ATL Film Festival out-does itself
By Emme Raus
The 39th annual Atlanta Film Festival showcased a variety of independent films at some of Atlanta’s hottest venues from March 20-29. Both historic and contemporary Atlanta institutions housed the 2015 festival including: The Plaza Theatre, 7 Stages, The High: Hill Auditorium, Woodruff: Rich Theater, Serenbe and the Rialto Center for the Arts. Over the course of nine days, the ATL Film Festival hosted not only narrative features but also documentaries, short blocks, creative conferences and special presentations. There were five types of passes available: all-access, film and conference, opening and closing weekend, moviehopper card and a general film pass that included two companion tickets. With my general film pass I was able to see a smorgasbord of films but the following three features are what I believe to be the highlights.
“Possessed (Pos Eso)” directed by Sam
This Spanish claymation film ran for 81 minutes at the Plaza Theatre on Friday night, March 20. The film rolls comedy and horror into one as it follows a retired famous flamenco dancer’s search to cure her son possessed by the devil with the help of an Indiana Jones-esque priest who lost his faith. Not only did this film resurrect the elusive art of claymation, but featured plenty of open-faced gore and twisted sex jokes that, I’ll admit, only appeal to a certain type of audience. One particular moment in the movie showed a sacrilegious and perverted bishop abusing his power making for one of those jokes where you feel guilty about laughing but do it anyway. Despite the possible alienation from the film’s crude choice of humor, the story also parodied a blend of pop-culture horror films like Evil Dead and The Exorcist, making for a series of hilarious references.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” performed by Lips Down on Dixie
This classic, ostentatious performance targets bold individuals comfortable with their sexuality and unafraid of nudity, cursing and trashing their public images. Patrons are warned at the door that they are about to watch a terrible, 1970s musical about transsexual aliens and are expected to participate in some ridiculous stunts. Prior to the actual viewing, a lovely group of volunteers began with a raffle, giving out prizes like a cheap, plastic dinosaur package, a stuffed Spanish Mike Wazowski toy and tickets to a gay band the following night. Men in glistening gold underwear also strutted down the aisles offering candy like Pop-Rocks and “gay bacon strips” a.k.a rainbow Airheads for one or two dollars. For two and a half hours the live-action show presented lip-syncing actors in fishnets and corsets acting in time with the movie on screen behind them and various volunteer moles hidden throughout the seating shouting out side-splitting commentary. The audience was also required to get up and dance the “Time Warp” and put newspapers on their heads while getting spraying with water. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is the longest-running show in Atlanta and is performed every Friday night at midnight for only $12 per person at the Plaza Theatre.
“I’ll See You In My Dreams” directed by Bret Haley
Contrary to the usual twenty-something hipsters who infiltrate the Plaza Theatre, this brilliant independent film attracted an older audience. The film follows a single, retired woman in her fifties living in L.A who copes with growing old and alone by striking up an unlikely friendship with her pool boy. “I’ll See You In My Dreams” was shown on March 24 in the evening and featured an A-list cast from Sam Elliot and Blythe Danner to Rhea Perlman and Martin Starr. Audience members not only had their heartstrings tugged by this simple film about real people but also cried tears of laughter at some downright hilarious moments – like a band of mischievous old women smoking medical marijuana in their retirement community. Director and co-writer Haley answered questions from the audience after the movie. He revealed that this was 72 year-old Danner’s first leading role and that all of his first-choice actors agreed to be in the film, nothing short of a miracle in filmmaking. Haley described how he decided to write in Starr’s role of the starving artist pool boy in contrast to the array of elderly characters to include a little bit of himself and his age group in the story. Overall, it’s surprising and sad that in the movie industry today the most edgy film centers on a female protagonist who develops a beautiful friendship.
The 2015 Atlanta Film Festival has outdone itself by incorporating a variety of films that appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds.