Hey folks, Harry here with Annette Kellerman's SXSW report... or at least the first one of the fest from her. She reports in most every year with a few tasty morsels... come check out what she slurped down this fest!
Hello all! Annette Kellerman here, submitting my yearly SXSW report. This year's fest has been fantastic so far, with a staggering number of excellent films and events.
At the very top of that list is a film some of you have probably heard about already- SUPER SIZE ME. Wow and wow are the first words that come to mind. Every year there is always one documentary film that stands above and beyond the rest and this year SUPER SIZE ME accomplishes this feat in every possible way. For those of you who don't know the details already, director Morgan Spurlock embarks on an on-camera mission to eat nothing but three square meals a day from McDonalds for thirty days. Inspired by a lawsuit against the fast food chain by two teenage girls claiming their obesity is a result of eating McDonalds, Spurlock sets out to determine what effect his new diet will have on his own health. The film also addresses problems like fast food and sodas in schools, the choices the average American makes when deciding what to eat, the role that advertisers and big business play in what we consume, and the sedentary lifestyles of most Americans today. While very informative, SUPER SIZE ME also entertains. Spurlock manages to save what could've been a talking head documentary by including hilarious animation, fun camera tricks, as well as hijinks of his own to help illustrate the commentary. As a result, the film hits a perfect equilibrium between educating and engaging. You won't be checking your watch during this one, but you may think twice the next time you're asked,"Would you like to super-size that?" I whole-heartedly recommend this film to anyone searching for the next big award-winning documentary because SUPER SIZE ME is it.
A narrative feature at this year's fest that I found to be most notable is Jim Jarmusch's COFFEE AND CIGARETTES. The film is actually a collection of black and white vignettes, completely independent of one another, featuring such actors as Roberto Begnini, Alfred Molina, and Cate Blanchette. Each installment aptly centers around coffee, cigarettes, and whatever scenario Jarmusch sees fit to put them in. Although some sections may fall slightly flat, there are other segments that definitely pick up the slack. For instance, who would've guessed the genius chemistry between the (Dr.)RZA, the GZA, and Bill Murray as they ponder the evil of caffeine and nicotine? And seeing Iggy Pop and (Dr.)Tom Waits share a cigarette "because we quit" is good fun. Another favorite, though, would have to be Jack and Meg White and Jack's Tesla coil. There are a few subtle themes that are carried throughout, however each scenario unfolds independently and wraps up even more quickly than it begins. Jarmusch creates a situational playground for his actors, who are able to display their talents in a landscape devoid of most distractions-except for their two favorite distractions of all, coffee and cigarettes. For Jarmusch fans, this film is a must-see. For those of you that are not as familiar with his work and style, it will be a pleasure to sit back and enjoy a film that doesn't acquiesce to the conventions of mainstream cinema, yet delivers an overall great film experience.
As far as local Austin films at SXSW this year, DEAR PILLOW is a definite standout. Directed and produced by UT grads Bryan Poyser and Jacob Vaughn, respectively, DEAR PILLOW is a coming of age story in the age of pornography. The story centers around seventeen year old Wesley and his discovery that his neighbor gets paid to write forum letters for the porno mag "Dear Pillow." Soon Wesley himself is joining in the fun, testing his writing skills in his own imaginative and overtly descriptive letters to Dear Pillow. For anyone who is prudish about sexually explicit language, this film will definitely make you blush. Ironically, the film is all talk and no walk, with not one frame of actual sex or nudity. What could end up as a seedy and gratuitous sexploitation film instead evolves into a poignant story of a kid from a broken home trying to discover an identity, sexual and personal, of his own. Check out DEAR PILLOW if you get a chance.
Rounding out my first SXSW report is the music documentary FIVE SIDES OF A COIN. Directed by Paul Kell, the film chronicles the dawn of hip hop music, the culture surrounding it, and those first artists who pioneered the now universal art form. According to Kell, the term "five sides of a coin" illustrates the five main outlets in the hip hop culture: the MC, the DJ, beat breakin', beatboxing, and graffiti. Incorporating interviews from old schoolers like Afrika Bambaataa, Kool Herc, and Jazzy Jay along with new schoolers like DJ Q-Bert and DJ Craze, the film explores how each of the five sides of hip hop culture are intertwined. At a quick 70 minutes, the film packs in a ton of information plus some social commentary concerning the influence of hip hop culture on today's youth by the artists themselves. I hope you get a chance to check it out.
I'll be sending in another report on the rest of the fest as soon as possible. There are only a few days left, but still so much to see! Tomorrow, I'll be checking out BLACKBALLED starring "Television's Rob Cordry" as well as a crazy documentary at midnight at the Alamo Drafthouse called SNAKE HUNT: THESE RATTLES AIN'T FOR BABIES. Word on the street says they're going to have a thrill show with live rattlesnakes before the screening. Either way, it's supposed to be ridiculous fun! Maybe I'll see you there.
Until next time,
Annette
