This weekend was great. At the Bend Film Fest I got to see three feature length films, two of which were paired with short films. So in all, I saw five films. They were great. It reminded me just how much I love watching movies that move you, that inspire you, that draw you to action, that tug on your heart strings, that make you laugh until your ribs hurt, or that do all of the above. It is also great to be able to see movies with like minded people; friends who share the appreciation for the art form. I got to see two of the movies with my lovely wife and two of the movies with my buddy Ron (the three of us went to one together).
Pop Foul- This was a twenty minute short film about a young teenager and his father. Following a baseball game, they are walking through the city to their apartment. As they are walking, a tricked out SUV rolls up and an friend of the father jumps out. He is really upset at the dad, saying that he talked sh!t about it him and whatnot. The argument culminates with the dad getting beat down right in front of the kid. It was pretty raw and in your face. Following this, the son and the father have to deal with this in their own ways. It leads to a pretty intense ending that really shows how the circle of violence in people's lives is very difficult to break. I really enjoyed it.
Low and Behold- This film was really, really great. It was far and away my favorite of all the movies I saw. It is the story of a young insurance adjuster, named Turner, moving to New Orleans to work with his bizarre uncle. Upon arriving, there are some pretty funny moments as Turner begins to adjust to living with his uncle, the life of an insurance adjuster, and the people of post-Katrina New Orleans. The entire film's cast is from New Orleans, which added to realness of the movie. As Turner begins to settle into his new life, he befriends Nixon, a night factory worker looking for his lost dog. Their unnatural connection develops into a deep friendship as Turner begins to realize what it means to truly lose everything. Funny, moving, and simply amazing!
Outsourced- This was a very funny movie about an American in India training his own job replacements. The obvious laughter and mishaps ensue. The film was done in a tasteful and interesting matter, with much of the movie being shot in India and using a lot of Bollywood stars. The movie had the audience in stitches throughout the film.
Ready- Bend's own Sami Dulley was featured in this fantastic documentary. It showed the struggles of a person with disabilities to get through everyday life. The film really touched home for Carrie and I being as we met through Peter, who has cerebral palsy like Sami. I really enjoyed seeing Sami push through the struggles of the year. Congrats to our friend Robert who is Sami's special educational teacher and the producer of this film.
It was pretty cool too that Low and Behold and Outsourced tied for the audience choice award and that Low and Behold won best feature. Cool stuff.
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