SXSW VIII

First film of the day was  BETTER THIS WORLD, a doc about two young men from Midland Texas who become politicized and involved with a group who plan to disrupt the Republican National Convention.  An FBI informant meets with them for 6 months, fuels their dissatisfaction with government and entraps them in a molotov cocktail set-up.  Two 22 y.o.s who refuse to testify against each other and end up doing time.  One young man has been released and met with us for a Q&A.  Very articulate, intelligent and passionate about changing the way gov't does business. We really liked this movie and I found it gut-wrenching.

This evening  was ANOTHER HAPPY DAY a movie produced by Ellen Barkin who also had the leading role. A story of SERIOUS family dysfunction in an upper class family of blended parents and children.  She doesn't let you come up for air and each scene was a major dramatic symptom of family blight (drugs, rehab, mutilation, Apsberger's syndrome, domestic violence).   Her characters were stereotyped silly.  The adolescent druggie son was a great actor and while Ellen Burstyn is a favorite of mine she didn't come close to affecting me.  In addition Abe thought that Ellen Barkin looked like a veteran prize fighter.  I guess you can tell we didn't like the film.

I auditioned last evening and was cast in a student short film that will be shown at the Jumpcut Festival at the Alamo Ritz on April 10.  A really nice way to end this day.