Another great year for films.
The Austin Film Festival screened dozens of movies over the course of eight days. Here are some highlights.
Best Theme: Coming of Age
No less than three films on the slate were variations on a particular theme. Lady Bird, Permanent, and Don’t Talk to Irene all featured young women struggling with adolescence and all that it brings. The real beauty of this trio is that all three take a very different tact in exploring this stage of life. This is especially impressive as female voices haven’t always been in the forefront and can often be seen lumped together. All three protagonists here are very much their own (soon to be) women, with goals, desires, and frustrations.
Best film that wasn’t for me
I only walked out of one screening this year, Confessions of a Serial Killer. This is most definitely a “It’s not you, it’s me” thing. I’m not a huge genre fan, and by all accounts, this unearthed treasure from the 80’s is right in that wheelhouse. It was filmed in and around Austin, but that wasn’t enough to keep me engaged. Fans of gritty, older horror will probably eat this one up.
Best Community Outreach
The festival featured some screenings under the “Family Series” heading. Free and open to the public, these events were a great way for non-festival going Austinites to get in on the fun. Along with a series of shorts (including What Lives Under the Bed, a fantastic riff on the Boogey Monster), two full-length features were shown: Earth: One Amazing Day by BBC Films; and Into the Who Knows, an imaginary friend tale.
Shorts, Shorts, Shorts!!!
Every AFF screens lots of shorts, and this year was no exception. A full 15 separate programs, featuring dozens of narrative and documentary short films were a part of the festivals offerings. Most were shown at the Rollins Theatre, but several were also shown at Galaxy, making it easier for locals to participate.
Best Near Miss
I so wanted to like An American in Texas. It was filmed in the Lone Star State, has a great look, and features teenagers rebelling. A formula for success! Unfortunately, it never quite came together in the way I had hoped. That said, it still had some redeeming qualities. That look! DP Bianca Butti created a dark, tense world for the story to play out in. Lead actress Charlotte Best is special, and we shouldn’t be surprised to see her again.
