Movies drill their way into your heart all the time, do they not? They help you recall a conversation, a loved one, spark your imagination, and make you cry. They strike fear in you, they thrill, make you laugh, help you recall old memories, and haunt you. What better way to make all that happen than at a great film festival? There is hardly a better Film Festival than ours here in Phoenix.
The Phoenix Film Festival is not only the place to “Find Your New Favorite Movie,” but it could be where you find your new best friend. Walking into the lobby of Harkins Theater at Scottsdale 101 to watch the next feature film, short film, or panel you’re headed to can lead to conversations about the joy of cinema. Everyone is excited and doesn’t always have someone to share it with, so be cognizant of who’s around you. Also, don’t be shy if you’re one of those people. While in your seat, whoever you’re sitting by is a film lover, too. Maybe, open the booklet you just picked up (a paper version of IMDB), which is filled with information about what 2025 has in store for us, and ask the people around you what’s next on their list. The people you’re talking to may be filmmakers, as well. Listening and sharing could lead to something unexpected.
I say all this because this is what I do at the fest. I want EVERYONE to go to the PFF, at least once, so they experience the fun of it, as I do. Afterwards, maybe they’ll decide never to stop going, as I did.
There is an incredible documentary film this year that I can’t get out of my head: “Deaf President Now,” directed by Nyle Di Marco and Davis Guggenheim. It’s a must-see. Also, a documentary short is taking up space in my “best I’ve seen in a long time ” psyche. It’s called “Discovering Catharine,” by director Susan Hope Engel.
“Discovering Catharine” is about attorney and women’s rights advocate, Catharine Waugh McCulloch (1862-1945) of Evanston, Illinois, who decided the days of men being the only people to have the right to vote, among other things, were over. She was fierce in her ability to fight for justice… fight for you. It’s so wonderful that her passion is recognized this way. This short is impeccably directed and, sadly, reminds us of what women could soon lose. Oh, to have Catharine here today to campaign on behalf of all women again, and for the rights to include more women in our history books.
“Deaf President Now” tells of a student protest in March 1988 at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. After watching this you’ll say to yourself, how have I not heard of this before now? Anyway, the protest was in March of 1988. It was announced that the Board of Trustees decided to elect a hearing woman to be the president of the school, over one of two deaf candidates who ran. Being deaf, they were more qualified for the position.
The student wouldn’t have it. The way this story is told, the great lengths that were taken to tell it correctly were thoughtful and precise, putting the audience in the shoes of the students while also filling them with so much information, they leave feeling they had experienced it themselves. *Watch for this to be streaming soon.
“Waltzing with Brando,” starring Billy Zane, Jon Heder, Richard Dreyfuss and Rob Corddry was outstanding. Writer/Director Bill Fishman found an essential part for Billy Zane to star in. He looks like Brando, sounds like him… there were a few moments where I wasn’t sure if Brando hadn’t shot this before he passed away. Good for Zane. Adapted from Bernard Judge’s memoir, it’s about an architect attempting to build the world’s first ecologically sound resort on a Tahitian island for Marlon Brando. What he went through is hard to believe… watch and you will see why it was worth the attempt.
These are a few reasons why you have to go to film festivals, especially this one. It goes through April 6th so be sure to check it out!!!
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