Category Archives: Feature Film

#AFI, #AFIDOCS, #AFIFEST, AFI DWW+, AFIDocs, American Film Institute, Feature Film, TCL Chinese Theatre

World Premiere of Focus Features’ SONG SUNG BLUE to Close 2025 AFI FEST, October 26th.

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

 

 

WORLD PREMIERE OF SONG SUNG BLUE TO CLOSE AFI FEST 2025 PRESENTED BY CANVA

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Los Angeles, CA, September 10, 2025 — Today, the American Film Institute (AFI) announced that the World Premiere of Focus Features’ SONG SUNG BLUE, written and directed by Craig Brewer, will close the 39th edition of AFI FEST presented by Canva on Sunday, October 26.

Based on a true story, the film follows two down-on-their-luck musicians, played by Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, who form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it’s never too late to find love and follow your dreams. The film is produced by John Davis (p.g.a.), John Fox (p.g.a.) and Craig Brewer (p.g.a.) and features Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley, with Fisher Stevens, and Jim Belushi.

 

Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO

“AFI FEST is proud to close our annual celebration of excellence and artistry with the World Premiere of SONG SUNG BLUE – a timely film about love and resilience – music and magic,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. “Audiences will leave the theater chanting the refrain of “Sweet Caroline” – so good, so good, so good!”

 

The festival will take place October 22–26 at the TCL Chinese Theatres in the heart of Hollywood and feature a curated selection of Red Carpet Premieres, Special Screenings, World Cinema, Documentaries and Short Films.

As previously announced, Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro will serve as the Guest Artistic Director for this year’s festival, and the festival will open with SPRINGSTEEN: DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE, starring Jeremy Allen White and written for the screen and directed by Scott Cooper.

Passes to AFI FEST 2025 are now available for purchase online at FEST.AFI.com. Festivalgoers have the opportunity to purchase a Star Pass or upgrade to a Patron Pass. The AFI FEST Star Pass is a five-day pass with access to all screenings (excluding Red Carpet Premieres), early screening selection before individual tickets go on sale, priority theater access, entry to the festival lounge, invitation to the festival mixer to mingle with filmmakers and guests, a complimentary AFI FEST tote and free Rush Line access to all screenings. The AFI FEST Patron Pass features all the benefits of the Star Pass plus two tickets to all of the star-studded Red Carpet Premieres held at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre and priority screening selection before Star passholders.

The full festival lineup will be unveiled on September 30. Individual tickets will be available on October 6.

AFI FEST is recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a qualifying festival for the Live Action, Animated and Documentary Short Film categories for the annual Academy Awards®. AFI FEST is also a qualifying festival for consideration for the British Short Film categories of both the BAFTA Film Awards and the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA).

AFI is a nonprofit, donor-powered organization. Join AFI’s Premiere Circle to support the American Film Institute and enjoy access to exclusive one-of-a-kind opportunities at AFI events, including AFI FEST. To learn more, email Advancement@AFI.com.

Canva, the all-in-one visual communication and collaboration platform, returns as the exclusive Presenting Sponsor of AFI FEST 2025. Designed to empower entertainment professionals to visualize their ideas into impactful film and TV projects, Canva will be integrated throughout AFI FEST including hosting industry networking events, hands-on training workshops for filmmakers, and powering the festival’s digital and printed materials. Entertainment professionals can explore resources to pitch projects, plan shoots, and bring creative visions to life at canva.com/entertainment.

About the American Film Institute (AFI)

The American Film Institute (AFI) is a nonprofit organization with a mandate to champion the moving image as an art form. Established in 1967, AFI launched the first comprehensive history of American film and sparked the movement for film preservation in the United States. In 1969, AFI opened the doors of the AFI Conservatory, a graduate-level program to train narrative filmmakers. The Conservatory, which counts Deniese Davis, Affonso Gonçalves, Susannah Grant, Matthew Libatique, David Lynch, Melina Matsoukas and Rachel Morrison as Alumni, is ranked as one of the top film schools in America. AFI’s enduring traditions include the AFI Life Achievement Award, which honors the masters for work that has stood the test of time; AFI AWARDS, which celebrates the creative ensembles of the most outstanding screen stories of the year; and scholarly efforts such as the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and the AFI Archive that preserve film history for future generations. AFI exhibition programs include AFI FEST Presented by Canva and year-round exhibition at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Maryland. AFI Movie Club is a destination for movie lovers from around the world to celebrate and engage with the art form every day. Other pioneering programs include workshops aimed at elevating emerging storytellers and technology, including AFI DWW+ and the AFI Cinematography Intensive Workshop. Read about all of these programs and more at AFI.com and follow us on social media at Facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute, YouTube.com/AFI, X.com/AmericanFilm, TikTok.com/@americanfilminstitute and Instagram.com/AmericanFilmInstitute.

About AFI FEST
Now in its 39th year, AFI FEST is a world-class event, showcasing the best films from across the globe. This year’s edition takes place in Los Angeles from October 22-26, 2025. With an innovative slate of programming, the five-day festival presents screenings, panels and conversations, featuring both master filmmakers and new cinematic voices. AFI FEST includes high-profile films with Q&As featuring the films’ cast and crew and a robust lineup of fiction and nonfiction features and shorts, providing a one-of-a-kind experience for movie fans. Additional information is available at FEST.AFI.com. Connect with AFI’s film festival at Facebook.com/AFIFEST, Twitter.com/AFIFEST, Instagram/AmericanFilmInstitute, TikTok/@AmericanFilmInstitute and YouTube.com/AFI.

About Canva
Launched in 2013, Canva is the world’s leading all-in-one platform for visual communication and collaboration. Built to empower everyone to design, the company serves the creative and design needs of enterprises, small businesses, consumers, and students in more than 190 countries worldwide. Whether you’re a novice taking your first steps in design, or a creative professional seeking powerful tools, Canva ensures users have what they need to transform an idea into something beautiful. Underpinned by the world’s most comprehensive library of designer-made content, Canva is powered by a suite of products and proprietary AI tools which elevate how individuals and teams create, collaborate, and communicate with ease.

Press contact:

American Film Institute: Shari Mesulam, shari@themesulamgroup.com

#TCM, #TCMFF, Feature Film, TCM Classic Film Festival, television

TCM Classic Film Festival – Day 3 Recap

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

Day 3 at the 13th TCM Classic Film Festival brought forth a plethora of memories and good feelings. Film critic Leonard Maltin received the Robert Osborne Award and spoke at length about film as a true art form followed up by a tour de force performance by Actor John Barrymore in the 1932 Counsellor at Law.

In addition, several cast members from the 1982 classic, Diner, gathered for a pre-screening conversation at the Hollywood Legion Theatre. Also, Warren Beatty was in the house at the TCL Chinese IMAX Theatre for a conversation with TCM Host Ben Mankiewicz following the Beatty-led Heaven Can Wait (1981).

 

Check out the Highlights!

 

  • Respected film critic Leonard Maltin receives the Robert Osborne Award presented by actor and director Warren Beatty and TCM host Ben Mankiewicz.

 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 23: (L-R) TCM host Ben Mankiewicz, Robert Osborne Award recipient Leonard Maltin, and special guest Warren Beatty attend the Robert Osborne Award Reception during the 2022 TCM Classic Film Festival at the Hollywood Legion Theater on April 23, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for TCM)

 

  • Special guests Kevin Bacon, Tim Daly, Steve Guttenberg, and Paul Reiser join TCM host Dave Karger for the 40th-anniversary screening of “Diner”

 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 23: (L-R) Special guests Paul Reiser, Tim Daly, Kevin Bacon, Steve Guttenberg, and TCM host Dave Karger attend the screening of “Diner” during the 2022 TCM Classic Film Festival at the Hollywood Legion Theater on April 23, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for TCM)

 

  • Warren Beatty joins TCM host Ben Mankiewicz for a screening of “Heaven Can Wait,” followed by a conversation about the film

 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 23: (L-R) TCM host Ben Mankiewicz, special guest Warren Beatty, and General Manager of Turner Classic Movies Pola Changnon attend the screening of “Heaven Can Wait” during the 2022 TCM Classic Film Festival at the The Hollywood Roosevelt on April 23, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for TCM.

 

Until next time…. I’ll see you at the movies!

 

Larry Gleeson poses in front of the TCM display at the 2016 TCM Classic Film Festival. (Photo courtesy of HollywoodGlee/Larry Gleeson)

 

#AFI, AFI FEST, Feature Film, Featured

DO THE RIGHT THING (1989) – AFI Movie Club Pick for April 11, 2022

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

Do the Right Thing is a 1989 American comedy-drama film produced, written, and directed by Spike Lee, starring Lee himself, Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, John Turturro, and Samuel L. Jackson, and is the feature film debut of Martin Lawrence and Rosie Perez. The story explores a Brooklyn neighborhood’s simmering racial tension between its African-American residents and the Italian-American owners of a local pizzeria, culminating in tragedy and violence on one of the hottest of summer days.

 

 

Appearing on the 10th-anniversary edition of the American Film Institute’s list of the greatest American films, DO THE RIGHT THING (1989) explores racial tensions exacerbated by the summer heat in a New York neighborhood. An imperative work from iconic director and 2011 AFI Honorary Degree recipient Spike Lee, the film features Public Enemy’s powerful call to action – “Fight the Power” – which was since ranked #40 on AFI’s list of the greatest movie songs of all time.

 

 

The film ends with the following quotes by Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X: “‘Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. It is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all. The old law of an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind. It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding; it seeks to annihilate rather than to convert. Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love. It destroys the community and makes brotherhood impossible. It leaves society in a monologue rather than dialogue. Violence ends by defeating itself. It creates bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers,’ – Martin Luther King”; and, “‘I think there are plenty of good people in America, but there are also plenty of bad people in America and the bad ones are the ones who seem to have all the power and be in these positions to block things that you and I need. Because this is the situation, you and I have to preserve the right to do what is necessary to bring an end to that situation, and it doesn’t mean that I advocate violence, but at the same time I am not against using violence in self-defense. I don’t even call it violence when it’s self-defense, I call it intelligence,’ – Malcolm X.”

Do the Right Thing was ranked 96th on AFI’s 2007 100 Years…100 Movies–10th Anniversary Edition list of the greatest American films. It was added to the National Film Registry in 1999, and won Best Picture and Best Director from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, in addition to Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor (Danny Aiello) from the Chicago Film Critics Association. The New York Film Critics awarded Ernest Dickerson with Best Cinematography, and the film received the following Academy Award nominations: Actor in a Supporting Role (Danny Aiello), and Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen). The Golden Globe Awards also nominated Do the Right Thing for Best Motion Picture – Drama; Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Danny Aiello); Best Director – Motion Picture; and Best Screenplay – Motion Picture.

Until next time, I’ll see you at the movies!

 

HollywoodGlee celebrating the start of the 2019 AFI FEST presented by Audi. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson)

 

About AFI Movie Club

AFI has created a global, virtual gathering of those who love the movies. As a non-profit, AFI Movie Club is a member-powered organization, dependent upon the support of its movie fans. To support AFI Movie Club please consider becoming a member or donating. AFI Movie Club was launched as a free program to raise the nation’s spirits by bringing artists and audiences together. AFI shines a spotlight on an iconic movie each day. Audiences can “gather” at AFI.com/MovieClub to find out how to watch the featured movie of the day with the use of their preexisting streaming service credentials. AFI MOVIE CLUB (Source: AFI News Release)

 

 

Cannes, Cannes Film Festival, Feature Film, Featured, Festival de Cannes

History of the Cannes Film Festival – Part IX the 2010s

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

During the 2010s, the Awards continued to highlight the exacting artistry of international filmmakers at the Cannes Film Festival, from Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives) to Bong Joon-ho (Parasite).

 

 

In 2013, a personal favorite, Blue is the Warmest Color, took home the Palm D’Or.

 

 

 

In 2015, another personal favorite took home the Palm D’Or, Dheepan.

 

Kalieaswari Srinivasan, Jacques Audiard, Jesuthasan Antonythasa – Palme d’Or – Dheepan (Image Credit : AFP / Valery Hache)

 

In 2017 industry leaders and businesses, the public, and around 100 artists, all gathered for an extraordinary festival, and to celebrate the 70th Cannes Film Festival.

In 2018 the festival had its first all-female presentation team led by Kate Blanchett and Agnes Varda.

 

Cate Blanchett – President of the Feature Films Jury (Image Credit : François Silvestre De Sacy /FDC)

 

By 2020, a “Special Session” was in order as the coronavirus was rampaging the global community. A unique selection of 56 feature films and 28 short films were distributed around the planet under the banner: Cannes 2020. The solidarity achieved over the years between the Cannes Film Festival and major film events allowed for a continuance.

Stay tuned as the countdown to the 75th Festival de Cannes is on!

 

 

 

#AFI, AFI Movie Club, American Film Institute, Feature Film, Hollywood, Oscar, Telluride, Telluride Film Festival

Today’s AFI Movie Club Selection

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

Today’s AFI Movie Club selection received a Best Picture Academy-award-winning Oscar and is based on the play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue by Tarell Alvin McCraney.

From writer/director Barry Jenkins, MOONLIGHT was also honored in 2016 with an AFI AWARD, recognizing it as one of the year’s most outstanding achievements in the art of the moving image – with the official rationale stating that, “MOONLIGHT illuminates the peerless power of cinema to inspire empathy for others and embrace a greater understanding of ourselves. Barry Jenkins’ poetic tour de force presents a deeply emotional triptych — the journey of boy to man searching for connection amidst the labyrinth of societal boundaries. An extraordinary ensemble lights the way in this sublime realization of a world where the question ‘Who is you?’ echoes in the pain of dreams deferred and the strength of an inner truth.”

Available to watch on Kanopy, Hoopla, Fubu Tv, and Showtime. Highly recommended viewing!

Until next time, I’ll see you at the movies!

#SBIFF, Feature Film, Film Festival, Santa Barbara International Film Festival, television

JAVIER BARDEM AND NICOLE KIDMAN ACCEPT  MALTIN MODERN MASTER AWARD AT THE 37TH ANNUAL  SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

JAVIER BARDEM AND NICOLE KIDMAN ACCEPT 

MALTIN MODERN MASTER AWARD AT THE 37TH ANNUAL 

SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (March 10, 2022) – The final tribute of the 37th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival presented by UGG featured a tribute to Academy Award winners, Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman, who received the prestigious Maltin Modern Master Award. Bardem and Kidman were recognized for their long-standing contributions to the film industry, most recently in the roles of Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball in Aaron Sorkin’s BEING THE RICARDOS from Amazon Studios, for which they both received individual Lead Actor SAG Award nominations.

They sat down with Leonard Maltin, who returned for his 32nd year to moderate the evening for an insightful conversation and look back at their careers.

SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 10: Todd Black (R) presents Javier Bardem with the Maltin Modern Master Award during the 37th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at Arlington Theatre on March 10, 2022, in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images for SBIFF)

Following the conversation with Maltin, Producer Todd Black presented both with the Maltin Modern Master Award. Todd remarked: “You’re [Nicole] probably one of the most humble people I’ve ever met in my career, and very kind…Every day walking on that set with Javier and being completely present, kind, and personable to every crew member…and delivering it 100% every day. It was kind of a dream come true for me,” and “Who he [Javier] is here is who he is. He’s as humble and sweet and gracious and funny and professional as any person I’ve ever met in my career.”

 

Upon accepting the award, Bardem said: “I’m very honored, I don’t want to leave this stage! …seeing these images on the big screen after two years, in a theater full of people… it’s a joy for an actor.”

The Modern Master Award was established in 1995 and is the highest accolade presented by SBIFF. Created to honor an individual who has enriched our culture through accomplishments in the motion picture industry, it was re-named the Maltin Modern Master Award in 2015 in honor of long-time SBIFF moderator and renowned film critic Leonard Maltin. Past recipients include Bill Murray, Judy Garland, Brad Pitt, Glenn Close, Denzel Washington, Michael Keaton, Bruce Dern, Ben Affleck, Christopher Plummer, Christopher Nolan, James Cameron, Clint Eastwood, Cate Blanchett, Will Smith, George Clooney, and Peter Jackson.

Still upcoming is the women’s panel. The 37th Santa Barbara International Film Festival, presented by UGG®, will take place IN-PERSON through March 12, 2022. 200+ films, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and celebrity tributes, will be held throughout Santa Barbara, including at the historic Arlington Theatre. This year’s lineup is available on SBIFF’s mobile app. For additional information or to buy passes, visit sbiff.org.

About the Santa Barbara International Film Festival

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts and educational organization dedicated to discovering and showcasing the best in independent and international cinema. Over the past 36 years, SBIFF has become one of the leading film festivals in the United States – attracting 100,000+ attendees and offering 11 days of 200+ films, tributes and symposiums, fulfilling their mission to engage, enrich, and inspire the Santa Barbara community through film. In 2016, SBIFF entered a new era with the acquisition of the historic and beloved Riviera Theatre. After a capital campaign and renovation, the theatre is now SBIFF’s new state-of-the-art, year-round home, showing new international and independent films every day. In 2019, SBIFF opened its own Education Center in downtown Santa Barbara on State Street to serve as a home for its many educational programs and a place for creativity and learning.

(Press release courtesy of Michelle Tarangelo, Sunshine Sachs)

#SBIFF, Feature Film, Film Festival, outstanding performer of the year, Santa Barbara International Film Festival

Will Smith’s Big Personality on Full Display in Santa Barbara

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

WILL SMITH AND AUNJANUE ELLIS ACCEPT OUTSTANDING PERFORMER OF THE YEAR AWARD AND ANIMATORS IN CONVERSATION AT THE 37TH ANNUAL SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

 

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (March 6, 2022) – Day 5 of the 37th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival featured a tribute presented by Manitou Fund to Will Smith and Aunjanue Ellis, who received the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award, for their outstanding performances in this year’s “King Richard” from Warner Bros Pictures.

Smith and Ellis sat down with The Hollywood Reporter’s longtime awards columnist and host of its popular Awards Chatter podcast, Scott Feinberg for an in-depth discussion about their cinematic careers.

Following their conversation with Feinberg, King Richard director Reinaldo Marcus Green presented them with the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award. Reinaldo opened his remarks by saying: “It is absolutely my pleasure and honor to present tonight’s award for Outstanding Performers of the Year to the stars of King Richard, Will Smith, and Aunjanue Ellis. Working with these two was like sitting in on a master class every day. We’ve all seen Will knock it out of the park for years, so I expected greatness. But when he stepped into the role as Richard Williams, I was blown away. The way he embodied this man, this father, with a commitment, it was truly special to see. Aunjanue Ellis, wow. As my mentor Spike Lee would say, she’s da truth. She brought this quiet intensity and absolutely crushed every scene she was in. Working with both Will and Aunjanue was truly one of the joys of my early career.”

 

 

The Outstanding Performers of the Year Award recognizes select individuals who have distinguished themselves with exceptional performances in film this past year. Past recipients of the award include Sacha Baron Cohen, Adam Driver, Rami Malek, Margot Robbie, and Allison Janney, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, Brie Larson and Saoirse Ronan, Steve Carell, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lawrence, Viola Davis, James Franco, Colin Firth, Penelope Cruz, Angelina Jolie, Helen Mirren, Heath Ledger, Kate Winslet, and Charlize Theron.

Earlier in the day featured the newest panel at the festival, the Animation Panel. Attendees gathered for Charise Castro Smith – Co-Writer/Co-Director (ENCANTO), Charlotte De Le Gournerie – Producer (FLEE), Enrico Casarosa – Co-Writer/Director (LUCA) Mike Rianda – Co-Writer/Co-Director (THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES), Don Hall – Co-Director (RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON) in conversation, led by SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling.

Upcoming live conversations and tributes will include presentations to Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Oscar-nominated artisans. The 37th Santa Barbara International Film Festival, presented by UGG®, will take place IN-PERSON through March 12, 2022. 200+ films, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and celebrity tributes, will be held throughout Santa Barbara, including at the historic Arlington Theatre. This year’s lineup is available on SBIFF’s mobile app. For additional information or to buy passes, visit sbiff.org.

 

 

About the Santa Barbara International Film Festival

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts and educational organization dedicated to discovering and showcasing the best in independent and international cinema. Over the past 36 years, SBIFF has become one of the leading film festivals in the United States – attracting 100,000+ attendees and offering 11 days of 200+ films, tributes and symposiums, fulfilling their mission to engage, enrich, and inspire the Santa Barbara community through film. In 2016, SBIFF entered a new era with the acquisition of the historic and beloved Riviera Theatre. After a capital campaign and renovation, the theatre is now SBIFF’s new state-of-the-art, year-round home, showing new international and independent films every day. In 2019, SBIFF opened its own Education Center in downtown Santa Barbara on State Street to serve as a home for its many educational programs and a place for creativity and learning.

(Press release provided by Michelle Tarangelo, Sunshine Sachs)

 

 

#SBIFF, Art Cinema, Feature Film, Film Festival, Santa Barbara International Film Festival

Big Crow World Premiere Captures A Teen’s Energy and Dream For The Future at Santa Barbara

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

SuAnne Big Crow, a standout girl’s high school basketball player from the Lakota Reservation in South Dakota, was the primary subject matter and/or spiritual energy behind Kris Kaczor’s 69- minute documentary Big Crow making its World Premiere at the 37th Santa Barbara International Film Festival sponsored by UGG.

 

(Left to right) Big Crow Director, Kris Kaczor, Story Developer, Ilan Wakan, and SBIFF Programming Director, Claudia Puig discuss the legacy of SuAnn Big Crow at the 37th Santa Barbara Film Festival, on March 4, 2022. (Photo cr. Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)

 

SuAnne Big Crow once scored 67 points in one game and led her high school team to the state championship as she hit a buzzer-beating game-winning shot allowing the high school to win its first-ever state title. SuAnne was also a cheerleader and three-sport athlete for the Lady Thorpes. In addition, she was an advocate for life without alcohol and drug abuse.

Director Kris Kaczor captures SuAnne’s legend through archival newsreels of her athletic prowess, her advocacy via a public service announcement, and her galvanizing energy across the Great Plains through the plethora of first-person interviews and her undying Lakota pride.

Due to a tragic and fatal car accident on her way to receive a Miss South Dakota basketball honor, SuAnne’s earthly bodily form was rendered lifeless. Nevertheless, her spirit did not die and Kaczor captures the life-changing energy SuAnne emanated into the Lakota people and how it has exhibited an expansiveness to cross over into today’s Lakota culture.

Big Crow starts out as a simple modern-day reflection on Native people. What emerges is a Spirit with a vision for a better way of life, a zest for living, a sharp poignant sense of humor, and who continues to smile and lead the charge for a better, more hopeful life for her Lakota people.

Best of Fest. Highly recommended!

 

 

#SBIFF, Feature Film, Film Festival, television

A Place in The Field is a “must-see” selection at the 2022 Santa Barbara Film Festival!

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Posted by Larry Gleeson

A Place in the Field made its World Premiere yesterday evening at the 2022 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, presented by UGG, and is the feature directorial debut of female Latina, Nicole Mejia, an American Film Institute Fellow and recipient of an Audi Award Scholarship.

Mejia tackles a difficult subject with tenderness and grace. Post-traumatic stress disorder and veteran suicide have a long history with our nation’s war efforts. Films such as the Marlon Brando led The Men to tend to portray these issues in cold and harsh depictions. Mejia gently offers another way of coping experientially without debilitating pharmaceuticals and/or intensive cognitive psychotherapy – both of which arguably can exacerbate the underlying condition with unwanted and oftentimes debilitating side effects.

Don DiPetta portrays Gio the film’s central character, an Afghanistan combat veteran, and true to the character displays an intense focus – one that his employer likes to put to good use! Notwithstanding, flashbacks of battlefield situations are surfacing calling out for resolution.

Gio’s attentive girlfriend, Jessica, portrayed convincingly by Mishel Prada, notices Gio’s condition and suggests a move to the city. Gio isn’t ready – until he receives his battle buddy’s ashes and a farewell suicide note bidding Gio go to the places they had always talked about during their war-time mission.

So Gio with his strong sense of commitment to duty and to loyalty sets out to fulfill his battle buddy’s dying wish. Along the way, Gio meets colorful characters while discovering holistic and experiential coping mechanisms allowing him to reconcile the unresolved conflicts from his battlefield experience.

Gio completes his “stateside mission” in spreading his battle buddy’s ashes. Through the experience, the actions taken, the words spoken, and the colorful characters engaged,  Gio comes out the other side ready to face the new challenges ahead with his civilian life. Interestingly, Director Mejia also embodied the role of Pavla, a captivating shaman/goddess, who gently steers Gio toward the challenging path of healing without any reservations after a mechanical failure with his vehicle.

 

Nikki Mejia

 

I have not seen a bad film at the 2022 Santa Barbara International Film Festival – and I have seen several thus far. I will say right now – A Place in The Field is exquisite! It is beautifully shot by Kadri Koop –  full of symbolism and metaphors, spoken and unspoken. Khori Ellis is credited as the writer with Don DiPetta, Xochitl Portillo, and Bluesmon Del Vecchio receiving writing credits also. The casting is spot-on as DiPetta looks and personifies, Gio,  with grace and ease. The supporting cast all look the part. Kuddos to Costumer Kaja Sondergaard.

In addition, the soundtrack adds subtle ambiance and augments and amplifies tone in various scenes with a Southwestern musical sensibility. Matt Glanvill and Miguel Angel Rodriguez are credited with sound.  A Place in The Field is produced by Heliya Alam, Niyah Edwards, Michael Fishman, Nikki Mejia, along with a slew of executive producers including Don DiPetta.

A Place in The Field is a “must-see” selection for the 2022 Santa Barbara Film Festival! The film is scheduled for a second screening at 2:40 P.M. on Monday, March 7th, 2022, at the Metro 4 in Auditorium 3. Get there! You’ll be glad you did!

Until next time, I’ll see you at the movies!