SJIFF3 Fest Buzz

SJIFF3 RECAP

2010-03-28T12:21:00.000-07:00

SJIFF3 RECAP

By Cole Akins

As the curtain drops on the 3rd annual San Joaquin International Film Festival, I thought it fitting to provide a recap and highlights of the 10-day event. It has been a great experience.

The Festival opened with the visual tale The Secret of Kells. The little film that could was nominated for BEST ANIMATED FILM at this years (2010) Oscars but couldn’t muster the strength to out duel Pixar’s Up.

Oscar nominated films continued throughout the week with the powerful film The Messenger, starring Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster, that left audiences understanding an angle of war often forgotten. Ajami, has been heralded as the greatest Israeli film ever made. Modesto’s State Theater was packed with over 400 guests for the Young Victoria showing, winner of BEST COSTUME DESIGN. The Empire Theater

in Stockton and the State Theater proved excellent venues with their own unique histories. This was the first year SJIFF3 travelled to Modesto and it received an excellent reception! We hope to return next year.

The Festival was a showcase for Oscar nominated films and respected indy films that could have flown below your radar, but deserve to be seen for their quality, creativity, and message. There was a film for everyone in this year’s line-up.

SJIFF3 provided the special intimacy that makes film festivals such a unique experience for moviegoers. There were multiple opportunities to meet with filmmakers through Q&A sessions. Sisters Athena (right) and Alyssa (Left) Lobit Joined us from LA to talk about their film The Things We Carry- how the story developed, obstacles, and more. A distribution deal was just reached through Lono Entertainment. The documentary We Came to Play chronicled the lives of amateur pianists as they competed in the Fifth International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs in Fort Worth, Texas. Then the audience cheered as actual contests Esfir Ross (right) and Ken Iisaka gave is a surprise concert; a true encore! Director Alex Rotaru also sat down for a chat with Festival creator Sophoan Sorn to talk about the film and his future projects. Local filmmaker Matt Marconi, currently teaching at Delta College, spoke with the audience at the State Theater after his short film Sally. His principle actors joined him to add even greater depth to the discussion.

University of the Pacific Alumni Thedore Thomas ’73 returned to Stockton and received The Ambassador Award. The award honors an exemplary talent connected with the local community - who endeavors to: promote cross-cultural appreciation; catalyze the creative arts; to utilize the power of film; and to contribute to the quality of life for the greater community and beyond, through film and media.

Thomas’ wife and producing partner Kuniko Okubo also took part in the discussion regarding their film Walt and El Grupo. The documentary follows Walt Disney as he travels through South America during the WWII era.

Theodore Thomas (on winning the Ambassador Award): "What a great honor. The qualities of the Ambassador Award are of real importance to Kuniko and me; goals that one strives towards even though confirmation that they have actually been achieved is often elusive. For them to be singled out in our filmmaking is extremely gratifying, and humbling. Thank you very, very much.”

In closing, I want to thank all the readers of FESTBUZZ and all those who support The San Joaquin Film Society through memberships and attending yearly events. Your support made the 3rd San Joaquin International Film Festival a success. Also, to Programmer/Creator Sophoan Sorn and the Board for for their passion and dedication in bringing these film events to the greater Stockton community. To all the sponsors and volunteers: Thank You

The complete line-up of films shown at SJIFF3:

http://www.sjiff.org/festival/schedule.html

That’s a wrap! Check the official website for film events throughout the year!

www.sjiff.org

Film Review: They Came To Play

2010-02-28T14:13:00.001-08:00

Film Review: They Came To Play

Directed by Alex Rotaru

www.theycametoplay.com

Film Festivals and Awards

• Lone Star International Film Festival
• Film Society of Lincoln Center
• Winner, Audience Award, 2008 Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival

By Cole Akins

(From left to Right) Alex Rotaru, Esfir Ross, and myself

They Came To Play rocked like a face-melting guitar solo, but instead of electric guitar, it was classical piano that inspired the entire audience to stand up and cheer. Alex Rotaru's documentary follows the best amateur piano players in the world as they compete in the Fifth International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs in Fort Worth, Texas.

The premise for the film is simple: a group of top notch piano players competing for first prize. The competitors are everyday people from different backgrounds, however, each story was relatively similar. They learned to play piano as children, then life interfered. One contestant was high up within Lockheed Martin, another focused on tennis, while one man’s life was almost cut short after contracting AIDS, among many other notable stories. None of them could ignore their true passion in life. Each story is emotionally involved because the sacrifices made to reach such a talented level of piano playing is intense.

One competitor said it perfectly by quoting Igor Stravinsky, “If you can make a million dollars doing anything other than music, do it.” The devotion required to reach the talent required for this amateur competition matches that of a professional, yet these amateur pianists probably won't make enough money to pay for the gas or plane ticket home. Their dreams of becoming famous, wealthy musicians are unrealistic, but not because they didn’t deserve it talent wise. They don't do it for the money. They make the sacrifices for the love of playing piano, for their own pure joy. In my mind, that's more impressive than being a professional musician.

It's similar to the Olympic athletes currently competing in the Winter Olympic Games. Few will make enough money through competition, yet they have to treat the preparation for their events like full time jobs. You have to respect these people perhaps even greater than the professional pianist or athlete because it takes such a serious dedication to spend so much time on something without a monetary incentive. These talented musicians never gave up, and these aren’t the Saturday afternoon piano players you hear walking through a Nordstrom. These amateurs have reached a level beyond that, deserving the recognition they will never receive. The speed of their fingers on the keys and the complexity of the songs left the competitors out of breath, hardly able to bow after their individual pieces- Bach, Mozart, Stravinsky; all the greats and their most difficult works were performed.

The competitors as characters drove the film, compelling the audience to choose a contestant to root for until the end. My choice was Esfir Ross, like so many other members of the crowd. Her carefree attitude, eastern European accent, unique mannerisms, and intensity made everyone a fan. A significant portion of the film involved her, for good reason.

The incredible thing was that the “theatrical wall” between the audience and screen was lifted. By that, I mean the film played like a live show. Each performance impelled the audience to clap as if the individual pianist played their peice passionately in-person. You see that in live concerts, especially in theatre, but not in film. In this case, the connection with each character was incredibly real, even though these musicians were miles away and the competition had long ended. As the screen faded black the entire audience stood up for a standing ovation, hoping for an encore. And we got one.

Two of the competitors, Esfir Ross, and Ken Iisaka gave a surprise mini concert, then stood by to watch the special Q&A with director Alex Rotaru. It was a perfect cap to a film that became an event.

Photo (above): Esfir Ross (left) and Ken Lisaka (right).

Both made it to later rounds but missed

the finals

About Director Alex Rotaru:

Here is an excerpt on the They Came To Play director Alex Rotaru from the www.SJFS.org website. He decided to forego the Guggenheim at Princeton to attend USC film school. Don't scoff at Rotaru for following his passion in film; it's paid off.

Alex was born in Bucharest, Romania, to playwright Eugen Rotaru and actress Maria Rotaru. After an early career as an award-winning child actor, he fell in love with science, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with highest honors in his class. Inspired by his stint studying film at the Sorbonne, he switched gears again, interrupting his PhD and returning to his first love - cinema. He attended University of Southern California's School of Cinema-Television and earned a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Film/TV Production. Since graduation, he has worked in script development, and most recently in TV documentaries. Recipient of a 2006 Christopher Award. Alex lives in Los Angeles, California.

Photo (above): Sophoan Sorn with Alex Rotaru

Thanks to Alex Rotaru, Esfir Ross, and Ken Iisaka for joining us in Stockton for a great evening!

Exclusive Interview: Matt Marconi

2010-02-27T22:24:00.000-08:00

Exclusive Interview: Matt Marconi

Interviewed by Cole Akins

Matt ( left) and myself at the State Theater in Modesto.

As the the 3rd annual San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF3) heads into it’s final weekend, I had the opportunity to sit down with local filmmaker Matt Marconi. His short film Sally was accepted into the program and had multiple screenings during this year’s showcase. I sat down with Matt to learn about his path to SJIFF3, background on his experience making Sally, and what makes his creativity tick. Matt grew up in nearby Linden, CA and currently teaches at Delta College in Stockton. It's a thrill to have a filmmaker of Matt's quality living and working within miles of the Festival.

Tell me a little bit about yourself. How did you get into film, and what classes do you teach at Delta College?

I teach the film is literature at Delta College, known as English 30. In the past I’ve taught the composition course which is English 79. That’s a basic writing skills course that prepares students for college level writing. I prefer teaching English 30 because we watch different movies and write about them which is always fun, and then talk about different themes and ideas the filmmakers work with. I initially received an opportunity to teach at Delta through my friend Phil Hutchins who taught there a number of years. He had introduced me to Paul Keene who hired me. It was Phil who encouraged me to really follow my dream of filmmaking when I was a student enrolled in English 30 at Delta- that was back in 1993. We became fast friends by talking about film and he told me, “You know, you should really go out and make films.” He encouraged me to pursue it and that’s what I did.

I transferred to the University of the Pacific and majored in English with a Film minor. They didn’t have a film program at that time. Once I graduated, I went to Chapman University, earned my Masters of Fine Arts in Film Production. and Made my thesis film Truce, a short film which I cast in Stockton. They say write about things you know, and I grew up on a ranch in Linden. I wanted to tell a story about life you don’t really see in movies and I chose Stockton because I didn’t feel that LA was the right place to find the kind of people I needed for this film. It’s a movie about redemption and trying to repair past mistakes. The main character lead a hard life and hadn’t been a good father to his daughters. Then he gets a chance to redeem himself. I sent the film out to film festivals and it received really well. I began hearing from the audience that it could be a feature. That’s all I needed to know. In 2003, I shot my feature film version taking about 5 years to finish. The film gave me the opportunity to work with Oscar winner George Kennedy who was in Cool Hand Luke. In 2006, Truce won Best Theatrical Motion Picture at the Cowboy Hall of Fame. That was special. Past winners include Tommy Lee Jones and Clint Eastwood.

What is it about film that excites you?

Well, I always loved movies. As a kid I grew up in the country and going to a movie was a real treat for me. I can remember every film I saw growing up as a kid because it was such a big deal. I remember going to Star Wars when I was 5. I remember seeing Rocky in theaters at the Old Festival CInema on Pacific Avenue which is no longer there. During Rocky, I was so inspired by his big workout as he was doing his push-ups, that I started doing push-ups right there in the isle. I remember my Dad laughing and people trying to get by in the aisle. I was 6 at the time. I always loved movies and I was fortunate that my parents supported me and allowed me to pursue my dream.

I love storytelling. I love the visual image. I think there’s real poetry that goes into telling a story on film. Film is unlike any other art form. You’re using visual arts, music and performance all in one realm. It’s really special. I’m just fortunate to be able to do my part.

What motivated you to tell the story in Sally?

Thats a good question. Basically I spent over five years on my last project and in that that time, I was asked maybe a thousand times, “What are going to do next?” I have such a one track mind that all I could focus on was Truce and that meant selling that film and getting it released. After I felt I had done everything I could do to make that film a success, I thought, maybe it is time to get back and I got a little itchy.

Honestly, it wasn’t until my wife was pregnant and she was, I don’t know, about 4-5 months pregnant, that I thought- you know, I really need to shoot something. Somehow I thought, when the baby comes I won’t be able to do anything! [laughs] I was misinformed in that thought, but that’s what I was thinking. But about 4-5 months before my first son was born, I began writing a script with my friends in mind- Harvey Jordan, and Henry Brown. Henry was in the short edition of Truce as-well-as the feature. Harvey was in the feature. I started with the idea of Sally because I love the character that Henry plays and the modern west setting around him. He’s a guy who is so attached to his land that it’s a part of who he is. I had made two films with him already and I couldn’t let that character go.

But in Sally, I diverted into a different direction with Henry’s character Harry. The theme here is two men trying to come to grips with a tragedy and how they go about it. Harry is involved in a drunk driving incident that ends the life of a young girl with great promise.

Is Sally a true story?

Not technically. I wasn’t thinking of any particular story, but growing up I’d heard of stories like this up in Linden. I can remember a similar accident with three kids were in a car. A girl died. My attempt was to try and tell a story of both sides. I tried to create more sympathy in the villain and a father, Harvey paying the character James, is full of anger and all the emotion he’s dealing with after losing his daughter. I wanted to tell this story in a different way.

Everything about these tow characters is different. One is a salt of the earth rancher. That scene with Harry’s hand, those are is real hands. He’s got these cuts in his palms and fingers that don’t heal because of all the hard work. I had to show that. Then there’s the father, working with Shakespeare and Theater. With the Harvey Character, we chose to shoe him reciting King Lear because we saw those characters reflecting each other. These are the ideas I worked with in the film.

You acted in this film. What other specific roles did you play and which did you find more difficult?

Acting, well... that part was easy because I played myself for that part. In some cases you’ll cast someone because they’ll have the specific look or type you know? In this case I wrote a character that I identified with, so I thought I could play him. Also, I didn’t have an actor who was a horseback rider. I can ride a horse and I’d rather take that risk in case theres an accident. I thought it would be fun to play opposite Henry (Harry Dobbs) because we know each other so well. I’ve known him now 10 or 12 years. He’s a father figure in a sense. Making the film, Harvey and I worked on the story together. I wrote the script, directed it, produced it, edited, and worked on the sound design with my friend Joe Pious. With Sally, we spend about 2 years, shooting at the end of 2007 and I finished post in 2009.

Were there any obstacles to making the film?

I guess I would say the obstacles would be that we didn’t have any money. What we did need, I just put on a credit card. I think one of the great things I learned through experience that I had heard from directors like Orson Well in interviews, are that limitations can force you to become more creative. My friend Takuji Murata Marata, who filmed this, flew in from Japan to help me out. We are good friends. He shot Truce with me and we went to school together in Chapman. He’s an award winning Director of Photography who I wanted to work with again. But I told him that I couldn’t offer a big lighting package, or the things he was used to working with. We shot on a mini HD DV Cam, a Canon HD20 you can purchase at BestBuy. Yet Takuji Murata made it look a like a million dollar camera. It looks fantastic. That was just his skill as a cinematographer. As far as lighting, it’s the same story I told at the initial SJIFF3 screening as one of my favorite moments. When I shot Truce we had a really expenses lighting package. On Sally, we couldn’t do that. Takuji Murata and I went to Home Depot and got two huge flashlights and some tinfoil. He set the tinfoil up on the dashboard, set the light on the seat of the truck, and bounced the light onto Henry’s face. It looks just as good as the scene that cost us a fortune to shoot in Truce. It goes to show that without money you become more creative; you use what you have. That’s one one of my best memories.

As a local filmmaker, how did it feel watching your short at the local San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF3).

To be honest, I had never screened here in Stockton. It’s a different setting to show your work of art in a film festival and it’s a wonderful feeling to have my work shown. I’m honored that Sophoan and the board here at the San Joaquin International Film Society decided to include Sally in this amazing group of films. I saw the line-up of films from around the world and it’s just a great honor to be included. Regarding other festivals, there’s nothing like having your work shown locally here in Stockton. This festival (SJIFF3) provides a wonderful backdrop for lovers of art and cinema to get together. I feel very fortunate. A lot of people showed up at Sally that I hadn’t seen in years- my high school math teacher- we were able to reconnect. I grew up in the Empire Theater. I used to come here every weekend and movies. I remember watching Die Hard right here. It’s an honor to have my work shown on the same screen. Plus, it’s such a welcoming environment! I’ve never been at a festival where I feel so welcome and home. They’re all great to be a part of, but everyone here is so nice. There isn’t that nervous energy I’m used to feeling elsewhere. Such a nice group of people.

A special intimate Q&A session with (right to left) Matt Marconi,

actors Harvey Jordan (the father) and James Brown (Harry Dobbs),

and SJFS board member Shane Williamson.

Are there any specific films that inspired you?

Growing up, there were a lot filmmakers I admired. I don’t know if my films resemble his, but I liked Scorsese’s early work. I loved Westerns growing up, like John Ford’s, The Searchers. I loved real visual poetry. There’s also Howard Hawks’, The Red River. And later on I loved Jon Sales’ quiet independent films with their great characters. I appreciated european directors as well. I was thinking of my film Sally and that it may have been influenced by Chislovsky. European filmmakers take their time when they tell a story. They hold their shots and the story unravels in front of you. There’s no fast cutting like there is popular in Today’s American Films; that MTV rapid cutting. I like stories that take their time. I believe a well composed shot that allows the story to unfold you is real poetry. Michael Mann is great at this, like in Heat. The production design is important, it takes you a lot about the characters. There’s that scene with Robert De Niro in the opening of the film where you’re just learning who these characters are. In that film, De Niro has this huge house, but it’s empty. There’s a bed and a chair, but he has huge expansive rooms with high ceilings and they’re really sparsely decorated. It reflects his personal life, that there’s not a lot going on. Mann does that really well.

Is there anything you want to add?

I worked a lot on the music with Joe Pious who went to UCLA film school with a focus on sound mixing, editing, and music. Joe really helped me with the editing. I had a cut of Sally I wasn’t happy with and I brought Joe. A lot of my best moments in the film came out of may collaboration with Joe. Ben Pennington composed of the pieces and I was really happy with how they turned out. He delivered the sparse notes and quiet dissident tones. What Ben did with the music really complimented the film.

Review: The Things We Carry

2010-02-23T14:06:00.000-08:00

Film Review: The Things We Carry

Athena and Alyssa Lobit

By Cole Akins

The Things We Carry is an emotional film that could have easily slipped into a made-for-Lifetime TV drama. Yet, it rises above the melodrama genre by providing fresh characters and refraining from soap opera dialogue and exhaustive tears. It remains real and unforced throughout.

The story centers around two estranged sisters who reunite after their drug addicted mother dies. Emma, played by Alyssa Lobit, is especially bitter of her mother’s unbalanced behavior and addiction. Emma goes years without finding resolution to her emotional trauma and the anger pops up quickly once she returns home from her adventures abroad. By the end, Emma realizes that she has overlooked her mother’s compassion and love. Closure is found between the polarized sisters who handled their mother’s addiction in different ways, but also between Emma and her mother’s memory. The real focus of the story is the relationship between Emma and her mother.

It blows me away that this is the first feature film for both Lobit sisters who teamed up and held various roles. Neither one had a background in filmmaking. Athena worked in a Nickelodeon animation department and Alyssa was an actress (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1109642/). Despite lacking any background in film production, the quality of their work jumps out. Quitting her animation job, Athena Lobit worked as a first time producer for the film while Alyssa wrote the attention grabbing screenplay. Her script for The Things We Carry reached the Quarterfinalist of the renown 2007 Academy Nicholl Fellowships. Out of 5,050 entries, her work made it to the top 5 percent- incredible for a first time writer. Alyssa and Athena also worked alongside Maureen Meulen, the film's editor.

The film almost never shot, hitting a major roadblock early on. With no principle financial backer, Athena was three days away from canceling production. Athena and Alyssa’s father stepped in and saved the project.

An actress with no writing experience, a first time producer, and plenty of obstacles in their way, Athena and Alyssa Lobit made their movie sing. They have set an example of what motivated people can do with a powerful story and a determined vision. The film and their follow-up Q&A session capped an excellent Saturday night at the Festival.

A distribution deal has been announced. Check for The Things We Carry on Amazon and Netflix in April! Film festival supporters: Rate and comment on the film... it creates more buzz and attention. It’s one way indy films gain more mainstream attention....

Check Out: www.thethingswecarry.com

For more information on SJIFF3: www.sjiff.org

Wednesday at the Empire Theater...

-After two days off, films restart Wednesday at 6:30pm with the documentary They Came to Play- a film benefit for the Stockton Symphony. Tickets Available

-The night closes with the 2009 SJIFF BEST PICTURE WINNER Cherry Blossoms at 8:45pm.

Tickets Available

Without support from moviegoers like you, SJIFF couldn’t take place. Everyone at the San Joaquin Film Society thanks you!

Day 3: Sunday Feb 21, 2010

2010-02-21T01:32:00.001-08:00

Film Preview: Yang Yang

Day 3

By Cole Akins

Sunday Feb. 21 at 7:30pm

Empire Theater

Directed by Cheng Yu-chieh

The 3rd annual San Joaquin International Film Festival is privileged to bring the award winning Taiwanese film Yang Yang to Stockton. This character drama follows the French/Taiwanese character Yang Yang as she searches for relief from her family related trauma.

I love movies, and I love independent films because they provide me with an experience that the common Hollywood blockbuster cannot. Yang Yang’s focus is its story and the creativeness in how it is told. Director Cheng Yu-chieh chose to shoot many of his scenes through improv. This requires great confidence in his actors, but if done well, has the potential to make the film very real, emotional, and unexpected. This was true for the actors on set, who actually burst into tears after certain scenes were filmed.

Yang Yang has the potential for a powerful story. That’s the beauty of independent genre that has a clear vision and is centered around a well-developed character. There is a time for cheesy one-liners and excessive explosions; films that cost $60 million and more to make today. It won’t be 3D visual affects that motivate me to attend the February 21st showing. Simple can make more powerful. We are fortunate to have such a respected international film festival in the Central Valley.

I’m excited to see how the character Yang Yang, played by actress Sandrine Pinna, overcomes the obstacles in her life. Pinna is actually French/Taiwanese by the way, and the kind of honest beauty I pray will move in next door. In the film, Yang Yang is a member of a track team. Running acts as a sort of escape for her- freedom from difficulties in her family and love-life.

As an athletic minded person, I’m attracted to the emotional affects of running and exercise. It’s obvious aspect of the character I can relate to in this film. If it’s not running, it’s something else. We all seek an outlet. I am interested to see the steps Yang Yang takes in her journey to transition from the start to the resolution. What does she find? Who does she become?

I am thankful to SJIFF for bringing these unique films to Stockton. Yang Yang has potential to leave a lasting impression on Sunday evening’s film festival attendees.

Visit www.SJIFF.org

or the Yang Yang's page at

http://www.sjiff.org/festival/f-yangyang.html

And Finally,

Another film that beautifully fits within the independent genre is The Things We Carry. A distribution deal has been signed, so if you missed it, check out Amazon or Netflix in April!

www.thethingswecarry.com

-Watch it, then remember to leave a comment and a rating...

http://www.sjiff.org/festival/f-carry.html

Recap of SJIFF3 Opening Night!

2010-02-20T13:50:00.000-08:00

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

Exclusive Review: The Secret of Kells

2010-02-19T16:39:00.000-08:00

By Cole Aikens

FestBuzz Exclusive

Tom Moore

Opening Night, February 19, 2010, Stockton Empire Theater, Stockton, CA

"Absolutely luscious to behold!" - Variety

"Pure magic! The Secret of Kells leaves you stunned by its originality, audacity and pure artistry!" -Newsarama

I’m a gruff, masculine, 23-year old young man, but when SJIFF Programmer Sophoan Sorn handed me the special Oscar pre-screening of the Secret of Kells, I squealed like a school girl. That’s very difficult to admit but it’s an elite group of professionals who are given this opportunity. The film is the opening night presentation for the 2010 San Joaquin International Film Festival as well as a nominee for best animated feature in the upcoming Academy Awards. These two aspects sparked my curiosity was very curious about the film to begin, then the trailer cemented it. The trailer is an attention getter, the dark images, the mythical voice over. The quality and depth of the film’s animation held its own.

See the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAQyoSvw8cE

I had one question before viewing the film- why choose to tell the story through animation? Any concerns were quickly lifted; The Secret of Kells was visually stunning.

The detail was incredible, but not overwhelming and when the laws of physics were broken, I accepted it. The world created within the movie is a blend of fantasy and reality that required a bit of my imagination to connect the dots. That’s not a bad thing. It is a mistake when films fail to give the audience credit their intelligence.

The community of Kells lives inside its constructed walls for protection, but on the outside is an unknown sanctuary of knowledge. Whether the dangers of the world outside the walls is the greatest threat, or whether its living a life unaware of the outside world is the greatest danger, it’s up to you. I believe that never leaving your backyard, never experiencing the outside world for yourself, is worse. The young hero Brendan must find out for himself. So do you.

On a quest, Brendan faces a danger outside his community’s walls that appears abstract, like a dream, but the fear and the prize are real. Animation provided freedoms to tell a story that would have been impossible, through live action. The quality of detail could be lost on children who may see the film as a long Saturday cartoon, but the intricacies takes it too a new level. I believe the film lives up to its Oscar nomination.

I especially enjoyed the character Ashley. She was fun, with the spunk and joy you hope to see in every girl her age. She is obviously different to begin with; dressed in a aura of white clothes and free flowing hair. The forest is her domain and despite her innocence and small nature, she controls the forest with enticing magic. However she too has her limitations. Curiosity and bravery prevail over magic.

Find out more at http://www.sjiff.org/festival/f-kells.html

Friday 19th at 3PM: A Conversation with Alyssa and Athena Lobit

2010-02-19T09:15:00.000-08:00

(Stockton, CA) The University of the Pacific Film Studies and the San Joaquin Film Society presents "A Conversation with Alyssa and Athena Lobit," an interactive film arts forum:

When: Friday, February 19, 2010 at 3:00PM-4:00PM
Where: Pacific Theatre at University of the Pacific

Experience a captivating conversation and multimedia presentation with the writer-actor (Alyssa Lobit) and the producer (Athena Lobit) of "The Things We Carry," a new film premiering at the third-annual San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF3). Moderated by Pacific Film Studies professor Patti McCarthy.

This forum is held in conjunction with the Film Society's 3rd San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF3), opening Friday night and running through the 27th at the Stockton Empire Theatre and The State Theatre Modesto.

In addition, this forum will jump-start an on-going collaboration between Pacific's Film Studies department and the San Joaquin Film Society for future film arts programs and workshops.

Forum is FREE and open to the public.

About Alyssa Lobit

Alyssa Lobit, half of the Lobit Sisters Productions team, is a 2007 Academy Nicholl Fellowships Quarter finalist with "The Things We Carry", placing in the top 5% of 5,050 entries in this prestigious competition. "The Things We Carry" marks her debut as both writer and lead actress in a feature. Alyssa co-wrote and acted in a TV comedy pilot, Star Names Only, directed by Brian Austin Green. She made her debut as a director and producer with "One Man's Trash", which won the 2004 Los Angeles Flickering Image Film Fest and was a finalist in the highly competitive Indie Producer Contest in 2005. Alyssa has received critical acclaim for her stage performances, including recognition for a "standout performance"in the World Premiere of "Slow Boat" and an LA Weekly Nomination for her performance in "Night Coil." She has appeared in several short films that have screened and won awards at festivals across the country, as well as several commercials. She is a founding member of the Los Angeles-based filmmakers collective "Game On", directing, producing and editing nine shorts during the series. She graduated cum laude from U.C.L.A. with a B.A. in English.

About Athena Lobit

"The Things We Carry" marks Athena Lobit's debut as a feature producer. She was instrumental in the development of the project, from the script stage. Prior to producing, Athena was a Post-Production Supervisor in the world of animation. Most of her years were spent at Nickelodeon Animation Studio overseeing the post-production of several hit shows, as well as a variety of other international and domestic projects. Athena served as Co-Producer and Assistant Director on the well-received short "One Man's Trash", produced and directed by her sister Alyssa Lobit, which won the 2004 Los Angeles Flickering Image Film Fest and was a finalist in the highly competitive IndieProducer Contest in 2005. She is a founding member of the Los Angeles-based filmmakers collective "GameOn", directing, producing and editing several shorts during the series. She enjoys honing her skills as a photographer and watching documentaries.

Source: University of the Pacific

SJIFF3 Fest Buzz

SJIFF3 RECAP

Film Review: They Came To Play

More Postings Imminent...

Exclusive Interview: Matt Marconi

Review: The Things We Carry

Day 3: Sunday Feb 21, 2010

Recap of SJIFF3 Opening Night!

Exclusive Review: The Secret of Kells

Friday 19th at 3PM: A Conversation with Alyssa and Athena Lobit