The final day of the Mammoth Lakes Film Festival brought many gems, as the countdown to awards night begins. Here’s a look at a few of them.
Mad Cats
Offering a wildly inventive mix of martial arts, cat trivia, and a message about the importance of caring for cats, this kinetic Japanese language film is entirely unique. The actresses playing the felines possessed by long-buried Bastet catnip were terrific – director Reiki Tsuno captured a totally believable vibe of vengeful cat warrior goddesses. Think John Wick meets an actually well done non-cgi version of Tom Hooper’s Cats – the film was great fun.
Before the feature we saw the second of three short films by director Stephen Collins here at the festival, Sentimental Journey. A seriously depressed musician and Compu-City employee is revived by his friends and the purchase of a battered piano. An outdoor performance of Rachmaninov literally sends depression away in flames while the pianist’s mind leads him through a sparkling ruby red wormhole. Director Collins says these sections were difficult to shoot as they took place under water. The challenge was both technically and because the actor was uncomfortable being submerged. Despite the struggles, the result is a sweet and imagistic film about personal revival.
Kokomo City
Richly engaging, this smart, sharp documentary feature depicts the lives of Black trans sex workers in both New York and Atlanta. Director D. Smith is a force to be reckoned with as she lets these women speak for themselves uninhibitedly. One of the four participants, Koll Da Doll was violently killed since the making of the film and its initial showings earlier this year.
The poignant intensity of this powerful first time directorial work is galvanizing, as the subjects discuss everything from rejection by family, violence against them, and struggles with survival in a world rigidly committed to long-held gender beliefs. Defiant and lively, the film is a testimonial to the high cost of being oneself.
Also viewed today, the absorbing and lovingly wrought documentary short, Carl Runs the Paper from directors Joey Horan & Manish Khanal. The new newspaper editor of California’s oldest newspaper saves more than the struggling paper – he saves himself from deeply felt grief in this quiet, lovely film.
The intimate and engaging portrait of 73-year-old Carl Butz depicts him bearing the weight of the struggling Sierra Gold Country newspaper, The Mountain Messenger, which was set to close in 2019.
Butz purchased it, and became editor, despite having no journalism experience. His purchase was in part his own way forward following the death of his wife from cancer. Carl describes his goal for the paper as simply keeping it alive, but in the process he’s given it and himself a new lease on life.
That’s all our film reviews for now…
If you didn’t make it to Mammoth Lakes this year, be sure to come next time – you’ll find films to cherish, and the most innovative programming around.
See our coverage of festival award winners tomorrow.
– Genie Davis; Photos: Jack Burke and provided by the festival