I watched quite a few movies during the SXSW Film Festival. One of the most rewarding and challenging experiences is falling in love with a movie that doesn’t have a distribution deal. It is rewarding because you were able to see it. However, the challenging aspect is not knowing when it will be released. A good movie you have to wait to see again lingers within your mind. There are some of the outstanding movies at SXSW that deserve a distribution deal!
CREATIVE CONTROL: Wow! The best movie I watched during this festival is one I want to highlight first! In future Brooklyn, an ad exec working on an Augmented Reality glasses account creates an avatar of his best friend’s girlfriend beginning a virtual affair. When fantasy becomes reality, things get messy. A flawless blend of old fashioned, expert filmmaking with black and white palettes and exquisite cinematography allure the eye. The screenplay splendidly orchestrates character interactions as the score of classical music rings true to your heart. This infusion of modern sensibility about big technological ideas and timeless themes of intimacy and connection will be one of the most uniquely cinematic experiences of 2015. A24 should seriously consider purchasing this one.
THE INVITATION: The best horror thrillers slowly reveal motives through characters and dialogue while using minimal gore and blood. This near perfect genre film is why I attend film festivals. What a discovery! The plot is about a couple reuniting during a dinner party amongst their friends after suffering a tragedy. This simmering boil of tension unleashes a blast of adrenaline as it rewards and satisfies audience patience. They don’t make movies like this anymore as the last shot reminded me of the best I’ve seen from a Twilight Zone episode. I was shaking because of the last 15 minutes well into an hour afterwards. This was the one movie people were discussing the entire festival. I’m looking forward to movie fans being swept away by it. This would fit well in the RADiUS-TWC library between Blue Ruin and It Follows, but Drafthouse Films was savvy enough to acquire it earlier this week.
LANDFILL HARMONIC: Covering the viral sensation of Paraguay children who made instruments out of trash and competed, Landfill Harmonic is a multi-layered documentary so inspiring it’s an enthralling crowd pleaser. Bubbling with optimism amongst a dire situation, audiences listen to beautiful and soothing music for the ears that resonates with the soul. One sweet scene is watching these kids who are big fans of Megadeth meet the bassist who drops by for a surprise visit. This is one of a few touching moments filled with tears. People will love Landfill Harmonic if they get an opportunity to watch it. This would be in good company at RADiUS-TWC the studio behind 20 Feet From Stardom and Keep On, Keepin On.
NAZ & MAALIK: A lot happens in a movie about “two closeted Muslim teens have their Friday afternoon ruined by FBI surveillance when their small-time scheming sets an agent on their trail.” Add in the additional complexity of black teens being harassed by law enforcement, we have a timely dramatic feature that doesn’t tell us what to think but how to feel for these characters. Naz & Maalik is compelling coming-of-age saga embraces genuine realism of the tension between spirituality & sexuality into remarkably constructed conflict. It was equally impressive that a straight, white non-Muslim was the director. This reminded me of Short Term 12 in its poignancy of urban youth in the context of a coming of age drama. This is ideal for IFC!
RAIDERS: 30 years ago, 3 childhood friends spent 7 years re-creating a shot-by-shot remake of RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK filming every scene (sometimes in an unintended BOYHOOD style) except the plane explosion. Now in there 40’s, they re-unite to shoot the scene over the course of a ten-day production with old wounds re-surfacing and relational/family strife exposed in interviews. This amusing ode to geek culture and the power of movie magic was transfixing while inspiring the child-like filmmaker in every movie fan. That final scene is shown in the credits and is truly impressive working as a stand-alone short! I hope any issues with the studio behind Indiana Jones can be worked out because fan boys young and old will fall in love with this one! This is ideal for Netflix where young fathers can escape to their childhood without leaving home. This is the demographic that keeps asking me about this documentary and are very eager to see it.
THEY WILL HAVE TO KILL US FIRST: This very important and little known story about the Islamic take over of Mali and the banning of all music grabs the attention of the viewer with visual filmmaking from quick cuts to a variety of colors and, of course, music. Filled with a defiant spirit, They Will Have To Kill Us is passionate plea of the power of music and expresses the desire to remain culturally vibrant part of Mali. After all, music makes the people happy! There are a few inspiring and hopeful moments amongst grim and disturbing circumstances musicians go into hiding. Nick Zinner of the Yeah, Yeah, Yeah visits them hoping to support them. An interesting and relevant story of religious fundamentalism suppressing art will connect with creative minded audiences. Magnolia Pictures should consider this one.
WESTERN: From the directors of 45365 (a documentary about Sidney, OH), Eagle Pass, TX and Piedras Negras, Mexico share a border and a century old tradition of tranquility even celebrating each other. They grapple with the reality of 21st century brutality as the drug cartel inflicts terror and violence shaping new forces to be reckoned with. Fascinating while being poetically understated, this vérité doc is as gritty and rustic as the grainy cinematography. Western is a near masterpiece that says so much about small town life, different cultures, and the immigration issue without telling us what to think. Winning awards at both Sundance and SXSW should catch the attention of potential buyers and savvy audiences. This would fit well in Drafthouse Pictures collection perfectly.
