The South by Southwest Film Festival, which ran from March 10-14, offered a plethora of documentary and narrative films, all containing original ideas and fascinating characters.
Of the narrative features, the standout was “Thank You For Smoking,” an entertaining, hilarious, provocative and satirical send up of the tobacco industry, both of its critics and its advocates. Directed by Jason Reitman (who was in attendance at the screening), the film offers witty dialogue and fascinating situations brilliantly portrayed by a devoted cast, including Aaron Eckhart, Cameron Bright, William H. Macy, J.K. Simmons, Katie Holmes, Rob Lowe and Adam Brody.
“A Prairie Home Companion,” the newest film from director Robert Altman, also screened to an eager audience at SxSW. The film, which depicts the backstage happenings of the last night of a celebrated radio show, kept the audience in stitches. Kevin Kline’s slapstick shtick and Woody Harrelson and John C. Reilly’s musical numbers were a veritable laugh riot. Lily Tomlin and Meryl Streep really shined and sounded lovely together. Virginia Madsen’s character concept is confusing at times, but she plays it so well that it doesn’t matter. This film is the true definition of an ensemble cast.
“The OH in Ohio” made its world premiere at SxSW, exceeding audience expectations by leaps and bounds. The film, directed by newcomer Billy Kent, begins as a focus on a married couple, Jack and Priscilla (Paul Rudd and Parker Posey), who would have a great marriage if it weren’t for Priscilla’s “sexual dysfunction.” When their marriage falls apart, the movie really splits into two different plotlines: Priscilla’s discovery of herself and Jack’s finding self-confidence again through an affair with one of his students (Mischa Barton.) This film is hilarious in all the appropriate places. It also deals with both female and male sexuality in a new way – leaning more towards the relationship factor.
Lesser-known narrative films also debuted at SxSW, such as Julia Kwan’s “Eve and the Fire Horse.” The movie follows a Chinese family that encourages its two youngest daughters to convert from Buddhism to Catholicism. The mother figures two gods in the house are better than one. The story mainly focuses on the younger daughter, Eve, who has difficulty reconciling the two faiths and dealing with her sister’s eager conversion. The film addressed religious themes without being either preachy or blasphemous, which is a tricky line to walk. Hollie Lo and Phoebe Kut, the actresses playing the two daughters, are really and truly amazing to watch in this movie.
The documentary features were the real gem in the SxSW Film crown. Among the documentaries screened was “Maxed Out,” a long and drawn out (but enlightening) film about credit card debt in America. The movie, directed by James Scurlock, was an expose on credit card companies and their “anything to get the money” collecting methods and policies. Some of the heart-wrenching accounts made the film watchable, along with some great music choices, but mostly it just seemed too long. However, it is a film that most college students could benefit from watching.
A more entertaining venture was the world premiere of “Al Franken: God Spoke,” directed by Nick Doob and Chris Hegedus. The film followed political commentator and former SNL cast member Al Franken throughout the 2004 presidential elections. Franken is a joy to watch as he makes his way through the release of his book, his hilarious feud with Bill O’Reilly and the election proceedings. The film includes archived SNL footage of Franken, along with highlights of his recent turn with Air America radio and his appearances at various political parties and primaries. This film is a liberal film in its purest form, so Republicans beware!
Also screened at SxSW, “This Film Is Not Yet Rated,” directed by Kirby Dick, focuses on the MPAA rating system for films. More specifically, the film asks who the people rating films are, whether or not they are qualified to do so, and whether or not the MPAA’s current system is effective anymore. The clips shown were demonstrative and entertaining and the interviews with various filmmakers (Kevin Smith, John Waters, etc.) were funny and thought provoking. The film presents a good argument, but doesn’t offer any solutions. Much of the detective work attempting to reveal the identities of the MPAA committee could be cut and would make the film a lot tighter.
Without a doubt, the best documentary screened was “Air Guitar Nation,” “the official story of America’s unofficial pastime.” Directed by Alexandra Lipsitz, “Air Guitar Nation” chronicles the birth of the U.S. Air Guitar Championships as it follows several competitors from their humble beginnings to their participation in the World Air Guitar Championships in Oulu, Finland. There are rivalries, political disputes and, best of all, invisible guitars! Amazingly, the contestants are so good at what they do that it’s easy to forget they aren’t holding a guitar. They take their medium very seriously, which serves as humor and as the drive for the film. The movie overall was concise and funny. It wasn’t trying to convince anyone of anything. It just showed the motives and mindset behind the competition. As one U.S. competitor put it, “To err is human; to air guitar is divine.”
