One Day, Six Films — Thursday, May 21, 2015

At Ebertfest, I once saw four films in one day.  During the fourth film, time vanished, reality regressed to dreams, and I left the theater unsure where I was.  During SIFF this year, I saw five films last Wednesday (and am planning on seeing five today).  The next day, I did one better.  Somehow, the films remained …

Educators, Artists, Activists, and Cambodia

This year, most of the documentaries I saw revolved around four themes: educators, artists, protesters, and Cambodia.  Educator movies made me cheer for teachers; artist movies inspired me to write the truth, particularly when inconvenient; activist films reminded me how tough it is to be one; and Cambodian films filled in details for me of what Cambodia was before …

First Saturday Party Highlights–May 16, 2015

You'll notice I'm breaking one of my rules with this one.  The venue looked awesome, so it's too bad I didn't get a photo of it.  You walk inside and everything is white or glass, with two small connected rooms to the right: the first one with food on a table near the back (and walls …

Opening Night Happenings — Thursday, May 14, 2015

1. Arrived at 1:30 for 2 pm press screening.  Told it would be delayed by roughly 45 minutes (it ended up starting 40 minutes late), as the previous screening had issues.  Initially supposed to show Breathe Umphefumlo, but it didn't arrive on time, so screening swapped with Liza, The Fox-Fairy, but then the film arrived, …

Recommendations from the Press Screenings

Before the festival proper kicks off tomorrow night, here are some films you should look for: Must-See Romeo Is Bleeding (Jason Zeldes, 93 mins, USA 2015) There is a scene late in Romeo Is Bleeding which sums up the essence of the film: in the middle of a cheering audience, a diminutive, young-looking woman stands …

SIFF HAPPENS: the 2015 Edition of the Seattle International Film Festival

My journey to SIFF 2015 began with the rejection of my press application.  Understandable, since my readership is not as large as -- say -- the Seattle Times, and my staff badge gets me every place my press badge would, and places my press badge would not.  I went four years without one and did …