Recap of SJIFF3 Opening Night!

by Cole Akins

Coming up TONIGHT! February 20, 2010

Today at the Stockton Empire Theater
2:00PM: “Shorts 1: Discovery”
4:30pm: “Shorts 3: Right of Passage”

Today at the Stockton Empire Theater
7:00pm: The Messenger CENTERPIECE FILM
9:30pm: The Things We Carry


SJIFF3 Opening Night Recap

Opening night was a huge success! The packed house came pouring out of the Empire Theater with smiling faces and plenty of compliments for The Secret of Kells. I overheard audience members commenting on the Celtic story and the animation. Watching films from other countries is a glimpse into their cultures that I would miss if not for SJIFF3. I think the entire audience can agree. I spoke with one patron and his daughter who loved the music, and they were right- the score was beautiful and perfectly executed. As an avid purchaser of soundtracks on iTunes, music is very important to me. Opening night set the stage and I can tell you it’s going to be a fantastic Festival. If you weren’t able to attend last night, it doesn’t mean you’ve missed out. There is plenty of excellent cinema ahead.

I need to mention the Empire Theater. I’ve lived in Stockton for nearly five years and the Secret of Kells opening was my first experience inside the Empire. Stockton is known for certain negative aspects, but there are gold mines that area residents need to be aware of. How many others were like me and have completely missed out? Far too many I’m sure...

The inner theater has a classical design with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The artistic touches on the side walls continue the theme. Women with free-flowing long hair are classically draped on flying horses. The Empire also creates a very intimate festival atmosphere. The Empire lobby doubles as The Java Roma café where you can drink coffee and chat with others as you wait for the show. I had the chance to meet the writer-actor Alyssa Lobit and her sister, producer Athena Lobit. We spoke about their many roles in the film and what the experience taught them. Their film, The Things We Carry shows tonight at 9:30pm at the Empire. Their film is based on a personal story and marks the debut film of the Lobit sisters.

Check out more: http://www.sjiff.org/festival/f-carry.html http://www.thethingswecarry.com/

Also, check back regularly. Soon, the video recording from Friday’s "A Conversation with Alyssa and Athena Lobit,” will be uploaded onto FestBuzz.

The conversation mediated by Pacific Film Studies Professor Patti McCarthy lasted over an hour and provided great incites into the stories behind the filmmakers and their film The Things We Carry. Presented by the University of the Pacific Film Studies and the San Joaquin Film Society.
Tonight there is an excellent line-up of films beginning with The Messenger at 7:00pm and The Things We Carry following at 9:30pm. Don’t miss it!

Tickets are still available at: http://www.sjiff.org/festival/tickets.html or the Stockton Empire Theater box office on the Miracle Mile.

Finally, For more information on the history of the Empire Theater go to:
http://www.stocktonempiretheatre.com/about.html