CineBlog

The Lease Among You

Cinequest 2009

"The Least Among You" (writer/director Mark Young) is a drama based on the early life of Dr. Charles Marks, a man who desired corporate success but whose destiny became entwined with spiritual endeavors.

Walking into the wrong place at the wrong time, Richard Kelley (Cedric Sanders) is swept up into police custody during the 1965 Watts’ riots. being innocent but unable to prove it, he accepts a sentence of probation the requires him to attend the local seminary. At the all-white bible school, a place that should be a fortress of tolerance and understanding, Kelly faces racism and bigotry, and the greatest trial of all, that of his spirit. Kelly receives special guidance from Samuel, the janitor (Lou Gossett Jr.) who lives in the basement of his dormitory. With positive perspective and a dedicated perseverance, Kelly finds his way through the maze of racial mire to succeed in the world of religion.

“Least…” is not a perfect film, but it does provide a telling reminder that sanctioned discrimination was not that long ago, that civil rights wasn’t always national policy, and that opportunities weren’t always equal for all. It was a sad time. The film also offers a touching hope that we are conquering and overcoming our past and that the color of skin no longer bars the path to the future. “The Least Among You” shows we’ve come a long way. It also shows we’ve still a ways yet to go.

Featured are tv and film denizens William Devane and Lauren Holly.

Excerpts from an interview with Roger Nygard

The director of "The Nature of Existence" gave us a few minutes before the closing night screening of his film, which traces his own journey to find the answers to the big questions: why do we exist? Does God exist? What is sin? How can we find happiness? For more on the film, including footage that was cut from the final edit, see www.thenatureofexistence.com.

Did you find anyone not willing to talk to you?

Yes. It's rare, but celebrities, as you could imagine, are hard to pin down because they've got a lot of people who want their time. The true believers and the scientists are easy. Anyone who had doubts about what they believe in, they were the ones who were reluctant, because they're having a hard enough time erecting this believe system. I think that requires so much energy that it's very difficult for them to debate or get into it without self-questioning, whereas someone who's a true believer? No problem. They're exhilarated.

Did you find your own thoughts changing?

Every interview I did changed my thoughts because I learned from everone I met. A lot of my suspicions were confirmed, and a lot of thing I had no concept of changed my beliefs. Like, Jainists are the oldest living religion on the planet. They've been continuously practicing their belief system for somewhere over 3000 years. They came from the same source as Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism. If your criteria for who's right is longevity, you gotta give it to the Jains. If your criteria is something else, then you could discount that. but anyway that was interesting to me, I had no idea they even existed until I started investigating.

Will this film be a stepping stone to another project?

I have lots of ideas. I considered: what would be an even more difficult, incomprehensible topic than the nature of existence? Maybe the nature of marriage, the concept of marriage. I'd love to get into that and the minutia. Why do we get married? How does it work? Why doesn't it work? Should divorce be outlawed? Should we even be using the word "marriage?" Arranged marriages, gay marriage. It's a substantive topic. All I know is: if it fascinates me, it'll keep me interested enough to finish editing.

Do you have a process you go through when you put together your films?

It's a journey. For me, I write questions down. My documentaries are not like your typical documentary. I think they're seriously flawed in the typical sense of a documentary. Usually a documentary is about one person or a small group of people. It's a story with a beginning, middle and an end. Maybe it ends with a trial or a verdict of some kind, did they make it on a sports team, did they win or lose. My documentaries are more issue-oriented and it's harder to hold someone's attention a story for ninety minutes without a story. Finding that narrative thread in an issue-oriented documentary is very challenging.

Cinequest 19 Wraps

Cinequest, San Jose's annual film festival celebrating maverick filmmakers, ended Sunday, March 8 with a gala, a packed screening of Roger Nygard's ("Trekkies," "Suckers") new documentary "The Nature of Existence," and a party at the E & O Trading Co. in downtown San Jose. There were many filmmakers and film fans in attendance, and awards were given out for the jury selections. The votes for the audience awards were still being tabulated.

This year had a wide variety of films and events for film fans and filmmakers of all genres and interests, with numerous national and international premieres. If you missed out on some of the films, don't despair. Cinequest is emphasizing distribution in the coming months, both with downloads and DVDs. See www.cinequestonline.org for details.

Cinequest 20 is next year, February 24- March 7, 2010. But if you don't want to wait until then, you don't have to. Cinequest offers numerous mentoring opportunities like Adobe Youth Voices/Cinequest Filmmaking Camp, now in its third year. This month-long filmmaking program offers young people the chance to make their own short films and work with professional filmmakers. There are also screenings in San Pedro Square during the summer, organized by Cinequest.

All About Dad

Cinequest 2009

in "All About Dad" we're allowed entry into the changing world of a family steeped in paternal tradition and impacted by the new world environment. The father is ramrod stiff demanding family tradition and Vietnamese ways, while his young ones, living in modern America, now have different and independent thoughts.

Conflict against change emerges between father (Chi Pham) and Ty (David Huyhn), his college student son who no longer sees himself marching to his father's expectations. Conflict also erupts between the father and daughter, Xaon (Nanrisa Lee), who gave her heart to an unbeliever (Buddhist). The family is strict catholic. Mom (Yen Ly) steps in and provides that famiila connection that returns the family to common ground.

The story is well written, tightly filmed, and nicely acted. I've seen such family discussions in my lifetime, and thankfully, the film turns out a positive conclusion not always possible in other lives. Well done.

Excerpts from an interview with Lou Gossett Jr

Cinequest 2009

March 3 Screening: The Least Among You

Lou Gossett Jr. was on hand at the screening of the film, "The Least Among You" and to receive the Cinequest Maverick Spirit Award. I had but a few minutes with the multi-award winning actor. He very graciously consented to answer a few questions.

You’ve played a wide variety of characters - how do you choose different characters?

Well, there’s a new crop of people casting movies now, so they don’t really know me. They are rediscovering me now so we’ll see what they have top say…It’s nice to be fresh - a fresh face after 55 years, right?! But all the people calling the shots are brand new, they weren’t even born when I got there. It feels nice to be exposed to the new kids.

With three films in release and two in post production, how do you keep up with the pace?

Well, it looks like it was on purpose, but those films didn’t take long for me to do - I wish the big guys would call me. I’m doing films that I’m offered. What I do most of the time is work with my foundation, which is the ERACISM foundation. I travel with that. I will see Bishop Tutu tomorrow about coupling my foundation with his.

What was the inspiration for tonight’s screening of “The Least Among You?”

My association with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America was the inspiration for the movie (The Least Among You); It fits right into my life.

Going through the 50s and 60s - did you see racism then?

If you want to call it racism - it was abscentsia, “It” didn’t exist. You had to play the game, do the best you can. Now it’s a different story. And we have a lot of catching up to do. We’re going in that direction, but we really have to do it. I wish I had been able to play those parts when I was younger, but that’s okay.

Are there any parts you’d still like to play?

Jomo Kenyetta, Greatest cowboy in the west, Bass Reeves - he was more successful than Wyatt Earp. There are so many people…Frederick Douglas, there are so many to do….

Are there stories you’d like to tell?

There are a lot of stories, a lot of stories that our children need to know, how important they are, where they come from. They don’t realize where they come from. So they create a subculture - some of it good and some of it bad - but if they really knew. Which is what my foundation is about. Where they come from and how to behave, like we did in the old days. We could have some responsible Americans, which is what is needed. So there’s a lot of work to do, a good work, but a lot of work.

Cinequest Nearing Completion

Cinequest, San Jose's annual independent film festival, is nearing its closing date of Sunday, March 8, but there are still several action-packed days of events and films left. Check www.cinequest.org for details and ticket sales.

Whiz Kids

Cinequest 2009

Whiz Kids held a sneak preview screening Sunday, March 1. The film is a documentary covering the lives of three participants in the Intel Science Talent Search. Each is a high school student with a passion for making profound advancements in science. While most 17 year-olds play Nintendo or whatever, these Whiz Kids are planning to change our future. America sits lonely at the bottom of the science and math balance, well behind most other first - and some second - world nations. Who wants a doctor who can blast his way to the top of a video game but has poor surgery skills? These kids provide a spark of hope that our future might still be in good hands. I hope this film makes a commercial splash and impacts the minds of some of our young people. We could use their help in making our tomorrow. This documentary was very well done.

The Photograph

Cinequest 2009

"The Photograph" made its North American Premiere at Cinequest and is a must see. “The Photograph is one of my two top films of the festival (so far). The other is “Capers.” The Photograph is Indonesian with English subtitles. It played to a full house Sunday and impacted every seat holder in attendance. Poignant in telling, delicate in acting, generous in filming, “The Photograph” opens us to the lives of two desperate people; Sita, a lounge singer and brothel dweller who is on the outs with her pimp, and Mr. Johan, a photographer, knowing he’s reached the end of his days. To fulfill a promise to himself and his dead he needs an apprentice to pass on his skills. The two come together under unlikely circumstances and bond, then conflict, then bond again, each supporting the other in their needs. This is a top notch film. If you’re available, “The Photograph” plays again Saturday, March 7, 11:15am. Certainly worth the effort.

Get brunette

Cinequest 2009

Get Brunette (Russian - English subtitles) is a drama/comedy that almost works. I have respect for the Eastern Block film makers - remember last year’s delightful gem, “Konyec.” However, “Get Brunette” could have been told better. Masha and Leopold lived in a makeshift dwelling on the beach, until it is blown up. Then they end up on the lam after stumbling into a robbery by their uncle and are chased cross country by the police for a crime they didn’t commit, and for a personal violation of a neighbor girl that never happened. The filming appeared manic leaving important parts unclear. On a scale of one to whatever, the film was okay. Interesting views of Russian life. But I wouldn't rush to see it.

Shorts 3 - Animation

Cinequest 2009

Shorts 3 is a series of animated shorts that is not for young minds. Of the ten titles, one was sublime; “Our Wonderful Nature” - a simple tale of the mating habits of the water shrew...absolutely hilarious. The remaining were interesting, serious, ironic, weird, and touching: “Slaves’ was a heartrending conversation with 9 and 15 year olds freed from government sponsored slavery in Sudan. And one, (Chainsaw), was pornographic. Pushing the envelope is one thing. Showing porn for the sake of porn was a regrettable choice.

Shorts 5 - Letting Off Steam

Cinequest 2009

Shorts 5 - Letting Off Steam is a series of films with a serious twist or two. There were the weird (Hour of Death) and touching (Water Pills), and one was regrettably pornographic (Love You More). Hollywood continues to enter the Indi world with Winona Ryder in, "Water Pills." She does a great job, but I still look forward to seeing the new, unproven but ready and capable emerging talent that awaits to be discovered.

Side bar: I believe there is more nudity this year than last, and more than the year before. And mostly unnecessary to the story essence, flow, or drama. Most that I’ve seen has been gratuitous, and doesn't move the thread/theme along.

Fallen Angel: The Outlaw Larry Norman

Remaining screenings: March 4, 9:30 PM (Cam 12); March 6, 4:30 PM (Cam 12)

Larry Norman was one of the earliest Christian rockers. He got his start in the San Jose music scene of the seventies as lead singer of People before going solo and focusing on his religious experiences as the source of his music. While his music was filled with faith and the preaching of the gospel, his personal and professional conduct created controversy and alienated those closest to him. "Fallen Angel" traces his career with a blend of interviews (mostly of his friends and associates; Norman himself refused to be involved and only stock interview footage of him is included) and video and audio footage of his performances. The pacing fails a little toward the end of the film, but the story is an intriguing one, and "Fallen Angel" is worth seeing if you are interested in Christian music or in the career arcs of musicians like Norman.

Closing Night: The Nature of Existence

Screening: Closing night March 8, 7:30 PM (Cal). Followed by a party. See www.cinequest.org for details.

Why do we exist? What is truth? How can we be happy? These are questions humans have asked ourselves for centuries. Director Roger Nygard ("Trekkies") found himself asking these age old questions, and set out to find the answers. He traveled around the world, asking everyone from his neighbor's kids to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (The Art of Living) to Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion) to Chinese Taoist Master Zhang Chengda. The result is "The Nature of Existence," a documentary by turns touching, challenging, and funny. This is a must-see film for those who think they have the answers and those who are still figuring out the questions.

Raging Grannies

Screenings: March 7, 2:00 PM (Cam 12); March 8 12:00 PM (Cam 12)

Just because you're in the AARP doesn't mean you have to hang up your protesting hat and go quietly into retirement. Raging Grannies is a large organization, with "gaggles," or local groups all over the country (including locally in San Jose). These women gather to perform street theater, and engage in nonviolent protest for a variety of causes. "Raging Grannies" documents some of their local efforts, introducing us to their personalities and methods, as well as some of the group's history. Founded in the eighties to protest a nuclear submarine, the group now takes on everything from the military recruiting in public schools to violations of women's rights. It's hard not to love these flamboyant, principled ladies.

The Man Who Loved Yngve

Remaining screenings: March 5, 4:30 PM (Cam 12); March 7, 2:00 PM (Cal)

It's 1989 and Jarle has it all: he's the singer and lead guitarist of the awesomest punk band in town, he has a beautiful girlfriend, and his best friend is the coolest guy around. Then the new kid in class, Yngve, shows up and everything starts falling apart. Jarle falls hard for Yngve and before he knows it he's letting down everyone else in his life to spend time with this strange boy who loves synth pop and tennis and looking for animals in the clouds. There's an odd mix of the adorable and and the serious in the film, but it works. As cute as this twist on the teen romance can be, there were serious implications to two boys falling in love in the late eighties, and "The Man Who Loved Yngve" neither shies away from them nor overplays them. This is a sweet, angsty teen romance at its heart, regardless of the genders of its heroes.