Maryland Film Festival '08 Picks

I've found a few minutes to check over the Maryland Film Festival '08 schedule, and I think I've spotted some special films to catch this weekend. The festival gets started tonight with a premiere screening of shorts at MICA Brown Center at 8pm. I won't go into the dates and times when the specific films will be screened; for that you may check the schedule at Maryland Film Festival website. The good news is that this year's festival is chockfull of fascinating choices, everything from socially-focused documentaries to etchnically-driven films. In fact, there are some many interesting films this year that I had to stop jotting down potential films to see once I got to 19! I can only catch 9 to 10 screenings at the fest each year, because I do like to eat and sleep during the weekend. This what stands out for me:

--'Black List', a docu in which many sucessful black men from all walks of life are interviewed. Their opinions and stories are apparently very revealing and thought-provoking

--'The Listening Project', a docu about, well, listening. But, more specifically it's about the lost ability of people to actually listen to one another's opinions. In the film, several interviewers ask questions of foreigners about what they think of the US. The film is an exercise on how crucial listening is to the process of communication.

--'At The Death House Door', another docu. This one is from the team behind the hit basketball docu 'Hoop Dreams'. 'Death House' deals with the real life story of a penitentiary chaplain who listened to hundreds of men on death row. He started believing on the death penalty after suffering a family tragedy, but his experiences counseling the prisoners turned him around, and now he believes that some innocent men have been put to death.

--'Medicine For Melancholy', an indie feature about a young black couple attempting to reconnect in San Francisco after an ill-advised one-night stand. The film also explores issue of racial identity in a nation that's becoming increasingly homogenized.

--'Out Late', a docu. This one is about gay and lesbian people who have waited until well into their senior years to come out to friends and family. 'Bi The Way' is yet another docu about the current 'whatever' generation and its attitude/exploration of gay, lesbian and bi lifestyles.

--'Row Hard. No Excuses' documents two middle-aged men attempt to win an extremely ardous annual rowing competition which people participate in for no particular reason other than the experience and the challenge (there are no prizes). Sounds like a inspired look at the the triumph of the human spirit.

--'Paper Covers Rock', an indie feature about a young mother's attempt to reconstruct her life after a failed suicide attempt. What makes particular interesting is how the filmmaker approached the project only for its artistic aspects irregardless of commercial considerations. His film is apparently the first one in a series.

--'Bamako', an African feature. It's being presented as an under-regarded Critic's Pick. The film is being lauded for its colorful and inspired look at African life.

--'Waiting For Hockney' is a docu which traces the journey of a local Maryland Institute College Of Art (MICA) graduate who becomes obsessed with creating a perfect large-scale engraving of Marilyn Monroe. He sacrificed much to the endeavor and it took him 8 years to complete the piece. The film deals with the issue of artistic obsession (something I know a little about).

--'Chop Shop' is an indie debut feature that's lauded by Robert Ebert as the American version of 'City Of God'. The film concerns a young empoverished boy's attempts in Queens, NY, to grow and capture the American Dream. It's getting a lot of buzz, so I think I'm gonna be there for its screening.

--'White Lies, Black Sheep' is an indie feature which details the journey of a black man who feels more attracted to white rock music culture and who turns his back on his afrocentric family and culture. This film, like 'Medicine For Melancholy', deals with issues of shifting cultural identity in the United States.

And those are just the beginning. There seems to be so much other great stuff. Like 'American Teen' (a hit at Sundance), 'Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story' (if you're a horror fan, you know who he was), 'Intimidad' (an indie feature about a young Mexican family trying to make ends meet at the border), 'Low And Behold' (an indie drama set against the backdrop of Katrina-ravaged New Orleans),'Baghead' (a comedy from the acclaimed directors of 'The Puffy Chair'), 'We Are Wizards' (which takes a look at the strong sub-culture of Harry Potter geeks) and many others.

There seems to be a lack of genre pics on the schedule this year, which is a shame. Some horror, fantasy or sci-fi should have been represented. Lastly, there's a strong representation of 'mumblecore' films this year (which I won't list). I'm not gonna mince words--I hate 'mumblecore' films. Watching films about white hipsters and their meandering unpleasant lives and dragged-out breakups isn't my cup of tea. And before anyone goes 'Oh, my, that's racist!', I'm sorry, but that's what they are--boring films by self-absorbed white hipsters. Sincerely--Skip them and watch the plethora of other good, multi-faceted films in display at this weekend's fest.