. O. Wilson - and his relationship with the young guide.  7pm

There are just too many movies. And too many of them overlapping.  I can tell you I really liked the ones mentioned above, but you might not.  Just jump in and pick something. 

11:30 AM

Event | 90 min.
Bear Tooth Theatre
1:20 PM
Book Signing | 80 min.
Bear Tooth Theatre
3:00 PM


Martini Matinee, Shorts Program | 100 min.
screens with...
Bear Tooth Theatre
6:00 PM


Documentary Program | 65 min.
screens with...
Alaska Experience Theater - Large Theater
7:00 PM


Documentary Program, Snowdance | 90 min.
screens with...
Wilda Marston Theatre at Z. J. Loussac Public Library
7:00 PM
Documentary Program | 88 min.
screens with...
Alaska Experience Theater - Small Theater
7:30 PM


Animation Program | 120 min.
screens with...
Anchorage Community Works
7:45 PM


Anthony Powell 2013 | Documentary | 92 min.
Alaska Experience Theater - Large Theater
8:00 PM


Sarah Knight 2012 | Feature | 96 min.
** Note: Filmmaker attending
Bear Tooth Theatre
9:30 PM


Quick Freeze | 120 min.
Anchorage Community Works
9:45 PM


Jason Butler, Brett Butler 2012 | Feature | 77 min.
Alaska Experience Theater - Large Theater
10:15 PM


Eric England 2013 | Feature | 84 min.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

AIFF 2013: What To Do On Thursday

[UPDATE:  Dec. 12, 12:30am:  I originally posted this, by mistake, for Wednesday.  I fixed the title and now I've edited this to call more attention to The Animal Project playing at 8:30pm at the museum.]

My thoughts on Thursday.  Full schedule below.  

Juventad (Youth) is, I'm told, the pick for Thursday, 8pm at the Bear Tooth.  This is an autobiographical film by a well known Mexican director.  Wikipedia says:
Jaime Humberto Hermosillo (born 22 January 1942) is a Mexican film director, often compared to Spain's Pedro Almodóvar.  Born in Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, in center Mexico, Hermosillo's films often explore the hypocrisy of middle-class Mexican values.
He's worked with Gabriel García Marquez, the Nobel Prize winner for literature and author of One Hundred Years of Solitude.

But there are lots of other interesting choices.

I had a chance to talk to Ingrid Veninger about her film The Animal Project which is NOT
Ingrid Veninger saying "Mask"
about rescuing animals (see Lion Ark for that over the weekend).  This is about an acting instructor, his relationship with his son, and the use of animal costumes to teach acting.  I haven't seen this one, but it sounds like Ingrid is doing something unique here.  And it's already won awards in other festivals.   Ingrid told me this is her fourth feature in five years.  I've decided I'm going to this one at 8:30 in the Museum.  And she'll be there to talk afterward. 

But watch my video of Ingrid Veninger here

And I've got a couple of free passes for it so email me if any one wants to go at 8:30pm at the Museum. Their press kit includes this short description:
"An unorthodox acting teacher (Aaron Poole) attempts to push a group of eager young performers out of their comfort zones, while struggling with his own ability to live an authentic and fulfilling life with his teenage son."
The two mountain climbing docs are worth seeing.  The first repeats a 1963 climb of Everest and the second recreates a legendary mountain rescue in the Tetons.  In both films the original participants are interviewed to give their stories about the original events. 

The Iranian film, Everything is Fine Here, is an interesting film, not only because it's from Iran today, but also because of its look and feel.  The film was not approved for filming in Iran - it's about a rape and the effect on the woman and those around her.  It moves at a slower pace than American movies, so be ready for that.  The film makers were there Saturday and are schedule to still be in Anchorage so I'd guess they'll be there for this showing.  Anchorage is the US premiere of this film.  Here's a post with a video of the directors talking to the Anchorage audience in Farsi.

I'm going to see 7 Cajas on Saturday at 11:30 am.  Here's a link to a Huff Post description. It's apparently the biggest Paraguayan movie ever.  And you can see this Paraguyan film Saturday.

I'll go see the beginning of One for Ten at Loussac at 7pm
"Since [the death penalty was reinstated in the US in 1976], for every ten people that have been executed, one person has been exonerated and released from death row after spending an average of ten years in isolation."
And then to the Museum to see The Animal Project.  I have a hunch about this one. Ingrid is a good salesperson.  Again, check the video here.

Antarctica is supposed to be good.  I'll try to see it on the weekend.
9 Full Moons is a movie that reminds us how hard it is to pull off a good movie.  I saw it over the weekend.  There are interesting characters and some good scenes - I liked the interactions with the country western singer a lot - but it is long.  The movie has heart.  The film maker is scheduled to be there.  

\

The Schedule:


Thursday, December 12th
5:30 PM
pourya azarbayjani 2012 | Feature | 75 min.
Alaska Experience Theater - Small Theater
5:45 PM


Documentary Program | 96 min.

Alaska Experience Theater - Large Theater
6:30 PM


Tomer Almagor | Feature | 103 min.
** Note: Filmmaker attending
Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center
7:00 PM


Documentary Program | 120 min.
Wilda Marston Theatre at Z. J. Loussac Public Library
7:45 PM


Anthony Powell 2013 | Documentary | 92 min.
Alaska Experience Theater - Small Theater
8:00 PM


Jaime Humberto Hermosillo 2010 | Feature | 115 min.
Alaska Experience Theater - Large Theater
8:00 PM


Juan Carlos Maneglia | Feature | 100 min.
Bear Tooth Theatre

8:30 PM


Ingrid Veninger | Feature | 77 min.

Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center

AIFF 2013: What To Do On Thursday -

[UPDATE:  Dec. 12, 12:30am:  I originally posted this, by mistake, for Wednesday.  I fixed the title and now I've edited this to call more attention to The Animal Project playing at 8:30pm at the museum.]

My thoughts on Thursday.  Full schedule below.  

Juventad (Youth) is, I'm told, the pick for Thursday, 8pm at the Bear Tooth.  This is an autobiographical film by a well known Mexican director.  Wikipedia says:
Jaime Humberto Hermosillo (born 22 January 1942) is a Mexican film director, often compared to Spain's Pedro Almodóvar.  Born in Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, in center Mexico, Hermosillo's films often explore the hypocrisy of middle-class Mexican values.
He's worked with Gabriel García Marquez, the Nobel Prize winner for literature and author of One Hundred Years of Solitude.

But there are lots of other interesting choices.

I had a chance to talk to Ingrid Veninger about her film The Animal Project which is NOT
Ingrid Veninger saying "Mask"
about rescuing animals (see Lion Ark for that over the weekend).  This is about an acting instructor, his relationship with his son, and the use of animal costumes to teach acting.  I haven't seen this one, but it sounds like Ingrid is doing something unique here.  And it's already won awards in other festivals.   Ingrid told me this is her fourth feature in five years.  I've decided I'm going to this one at 8:30 in the Museum.  And she'll be there to talk afterward. 

But watch the video of Ingrid Veninger here. 

The two mountain climbing docs are worth seeing.  The first repeats a 1963 climb of Everest and the second recreates a legendary mountain rescue in the Tetons.  In both films the original participants are interviewed to give their stories about the original events. 

The Iranian film, Everything is Fine Here, is an interesting film, not only because it's from Iran today, but also because of its look and feel.  The film was not approved for filming in Iran - it's about a rape and the effect on the woman and those around her.  It moves at a slower pace than American movies, so be ready for that.  The film makers were there Saturday and are schedule to still be in Anchorage so I'd guess they'll be there for this showing.  Anchorage is the US premiere of this film.

I'm going to see 7 Cajas on Saturday at 11:30 am.  Here's a link to a Huff Post description. It's apparently the biggest Paraguayan movie ever.  And you can see this Paraguyan film Saturday.

I'll go see the beginning of One for Ten at Loussac at 7pm
"Since [the death penalty was reinstated in the US in 1976], for every ten people that have been executed, one person has been exonerated and released from death row after spending an average of ten years in isolation."
And then to the Museum to see The Animal Project.  I have a hunch about this one. Ingrid is a good salesperson.  Again, check the video here.

Antarctica is supposed to be good.  I'll try to see it on the weekend.
9 Full Moons is a movie that reminds us how hard it is to pull off a good movie.  I saw it over the weekend.  There are interesting characters and some good scenes - I liked the interactions with the country western singer a lot - but it is long.  The movie has heart.  The film maker is scheduled to be there.  

And there's the Animal Project which I'm told is good and what I've read is intriguing.  And I've got a couple of free passes for it so email me if any one wants to go at 8:30pm at the Museum. Their press kit includes this short description:
"An unorthodox acting teacher (Aaron Poole) attempts to push a group of eager young performers out of their comfort zones, while struggling with his own ability to live an authentic and fulfilling life with his teenage son."

The Schedule:


Thursday, December 12th
5:30 PM
pourya azarbayjani 2012 | Feature | 75 min.
Alaska Experience Theater - Small Theater
5:45 PM


Documentary Program | 96 min.

Alaska Experience Theater - Large Theater
6:30 PM


Tomer Almagor | Feature | 103 min.
** Note: Filmmaker attending
Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center
7:00 PM


Documentary Program | 120 min.
Wilda Marston Theatre at Z. J. Loussac Public Library
7:45 PM


Anthony Powell 2013 | Documentary | 92 min.
Alaska Experience Theater - Small Theater
8:00 PM


Jaime Humberto Hermosillo 2010 | Feature | 115 min.
Alaska Experience Theater - Large Theater
8:00 PM


Juan Carlos Maneglia | Feature | 100 min.
Bear Tooth Theatre

8:30 PM


Ingrid Veninger | Feature | 77 min.

Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center

AIFF 2013: What To Do On Thursday -

[UPDATE:  Dec. 12, 12:30am:  I originally posted this, by mistake, for Wednesday.  I fixed the title and now I've edited this to call more attention to The Animal Project playing at 8:30pm at the museum.]

My thoughts on Thursday.  Full schedule below.  

Juventad (Youth) is, I'm told, the pick for Thursday, 8pm at the Bear Tooth.  This is an autobiographical film by a well known Mexican director.  Wikipedia says:
Jaime Humberto Hermosillo (born 22 January 1942) is a Mexican film director, often compared to Spain's Pedro Almodóvar.  Born in Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, in center Mexico, Hermosillo's films often explore the hypocrisy of middle-class Mexican values.
He's worked with Gabriel García Marquez, the Nobel Prize winner for literature and author of One Hundred Years of Solitude.

But there are lots of other interesting choices.

I had a chance to talk to Ingrid Veninger about her film The Animal Project which is NOT
Ingrid Veninger saying "Mask"
about rescuing animals (see Lion Ark for that over the weekend).  This is about an acting instructor, his relationship with his son, and the use of animal costumes to teach acting.  I haven't seen this one, but it sounds like Ingrid is doing something unique here.  And it's already won awards in other festivals.   Ingrid told me this is her fourth feature in five years.  I've decided I'm going to this one at 8:30 in the Museum.  And she'll be there to talk afterward. 

But watch the video of Ingrid Veninger here. 

The two mountain climbing docs are worth seeing.  The first repeats a 1963 climb of Everest and the second recreates a legendary mountain rescue in the Tetons.  In both films the original participants are interviewed to give their stories about the original events. 

The Iranian film, Everything is Fine Here, is an interesting film, not only because it's from Iran today, but also because of its look and feel.  The film was not approved for filming in Iran - it's about a rape and the effect on the woman and those around her.  It moves at a slower pace than American movies, so be ready for that.  The film makers were there Saturday and are schedule to still be in Anchorage so I'd guess they'll be there for this showing.  Anchorage is the US premiere of this film.

I'm going to see 7 Cajas on Saturday at 11:30 am.  Here's a link to a Huff Post description. It's apparently the biggest Paraguayan movie ever.  And you can see this Paraguyan film Saturday.

I'll go see the beginning of One for Ten at Loussac at 7pm
"Since [the death penalty was reinstated in the US in 1976], for every ten people that have been executed, one person has been exonerated and released from death row after spending an average of ten years in isolation."
And then to the Museum to see The Animal Project.  I have a hunch about this one. Ingrid is a good salesperson.  Again, check the video here.

Antarctica is supposed to be good.  I'll try to see it on the weekend.
9 Full Moons is a movie that reminds us how hard it is to pull off a good movie.  I saw it over the weekend.  There are interesting characters and some good scenes - I liked the interactions with the country western singer a lot - but it is long.  The movie has heart.  The film maker is scheduled to be there.  

And there's the Animal Project which I'm told is good and what I've read is intriguing.  And I've got a couple of free passes for it so email me if any one wants to go at 8:30pm at the Museum. Their press kit includes this short description:
"An unorthodox acting teacher (Aaron Poole) attempts to push a group of eager young performers out of their comfort zones, while struggling with his own ability to live an authentic and fulfilling life with his teenage son."

The Schedule:


Thursday, December 12th
5:30 PM
pourya azarbayjani 2012 | Feature | 75 min.
Alaska Experience Theater - Small Theater
5:45 PM


Documentary Program | 96 min.

Alaska Experience Theater - Large Theater
6:30 PM


Tomer Almagor | Feature | 103 min.
** Note: Filmmaker attending
Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center
7:00 PM


Documentary Program | 120 min.
Wilda Marston Theatre at Z. J. Loussac Public Library
7:45 PM


Anthony Powell 2013 | Documentary | 92 min.
Alaska Experience Theater - Small Theater
8:00 PM


Jaime Humberto Hermosillo 2010 | Feature | 115 min.
Alaska Experience Theater - Large Theater
8:00 PM


Juan Carlos Maneglia | Feature | 100 min.
Bear Tooth Theatre

8:30 PM


Ingrid Veninger | Feature | 77 min.

Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center
[UPDATE:  Dec. 12, 12:30am:  I originally posted this, by mistake, for Wednesday.  I fixed the title and now I've edited this to call more attention to The Animal Project playing at 8:30pm at the museum.]

My thoughts on Thursday.  Full schedule below.  

Juventad (Youth) is, I'm told, the pick for Thursday, 8pm at the Bear Tooth.  This is an autobiographical film by a well known Mexican director who will be at the screening.  Wikipedia says:
Jaime Humberto Hermosillo (born 22 January 1942) is a Mexican film director, often compared to Spain's Pedro Almodóvar.  Born in Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, in center Mexico, Hermosillo's films often explore the hypocrisy of middle-class Mexican values.
He's worked with Gabriel García Marquez, the Nobel Prize winner for literature and author of One Hundred Years of Solitude.

But there are lots of other interesting choices.

I had a chance to talk to Ingrid Veninger about her film The Animal Project which is NOT
Ingrid Veninger saying "Mask"
about rescuing animals (see Lion Ark for that over the weekend).  This is about an acting instructor, his relationship with his son, and the use of animal costumes to teach acting.  I haven't seen this one, but it sounds like Ingrid is doing something unique here.  And it's already won awards in other festivals.   Ingrid told me this is her fourth feature in five years.  I've decided I'm going to this one at 8:30 in the Museum.  And she'll be there to talk afterward. 

But watch the video of Ingrid Veninger here. 

The two mountain climbing docs are worth seeing.  The first repeats a 1963 climb of Everest and the second recreates a legendary mountain rescue in the Tetons.  In both films the original participants are interviewed to give their stories about the original events. 

The Iranian film, Everything is Fine Here, is an interesting film, not only because it's from Iran today, but also because of its look and feel.  The film was not approved for filming in Iran - it's about a rape and the effect on the woman and those around her.  It moves at a slower pace than American movies, so be ready for that.  The film makers were there Saturday and are schedule to still be in Anchorage so I'd guess they'll be there for this showing.  Anchorage is the US premiere of this film.

I'm going to see 7 Cajas on Saturday at 11:30 am.  Here's a link to a Huff Post description. It's apparently the biggest Paraguayan movie ever.  And you can see this Paraguyan film Saturday.

I'll go see the beginning of One for Ten at Loussac at 7pm
"Since [the death penalty was reinstated in the US in 1976], for every ten people that have been executed, one person has been exonerated and released from death row after spending an average of ten years in isolation."
And then to the Museum to see The Animal Project.  I have a hunch about this one. Ingrid is a good salesperson.  Again, check the video here.

Antarctica is supposed to be good.  I'll try to see it on the weekend.
9 Full Moons is a movie that reminds us how hard it is to pull off a good movie.  I saw it over the weekend.  There are interesting characters and some good scenes - I liked the interactions with the country western singer a lot - but it is long.  The movie has heart.  The film maker is scheduled to be there.  

And there's the Animal Project which I'm told is good and what I've read is intriguing.  And I've got a couple of free passes for it so email me if any one wants to go at 8:30pm at the Museum. Their press kit includes this short description:
"An unorthodox acting teacher (Aaron Poole) attempts to push a group of eager young performers out of their comfort zones, while struggling with his own ability to live an authentic and fulfilling life with his teenage son."

The Schedule:


Thursday, December 12th
5:30 PM
pourya azarbayjani 2012 | Feature | 75 min.
Alaska Experience Theater - Small Theater
5:45 PM


Documentary Program | 96 min.

Alaska Experience Theater - Large Theater
6:30 PM


Tomer Almagor | Feature | 103 min.
** Note: Filmmaker attending
Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center
7:00 PM


Documentary Program | 120 min.
Wilda Marston Theatre at Z. J. Loussac Public Library
7:45 PM


Anthony Powell 2013 | Documentary | 92 min.
Alaska Experience Theater - Small Theater
8:00 PM


Jaime Humberto Hermosillo 2010 | Feature | 115 min.
Alaska Experience Theater - Large Theater
8:00 PM


Juan Carlos Maneglia | Feature | 100 min.
Bear Tooth Theatre

8:30 PM


Ingrid Veninger | Feature | 77 min.

Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

AIFF 2013: Picks for Wednesday [Thrusday]

[UPDATE:  Dec. 12, 12:30am:  I originally posted this, by mistake, for Wednesday.  I fixed the title and now I've edited this to call more attention to The Animal Project playing at 8:30pm at the museum.]

My thoughts on Thursday.  Full schedule below.  

Juventad (Youth) is, I'm told, the pick for Thursday, 8pm at the Bear Tooth.  This is an autobiographical film by a well known Mexican director who will be at the screening.  Wikipedia says:
Jaime Humberto Hermosillo (born 22 January 1942) is a Mexican film director, often compared to Spain's Pedro Almodóvar.  Born in Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, in center Mexico, Hermosillo's films often explore the hypocrisy of middle-class Mexican values.
He's worked with Gabriel García Marquez, the Nobel Prize winner for literature and author of One Hundred Years of Solitude.

But there are lots of other interesting choices. 

I had a chance to talk to Ingrid Veninger about her film The Animal Project which is NOT
Ingrid Veninger saying "Mask"
about rescuing animals (see Lion Ark for that over the weekend).  This is about an acting instructor, his relationship with his son, and the use of animal costumes to teach acting.  I haven't seen this one, but it sounds like Ingrid is doing something unique here.  And it's already won awards in other festivals.   Ingrid told me this is her fourth feature in five years.  I've decided I'm going to this one at 8:30 in the Museum.  And she'll be there to talk afterward. 

But watch the video of Ingrid Veninger here. 

The two mountain climbing docs are worth seeing.  The first repeats a 1963 climb of Everest and the second recreates a legendary mountain rescue in the Tetons.  In both films the original participants are interviewed to give their stories about the original events. 

The Iranian film, Everything is Fine Here, is an interesting film, not only because it's from Iran today, but also because of its look and feel.  The film was not approved for filming in Iran - it's about a rape and the effect on the woman and those around her.  It moves at a slower pace than American movies, so be ready for that.  The film makers were there Saturday and are schedule to still be in Anchorage so I'd guess they'll be there for this showing.  Anchorage is the US premiere of this film.

I'm going to see 7 Cajas on Saturday at 11:30 am.  Here's a link to a Huff Post description. It's apparently the biggest Paraguayan movie ever.  And you can see this Paraguyan film Saturday.

I'll go see the beginning of One for Ten at Loussac at 7pm
"Since [the death penalty was reinstated in the US in 1976], for every ten people that have been executed, one person has been exonerated and released from death row after spending an average of ten years in isolation."
And then to the Museum to see The Animal Project.  I have a hunch about this one. Ingrid is a good salesperson.  Again, check the video here.

Antarctica is supposed to be good.  I'll try to see it on the weekend.
9 Full Moons is a movie that reminds us how hard it is to pull off a good movie.  I saw it over the weekend.  There are interesting characters and some good scenes - I liked the interactions with the country western singer a lot - but it is long.  The movie has heart.  The film maker is scheduled to be there.  

And there's the Animal Project which I'm told is good and what I've read is intriguing.  And I've got a couple of free passes for it so email me if any one wants to go at 8:30pm at the Museum. Their press kit includes this short description:
"An unorthodox acting teacher (Aaron Poole) attempts to push a group of eager young performers out of their comfort zones, while struggling with his own ability to live an authentic and fulfilling life with his teenage son."

The Schedule:


Thursday, December 12th
5:30 PM
pourya azarbayjani 2012 | Feature | 75 min.
Alaska Experience Theater - Small Theater
5:45 PM


Documentary Program | 96 min.

Alaska Experience Theater - Large Theater
6:30 PM


Tomer Almagor | Feature | 103 min.
** Note: Filmmaker attending
Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center
7:00 PM


Documentary Program | 120 min.
Wilda Marston Theatre at Z. J. Loussac Public Library
7:45 PM


Anthony Powell 2013 | Documentary | 92 min.
Alaska Experience Theater - Small Theater
8:00 PM


Jaime Humberto Hermosillo 2010 | Feature | 115 min.
Alaska Experience Theater - Large Theater
8:00 PM


Juan Carlos Maneglia | Feature | 100 min.
Bear Tooth Theatre

8:30 PM


Ingrid Veninger | Feature | 77 min.

Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center