Austin Film Festival: Sleeping Dogs Lie, The Book of the Dead, and Awards Announced

The workweek has slowed things a little at the 13th Austin Film Festival. Basically it means the venues are hosting two screenings in the evenings instead of all day long. People have to work or something. But the slightly slowed pace hasn’t stopped guests from attending screenings of their films, nor does it mean the films being shown are any less spectacular.

Bobcat Goldthwait’s newest project, Sleeping Dogs Lie, was the start to my evening. If you haven’t heard, it’s the bestiality movie. John and Amy get engaged and he wants them to share their deepest secrets with each other. But when her secret turns out to be more than he can handle, things sort of blow up.

I was expecting Sleeping Dogs Lie to be a dark, crude comedy about fucking dogs. I mean, this is the comedian Bobcat Goldthwait that wrote and directed the film. Previous to the screening, Bobcat announced that he made it for $40,000 and never intended it to be projected on an IMAX screen like it was tonight – it was supposed to be a “fucked up movie [he] could show at home to friends.”

Melinda Page Hamilton plays Amy and does a fantastic job. In fact, she was just nominated for the New York Film Critics Awards for her performance in the movie –- a fact Bobcat Goldthwait announced right before Sleeping Dogs Lie started. Jack Plotnick is also a convincing drug addict brother and is the source of many laughs throughout the film.

While the acting was good and some laughs sprinkled throughout Sleeping Dogs Lie, there are also elements of a family drama that I wasn’t expecting. The film actually takes a decent look at family, courage, honesty, and ultimately forgiveness. It has a lot more charm to it than I would have ever guessed. It isn’t the best movie I have ever seen, but Bobcat Goldthwait wasn’t trying to make the best movie ever seen.

Next was the Japanese stop motion puppet animation, The Book of the Dead. It is the story of a young noblewoman who falls into a trance after copying Buddhist sutras. In her trance, she walks into a temple forbidden for women to enter. While atoning for this sin, she stirs the ghost of an executed Prince.

The Book of the Dead is an interesting film and pretty to watch. Unfortunately I think something may have been lost in translation. That or knowledge of the ancient Japanese poetry on which it is based is required, making my understanding pretty limited. There were English subtitles but I am confused about the ending of the film as the young girl just walks out of the building. Maybe my need for a resolution or conclusion is at fault for my being confused, who knows. Either way, it is still a pretty film to watch.

The 2006 Austin Film Festival Film Competition winners have been announced. The awards, as well as guidelines, are available on the AFF website. The winning Narrative Feature is Chalk, written by Chris Mass and Mike Akel and directed by Mike Akel. The winning Narrative Short is When Elvis Came To Visit, written and directed by Andreas Tibblin. Hope Dickson Leach wrote and directed the winning Narrative Student Short, The Dawn Chorus, and Neil Jay wrote and directed the winning Animated Short, Ujbaz Izbeneki Has Lost His Soul. The winning Documentary Feature is Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story, directed by Chris Sheridan and Patty Kim, with Vanessa Roth’s The Third Monday In October receiving an Honorable Mention. The Documentary Short Winner is A Taste of Nate, directed by Jim McGorman.

The Winners in the Screenplay Competition have also been announced and the information on what the awards are on the Austin Film Festival website. The Adult/Family Category winner is Andrew Pagana and Justin Thomas’s The Man in the Rearview Mirror. John Morning won the Comedy Category with What Would Fabio Do?, which also won the Burnt Orange Category. Graverobbers by Brian McDonald won the Sci-Fi Category. Jill Weinberger won the Drama Teleplay Category with her House, M.D. “Reunion” script and the Sitcom Teleplay Category was won by Todd Linden’s script for My Name Is Earl “Tied Gil to a See-Saw.”

Perhaps we will see some of those screenplay winners in future Austin Film Festivals.

Austin Film Festival: The Cave of the Yellow Dog, Rescue Dawn, and Death of a President

The Austin Film Festival is well into its 13th year. Dedicated to filmmakers of every type, aspiring or established, who use the language of film as the means to tell a story, The Austin Film Festival hosts events celebrating all aspects of filmmaking – the artistic and business sides. The 2006 festival is hosting several premieres and three secret sneak preview screenings.


The Cave of the Yellow Dog was submitted as Mongolia’s contender for the 2005 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and won the 2006 Deutscher Filmpreis Award for Best Children’s Picture. The film blends documentary and drama in the examination of the bond between human and dog. Yellow Dog follows the life of a Mongolian nomadic family when the oldest daughter returns home from school for the summer. She may be the oldest child of the family but she can’t be much older than five or six-years-old. While helping with the family chores, she discovers a young dog in a cave and quickly befriends it. However wolves have been attacking the family’s sheep and the young girl’s father is concerned the pup may have been living with the wolves and thus is unsafe for them to keep. She hides the dog from her father until at last the pup warms his heart as well.

It is a beautiful movie, shot in Mongolia. At the heart of the film are the children. They are adorable and add a loving touch to what might have otherwise been a boring story. The spiritual element of reincarnation is woven throughout the film, adding to the bond between the girl and the dog. There were a few moments when the subtitles were difficult to read due to their color but otherwise not a bad word can be said about the film. I definitely recommend anyone with the opportunity to see The Cave of the Yellow Dog not hesitate to do so.

After Yellow Dog I went to the Driscoll Hotel where the festival headquarters is camped out. In the lobby, and at the bar, is also where many of the festivalgoers hang out between screenings to catch up or get out of the surprisingly chilly weather (ok, it is cold for Austin). It is a nice hotel with some excellent – and very pricey – food that also hosts true Texas comfort in the leather couches and Western décor.

Next I was on my way to see Werner Herzog’s newest film, Rescue Dawn. The subject matter is certainly nothing new, nor are the characters as Rescue Dawn is the action drama retelling of Dieter Dengler’s story – the subject of Herzog’s 1997 documentary Little Dieter Needs to Fly. Dengler was an American Navy pilot who crash-landed in Laos shortly before outbreak of the Vietnam War. Rescue Dawn is his story of survival after the crash.

It would be impossible for any movie about Vietnam to not be beautiful, just as it would be impossible for any project of Herzog’s to not be beautiful. The story is intense, as any POW’s survival story would be. Christian Bale does an amazing job as Dengler but the most amazing performance is Steve Zahn – who knew what an amazing actor he is? Herzog’s ability to tell a compelling story shines through making Rescue Dawn not just a war movie, but a movie about the strength of the human soul – even under extreme conditions. But as much as I loved the film, it wasn’t the typical Werner Herzog film – it focuses far more on the narrative of Dengler than the atmosphere around him. However, the story is compelling enough to allow audiences to leave behind their expectations and follow Dengler through the Laotian jungle with the hopes of making it to Thailand and thus to freedom. Plus it is nice to see the American hero surviving without slaughtering his enemies around him.

While I didn’t attend the screening, tonight’s special sneak preview was one of the first public screenings of Death of a President. Death of a President is a faux-documentary, taking existing news footage to create the story of what life might be like should President Bush be assassinated. The word on the street is that it is hard to watch and never fulfills its potential of true innovative filmmaking. It focuses more on the direct aftermath than on any changes in the world or American life. It is, essentially, the whodunit story of the murder. I suppose I’ll have to wait until Death of a President is out in theaters, which is later this month.

If you haven’t yet gone to the Austin Film Festival website, you should check it out. You can read filmmakers’ blogs, reviews of the films, and even watch trailers for many of the 135 films included in this year’s festival. You can also check out reviews of Friday and Saturday.

Austin Film Festival: Military Intelligence and You!, A Lobster Tale, and The Night of the White Pants

The 13th Annual Austin Film Festival started off with a bang and seems determined to continue the fireworks. While the festival started with a strong focus on the screenwriting workshops, the festival has grown to include workshops on various topics and a great listing of films you are actually glad to see.

Today was the official world premiere of Military Intelligence and You! I had read a review of the film and decided it was one to think about seeing. When I saw the filmmakers would be in attendance, I figured if nothing else there would certainly be some interesting questions they were asked. I’m glad the premiere was moved to the Texas Spirit Theater because it is far more comfortable than the original theater – plus, the projection and sound equipment are of better quality.

If you have the chance to see Military Intelligence and You! go see it. Really. It is a blend of found military films and new footage. The blend between the old and new is seamless and the acting for the new scenes is spot on to really match with the over-the-top acting of the 40s. Hey, it even has Ronald Regan in it. Military Intelligence and You! certainly parodies the military training films from the era with smart sarcasm and funny wit that is appropriate given the current military actions of the United States. The humor is well done so that it isn’t insults or jabs being thrown about. In fact, I’m pretty sure people will enjoy this film regardless of their political inclinations. There are definitely lines that poke fun of what may be the current Administration’s attitudes, but they are done in a way that also parody the 40s films which inspired Military Intelligence and You! Director Dale Kutzera mentioned they took the time to make sure nothing was included that would be considered insensitive or offensive in the project that ended up being a bit more of a collaboration than he anticipated. For that I am glad because it adds a certain timelessness to the film that will ensure audiences will find it humorous for years, perhaps even decades, to come.

The next film was in the same theater and another world premiere. Adam Massey’s first feature film (he’s directed commercials before) is A Lobster Tale. It is the magical tale of a Maine lobster fisherman who finds moss with healing powers. In deciding what to do with the moss, the relationships between the father, mother, and son are explored in a very moving manner. Adam Massey cast the boy hoping for someone who didn’t “look like he fell out of a Disney movie or Sears catalog” and he wound up with a movie with the same honesty. The acting is wonderful with Colm Meaney, Jack Knight, and Graham Greene all nailing their characters. Greene is able to be the scatterbrained sheriff without coming across as a cliché. Knight carries a lot of the emotional weight of the film as the child in the maritime family. And having been shot in Halifax, Canada there are certainly some beautiful shots to see. Adam Massey did a great job with A Lobster Tale and gave symbolism to bird shit like no one before.

I had a bit of trouble deciding between two films for my last one of the evening (sorry, I just don’t have the energy for Snoop Dogg’s Hood of Horror tonight). My final choices came down to A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints and The Night of the White Pants. Seeing as Saints already has distribution and will be released soon, I opted for White Pants. Plus, it never hurts to support Texas films.

The Night of the White Pants is a chain of reactions that leads to rediscovery. Powerful Dallas businessman Max Hagan’s life is in shambles and by accident he finds himself on the ride of a lifetime with his daughter’s punk rock boyfriend. The plot of everything going wrong but turning out right could easily find itself being a bad attempt at a comedic soap opera. Instead, Tom Wilkinson and Nick Stahl play the ridiculousness with authenticity. Throw in the performances of Janine Turner, Selma Blair, Frances Fisher, Laura Jordan, and Fran Kranz and you have comedy around every corner.

White Pants hasn’t yet found distribution, but I can’t see that being an issue for much longer. I had tears in my eyes I was laughing so hard in a few scenes, but the humor isn’t a gimmick nor does it overshadow a real story. The Night of the White Pants is not “a weenie in a punk suit” either. Director Amy Talkington, along with Nick Stahl, Janine Turner, and several others of the cast and crew were in attendance at the screening. With most having met through previous projects, everyone seemed quite pleased with White Pants. As did the audience.

Overall I am quite pleased with this year’s Austin Film Festival. There has only been one movie I would say I didn’t like and will recommend others to miss, The Descendant. If you aren’t in Austin or are unable to attend the Austin Film Festival for whatever reason, you can still read about most of the films, watch trailers, and keep up with the festival buzz on the Austin Film Festival site hosted by B Side Entertainment.

Austin Film Festival: The Descendant, Catch and Release, and Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

Austin, Texas is no stranger to the arts. Music is big here, sure. But so is film. Film is really big in Austin. Austin is the third coast after all. Austin doesn’t just do film, the city does film differently. That’s where the Austin Film Festival (AFF) comes in. You see, they focus on the strengths writers bring to film and television. Austin Film Festival has been doing it for thirteen years now – well, this is the thirteenth year. It’s the festival in town to catch to schmooze with the folks that will be the people to know tomorrow. That’s how it works in the film and television worlds – you're a nobody today and then you’re the hottest thing since sliced bread tomorrow. Austin Film Festival gives you the chance to meet everyone in between and make friends or contacts, but most importantly AFF gives you the inside scoop on the industry from all angles today.

Most of AFF’s venues are in downtown Austin and close enough to walk between. There are two that are in Northwest Austin and not exactly in walking distance – funny enough those two theaters are the more stereotypical theaters in the venue listing. Two theaters are at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum: the IMAX and Texas Spirit Theaters. Basically across the street is the Landmark Dobie Theater; yep it is in a University of Texas dorm’s mall. If you jaunt to the other side of the state capital, you’ll find three venues within a block of each other. The Hideout is a coffee shop with two theaters in it, one upstairs and one downstairs. The Stephen F. Austin Hotel is housing a theater in their ballroom. And of course is the beautiful Paramount Theatre. The other two, the ones in Northwest Austin, are the Regal Arbor Cinema and then Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek. Eight theaters make for eight full days of cinematic treasures to be sought.

I started tonight at The Hideout to see The Descendant’s US Premiere. The Descendant is a 95-minute Canadian film about family secrets. James Duke decides to dig for his family roots by doing what his mother made him promise to never do – contact his grandparents. James is welcomed to their home, but not with open arms. The entire town is less than thrilled with his showing up and snooping around. Before long, the audience is aware there is a huge secret the entire town of Ste Harmonie is hiding. Of course, knowing there is a secret makes James search further. I won’t spoil what the secret is, but it isn’t anywhere near what anyone would expect. It isn’t really that big of a secret – except maybe where a blanket comes into play – and certainly isn’t a secret that will please every viewer. Once James discovers what the secret is, the movie just kind of ends. I’m still not sure what I was supposed to walk away thinking. It was obviously made by someone who feels strongly about the issue at hand (the telling of which issue would ruin the secret!) and that is to be admired. I didn’t hate The Descendant but I didn’t leave the theater liking it either. And judging from what I heard others saying, the movie wasn’t a big hit for anyone.

The next movie was my guilty pleasure. Of the movies playing during the Austin Film Festival, it is one of two or three I’ve actually seen a trailer for. According to writer/director Susannah Grant, the AFF screening was actually the first screening of the recently finished Catch and Release. Recently finished as in the cut was finished Tuesday, three days ago. Catch and Release is a romantic comedy starring Jennifer Garner, Kevin Smith, Juliette Lewis and Timothy Olyphant. Garner’s finance dies days before their wedding and his life-long friends rally around to take care of her. It is a charming film focusing on the paternal way these men take care of each other and Garner as they re-find their footing in life. Together they overcome their feelings of guilt, clean up secrets, and rediscover themselves. Catch and Release is set for theatrical release in January 2007.

Given the setting of Catch and Release, there is certainly some beautiful scenery and the cinematography catches it wonderfully. The sets added to the characters with their homes showing elements of their personalities without needing to spell it out for the audiences. The acting was decent with small glances hitting at the right heartstring or Kevin Smith going on in the perfectly funny way he has a talent to do. The characters were a bit predictable, but that’s to be expected with a romantic comedy, isn’t it?

The writer/director Susannah Grant was in attendance for a Question and Answer session after the film. Catch and Release is her directorial debut but she has been writing successful films for a while (Erin Brockovich, In Her Shoes and 28 Days). Grant has wanted to direct for a few years and finally decided Catch and Release was the project she wanted to direct so “it wouldn’t be what is interesting to someone else because the finished film is what is interesting” to her. While Grant finds it limiting to write with an actor in mind, she immediately knew Juliette Lewis was the only one that could be Maureen. Grant said Sam was hardest to cast but as soon as she watched ten minutes of An Evening With Kevin Smith she knew it had to be Kevin Smith (who had to cancel his appearance at the film). The real gem of knowledge is discovering the 111-minute film was cut from its original two hours and 57 minutes.

The last movie of the night had me a bit nervous at first. I read the description and knew it sounded interesting. But then I realized it was nearly three hours long and set to begin at 10:15. That makes for some brave programming to have such a long movie begin so late during a festival. After having watched Perfume: The Story of a Murderer I understand – it is so well made it would be a powerful movie at any time of day. This was a regional premiere of Perfume and I honestly cannot wait until it is released because I want to watch it again. Based on the novel by Patrick Suskind, Perfume tells the tale of murder and obsession. The tragically beautiful story is of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille’s quest to capture the scent of perfect beauty. As he becomes more skilled in the art of perfume-making, his obsession turns to murder and a glimpse of paradise.

Directed by Tom Tykwer (Run, Lola, Run), Perfume relies on the body’s senses of sight and sound to portray the power of smell. The visuals provide such a depth of emotion, yet the images still manage to cancel out unnecessary background noise. The score fits with each flurry of emotion and movement of Grenouille. Together the sights and sounds of Perfume allow the sense of smell to maintain its important role in the story, which is obviously central in the novel and may have made it all the more difficult to translate into film.

While the film is long, cutting out any of the story would have made Perfume the story of murder instead of The Story of a Murderer. The details of Grenouille’s life from the moment before his birth until the last frame of the film are integral into telling the story. Each moment and experience gives insight into the world of the boy with no smell of his own who seeks to capture scents so they will last forever. Each leg of his journey shapes his determination to find his fate. And each minute of the film makes a serial killer the unlikely hero of this story. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer isn’t a happy movie with a happy ending, instead it is the story of love and it’s crushingly overwhelming power.

The 13th Annual Austin Film Festival is certainly off to a good start. You can catch the festival buzz at the festival’s website, where the schedule of films, panels, and special guests can also be found.