Third Time's a Charm. (Report and Essay)
2002; Johns Hopkins University Press; Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
1543-3404
Autores Tópico(s)Cinema and Media Studies
ResumoWith film festivals cropping up in all corners of the country, and at least one New England fest even advertising as far away as western New York State, the energetic, young Lake Placid Film Forum stands out as a testament to the significance of both film and dialogue as reflections and arbiters of contemporary culture. third annual Forum again lived up to its title, fulfilling its mission to showcase both new and revisited films and to provide a venue for conversations about contemporary cinema. Unlike other film festivals, Lake Placid gives equal time to participatory events such as panel discussions, roundtables and the increasingly popular master classes led by experts in their fields. Attendance doubled since the second year of the Forum and these growing pains were reflected in long ticket lines and sold-out shows. But the response of attendees and participants, whether satisfied newcomers or repeat customers, was laudatory. More than one visiting filmmaker referred to the event as very friendly. Executive Director Naj Wikoff claims the Forum is coming of age. The increase in master classes and college-aged [audience members] has added a certain sizzle, he says. This has resulted in an expansion of the diversity and depth of the people who come here. Wikoff explains the unique role of the Lake Placid event as the ability of attendees to mentor and be mentored, to see and talk about films... to engage with each other in meaningful ways. He speaks of the openness of the community, enables people to connect. While the overwhelming tenor of the forum was positive and productive, educated Hollywood-bashing was not uncommon during panels and roundtables. An actors' forum including Campbell Scott, Kyra Sedgwick, Tony Shalhoub and John Cameron Mitchell (writer, director and star of last year's cult film Hedwig and the Angry Inch), and a critics' roundtable (with such notable reviewers as Rex Reed, Karen Durbin, Elvis Mitchell and Gannett's jack Garner) often turned to complaints about the dumbing down of America, applying the questioning adage of which came first: the chicken or the egg, to industry production vs. the desires of the consumer masses who pay the bills. Along with panels, classes, presentations to honored guests and a myriad of parties and related events, this year's Forum included over 6o feature and short films, its strength again found in its international and documentary offerings. …
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