Pam Is In The House

So Abe's been planning this lunch at the 4 Seasons for a week now...telling me he wants to take me out to celebrate my first live theater performance.  Not his usual style but I figure he's making an effort to be attentive.  He was weird about the time...like telling me I couldn't go to Body Pump because we had to be there at 12:45.  WTF?  Weird...but I went along.  And there I was in the Lobby Lounge when Pam appears.  I wish someone took a photo of my gaping mouth for 5 minutes.  And tonight she saw this wonderful play with Liz, Jared, Reed and Abe and I am dancin', dancin', dancin!  3 days with my Pammy!  Bliss!

Passover in Austin 2013

You know you're not in NYC when you walk into your local HEB, a market I love and visit regularly, and there is no matzoh, no farfel (matzoh crumbs), no overly priced fudgy brownie mix made with matzoh meal.  When staff looks at you curiously because they are so trying to be helpful when I ask where matzoh and Passover products are you feel "different."  And I am reminded that I have always elevated being different to a higher status than fitting in.  My choices have always been different given my culture growing up in the 50's in the Bronx.  I didn't become a teacher, I didn't marry a doctor, lawyer, or accountant, I didn't move to the suburbs but to Brooklyn where we lived in a loft half under street level.  When it came time to send Josh and Liz to public school we didn't have them tested for the "gifted" programs but allowed them to go across the street where being white and Jewish placed them in the category of "minority" big time.  Abe and I have hopefully communicated to them that it's not only OK to be different, it's preferable.  So in this context (and with some help from Central Market) we sat down to read the Haggadah (the story of Passover).  The story  of slaves in Egypt being freed with the help of an almighty God.  Abe is a true believer that these are "stories" and I have always been more mystical and accepting of "divine intervention."  So last night our family and Liz's boyfriend, Jared Kinsler sat down to read the story Jews have recited year after year, dipped parsley into salt water, hid the matzoh, opened the door for "Elijah", sang "Dayenu," recited the plagues, and of course ate!  There was matzoh ball soup, chicken, two kugels, pickles (a Jewish green vegetable), tsimmes (sweet potatoes, carrots and prunes) and Liz's favorite gooey brownies made with matzoh meal.  And the most important element in the night was that we were in a place, far from our roots, free to observe whatever it is we observe, free to be different, free to tell our story in our very different city.

Learning With Laurel Vouvray

I am 64 years old. I have had hundreds of teachers by this time in my life.  I have a Masters in Social Work and remember just a few teachers from those days (1970-1972).  My elementary school teachers in The Bronx at P.S. 108 were mostly Irish Catholic women who gave me the basics that I thank to this day.  I remember all of their names.  But when I left class with Laurel Vouvray today I was touched to my core.  I felt enlightened and opened by this master teacher who lifts you up to be a better you.  I love what she says to others.  She corrects and teaches in a way that doesn't diminish you.  She makes you eager to move forward and learn more about yourself, others, and the human condition.  The only downside for me is that I began this journey so late in my life.  And this from a person with years of therapy in my younger days.  I am filled with gratitude today.

SXSW Day #9 and It's A Wrap!

The last day of films was one of the best for us.  Two fine documentaries.  This morning was 'The Continental' about life in the 70's in NYC where gay guys met and partied at the steambaths in the gorgeous landmark Ansonia hotel, and where Bette Midler and Patty LaBelle had their starts in performance life. We always love these walks back in time to our very changed NYC home.  And this afternoon was the beautifully made documentary about the wrongly accused Michael Morton, 'An Unreal Dream.'  A good Q&A with a packed house of Texans who remembered this story well.
And so I ended my 4th SXSW film series as an Austinite.  Learned  how to better navigate this film festival, and how to better understand and watch films.  I am filled with admiration for the  filmmakers I have met at Q&As and on lines chatting about their work.  So many have  sacrificed so much to make their films and do what they love.  And for that I am filled with gratitude.  I have come away a more enlightened  and educated person.

SXSW Day #8

The highlight of my day was the people we met on line and our conversations with them.   Filmmakers, their spouses, UFT Communications professors and a student who reminded me he once met me when I read a part of a rabbi for an audition.  (I was cast as a homeless bicycle thief for that one.)
'12 O'Clock Boys' was a truthful documentary about three years in a pre pubescent boy's life in West Baltimore as he yearns to join an illegal dirt bike gang.  His transformation from 10-13 reminds me of how much work we have to do  to strengthen and support the lives of our kids and their families in this country.
'She Loves Her Gun' is a narrative feature about a traumatized Brooklyn young woman who leaves NY following a violent incident and relocates to Austin.  Once again we see the 20 something Austin crowd in their milieu with favorite spots and locales.  While I really enjoyed the performances I thought the screenplay did not support a feature length film.  Would have preferred this as a short.
'Scenic Route' a story of two life long friends who share a stressful "over the top" ride cross country while confronting their relationship did not speak to us at all. 
I've come away from all of this film viewing acknowledging that my preference for SXSW films was clearly in the documentary categories.  My favorite narratives were in the wonderful shorts programs. 
Tomorrow is two documentaries: 'The Continental' and 'An Unreal Dream:Michael Morton.'  And then it's a wrap until next year.

SXSW Day#7 with 'William and the Windmill'

The Grand Jury Documentary award was well deserved.  Every once in a while I see a film that changes me, touches deep into my core and today 'William and the Windmill' did just that.  It is an honest film about relationships between those that are given a great deal because they are exceptional and those that do the giving.  Ben Nabors has worked on this film for 5 years, beginning with a short.  It is about an extraordinary teen in Malawi who builds a windmill from scraps and library research in response to his family's hard times. What the filmmaker unabashedly shows through interviews and shared moments is the duality of need between William and his benefactors.  An extraordinary film that I highly recommend.
Then Lizzy caught up with me at the Violet Crown where the talented UT film student Amanda Yam assisted  mother and daughter in sitting together to see SNAP, a very scary film about a psychopath and a clinical social worker.  I was riveted and at the edge of my seat. 
Alas I was disappointed in THESE BIRDS WALK, a documentary about a 6 year old runaway in Karachi.  30 minutes of watching boys hit each other in a home for runaways with sad futures and painful longing for parents tapped me out.  Could be me so you might want to explore further.
MUSIC is in the house and Austin is hoppin'.  I love the throngs during the day and walking home is a hoot with people and music all around me.  I am delighted to be home!  More tomorrow.

SXSW Day #6/'The Network'

One film today (I'm fading) and tomorrow there will be three (I'm pacing).  Abe and I just loved this documentary "The Network' made by an Australian woman, Eva Orner. Her goal was to portray a positive view of Afghanistan, the most dangerous place in the world.  And while we never ever leave the horrific side of this torn apart place, Ms. Orner succeeds in making us see something different.  A family of expats who are successful business people return and develop a huge television network in the country.  First by radio, then by TV.  Most importantly they employ 900 Afghans and prepare to teach these young people the art of production.  The professionals that come from Australia for years become intimate friends, mentors, advocates and allies.  They just love what they are doing.  The role of women amongst them is remarkable in that these young women are so brave to begin to question their roles in their country and speak out about their rights.  All this while sending home all of their earnings to families that have not joined them in their march to more modern lives.  No one knows what will be when the special forces leave and the expats leave as well.  Security is a big issue as is the threat of civil war.  But one thing is for sure.  A seed has been planted and  television and the media has provided a vision to people who never ever knew there was a world outside their own.  A fantastic film!

SXSW Day #5

I started the day with Documentary Shorts 1 at Topfer. The initial film 'After' was haunting and very personal for me.  A day at Auschwitz with the camera  observing the visitors, the cleaning staff, and those who care for and restore the artifacts (shoes, boots) of the victims destroyed at this notorious concentration camp. Another favorite was 'Recollections' a Japanese film about a volunteer photography project that restores family  photos destroyed in the tsunami and returns them to their owners. 8 films were shown in this series. In the Q&A many of the filmmakers discussed their preference for shooting with film and that was a pleasure to hear.
I then walked to Long Center where I saw the Narrative Shorts 3 program.  My favorite here was made by an NYU student from France, titled 'Mobile Homes'. A dismal view of a sex trafficked mom and her son who are saved by a house on wheels. A heartfelt film was 'Dotty' about an elderly woman learning to send a text.  A number of films were about relationships ending and it was amazing to see how violence could make people laugh when the perpetrator is a sweet woman.  No films tonight...sometimes you just have to chill and cook and stay in with your husband.

SXSW Day #4

This morning the Paramount was filled with folks there to see  Paul Stekler's documentary about post Katrina life in New Orleans:  'Getting Back to Abnormal'.  He and 3 filmmakers direct this extemely well made film of life in this complex city as they follow a bid for re-election.  The councilwoman  is a white woman who is admittedly "loose lipped"  but passionate in her desire to do what is good for New Orleans. Her warmth and sincerity come right through and her campaign manager is an energetic born organizer whose authentic devotion to this candidate is a highlight of this film.  To be aired on PBS.  Don't miss it.
I didn't get into '12 O'Clock Boys' with my wristband (a film about West Baltimore kids in a dirt bike gang) but will try again Friday.  So I walked over the bridge to see Narrative Shorts at the Long Center where 'The Audition' was clearly my favorite.  A 3 minute film had us laughing our heads off at the length an actress would go to for a role.  Fabulous.  And 'Natives' about a relationship between two young women (one Native American and the other Jewish) and a failed visit to the family of the NA woman was handled maturely and beautifully.  I noticed the films coming out of Columbia University's film program this year to be really well made.
Abe and I saw 'Hawking' this evening.  A documentary about the life of the brilliant Stephen Hawking told in his own words.  The intro by the two British filmmakers was humble and lovely. A beautiful film about an extraordinary man who just loves being in the limelight.
Tomorrow morning I'll be at the Topfer for Documentary Shorts.  Then walk over to the Rollins for Shorts Program 3.  And in the evening try to get into the Violet Crown for 'These Birds Walk' a film about street youth in Pakistan.  And now I'm fading.

SXSW Day #3

Started the morning off with Documentary Shorts at the Rollins.  I am so happy there are two more doc shorts programs because these are clearly the best!  These shorts highlighted people who were optomistic about life, truly unique in their aspirations and willingness to  make daring choices to do what makes them happy.  My favorites were:  'The Roper'  about a young black man from Louisiana who taught himself how to be a rodeo cowboy roper ever since his father took him to a rodeo.  KRS ONE is about a Brooklyn to Bronx legendary rapper who has been a homeless nomadic rapper and writes the very best poetic raps imaginable. 'Slomo' is about a neurologist/psychiatrist who gives up his medical practice  and "being an asshole" in his 60's to do what he loves..in line skating daily on the boardwalk on Venice Beach. These folks are inspirational, and there were many more.
This evening at the Topfer theater was 'Holy Ghost People' a well acted psychological thriller about a young girl and a challenged marine who go looking for her sister involved with a cult church with a snake handling preacher.  Fabulous acting made this film get a thumbs up.
Stayed at the Topfer to see 'Hours' a gut wrenching well acted story about a young man stuck in an evacuated hospital in New Orleans with his newborn premature daughter during the infamous Katrina hurricane.  Good Q&A followed with this first time director and talented cast.

SXSW Day#2

We began the day with the very popular Bryan Poyser's latest film 'The Bounceback' at the Paramount. This is a quintessential  view of Austin's current popular scene for the mid 20-30 y.o. crowd.  Air sex competitions, clubs, booze, breakfast, creative performance, lots and lots of talk about sex (think GIRLS, but not in Williamsburg) and some very funny moments. While I enjoyed seeing Austin on film I unashamedly admit the storyline didn't work for me. Age roared it's head on this one.
We then went next door to The Stateside to see PJ Raval's documentary 'Before You Know It', a world premiere.  This is a fabulous film about the Senior LGBT community and the support systems they have created for themselves as they have grown older.  A fabulous look at three different men and their journey into self acceptance as they age.  The filmmaker takes us to Harlem, Galveston, Texas and Florida where we meet likeable men who speak so forthrightly about their experiences.  And age does not stop them from exploring further truths about themselves and living their lives energetically even while facing some serious limitations. We both just loved this film and I highly recommend it.
This evening it was 'Midnight Shorts' at the Rollins.  Brilliant short pieces of filmmaking with titles like 'Child Eater',' Root','Boyfriends',and 'Playhouse' to name my favorites.  These filmmakers take adventurous risks with subject matter and the audience seemed to just love these zany films.  Nothing was sacred:  father's chain wives to kitchen baseboards, people have their heads suddenly blown off while having an idea, and children SHOULD be afraid of the boogeyman.
We once again agreed that short films have always been our favorites at film festivals.  A look into the creativity of new filmmakers like a huge smorgasbord at a dinner you like being at. 

SXSW Day #1

We began the evening with unusual choices for me.  Big headliners, one a comedy and the other a horror film both at 'The Paramount'.  Truth be told I wanted to wait over an hour on the Congress Avenue  line to get into the rhythm and energy of this incredible event that overtakes Austin.  It  reminds me of the fun and safe city that I now call home.  So we began with 'The Incredible Burt Wonderstone' a thoroughly silly comedy about two Las Vegas magicians.  Steve Buscemi, James Gandolfini, Jim Carrey and Steve Carell must have had a lot of fun filming.  It's a truly silly film but I just loved seeing Alan Arkin as a famous magician living in a nursing home.  I am  reminded  of the great opportunity  we as viewers are given when older actors continue to perform.
Believe it or not I truly enjoyed 'Evil Dead.'  I picked it because of location (Paramount) and because Abe just loves horror films.  Fede Alvarez, director, and many of the actors were present and I enjoyed Mr. Alvarez's opening remarks.  What I really really loved about this film was the audience.  1200 people who just LOVE this genre and clap unabashedly at guts and gore and funny lines.  And so what I realized once again what I love about film is the community it draws together.  And so now I can actually say I appreciated a horror film.  And my husband was happy.  Walking back over the Congress Avenue bridge to retrieve our car and drive home is a perfect way to end a night appreciating Austin,  I welcome the visitors.

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.