'The Dry Land' with America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams

I saw The Dry Land during Marfa Film Festival this year -- the movie was shot partially in West Texas, so it was a very appropriate selection. I was a little hesitant at first, because it is about an Iraq War veteran, and I felt like I'd seen more than enough contemporary war movies in the past few years. But The Dry Land is a very good movie and I ended up being pleased that I'd taken the chance to see it. The performances are all first-rate.

The Dry Land writer/director Ryan Piers Williams lived in Austin for awhile, and worked for Austin Film Festival, so it seems perfect that AFF is sponsoring a special screening of the film on Tuesday, August 10 at the Texas Spirit Theater. Williams and actress/producer America Ferrera will participate in an AFF Conversation in Film after the screening.

I can't recommend this event enough -- I heard Williams and Ferrera speak about the film after seeing it at MFF (as pictured above) and they are both excellent speakers. Admission is $8 for AFF and Austin Film Society members, and $12 for everyone else.