THE DIRTIES at the Stateside

Tonight we went up to the State with Liz and Jared  to see the winner of the Narrative Film at the Slamdance 2013 Film Festival. Slamdance was created 20 years ago for the films that did not make it into Sundance.   All four of us just loved this film.  A film shot in Canada by some very talented filmmakers who were present for the Q&A.  Matt Johnson (director, leading actor and editor) and Owen Williams are remarkably genuine and appealing  in this  film about bullying and the deadly consequences that occur.  The subject matter is frightening and the talented Mr. Johnson handles it with enormous empathy for the two young outsiders treated so painfully badly by their bullying counterparts. You laugh lots before you sober up and sense danger.  Much of it is shot in local Canadian high schools and Canadian streets with non actors on a teeny budget.  Crew was a camera person and actors.   Mr. Johnson's Mom (on film and real life) is presented as a human, kind understanding parent.  There are no evil witches in this one.  Just people dealing with their imperfect lives and situations.  We all agreed this independent film could never have been shot in Hollywood.  It's way too real.  Highly recommended if you're in Dallas where it will be shown at the Dallas Film Festival.