The fantastical notion of perpetuating the fine art of cinema while truly finding time to enjoy it (aka Why Film Fest is great!)

It's true and may just be a little bit sad (depending who you are), our World is changing, even faster than we can now buy tickets online to our most anticipated film festival movies (I know, pretty fast right?) Blockbuster is dead, succumbing to the ever mighty and all powerful Netflix, which will be making it's appearance up in the Great White North in just a matter of months now, taking with it all prospects of the once revered video store (hang in there Casablanca and bird dog!) and instilling itself as symbol of the times. It seems these days we would rather engage in mindless consumption of the free, cheap, and readily available. In fact there may come a day when we step outside into the bright sun and realize what we've done! Record stores are going extinct, cinemas have become cineplexes parading superimposed three dimensional remakes of remakes upon their overly silvery screens. Is there no solace from this madness?

Fear not good people! There is, and it is relatively inexpensive and believe me oh-so-worth-it. There will be many wonderful people yelling and crying and laughing altogether. There will be unreasonably addictive popcorn among other unreasonably delectable savouries. There will be theatres so old that you feel young again! And most importantly there will be movies. Not just any movies though! Like the advertisements read: Only the best movies make it. It would almost be fair to rephrase that to : Only ALL of the best movies make it. The selection of films is as diverse as ever with a healthy amount of local and Canadian talent to make us proud and to remind us that Calgary is much more than drunken cowboys in July, steak, and oil. The lineup also includes a strong selection of American independent cinema, global films, shorts, documentaries and more than the eyes, ears, and mind can behold! Take that netflix. There's a little of everything for everyone it seems, and if you are a true cinephile, well, then there really is everything.

The Film festival is much more than an individual viewing of recorded images on a screen. It is truly a collective appreciation of art. An "all together" celebration of the odd, the forgotten, and the inspiring. It is the manifestation of intentions, the temporary uprising of a certain special community that you'll miss when it disappears just two weeks after it sprung up, seemingly out of nowhere, and that you'll love coming back to the next go round!

So do not run to the hills and far away. Hell, don't even throw out your television. Simply dash over to Festival centre in Eau Claire, or find that little possibly coloured link online that assures you that you can purchase tickets if you click on it (you can), and just do it! Buy the ticket, take the ride. It'll be a good one.

Everything film fest and more can be found at: www.calgaryfilm.com

The festival itself runs from September 23rd through until October 3rd.

Going OUT to the movies!

It’s almost that time of year again! Film buffs everywhere - prepare to trade in your sofa seats for folding ones, your television for a silver screen, and your microwave popcorn for a buttery bin of cinema corn! The 2010 Calgary International Film Festival is upon us and with over 200 films and events in the program this year, it promises to be a jam-packed cornucopia of film-related fun. As an eager audience member, I can’t wait to spend every waking moment of free time in the theatre, surrounded by the buzz of my movie-loving peers. Staking out a good seat, listening to the hum of vocal anticipation, and the instant when the lights finally begin to dim and the screen comes aglow are the moments that I (and many others like me) live for! However, not everyone sees it the same way. Gathering together under one roof to share a film with friends and strangers alike is a experience often taken for granted in this day and age of electronic download and widescreen home theater systems. How long will it be before the social aspect of film spectatorship becomes obsolete? Not anytime soon, if I have anything to say about it. As the opening gala of the festival nears, I’d like to take this time to remind everyone why physically going to the theatre and participating in the social gathering of a film is an beneficial part of cinematic culture. Here are my top 5 arguments (among many) when it comes to the question:

Why Actually Go To The Theatre?

1) To Get Out of the House!
Who wants to spend their entire lives surrounded by the same four walls? Almost nobody! (Excluding agoraphobics, of course.) Yet, contemporary culture is constantly inventing convenient ways for us to stay put in our humble abodes instead of exploring the social possibilities that lie beyond our doors! Ok, that was a bit existential, but in all seriousness - is there anything we can’t have brought to us with the click of a mouse, or the dial of a phone? Yes. Social interaction! Oh, and chatting on Facebook or playing Xbox Live doesn’t count (though I know tons of people who would argue otherwise). There’s a lot to be said for vacating your comfort zone and going in search of kindred spirits, and the rewards are many. The opportunities to try new things, make new friends, and grow as a human being increase exponentially simply by immersing yourself in the culture around you. One of the easiest, and most non-threatening ways to do this is to go see a movie in a cinema! Try it! There are so many things the viewer can miss by simply downloading or renting a flick, which brings me to my next point...

2) It Engages All Of Your Senses!
Watching a movie isn’t just “watching a movie”. You do more than just see what is on screen when you go to your local cinema. You smell the popcorn before you even open the door, and don’t even try to argue that it tastes exactly like the microwavable stuff - you’re just lying to yourself. Once you get your snacks, you settle into a cozy seat next to a loved one and huddle together to share treats and conversation. The anticipation in the room reaches a breaking point just as the lights go down. Suddenly, you’re surrendered to the darkness for a brief moment of blind wonder and then BAM! The gigantic screen is filled with a sharp-as-knives image ten times the size of a city bus. The visual splendor is accompanied by a booming sound track, which will never have to compete with your neighbour's noisy truck, or the dog barking in the backyard. Once the credits roll, you’re on senses overload and feel completely satisfied with the full-body experience you’ve just been through. Try to achieve that while sitting on your couch squinting at a blurry, bootleg version of The Dark Knight!

3) You Don’t Have to Cry/Laugh/Scream Alone!
You know that bandwagon everyone is always condemning? Go ahead and jump on it! Let the tears roll, let out that belly laugh, and for goodness sake don’t cover your eyes! There is no need to be ashamed or bashful about the emotional roller coaster a film can take you on - everyone else in the theatre is strapped into the same ride. Isn’t a joke funnier when you know other people share your sense of humour? Isn’t it comforting to know that there are other sensitive souls out there, bawling over the same love story? And doesn’t it alleviate some of your anxiety to know that there are other people just as afraid of ghosts/zombies/werewolves as you are? Don’t hold back, share what you are experiencing with the world - other audience members having the same feelings will thank you for it by opening up and participating as well. And while we’re in a sharing mood, keep in mind that after the screening you will have the opportunity to share in...

4) Fresh Conversation With Loved Ones
Don’t you ever get tired of regurgitating cliched conversation starters like “How was your day?” or “Some weather we’re having, huh?” - they get old fast, but we stick to them when there’s nothing else to say. The shared experience of a trip to the movies is one of the easiest ways to strike up a conversation with friends or strangers. It’s no lie that “everyone’s a critic”, and people (no matter their age, gender, race, etc.) love to talk movies! Not only can you give your two cents about the acting, story, visuals, and heartthrobs, but films also open up interesting topics of theoretical discussion. Themes like love, life, death, honor, morality, and religion run rampant in film language and subtext. Take advantage of that by sharing a dialogue with your movie-going companion that doesn’t have to start with “Sooo....What’s up?”
And finally,

5) It Doesn’t Cost You an Arm and a Leg
True, ticket prices seem to always be on the incline, but consider this scenario: You and your significant other have a friday night free to spend in any manner you like, but you choose not to go to the movies because tickets are $12.50 a piece. Instead, you consider going to dinner ($50+), or renting a couple of flicks and buying some snacks at the video store ($20). Considering the experience you get for your dollar (take a peak back at points 1-4!), that night out at the cinema looks like a steal! Still not convinced? Skip only three of your $5 coffees during the week and there’s your movie ticket, and then some! Besides, you work/study hard during the week so why not indulge once in a while on a thoroughly delightful (and relatively cheap) form of entertainment? Movies are made for YOU - enjoy them!

*Whew* - I think I’ve made my (long-winded) point. Whether you’re a theatre regular, or a cinema newbie - there’s always a flick out there that will speak to your personal taste. Try something new, or stick with what you love - either way, don’t take public screenings for granted.

So come and check out some of the great experiences being offered between September 23rd and October 3rd at the Calgary International Film Festival. For your convenience, all of the film synopsis’, listings, times, and ticket sales have been made available online!

See You At The Movies!!!

YYC - In Competition #1 (Year Juan)

This is the first film in Competition at the 3rd Annual YYC Competition. 

Take a look and see if you can do better!