Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film - High Falls Film Festival

Film Festival Reviews

High Falls Film Festival, Hear It Roar!

by Michael R. Colford

Are there too many film festivals out there? I used to think there might be, but the more outstanding films I see at festivals that never get domestic distribution, the more I think we can't have too many film festivals. The film community in Rochester, NY celebrated the second annual High Falls Film Festival last month, showcasing exceptional work by women in all areas of film and video. The event was a resounding success proving that there are people all across the country who want to see quality, independent film. Advance tickets sales at High Falls were doubled compared to 2001, and the number of filmmakers present, and sold-out screenings are truly gratifying in a festival's second year. With over 35 feature films and 25 shorts, from 23 countries the Rochester-area residents were truly fortunate to have such an outstanding selection of film in their backyard over the course of five days.

Chlotrudis memberes Jane Ford, Marilyn O'Conner
and Ellen Robbins at the closing night party.

The staff and volunteers working for the High Falls Film Festival should be congratulated for the quality and success of their event in two short years. Chlotrudis Awards first learned about the High Falls Film Festival through nominating committee member Marilyn O'Conner, who enjoyed a celebratory weekend with her family at this year's festival. She was also involved with the first High Falls Film Festival, and six Chlotrudis Board Members enjoyed her hospitality for the inaugural event. This year only two of us were able to make the trip, but it was one well worth making. Randi Minetor and the Press Office were extremely helpful, and from screenings to parties, we felt right at home in Rochester.

The weekend kicked off with an unexpected treat as Ellen and I found ourselves guests of Marilyn's for an impromptu dinner with her entire family. Her sons, Gordy and Phil were the toast of the town that weekend, with the special closing night screening of their outstanding film, Love Liza. It was a great pleasure to spend time with the Hoffman clan and feel right at home in the family mania that echoed me own family's large gatherings.

A.J. Schnack and Shirley Moyers answer questions at High Falls
A.J. Schnack & Shirley Moyers answer questions about
Gigantic (A Tale of Two Johns)

Another high point was the chance to spend time with AJ Schnack and Shirley Moyers, director and producer of that documentary so beloved by Chlotrudis Awards, Gigantic (A Tale of Two Johns). AJ and Shirley are two of the sweetest, fun-loving people I've met in the "biz," and partying with them, attending the Q&A session for Gigantic or just watching a movie with them was an enjoyable experience. After Saturday night's closing party, as AJ realized that Rochester closed up its streets at 1 a.m., determined to keep the party going, he and Shirley invited the stalwart dwindling crowd back to their hotel room to keep the camaraderie and idea-sharing going. It was there that filmmakers and festival workers talked about what worked, what didn't, and what needed to happen to make the High Falls Film Festival a national, "must-attend" event. With the convictions and ideas tossed around that night, I have no doubt it will happen soon.

Of course, the reason we were all there was the movies, and I was able to catch four screenings in the brief two days that I was there. The festival kicked off with a bang for me, with Lynne Ramsay’s gorgeous and haunting Morvern Callar. Told largely with amazing imagery, Ramsay tells the story of a young woman drifting through life named Morvern Callar (Samantha Morton). Morvern discovers the body of her boyfriend who has committed suicide on Christmas day. She also finds his note asking her to take his completed manuscript and send it to a publisher. When Morvern changes the author’s name from his to her own, then submits the manuscript, the audience is unsure whether this young woman is someone to spend their cinematic time with. As the story unfolded, I was initially put off by Morvern’s wandering life, drifting from raves to drugs and casual sex. Then slightly over halfway through I found myself totally absorbed in the story and realized that I was taking the same journey that she was, and that Ramsay’s film had succeeded in drawing me in and taking me somewhere I hadn’t been before. Using startling images and music, Ramsay paints a dark picture of a lost soul.

Saturday morning began with a horror film masquerading as a documentary. Lost in La Mancha chronicles the devastating journey of director Terry Gilliam in his attempt to make an epic film about Don Quixote. As days in this problem-plagued production advance, a quote from the film becomes the centerpiece of the story, “The most painful thing was seeing reality win over Don Quixote in the end... because it did.” Reality take a painful bite out of Gilliam on more than one occasion, and production ceased. A fascinating film that is a must see for any filmmaker, and a strong doc for anyone. Blackboards from Iran and Loco Fever from Chile and Mexico, both started out one way and finished unexpectedly. The stunning, desolate opening shots of Blackboards were undeniable in their power and reeled me in immediately, yet the wandering storyline couldn’t maintain my interest enough for a strong recommendation. Loco Fever begins like a typical heist/romantic/comedy, then evolves into something far darker and fascinating. I’m doubtful this one will receive wide release, but it was definitely a film I was glad I saw.

The closing night awards ceremony honoring Nancy Cartwright and Lanie Kazan prefaced the sold-out screening of Love Liza. This challenging film is so original and powerful I’m looking forward to the reactions of Chlotrudis members after its release. A tour de force performance from Philip Seymour Hoffman, strong supporting performances and a uniquely funny and devastating screenplay from Gordy Hoffman all combine to create a painful, yet entertaining experience.

Also screening were several films that I managed to catch at other festivals that I was glad to see playing at High Falls. Rose Troche’s stunning Safety of Objects has been languishing until its release in March 2003. Troche blends the disparate elements in A.M. Homes short stories to make a seamless dramatic ensemble narrative. Frida Koehler channels the amazing Emma Thompson while fleeing Nazi tyranny in Africa in the epic German film, Nowhere in Africa,which one the Audience Award at High Falls and recently played in Boston at the Boston Jewish Film Festival. Look for its release in March as well.

Daughter from Danang, an outstanding documentary which also played the Provincetown Film Festival follows the journey of a half-Vietnamese girl who was airlifted from her mother by the U.S. in 1975 and raised in Pulaski, TN (birthplace of the Ku Klux Klan). Over twenty years later, the child, now a woman herself, returns to Danang to reunite with her birth mother. It’s a wrenching story with no easy answers. It’s also nominated this year as one of Chlotrudis Awards Best Documentaries.

Boston-area filmmakers Demane Davis and Khari Streeter were represented with their second feature film, Lift. Dynamic and enchanting star Kerry Washington, so beloved by Chlotrudis members in Our Song, was on hand to introduce the film and participate on an actors’ panel along with Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Veteran action director Kathryn Bigelow’s latest feature, The Weight of Water, based on the Anita Shreve novel, is lacking as a film, but boasts two outstanding performances by Chlotrudis darling Sarah Polley, and the sorely missed and talented Katrin Cartlidge, in what was to be her final role.

Katrin Cartlidge

The High Falls Film Festival made an astounding leap between its first and second years. If things keep going this way for the fledgling festival, it won’t be long at all before they’re a force to be reckoned with.