The Interrupters

It is no secret that youth violence is a problem in Chicago. In 2010 alone there were 435 reported homicides; that amounts to more deaths than there are days in a year. “The Interrupters” sheds a light on this frightening epidemic.

“The Interrupters” examines the prevalence of violence in Chicago, but instead of simply rehashing statistics, the film explores an effective solution – The Ceasefire program. Ceasefire is an organization that stops the spread of violence by interfering in conflicts that would otherwise result in homicide. The organization employs ex convicts and former gang members as Violence Interrupters who are trained to persuade youth from committing the same violent acts they once were convicted of.

The film spans an entire year, from the summer of 2009 to the spring of 2010. It follows the lives of three Violence Interrupters – Ameena, Cobe, and Eddie – and the young people whose lives they desperately hope to save. Each of these Violence Interrupters has had an extremely violent path and paid high price for it. Each also regularly puts their lives in danger in an effort to stop at least one young person from throwing their life away.

The Ceasefire program intervened in roughly 700 conflicts in 2010 and reported a decrease in gun violence in 100% of the neighborhoods in which they had a presence. So although at times this gritty documentary can be heart wrenching and stomach turning, it is also hopeful and inspirational. Viewers will not walk away from “The Interrupters” feeling as though they have simply watched a film. They will feel as though they experienced a blueprint, a model for impacting change within demoralized communities.

“I Am Slave” (Film Fest DC Review)

It is both a strength and weakness of “I Am Slave” that the subject matter is not yet on the public radar. Statistics quoted in this film state that there are roughly 5,000 women living in London working against their will. They are undocumented, unpaid, and invisible. Most of these women come from war torn countries in Africa, such as Sudan, sold as captives from raided villages. All are held against their will.

Based on the true story of Mende Nazer, “I Am Slave” is about a young Sudanese girl named Malia, played by the “model-esque” Wunmi Mosaku, who is taken from her family at the age of 12 when her small village is raided. She is forced to spend six years working for the cruel family of a diplomat. She is beaten, starved, and isolated on a regular basis. Her captors hide her passport and systematically instill within her a paralyzing fear.

Gabriel Range brings this magnificent film to life. The cinematography is stunning. Range brilliantly uses gorgeous African landscapes as well as dark and gritty shots of streets in Europe. He uses wide-angle lenses when shooting Malia’s homeland, creating a pristine image of her childhood memories. The raw and narrow shots that follow Malia through her enslavement are a jarring juxtaposition to the African sceens. These shots give the audience a visual representation of her confinement and limitations.

At times “I Am Slave” may seem to be slow moving. This is perhaps done to portray time as an abstraction, a technique Range has used in many of his films. Malia eloquently summarizes this in “ I Am Slave” by asking, “What is time? Who is to say that years are not but a moment?” This quote speaks to a major theme in this film as well as to Malia’s apparent coping mechanism. She survived as one does in prison, by using time as though it is open to interpretation.

This film is well written, beautifully shot, and perfectly scored. The subject matter is heavy but the story is real and therefore must be told. Slavery still exists but films, such as “I Am Slave”, that bring awareness to this issue are an important step in the direction of eradication.

Film Fest DC!!

It’s that time again!

DC’s annual International Film Festival kicked off last week with a lively opening gala.

The theme of this year’s festival is “For People Who Love Movies”. This theme couldn’t be any more appropriate. The festival will showcase 75 films, including documentaries and shorts, from all around the world. From comedies to dramas; human trafficking to religion; musicals to animation; this year’s film fest is sure to have something for everyone. There is even a film (We Were Here) that was screened and reviewed by yours truly at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.

If you’re in DC this week and seeking a break from the monotony that Hollywood is offering, check it out: http://www.filmfestdc.org/filmlist.cfm

Stay tuned for my DC Film Fest reviews in the coming weeks . . .

10 Kick-Ass “Chick Flicks”

In 1987, March was designated “Women’s History Month”. During this month we honor amazing women who have blazed trails and changed the world. In celebration of these women, and in honor of this very special month (also my birthday month), here are my 10 favorite “Chick Flicks”:

10 – Fargo (1996)
I love the Coen Brothers because they direct films (From “Fargo” to “True Grit”) that feature kick-ass women! Fargo is a dark comedy-crime about a man who, seeking ransom money from his wealthy father-in-law, has his wife kidnapped. The kidnapping is botched and several innocent victims are killed as a result. The heroine in this story is a pregnant police officer who, in spite of her naive soccer mom demeanor, is a brilliant and hardnosed detective. She solves the crime, thanks to her astute deductions, while her bumbling male counterparts scratch their heads in confusion.

9 – The Group (1966)
Before four women moved to New York to discuss sex and the city, eight women graduated from college and took on the world. “The Group” is set in the 1940’s and follows eight women as they explore life after college. Divorce, sexuality, psychosis, birth control, the “glass ceiling” and several other hot button issues are discussed in this film. Perhaps most beautifully, however, is how the bond of this tight knit group provides support to each woman as she faces her inner demons. The film, as well as the book it was adapted from, was controversial when released in the 1960s. However, it is perhaps most shocking that many of the controversial issues address in “The Group” are still relevant today.

8- Bend It like Beckham (2002)
It takes a truly kick-ass girl to kick ass on a soccer field. Jess, a tomboy living in London, is torn between her family’s traditional values and her love for the game of soccer. She befriends Juliet, a fellow player who also dreams of going pro. Throughout the film, the girls struggle to overcome cultural and gender stereotypes. The most climactic moment occurs when the girls are forced to choose between following their dreams and abiding by society’s expectations.

7 – Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
Julia Roberts plays Katherine, a newly hired Art History professor at Wellesley College in 1953. Katherine soon discovers that the students have enrolled in college for the sole purpose of finding husbands. Appalled, she embarks on a crusade to help these ladies discover what it means to be a liberated woman. The college labels her a trouble maker and Katherine is soon forced to take a stand for what she believes in. This film melts my heart every time I watch it – and not simply because I’m also a graduate of a women’s college!

6 – The First Wives’ Club (1996)
I remember watching this film in the theater during its opening weekend. Movie patrons (mostly women) stood up and cheered as the final credits rolled and Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton and Bette Midler danced off the screen singing “You Don’t Own Me”. Watching “The First Wives’ Club” over a decade later, I still root for these characters who, after being discarded by their husbands, exact calculated (and at times hilarious) revenge. The coolest thing about this story is that even after the women find closure they help other wronged women find the same peace.

5 – Adam’s Rib (1949)
Amanda, a high powered attorney played by Katherine Hepburn, takes on her husband Adam, an equally successful attorney, in a high profile court case. The case involves a young woman who shoots and injures her husband after learning of his infidelity. The husband presses charges and hires Adam as his Attorney. Amanda, understanding that importance of the outcome, takes on the wife’s case. Although the case quickly turns into a comedic three-ringed circus, women cheer as Hepburn’s character gallantly comes to the defense of scorned married women and challenges gender biases.

4 – The Color Purple (1985)
If we were talking about Alice Walker’s iconic novel, this entry would be number one. But, in my opinion, Stephen Spielberg’s interpretation falls just short of Walker’s “womanistic” vision. However, this movie soars in telling a triumphant tale and has moved audiences across the globe to tears and cheers. Celie, a poor and abused African American woman, finds her voice after years of being oppressed by the men in her life. With the help of a few strong women, our protagonist is able to find strength in the arms of sisterhood.

3 – A League of Their Own (1992)
When I decided to create this kick-ass list, “A League of Their Own” was the first film to come to mind. In one of my favorite of his countless roles, Tom Hanks plays a fallen-from-grace baseball player who has been coerced into coaching a baseball team in the first all women’s league. The women in this film are hardcore athletes with a complete devotion to the game of baseball. Their undying commitment to this sport is touching and extremely inspiring – especially since the film is set in the 1940s, a time when women were rarely accepted outside of their kitchen.

2 – Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)
I have always believed Queen Elizabeth I, daughter of King Henry VIII, to be the epitome of kick-ass. In the face of corruption and the threat of assassination she claimed her rightful thrown and ruled solo for 70 years, ushering in one of the longest eras of prosperity and peace that England had experienced up until that time. In this film we see the Elizabeth fight for her crown, defend her country against the Spanish Armada and declare herself Virgin Queen – unmarried mother to all England.

1 – Mulan (1998)
To spare her aging father from fighting, Mulan, a clumsy young girl who hasn’t quite found her place in Chinese society, impersonates a male soldier and enlists in the army. She becomes a skilled warrior and soon faces off against the vicious Huns. I love that Mulan literally kicks ass on the battlefield as well as the fact that she sends a powerful message to young girls. Unlike Cinderella and Snow White, Mulan isn’t waiting demurely for her prince to arrive and rescue her. Instead, she not only rescues her “prince” but the entire Chinese Empire as well! This film deserves the #1 spot because it teaches young girls to make noise, ruffle feathers and grow up to become women who aren’t afraid to kick ass.

Honorable Mention: Coco before Chanel (2009), Akeelah and the Bee (2006), The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Matilda (1996), Enough (2002)

The AFI Challenge

The American Film Institute (AFI) was established in 1967 to preserve and celebrate the art of filmmaking. The institute is perhaps best known for their “100 Years” series in which artists, scholars and critics select films from 10 categories (Animation, Mystery, Romance, etc). In each 10 categories, 10 films are chosen and ranked for their longstanding popularity, historical significance and cultural impact.

I have made it my personal goal to see every film on all 10 lists. I’ve seen 60 out of these 100 films thus far. I was familiar with some genres more than others but taking on this challenge has given me an appreciation for genres I had not previously explored. Westerns, for instance, now rank among my top five favorite movie genres.

If you love film, history, art or entertainment, I encourage you to take on this challenge. I guarantee that you will be enriched!

http://www.afi.com/Docs/100Years/TOP10.pdf

Pariah (Sundance Review)

I cringe when I hear critics compare this film to “Precious”.

Yes, “Precious” and “Pariah” both have predominantly African-American casts and both story lines contain controversial subject matter. I will even grant that both titles begin with the same consonant. But this is where the similarities end.

“Pariah” explores the life of an African-American teenage girl who is struggling to define her sexuality. But to be clear, this is not your average “coming out” story.

Newcomer Dee Reese directs this film with the grace of a veteran. She makes a wise decision in casting Adepero Oduye as Alike, the film’s protagonist. Alike is a soft-spoken, high-achieving tomboy with a smile that lights up every scene. Laura (Pernell Walker), her best friend, is masculine, abrasive and on a mission to help bashful Alike lose her virginity. (Perhaps now is a good time to mention that this film contains some adult content)

Alike’s parents, Audrey (Kim Wayans) and Arthur (Charles Parnell), are in the midst of a troubled marriage. The dynamics of their relationship is added conflict in Alike’s already confusing life. Audrey’s refusal to accept Alike’s sexuality – even before she has accepted it herself – serves as a catalyst for the teen’s awakening. The film’s most powerful moment, narrated by one of Alike’s poems, involves this issue. In it she poignantly states that she is “not running but choosing” to find acceptance.

Similar to how the characters played by Wayans and Parnell stifle their daughter’s growth, these two actors suppress some of “Pariah’s” brilliance. Their performances are lackluster compared to the film’s otherwise outstanding cast. This is surprising considering that most of the cast members are newcomers. The fantastic breakout performances of these youngsters is reason enough to see the film.

“Pariah” explores the dynamics of gender, sexuality and love. Several of Alike’s relationships are dissected, turning our expectations on their head. However, there are a few relationships that Reese chose not to develop further. For instance, the relationship between Alike and her english teacher appeared important in the beginning of the film but, for some strange reason, failed to materialize later in the movie.

I enjoyed that this film did not go down the roads I expected. I also love that “Pariah” dodges clichés and stereotypes. Alike’s love life, for example, panned out far different than I predicted. In addition to strong writing and acting, “Pariah” also deserves praise for cinematography. The film’s perfectly executed camera shots pull the viewer into the story and add intimacy to this indie drama.

In short, “Pariah” does not simply chronicle the life of a societal outcast, as its title indicates. Instead, this film portrays one of the most beautiful stories of courage and self acceptance that I have seen on the silver screen.

4 out of 5 stars

(To be released in 2011)

Oscar Outcomes

Dull hosts and very few upsets = a lackluster ceremony.

On a previous blog post, I made correct predictions in four out of seven categories, including Best Picture (The King’s Speech). For a full list of nominees and winners click below:

http://oscar.go.com/

Of the 24 categories I correctly predicted 18 wins on Oscar.com – not bad for my first year of Oscar forecasting! Check out the link below for a sample of my pre-Oscar post predictions:

https://forloveoffilm.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/my-oscar-pics/

Disappointment aside (David Fincher was not properly recognized), most categories held no surprises. However, the Live Action Short Films pick threw me for a loop!

I viewed all five short films last weekend and was blow away by “The Confession”. It was nuanced, heavy and full of smart biblical references. I thought “The Confession” to be the strongest by far. “God of Love” was a distant second and “The Crush” and “Wish 143” tied at a close third. So I was shocked when the “RomCom-esque” short film “God of Love” won the Oscar. Granted the winning film is adorable and far more “approachable” and lighthearted than my pick but I can’t help but feel that “The Confession” was robbed! Was I the only one watching the short films?!? Perhaps the outcome of this category is similar to that of Best Picture. If you can make the audience feel good, you win the Oscar….

We Were Here (Sundance Review)

This is a story you have heard but perhaps as you have never heard it.

I’m embarrassed to admit that I almost missed this screening. The film was shown at 8am and I was still recovering from a bad film screening I attended the night before. I’m also ashamed to admit that I thought to myself, “I’ve seen a million films/documentaries about HIV/AIDS. What else can I learn about this disease?” How very wrong I was….

Directors David Weissman and Bill Weber did not attempt to give us a biology lesson in this documentary. Nor did they tell us to practice safe sex or to become more tolerant (well, not too much). Instead the directors tell a story about those who died and, perhaps most beautifully, those who lived through the HIV/AIDS outbreak in 1980’s San Francisco.

“We Were Here” eloquently and eulogistically stitches together the stories of four unconnected people who lived through the horror that is now known as the beginning of the AIDS epidemic in America. We are introduced to a political activist, a hospital volunteer, a frontline nurse/researcher, and a florist who sold flowers from a stool on a streetcorner. Their stories are heartbreaking. At one point the florist remarks, “One week, they’d be young and healthy; the next week, they’d be walking with a cane. The week after, they’d be in a wheelchair, and the next week, they’d be gone.” Another person stated that everyone in this community lost someone.

The numbers are astounding. Originally thought to be “The Gay Cancer”, AIDS was responsible for 15,548 deaths in the San Francisco area – mostly gay men. The film delves briefly into the ignorance and intolerance that originally surrounded this disease. But much to the credit of the directors, the film doesn’t linger there. “We Were Here” stays firmly focused on the community and those who supported and rallied around its members.

This is a film that truly provides viewers with an intimate depiction of life during this epidemic. There are many touching stories within this documentary that will uplift and inspire. There are also many moments that will compel viewers to turn away. Photos of the bodies of sick and dying men are juxtaposed with photos of them in their healthier days. It becomes evident that this virus claimed many young, otherwise virile lives. One interviewee explains that their fear was multiplied because no one knew what this disease was, where it came from, or how it was spreading. I imagined what this must have felt like and was chilled to the bone.

Although this documentary is narrowly focused it has universal application. As a period piece, this film is a classic. This is a story about tragedy and triumph, humanity and inhumanity, love and loss. There will be moments that make you laugh, moments that make you cry, and moments when you simply will wish to get up and leave. The outbreak of HIV/AIDS was a nightmare and although painful, this moment in our history must not be forgotten. “We Were Here” is a documentary that ensures that its viewers never will.

4 out of 5 stars

(To be released in 2011)

Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest (Sundance Review)

The story is beautiful but it hurts.

I must qualify that statement by saying that my emotional response to this documentary is due more to my love for A Tribe Called Quest than it is a compliment to the director. Michael Rapaport’s (Yes, the actor who played Remy in the film “Higher Learning”) decision to direct a film that chronicles the lives of group members Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Jarobi White, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad was ambitious. He successfully pulls together an array of stories from friends, family, and celebrities who knew the group members well. Although Rapaport fully showcases his love for hip-hop, he fails to do anything profound here. In fact, much of the documentary felt more like an E! True Hollywood Story than a full-length film. However, the story is cohesive and viewers will learn a few new things about this iconic group.

Viewers are first introduced to childhood buddies Q-Tip and Phife Dawg – now center to current group conflict – and members Jarobi and Ali Shaheed Muhammad as they struggle to get discovered. They eventually sign with Jive Records and are catapulted into stardom. The beginning of the film is celebratory – or perhaps eulogistic – of the late 80’s, a time when hip-hop was young, energetic, and raw. There are some wonderful interviews with popular DJs, VJs, and rappers from the era during this segment. Perhaps as homage to old school hip-hop fans, Rapaport inserts vintage rap tunes that win approval with audiences. The film also does justice to A Tribe Called Quest’s first two albums, examining their impact on modern day hip-hop and the wide acclaim they still receive. Then the course suddenly changes to Q-Tip’s solo career. Perhaps Rapaport does this purposely in order to allow the audience to understand how quickly A Tribe Called Quest fell apart. Fans may be shocked to learn that their breakup mirrors the drama of Diana Ross and The Supremes. However, viewers may not be surprised to learn that Q-Tip’s eccentricity played a huge role in the breakup. Musical genius is often granted at a psychological price; Q-Tip appears to have paid the cost for his brilliance.

The film culminates with a discussion of Phife’s various medical issues (brought about from childhood onset diabetes) and the support (or perceived lack thereof) he receives from group members. I am certain that Rapaport was thankful for these moments as they are the most memorable and “real” moments of the documentary. The end of the film also showcases concert footage, which may be where Rapaport’s novice experience is most evident. However, I loved the camera views of audience members. Fan appreciation for this group is perhaps most present here. This was a point where I wanted the documentary to examine the change of concert goers from mostly African American in the 1980’s to predominantly white in recent years. This never happened

Rapaport succeeded in telling this story and allowing the audience to become emotionally connected with the group. I myself was heartbroken as group members discussed their breakup. The director was saved by this melodrama but, unfortunately, offered few profound profound moments in return. This documentary is solid and emotional at its best moments and unmemorable and mediocre at its worst. If you love A Tribe Called Quest, you will be drawn in. If not, then at least there are a few funny moments and great beats to entertain you…for a while.

2.5 out of 5 stars

(To be released in 2011)

Top 10 Romantic Movies

In honor of Valentine’s Day I compiled a list of my favorite romantic films. Within this list are comedies, tragedies, and a few slightly off-center stories about love. I assure you that there is a movie here for everyone – from the hopeless romantic to the cynic. If you have time this VDay weekend, snuggle up with one of these films and celebrate the spirit of love!

10 – The Titanic (1997)
That’s right, I said it. Melodrama and all, I loved this movie. This is a classic love story of the most epic kind…and I’m not just talking about Leo and Kate’s romance. The tragedy of a sinking ship tests the love of family, friends, and strangers. I dare you to watch and not shed a tear.

9 – Harold and Maude (1971)
I realize that I’m jumping from epic (Titanic) to off-center. But what I love about “Harold and Maude” is that there is no easy way to transition into this film. A suicidal young man falls in love with an odd elderly woman – who also happens to be a kleptomaniac! I think people either love or hate this film. Personally, I was moved by the intensity of the story and refreshed by its inappropriate humor.

8 – Waitress (2007)
This is perhaps my favorite modern Hollywood-produced romantic comedy. Keri Russell truly captures the essence of feeling stuck in a relationship (or situation) and the cathartic feeling of being free to love again. Cute. Quirky. Charming. What more can you ask for?

7 – 500 Days of Summer (2009)
Okay, it’s true that this is a breakup story. But this is a breakup story that (for some strange reason) makes you believe in love. This is a great film for cynical singles or for those who enjoy a realistic and funny story about the trials of love. Love doesn’t always work out the way you want it to but there is beauty in the hope that one day it will.

6 – Love Actually (2003)
Who doesn’t love a quirky British romantic comedy? This story follows the lives of eight couples whose lives are loosely intertwined. “Love Actually” portrays a child’s crush, a troubled marriage, a budding romance, unrequited love, a sister’s undying commitment to her brother, and the ‘bromance’ between a manager and an aging rock and roll legend. The last line of the film fully summarizes the tone of this movie, “love actually is all around us”.

5 – The Way We Were (1973)
Barbara Streisand plays Katie, a woman who many women can identify with. She is not a classic Hollywood beauty but Hubbell (played by the annoyingly handsome Robert Redford) is drawn to her magnetism. This is a story about a passionate romance in which the lovers must choose between their love for each other and their convictions. The film asks a tough question: can you change who you are for love?

4 – Up (2009)
Rarely does an animated film make me shed a tear. But the tale of an old man and his flying house has earned a spot in my heart – and on my top ten list. This is a story about love that grows stronger over time and the commitment that a man has to his wife even after her death.

3 – Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind (2004)
What do you do after a bad breakup? If you’re like most people, you try to forget that the relationship ever happened. But what if you were allowed to do just that? This film follows two ex-lovers who have been given the opportunity to erase their memory of one another. The best part of this love story occurs when they begin to discover what life would be like without the memory – however painful – of their love.

2 – Casablanca (1942)
Humphrey Bogart. Ingrid Bergman. These two names are now synonymous with romance. Here is a story about choosing between a once-in-a-lifetime love affair and virtue. Should a man keep his promise and do what he deems best for the woman he loves or follow his heart’s desire? The answer depends on your definition of love.

1 – The Notebook (2004)
Please marry me, Ryan Gosling. This film earns the number one spot because it’s one of the most beautiful tales of passion AND commitment that I have seen on screen. A young couple is madly in love but gets separated due to class differences. This is a typical love story chain of events. However, the real plot twist happens 50 years later when the couple is old and still hopelessly committed to one another. I don’t want to give away the ending but it is truly a love story to remember.

Happy Valentine’s Day!