Cinequest, San Jose's annual independent film festival, is nearing its closing date of Saturday, March 6, but there are still several action-packed days of events and films left. Check www.cinequest.org for details and ticket sales.
Thursday, March 4 at 7pm, Benjamin Bratt will be receiving a Maverick Spirit Award at a presentation including a screening of his new film, "La Mission," and a 30-minute conversation between Bratt and his writer/director/co-producer brother, Peter Bratt.
Friday, March 5 is the Day of the Writer, focusing on comedy and including the presentation of a Maverick Spirit Award to Terry Zweigoff, writer of the "Ghost World" screenplay, among others. The event will include a moderated discussion with Zweigoff. After the event Terry Zwigoff will sign DVDs, Posters, CDs and Books for charity, benefitting People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). In the evening, Friday Night Silent Films continues with Ernst Lubitsch's "The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg," presented at the California Theater with Dennis James at the Wurlitzer organ.
Saturday, March 6 is packed with Maverick Artist and Innovator Forums, covering distribution, 3D Cinema, and the art of maverick filmmaking. At 11 AM, there's the Adobe Youth Voices event, presenting films made by young people from around the Bay and around the world. In the evening, of course, is the Closing Night gala, with a screening of "Mother," a South Korean film about a mother determined to prove her son's innocence. After the screening, join filmmakers and film lovers at South First Billiards for pool, drinks, and music.
The excitement continues after closing night with encore screenings of the Cinequest award-winning films announced at the closing ceremonies. All day March 7 at Camera 12 the films will be screened one more time so you can catch them. Films and Times will be announced on March 6.
There are over thirty-five film screenings at the festival on Friday and Saturday, of everything from short film compilations to feature-length dramas, documentaries, and comedies. There's something here for just about any taste, particularly those who tire of the same-old, same-old comfort food movies churned out by Hollywood the rest of the year. Cinequest makes it easy to see films that otherwise might never grace our local cinemas, so don't miss this opportunity to check them out. See www.cinequest.org for the full schedule of films and events as well as summaries, and www.ealasaid.com/cineblog/ for Ealasaid Haas and Fred Crow's reviews of the films they've seen so far.
This year, as part of its twentieth anniversary festivities, Cinequest will be bestowing one of its rare Life of a Maverick Awards on Deepak Chopra. Cinequest Director and Co-Founder Halfdan Hussey sat down to explain a little of the process behind choosing Chopra.
The Life of a Maverick Award, Hussey explains, "is about people whose lives touch upon film, they do film in some way, or a film has been made about them. The way they've lived really epitomizes the maverick spirit, which for us is innovation, originality, doing things that are provocative, thinking -- to use the cliche -- outside the box, that kind of spirit. So, pushing boundaries."
Since this year's festival is a significant anniversary, choosing an interesting recipient was a must. "This year, for the twentieth anniversary, we were thinking, who would be somebody who would really really sum up the maverick spirit in a way that would excite us, our tradition, and really get people thinking and feeling and talking and discussing, provoke them?"
Chopra has, in recent years, gotten involved in film, working with his family to bring a comic book series to the big screen and writing other screenplays as well. "The main reason [we chose] Deepak is that we feel at Cinequest that art has transformative power. One of the reasons we do film and we want to bring forward maverick cinema is we feel it can change people. ... Deepak Chopra's life is about transformation to us." Hussey went on to talk about Chopra's busy, complex life, which has included a stint as the head of a hospital here in the US. The stress of his position drove him to heavy drinking and smoking, and his resulting poor health spurred his interest in holistic medicine. For more on Chopra's life and to buy tickets for his appearance at the festival, see www.cinequest.org.
While Chopra is best known for his holistic and spiritual writing, Hussey sees him as a thought-provoking figure for the arts as well. "What it has to do with art, to me, and what the focus of his conversation here is going to be, is Joseph Campbell said the new priests will be the artists. The old priests, it doesn't work quite as well because the old religions and rituals have kind of lost their energy in some ways, so now the artists have to come in and provide these transformative, epiphanic moments for people. We think he's a really great person to talk about that power that film or writing has on individuals, and to go on to some topics that are, even within our office, highly controversial. ... To discuss concepts of energy in art: is it real or is it not? If you have violence in a movie, does it create an energy of violence, or is it more of a catharsis? There are these very interesting, provocative topics we can bring in with somebody whose life is really about transformations, mind-body connections, energy work, spiritual consciousness, and consciousness."
"That's the reason for [us choosing] Deepak Chopra, those topics of transformation, consciousness and art, responsibility of artists or nonresponsibility of artists to their audience, and their community, and their society. We're not, at Cinequest, here to say we have a particular belief in this stuff, but to open up the conversations."
Chopra will be presented with the award at an event at the California Theater on Tuesday, March 2, at 7pm. See www.cinequest.org for tickets and details.
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.
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.
Friday, March 6 is the Day of the Writer, with forums and panels starting at 9:30 AM two tracks in the morning, one focused on film noir and the other on more general screenwriting. The day culminates at 3:00 PM with a Maverick Spirit Event featuring this year's Maverick Spirit Award winner, Diablo Cody.
In the evening, there will be a screening of D.W. Griffith's epic, "Intolerance." Last Friday, Cinequest showed "The Birth of a Nation," Griffith's controversial masterwork. "Intolerance" was Griffith's answer to those who accused him of racism in "Birth of a Nation." Its four separate but parallel plotlines trace intolerance in different ages of humanity. Presented on the big screen in a restored print and accompanied by Dennis James on the magnificent Wurlitzer organ.
Saturday, March 7 there are two Film and Innovation Forums. "Lights, Cameras... P2" at 11:00 AM is a look at the new solid state filmmaking method from Panasonic. "The Business of Art" at 1:30 PM offers a panel of filmmakers, agents, producers, and distributors discussing the challenges of the business side of filmmaking.
Sunday, March 8, after a day packed with screenings, the closing festivities kick off at 7:30 PM with a screening of "The Nature of Existence," Roger Nygard's documentary about the big questions. The film is followed by a closing night party with appetizers, desserts, cocktails and entertainment at E & O Trading Co.
There are over fifty film screenings at the festival between Friday and Sunday, of everything from short film compilations to feature-length dramas, documentaries, and comedies. There's something here for just about any taste, particularly those who tire of the same-old, same-old comfort food movies churned out by Hollywood the rest of the year. Cinequest makes it easy to see films that otherwise might never grace our local cinemas, so don't miss this opportunity to check them out. See www.cinequest.org for the full schedule of films and events as well as summaries, and www.ealasaid.com/cineblog/ for Ealasaid Haas and Fred Crow's reviews of the films they've seen so far.
Cinequest 2009
I've noticed an interesting happening taking place within Indie films during the past few years. It's the arrival of Hollywood mainstream tallent. Seems that the Indie has gained a legitimate face and has attracted the more seasoned film denizens into the genre. Maybe its a way to hone their skills. Maybe its a way to tell their different stories. Regardless, some big names are entering into the Indie film fray.
And their entrance can be good and bad. Good, that the focus of talent and experience entering into the Indie world will continue to raise the level of film quality. Bad, that Hollywood tends to take over and surpress that which doesn't conform to its own image; If a film isn't commercial it doesn't get supported.
I wonder where the Independent will be in ten to fifteen year if the trend continues. Last year Cinequest brought us Minni Driver in "Take." This year were treated to the vernerable Frank Langella and the always enjoyable Elliiott Gould in "The Call."
Will we see oscar nominations for future films? Dunno. I suppose it depends on whether Hollywood wants to continue playing in the Indie pond. I do know I've seen some great and engaging work that could rival box office ticket sales - given a chance. We'll see.
Cinequest 2009 has arrived and it's time to enjoy the energies and creativity of the film maker. The screen doesn't get much better than this.
Every year, filmmakers and appreciators of independent cinema from around the world converge on San Jose for Cinequest, the annual celebration of maverick filmmaking. Last year, Cinequest had over 80,000 attendees and over 500 of them filmmakers for the two-week event. This year's festival runs from February 25 through March 8, 2009, and will be packed full of independent films from all over the world.
Cinequest is held in downtown San Jose at a collection of venues within walking distance of each other. Films will be shown at the California Theater, Camera 12 Cinemas, and San Jose Repertory Theater. There are also several hotels close by for out-of-towners and plenty of restaurants as well.
This year's festival includes 18 world premieres and eight US premieres, and films from all over the world and of all genres. There are documentaries and thrillers, dramas and comedies. Whatever genre you like, it's sure to be represented. There are also two silent films being screened on Friday February 27th and Friday March 6th at the California Theater, with accompaniment on the theater's Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. The films are DW Griffith's "Birth of a Nation," his controversial masterpiece, and "Intolerance," his response to those who accused him of racism for "Birth of a Nation."
The Maverick Spirit Events at Cinequest each year are very popular, and this year looks like it will be no exception. Comedian and actor Kevin Pollock ("The Usual Suspects," "Numb") will present an evening of stand-up tailored for the festival March 4th at 7:00 PM, followed by a retrospective of his career and an award ceremony. Screenwriter and author Diablo Cody ("Juno," "The United States of Tara") will receive an award and engage the audience in a moderated discussion.
Cinequest also has a series of forums on films and filmmaking. Friday, March 6th is the Day of the Writer, with forums on Film Noir, the writing process, and more from creenwriters including Richard Walter, Lew Hunter, and Hal Ackerman. There are other Film and Innovation forums throughout the festival, covering topics from distribution to the newest technology available to independent filmmakers. See www.cinequest.org/special_events.php for more information.
As usual, Ealasaid Haas and Fred Crow will be reviewing as many films as they possibly can at Cinequest, starting very soon. Watch this space or visit their on line Cinequest headquarters at www.ealasaid.com/cineblog/ for their reviews.
Whatever your angle, if you're interested in independent film Cinequest is well worth checking out. Below are brief guides for some of the many sorts of folks who might enjoy attending. Be sure to check the Films and Events listings at www.cinequest.org to confirm times, check out new additions, and buy tickets.
| SIDEBAR: Buying Tickets and Passes
Buying Tickets or Passes: www.cinequest.org, 408.295.FEST (295-3378), or at the box office of any Cinequest venue. |
GENERAL GUIDELINES:
* Unless you buy the Elite Pass, which gets you into the express line, be sure to show up early for films. This reviewer usually plans to show up at least 30 minutes ahead of time, pass in hand.
* There are plenty of places to eat downtown, though many of them are a bit pricey. Remember to schedule time to eat if you're planning to see a lot of movies in a row, even if you just stick a granola bar in your pocket. Water is also important -- most venues will allow bottles of water with sports tops.
* The events and forums can sell out, so unless you want to depend on rush tickets, get your tickets as far in advance as you can.
* Parking is usually scarce and pricey during Cinequest, so if at all possible, take public transit. There are park-and-ride lots at man light rail stations, and light rail you drop you off right in the heart of the festival. Save money, time, and the environment!
* Unless you're attending screenings and events all at the same building, wear comfy shoes for walking. It's farther from the Camera 12 Cinemas to the California Theater than you probably think!
* Not sure what to see or what to avoid? Check out www.ealasaid.com/cineblog for reviews. New ones are posted frequently.
FILM LOVER
You're sort of person who makes up such a big portion of Cinequest's attendees that there's a special pass just for you. It will get you into any film screening (provided you are early enough in line that they don't run out of space) without having to buy tickets.
Planning: Check out the list of films at http://cinequest.org/films.php and the reviews at www.ealasaid.com/cineblog to make a list of films you're interested in seeing, then cross-check them with the evenings you're available on the schedule at http://cinequest.org/schedule.php
Tickets: If you're going to see more than 12 films, get a Film Lover Pass ($125.00) to get the most bang for your buck. Otherwise, the bundle of ten tickets for $75 or individual tickets for $10 are the way to go.
FILM MAKER
Love movies, and love learning about making them? You'll want to see as many movies as you can as well as attending the forums.
Planning: Mark off the next two Friday-Saturday pairs in your calendar and plan to spend them downtown. The forums run all day Friday February 27, Saturday February 28, and Saturday March 7. You can attend individual sections of the forums if you can't make the full day. Also take a look at the film schedule to see what you can take in -- after all, you need to see what sort of things are being done to get ideas and learn what to avoid!
Tickets: For movie tickets, see Film Lover above. The forums are $15/day. If you're planning to attend all the forums and a bunch of movies, consider the Films and Forums pass ($135), which will get you into any films and into all the film and technology forums.
FILM FANATIC
Love movies and anybody who makes them? You won't want to miss the movies OR the Maverick Spirit Events, where filmmakers like Danny Glover, Michael Keaton, and Michael Arndt talk about their experiences. Also be sure to make it to the parties if you can, where the creators of films showing at Cinequest will be milling around, happy to talk about their movies.
Planning: See Film Lover, above, and look at the events schedule at http://cinequest.org/special_events.php
Tickets: Individual events are $10-$15, and if you're planning to attend a lot of films as well as the events, take a look at the Premier Pass ($195). It covers the Maverick Spirit Events, Film Forums, and all the film screenings.
FESTIVAL JUNKIE
Don't want to miss a single thing at Cinequest? Forums, films, events, parties, even the VIP lounge? Well, there's a special angle just for you, if you have the time and money.
Planning: Schedule a vacation from work and look through the entire schedule online at http://cinequest.org/schedule.php to see what all you want to attend.
Tickets: The Elite Pass ($500) is the way to go. It gets you into everything, plus express entry so you don't have to show up as early or wait in line as long.