Austin at AFI Dallas
I know, AFI Dallas has already started, but I'm running behind right now -- hell, we still have SXSW stuff yet to post on Slackerwood. That post-SXSW bug really slowed us down. I went to AFI Dallas last year, the film fest's first year, but it was impossible for me to get to Dallas this time, and I'm definitely feeling sorry I'm not there.
Anyway, in case you're up there now or about to go, here are some of the films shot in Austin, or made by Austin filmmakers, playing AFI Dallas:
Six Man, Texas -- Some friends of mine were involved in editing this movie and creating the website, so I'm naturally biased. I saw this film in a rough cut and at the Austin cast/crew screening a couple of months ago, and I'd recommend it. I don't normally like watching football, but this documentary about six-man high-school football teams in Texas focuses more on the change and decline of small Texas towns.
Baghead -- I saw this at SXSW and it's pretty funny. Read my email interview with the Duplass brothers for more background on this movie.
Crawford -- I reviewed this movie for Cinematical during SXSW. Check it out if you can -- I heard the first AFI Dallas screening sold out before the fest even began. You also can read my email interview with director David Modigliani.
Goliath -- A funny, funny movie but if you own a cat, a little sad around the edges too. Read my email interview with the Zellner brothers for more background on this movie.
X -- I liked this short from actor Josh Brolin. The description made me think it would be like Paper Moon, but it's grittier and a little more macabre.
Some Fantastic Fest selections also playing AFI Dallas: Timecrimes (my review), Son of Rambow (very cute, worth seeing), Phil Mucci's Far Out (my review), Shut-Eye Hotel (my review).
Some SXSW selections also playing AFI Dallas: Cook County, Intimidad, Tulia, Texas, Nerdcore Rising (my SXSW review), Assassination of a High School President, At the Death House Door, Battle in Seattle, The Black List (which I saw and liked, and hopefully Elvis Mitchell is in Dallas promoting it), Forgetting Sarah Marshall (lame plot, but I laughed a lot anyway), Gonzo: The Life and Work of Hunter S. Thompson, Lou Reed's Berlin, amd Mongol (which I enjoyed at Butt-Numb-a-Thon).
In addition, Blake Ethridge of Cinema is Dope, formerly a Dallas resident but now One Of Us in Austin, introduced Stuart Gordon's movie Stuck at AFI Dallas this weekend (apparently in a unique way) and has a great story about his experience.
If you want more on AFI Dallas, Michael Jones from Variety's film-fest blog, The Circuit, is at the fest and posting entries regularly.
Let me know what other Austin connections are at AFI Dallas that I missed, or share links to other online sites covering AFI Dallas.
Six Man, Texas at AFI Dallas
JETTE - Thanks for the kind words about our little film. I know you saw one of the VERY EARLY rough cuts before we went through Docs-in-Progress at AFS and I appreciate your continuing interest. Looking back, that early version was Pretty Horrible and I am so thankful that my editor Mike Scannell and the rest of my crew stuck with it. The story only became apparent (except in my mind) after DiP and we all feel great about the AFI Dallas version.
The World Premiere was wonderful and SOLD OUT. The only open seats were the five or six tickets I still had in my pocket that I forgot to give back to the Rush Line. Oh well, it was my first time! We had a great Q&A afterwards moderated by Alec Jhangiani, Director of Operations for he Lone Star Film Festival. LSFF had passed on our film in late '07 but Alec really liked the film so he asked to moderate the Q&A which went very well. That was pretty neat for me. We also had the guys from the 2000 Aquilla team AND their coach there and it was quite emotional for them. It was nice to see them all together again and they must have filled 40% of the theater with their families and friends. They were VERY APPRECIATIVE of how well we told the story of Six Man communities in Texas and that meant as much to me as anything.
Just a word about AFI Dallas, we have been treated like Royalty and they are spending a lot of time and money to make AFI a significant Texas Festival. Watch out SXSW, these guys are serious and the volunteers were all great and helpful. I was amazed that they pay three nights lodging and a free flight for the filmmaker on any film having a Premiere at AFI Dallas. More important is how helpful all the volunteers and staff have been and their attitude is great, everyone we met seems glad to be a part of the festival and are engaged and positive. It has been a wonderful experience for this first time filmmaker and his crew.
Of course, we are hoping to get as many people as possible to our second Screening this Saturday and I will be heading back to Dallas Thursday morning to do what I can. Thanks again for your support - ALAN