“Let’s Get Physical” was the catch phrase for the 24th annual Dances with Films festival at the TCL Chinese in Hollywood. Last year viewed virtually, this year it was time to don those masks and sit down to enjoy films on the big screen.
From shorts to features, there was plenty to see at the always-eclectic event. This set of reviews is not the last – this year the program ran an expanded number of days, from August 26 to September the 12th.
Voting this year for audience awards utilized a QR code, which was even easier than marking up a piece of paper with a pencil as in pre-pandemic times. Q and A’s were as lively as ever, and the mix of comedy, drama, horror, and even sci-fi invigorating.
Also new this year: the First Film Series, which served up some fascinating looks at the works of and discussions with honoree filmmakers including producer Michael London and director Paul Greengrass. Greengrass, the director of United 93 was a moving inclusion, a fitting tribute to both filmmaker and the somber anniversary of 9/11.
Rather than going in festival order, we’ll start with some features, and move on to the vibrant shorts programs.
As always offering a stimulating start, the opening-night film was the premiere of The Art of Protest, an exciting, kinetic documentary from Colin M. Day, packed with interviews from elite rockers and espousing power of music and protest. The film was a rousing success as both a galvanizing opener and an eye-opener about politics and change.
While I’d love to be as enthusiastic about the fest’s closer, Mars Roberge’s Mister Sister, despite allowing a fascinating look into NYC’s drag scene, the film felt more like a documentary hopeful than a narrative feature, and just didn’t register for me. The red carpet interactions with some of the film’s supporting players gave a tantalizing look at what could’ve been – maybe next time.
There were far more hits than near misses at the fest, no mean feat with a lineup that included over 250 varied films, from 350 filmmakers. I’ll take on the festival as best I can, starting out with an an alphabetical look at the feature films we had the pleasure to view.
Thematically, a number of films seemed to hit on moments of isolation, addiction, and recovery, but there were lighthearted moments as well.
Among the films that offered a taste of both, Addict Hal was a surprisingly fresh and moving take on addicts in a recovery program, viscerally plunging viewers into the harrowing road to getting – and staying – clean with humor and poignancy.
Likewise, Alex/October offered a mix of touching moment and dark humor in a film that explored a friendship evolving from a man’s Craigslist ad seeking a hired killer to end his own personal misery. Restless, curious, and unhappy, a young woman meets suicidal new BFF in a film that evoked memories of Harold & Maude without the whimsy and music along the way.
In a second look from last year’s fest, which I viewed virtually, a woman comes to terms with the loss of her marriage in before/during/after, a fine film that takes a wistful look at the life of an actress in emotional transition.
One of my very favorite films of the 2021 festival was the dark emotional world of Bone Cage. Pitch perfect in tone, beautifully acted, the tragic story of a lost soul in an economically devastated rural community was a fully successful film adaptation of a play by Catherine Banks. Written and directed by Taylor Olson, who also starred in the film, this one tore a hole in my heart.
The Catch was another dark and tragic film that resonated, a noir and haunting story from Matthew Ya-Hsiung Balzer. Redolent with the salt air of a small Maine fishing town and the desperation of a young woman returning home from an abusive relationship, Balzer took viewers on a dangerous, compelling journey.
Moody in black and white, Ghostwriter explored the mentor/mentee relationship, the meaning of family, and creativity. In this four-hander character study, ghosts can be composed of words, or memories or the fading reach of fame.
Evan Wood gave viewers another look at addiction – a sister coming to terms with the mental unbalance and addiction of her brother following the death of their grandmother.
Beneath the Banyan Tree explored another family’s coming-to-terms, here with generational family ties, the difficulty of immigration and assimilation, and the even greater difficulty of self-acceptance in the relationship between a mother and daughter.
Family ties were also a strong focus in Last Night in Rozzie, a Boston set story of a dying friend’s wish for his estranged son, and the traumas of the past in a poetic and graceful character study.
Generation Wrecks was another film I loved. But, unlike the harrowing filmic knife-thrusts of my other favorites, Bone Cage and The Catch, this was a lighthearted coming of age film, filled with great performances, an unbelievably terrific soundtrack, and a fully realized, touching and funny story of revenge, forgiveness, and growing-up. A bit of both the Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink infused the spirit of this winning, heart-melting film. Writers and co-stars, as well as the film’s director, below.
It was great to be back in the theater – and even better to be viewing the program from Dances with Films. There’s more alphabetical feature viewing/reviewing pleasure ahead…and then the powerhouse short films.
- Genie Davis; photos: Jack Burke and Dances with Films