San Jose’s best annual event began its 17th year last night at the California Theatre with a Bay Area premiere showing of Indian director Mira Nair’s “The Namesake,” from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. This was quite a coup for our film festival as Nair’s previous film, “Vanity Fair,” starring Reese Witherspoon and former Cinequest honoree Gabriel Byrne, got a big Hollywood-blowout release. The filmmakers were on hand at the opening gala afterward.
This year’s festival presents 245 screenings over 12 days through March 11, and includes many U.S. and world premieres, all within a three block area of downtown at the Rep Theater, California Theatre and Camera 12 Cinemas. This year’s special honorees and subjects of Maverick Spirit events include British actress Minnie Driver and film composer and drummer with the Police, Stewart Copeland. There will be presentations of two silent films at the California Theatre with live music played on the Wurlitzer that shouldn’t be missed—Buster Keaton’s 1927 feature “The General” and “Pandora’s Box” from 1929 starring Louise Brooks. The Filmmaking and Technology Forums will be held at the Rep on Friday and Saturday, March 2 and 3.
There will be Latino, Asian, Balkan and European film showcases—18 films in all in the Global Landscapes series. There are several films entered for the Maverick competition and, new this year, the short film category winners will be eligible for Academy Award consideration—a recognition of the festival’s importance by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. There will be several always-popular programs of short films throughout the festival.
As a community event, Cinequest is second to none in San Jose and is a model for such undertakings. The large number of corporate sponsors attests to the well-honed professional abilities of the organization’s executive staff under Director Halfdan Hussey and Board Chair Kathleen Powell, the event’s co-founders. Major sponsors include Intel, Metro Newspapers, Fry’s, Panasonic Adobe, Yahoo and Deloitte. Tickets for regular screenings are $9, and $15 for the Maverick Spirit events (Driver and Copeland) and day passes to the Filmmaking and Technology Forums. Passes covering admission to all festival screenings start at $125 and are a great value. The event brings thousands of visitors and worldwide attention to the city, and the downtown hotels, restaurants, coffeehouses and bars are always buzzing with film talk until late.
I plan to continue this open diary throughout the festival by posting recommendations, information and reminders as often as possible. My SJI colleagues Single Gal, Tom McEnery and John McEnery IV will be making contributions and we hope you will join in as well, letting us and your fellow SJI bloggers and readers know what you have seen that you liked, or didn’t, and giving us your take on Cinequest 17.
For further information, log on to the Cinequest website.
I really wanted to catch Namesake last night but couldn’t…I hope its playing again…
MovieGirl
“The Namesake” was really great, despite the fact that the showing was marred by a technical glitch that rendered the soundtrack inaudible for a few minutes. It is not being shown again in the festival, but it will be on general release on March 9 and will be shown at the Camera. Don’t miss it! Mira Nair is a unique voice in the film world and it was wonderful to have her introduce her film in person last night to a full house.
I have my express line pass and festival pass and am ready to go. Unfortunately, I missed the opening because of a schedule conflict, but I read the book and can’t wait to see it after the 9th. There are a lot of other movies and events I’m looking forward to, including the movie and interview with Stuart Copeland from The Police. This is an event San Jose should certainly be proud of and seems to get better every year!
This is the type of event that San Jose should strive for; I never recall any trouble where the police would be needed on a regular basis.
Didn’t Mayor Ron try to pull funding for this event?
This was the first time I checked out the event and it was awesome!!!
This is the type of event RDA and OED should be promoting and it costs 1/400th the cost of the Gonchavez Grand Fix. No major public works efforts. No tree removals. No relocation of residents. No disruption of light rail. No exhorbinant City overtime budget. No drunken crowds. No riots. No follow up ACLU press conferences bashing the PD the day after. Just good everyday people trying to entertain themselves and spending some of their disposable entertainment dollars in their hometown—What a Concept! I was pleasantly surprised by the make up of the audiences. I had a preconceived image that it was only going to be a sea of “Avante Garde” movie yuppies and instead was greeted with the UN and almost every age or socio-economic demographic represented. It proves that people really will go Downtown if they’re given good reasons to go.
Here’s a novel idea, maybe in the future RDA and OED could find the resources to help coordinate marketing for the event with the various businesses downtown. Think of it, patrons for Cinequest 2008 could get reduced price tickets, free parking, or Hotel discounts if they eat in a Downtown restaurant or frequent one of its bars during he event.
Yes, Dave and remember who was honored at the next Cinequest—-Arnold. Would say that put someone in his place.
I agree with Secret Asian Man #5.
Some thin-skinned politiciams—Gomez doesn’t like Pham, so he boots her, Gonzo doesn’t like T. McE, so he pulls funding for a great world-class event.
Anybody heard if Gonzo has picked up any clients yet for his new venture, for which he appraently has no training, background, or experience?
#4 Wonder Woman, I seem to remember Ron wanting to pull the funding for Cinequest also and in searching for confirmation, I found this Golden Oldie from the Metro titled, “The Ron & Tom Wars”. Nice piece of history on their “feud” up to that point in time, 2000. It mentions the Cinequest funding:
“Meanwhile, officials for the Cinequest film festival publicly accused the mayor’s office of pulling $50,000 in previously promised funds because McEnery is chairman of the organization. According to Cinequest executive director Halfdan Hussey, “The mayor’s staff told us that ‘a big problem here is Tom McEnery.’ “
You can read the whole article here:
http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/04.13.00/cover/mayors-0015.html
Friday March 2
I want to remind everyone of the showing of Buster Keaton’s silent film “The General” tonight at the California Theatre at 7pm. There will be live accompaniment played by Chris Elliott on the Mighty Wurlitzer. If you have never seen a silent picture with live music, this is a good one to start with. Get there early because the silent film showings are always packed.
Also, today’s subject of the Filmmaking and Technology Forum is film distribution. Seminars go on at the Repertory Theatre all day until 5pm. Tomorrow is the Day of Sight and Sound at the Rep and will focus on digtal cinematography, sound and visual effects. Check the Cinequest site for further info.
Quick Cinequest roundup:
* More Than Anything Else in the World: wonderful mexico city-based fable about imagination, parallel lives, and family.
* Batad: Sensitive and thoughtful, not partisan, view of life in a pre-industrial environment
* Fresh Air: Bleak, bleak, and more bleak from Hungary. Note to filmmaker: cameras can be put on wheels an move. This is the sort of movie that gives euro indie cinema a bad name, imho.
And: has anybody noticed what a great view you get from inside the cameras during the day on the way down from the top floor? I’d only been there at night previously.
Last night, I fell in Love with San Jose once again.
Chris Elliot was magnificent on our California Theater Wurlitser.
My complete appreciation to the people that saved this magnifient venue, that brought me back to my youth. My first girl friend and our first kiss was in the upper seats.
Our hiking club’s evening last night began at 5:30 pm at McCormick & Schmits. Seating in one of the cozy private booths next to the bar. Many little jewel sidedishes and a glass or two of great wine and sprits later, we arrived at the California. There we met old friends and rejoiced in this special occurance.
Booing the bad guys and clapping and yelling for the advance of the good guys and retreat of the bad guys.
I got to be kid again. My memories all returned as I walked to OJs with the others. In 1955, my friend at Wodrow Wilson, Steve Budrose’s father owned California Billards several doors down from the Fox (California) how cool was that. Gerard Greninger and his mom lived on park ave, across the street from the Police Station. We always had time for a game of football at what is now Ceasar Chavez Park.
As I walked back to my car last night, which was parked directly in front of the Fairmont, I could see all of us young men laughing and bonding while playing football in the Park in 1955.
This was clearly a sign that I felt safe once again, in my own city. A good Mayor, an excellant 3rd district concilman and lots of friends enjoying a perfect evening an 1st St.
I however was brought back to reality , for as I left the down town. I could see the gauntlet of police cars positioning them selves for what was to come after 11 pm.
That’s when I realized that the wrong people have had too much influence in running this wonderful Village of ours for far to long.
Next Friday for Pandora’s Box, I’m hoping for a kiss from my girl friend after the lights dim and the Werlitzer plays our first song.
How cool is that!!!
Gil Hernandez
Gil Hernandez is right. Friday night’s Buster Keaton silent with organ was greatly enjoyed by all. Thanks for your memories too!
The Stewart Copeland event was packed. It was interesting to see the super-8 home movie he made during the Police’s heyday. However, I would have liked it better if the discussion afterwards had been more finely focused on his work as a film composer.
“Outsourced” was universally enjoyed by the large audience at the California Theatre last night (Sat). A humorous and entertaining film about a Seattle marketing and distribution manager sent to India to train his own departments’ replacements, the issue hits close to home these days. Filmed in a very unique and quiet section of Mumbai, it is a warmhearted look at the small differences and striking similarities between our two cultures. I highly recommend it.
I also hear from friends that “Blood Car” is very good so I plan to try and see it later in the week. Has anyone else seen it?
Today I am looking forward to seeing “Full Grown Men” with Amy Sedaris, who is always very funny, and either “Ghost Mountain” or “Urban Explorers.” There are so many good films to see that it’s hard to choose.
“Full Grown Men” is the kind of well-made, quirky independent film that Cinequest is famous for. It’s very entertaining, even though I have no idea why anyone would want to return to their childhood after 30 years.
“Urban Explorers” is an extremely low-budget documentary about people who explore cities’ underground areas, sewers, drains, subway tunnels etc., and abandoned buildings. It’s dangerous, but some, mostly young, people think it’s fun. I am not so sure. Anyway, it is an interesting subject but the movie outstays its welcome by at least 20-30 minutes and the structure is a bit muddled. Definitely for those interested in the subject rather than great documentary filmmaking.
By the way, it’s inevitable that if you go to enough showings, you will see a bad movie. Don’t despair, it’s a good reminder of how hard it is to make a good one and makes you appreciate them even more.
I only got a chance to see one movie yesterday. “Act Normal” is a documentary about a young man from England who became a Buddhist monk in Thailand at 18 and went on to found a temple in Iceland several years later. He met a Russian girl, dropped out of monkhood and tried to live a normal life but it didn’t work, so he divorced and went back to being a monk in Thailand and is much happier. It’s a well-made film by an Icelandic crew and it has interesting material. My only criticism would be that the music is completely wrong for the film and has a bad overall effect on the whole. It’s the wrong style and way over the top.
I like this diary, Jack. And one of the best things about Cinequest is the UNKNOWN. I walked in to Camera 12 and caught the macabre shorts known as “Mindbenders” yesteday. Fantastic cinema, indeed, and as scary and funny as any of the current Hollywood “slasher” epics that are sent to our local screens – I highly rec. it. If it had not been for the guy behind me, who was competing in “the longest unwrapping of a Togo’s sandwich” contest, it would have been a thoroughly wonderful session. TMcE
So, Tom…what did you think of Filthy Food then?
That was the third and final showing on Monday afternoon, btw. Time to demand an encore for next weekend!
From yesterday at CQ:
Rail Yard Blues. This gets close to being an interesting workdplace slice o’ life from czech republic, but falls awkwardly between droll euro sensibilities and American sitcom. Doesn’t work, but nice try.
Mind-blower shorts. Now we know where the next generation of horror filmmakers will come from. Scary, weird, disturbing—interesting to see how the tropes of horror filmmaking have merged with avantgarde.
Rose Garden Dad: Thanks for your posts here.
I just saw “Batad” from the Philippines and it is the best movie I have seen since opening night. Great acting, story and script. It was filmed in a UN World Heritage Site, the beautiful ancient rice terraces of Batad. It shows again tomorrow at 6.30 and Friday at 9.30. Highly recommended.
I saw another great movie last night, “The Courthouse on the Horseback.” Very professionally made film from China with beautiful locations in rural Yunnan. The acting is superb as is the script which is very funny. Unfortunately, it was the last Cinequest showing so if you haven’t seen it, look out for the DVD unless it gets and arthouse release.
#19 CQ Inside
Thanks for the info.
Added screening of “A Dog’s Breakfast” Saturday at the California. Very madcap and funny comedy.
Also, re: short film Academy Award eligibility
Not to be nit picking, but this is about the 4th or 5th year that the winners of best narrative and best animated short films qualify for Academy nomination.
“Out of Balance” is a good follow-up to “An Inconvenient Truth,” exposing the anti-global warming propoganda machine of ExxonMobile. It’s a scary film.
“The Road” is yet another excellent movie from China and I highly recommend it. One of the best I have seen in the festival. It explores the effects of the Cultural Revolution on ordinary working people. Shot in gorgeous Yunnan province, the lead actors are very good. Chinese film makers seem to be exploring aspects of the human condition at depths that Hollywood can’t come near these days. Don’t miss this one.
“Pao’s Story” from Vietnam had too many problems that distracted from the story. The film quality was marred by the lousy transfer from digital and was hard to look at. The subtitles were badly translated and, along with the digressions within digressions of the script, rendered the film so confusing that I am still scratching my head. It’s too bad because the actors and North Vietnam mountain scenery were worth watching. Maybe it worked better in its native language but for those of us depending on the English translation, it’s a long, hard effort to watch it.
For any of you who have ever wanted to drop out and move to a remote mountaintop in the desert, “The Ghost Mountain Experiment” will show you what it was like for one family who did it for 15 years in the 30s and 40s. This is a very fine film that deserves a wide audience and should be shown on PBS. Definitely the best documentary film I have seen at Cinequest this year. I hope that Cinequest invites the filmmaker, John McDonald, to come with his next film about Chinese opera singers. He was very interesting in the Q and A after the showing.
From yesterday at CQ:
Caught the Short Documentaries show (docu-nation) and while overall the collection is interesting but uneventhe documentary on Chernobyl is just stunning. I hesitate to use the word ‘poetic’ but in fact most of the narrative is spoken poetry about Chernobyl. Artful and devastating.
Last night’s showing of the 1928 silent film classic, “Pandora’s Box,” starring Louise Brooks, was a completely different experience from last week’s Buster Keaton comedy. Based on a famous German play by Franz Wedekind, it tells the story of Lulu, a high-society prostitute who brings disaster to every man who falls for her. The final scene, where she is murdered by Jack the Ripper in London is chillingly understated which makes for a very powerful conclusion. (Of course, in today’s Hollywood, it would be a slasher-style ending with blood everywhere.)
I am a big fan of Alban Berg’s great opera “Lulu,” based on the same play and composed around the same time as Pandora’s Box was made, so it was very interesting to note the differences and similarities in the approach taken by director G.W. Pabst in his film. It makes a good companion piece to the opera. The film is less expressionistic than Berg’s Lulu, but just as dramatic and stunning visually. The accompaniment was performed by the always-great Dennis James on the Mighty Wurlitzer at the California.
By the way, this film was heavily censored for American release at the time and Hollywood even shot an alternative happy ending, if you can believe that. Louise Brooks made two great masterpieces in Germany at the end of the silent era (the other was “Diary of a Lost Girl”) that shocked and scandalized Hollywood. She was very critical of the Hollywood system and was effectively blacklisted, only appearing in a handful of “B” talkies in the 30s, ending her career at a very young age. She went to New York and even worked as a sales clerk at Saks Fifth Avenue for a few years before becoming a high-society “companion” to a select few! She lived until 1985 and wrote numerous essays on the silent film era, later collected into a few books.
There is still a lot more to come at Cinequest this weekend. Happy watching!
Well, it took more than a week but I finally stumbled into a really bad film this year. “The Sensation of Sight” is excrutiating and completely unwatchable, despite a good cast led by one of America’s best screen actors, David Strathairn, a former Cinequest Maverick Award winner. I managed to make it through 30 minutes or so, but the script and direction just didn’t cut it and I couldn’t take any more. Several people had already voted with their feet and many more were beginning to shuffle out as I left. It is showing one more time tomorrow (Sunday) so beware.
Earlier, fortunately, I saw a very good Norwegian film, “A Bothersome Man,” with an amusing “Twilight Zone” type story that poked fun at materialism and equated modern day Norway with Purgatory. Excellent script, acting and photography. If you like Terry Gilliam’s movies you’ll like this one. It was one of my favorites of the week and exactly the kind of film I expect to see at Cinequest.
Today is the last day of Cinequest and I made it to two movies on time despite the time change!
“We Shall Overcome” is a great movie from Denmark about a 6th grader in 1969 who was inspired by Martin Luther King to stand up for his rights against a cruel, authoritarian headmaster at his school. Beautiful rural settings.
“Celluloid #1,” however, is dreadful. A lot of early leavers including me. It’s like a reject skit from the current lineup of Saturday Night Live—-yep, that bad.
This year’s festival seemed even better than last year—-better movies overall and bigger attendance. Many showings I went to were very full. It seems that after 17 years, Cinequest is an unmissable event on the yearly film festival calendar and obviously fills a niche with its focus on limited budget, independent productions. Thanks again to the Cinequest team for making a memorable festival. See you next year.
Great Diary by Jack: Nice job! And the Cinequest crew, notably Halfdan Hussey and Kathleen Powell, the co-founders, are owed a big debt by San Jose – THANKS! TMcE