Happy 40th SIFF Part Four

May 16 - June 9,1996 - Life Divided by 24


I never really got that theme, but that is the beauty of art, not everyone gets it. I met Emilio Estevez that year.

The films that I saw included, The Umbrella’s Under The Cherbourg (DDDD) France, Man of the Year, The Confessional (DDD) Canada, Great Britain and France, Intimate Relations Great Britain, Canada, I met Director Philip Goodhew, Stonewall (DDDD), Transpotting (DDDDD), Next Year We’ll Go To Bed by Ten (DDDD) Italy, Drunks, Girls Town (DDDD) I met director Jim McKay, I shot Andy Warhol (DDDD), Phenomenom (DDD), The Trigger Effect (DDDD), Welcome to the Doll House

Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So, so if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)


Check out my other blogs:
http://ArtbyDlonzo.blogspot.com
http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com


The Seattle International Film Festival will celebrate it’s 40th year in May of 2014. I’ll review some of my favorite films. And talk about my experiences from 1993 - 1999. Continuing with part five next week.

Thanks for stopping by, and do come back again or become a follower. Remember to keep an open mind.

Happy 40th SIFF Part Three

1995- “The World Exposed” May 18 - June 11

(As I mentioned in the last entry I would cover what happened that I never wrote a script or submitted a film to SIFF. My friend and I had thought about doing a behind the scenes piece on one of my photo shoots. Towards the end of the year,  1994, my friend had an accident and he lost his eye sight.)

(This sculpture stands outside of (S.A.M.) Seattle Art Museum, it's called The Hammering Man)

I had become a Goodwill member of SIFF.

When I returned to Seattle I would be driving for the first time. Until I got my bearings it was like the blind leading the blind, literally. You know what its like to visit a place and someone else is driving so you just sit back and you don’t pay that much attention as to where you are going. That’s what happened on my previous visits, but then it all came back to me and it was like being home again. Seattle was feeling like a home away from home.

I was learning a lot about myself. Expressing myself through my photography and opening myself up to new experiences. There was more social activity this year so I didn't see as many films.

Brave heart (DDDD) was the opening night film and Cold Comfort Farm(DDD) was the closing night film. Half Spirit- Voice of the Spider(DD), Afrique Mon Afrique (DDD) Burkina Faso, A Busniess Affair Great Britain/France, Heaven’s A Drag Great Britain, The Postman Italy, 1-900 The Netherlands, Bleeding Hearts, Crumb, Denise Calls Up, The Doom Generation (DDDD), another film by Greg Araki. (This film would change the way I saw his films. This one was much better than the other film. Perhaps it was its over the top scenes of violence and sex. It was part porn, part art. Mr. Araki was also introducing the world to a lot of young talent.) Headless Body In A Topless Bar (DDDD),Joe's Rotten World, Live Nude Girls (DD), Living In Oblivion (DDD), Lotto Land (DDDD), The Low Life (DDD) It was actually for the screening of this film that I met Rory Cochrane., Party Girl (DDDD), Picture Bride (DDDD), Swimming with Sharks (DDD), Unzipped (DDDDD), The Usual Suspects (DDD), The Year of My Japanese Cousin (DDDD),




Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So, so if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)


Check out my other blogs:
http://ArtbyDlonzo.blogspot.com
http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com


The Seattle International Film Festival will celebrate it’s 40th year in May of 2014. I’ll review some of my favorite films. And talk about my experiences from 1993 - 1999. Continuing with part four next week.

Thanks for stopping by, and do come back again or become a follower. Remember to keep an open mind.

Film Lover For Pam Grier

 (from Pam Griers early days)

It's Pam Grier day. Today the black goddess turns 65. It all began when I was 11 years old and I saw my first Pam Grier film, Coffy. From that point on there was something that connected me to her. I've followed her career as much as possible, but I've never had the opportunity to meet her. I've tried many times, but it just wasn't meant to be.

(One of my many films posters from the actresses career)

I usually watch some of her films on this day, but since I recently watched most of her films I think I'll do an L word marathon. I've not watched the series in a couple of years. Although I don't have every single film she's ever done, (there are a few I just haven't run across, I do have a substantial collection of her work.) Perhaps I'll take some time out to watch Something Wicked This Way Comes. Pam Grier was the first black actress to have a lead role in a Disney film.

(From Scream Blacula Scream)

Pam Grier has appeared in over 100 films, Jaw Breakers, Class of 1999, Mars Attacks, Ghost of Mars, Twilight People, The Big Doll House, The Big Bird Cage, Bucktown, Sheba Baby, Friday Foster and Foxy Brown just to name a few.

Wherever she is I hope she has a blessed birthday and gets to enjoy many more. Raising a glass to Miss Grier on her special day.

Here's a list of some of my favorite Pam Grier films - Coffy, Fort Apache The Bronx, Black Mama White Mama, The Arena, and Scream Blacula Scream.

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again.

Happy 40th SIFF Part Two

1994- “See What The World Is Coming To…” May 20 - June 12

(In Seattle my creative side really came out.)

The previous year I met some friends that had a condo down on First St. and they extended an invitation, but since I had the hotel and the place in Tacoma I didn’t take them up on the offer, but I did this time. I liked being in walking distance to Pikes Place Market, Pioneer Square and the theaters. Walking helps me get to know a place.

(The Space Needle)

Behind the list of films that I saw, if you see a Director or Producers name it means I met them.

(Director and Producer of the film Bad Boy Bubby)

That was the year I met Julia Sweeney and I sat down with Director/Producer Rolf De Heer and actor Nick Hope from the film Bad Boy Bubby (DDDD) which is now a cult classic.

(Movie poster from the film Bad Boy Bubby)

This was also the beginning of the wheels turning for me to go to Australia. I had seen a lot of films that were made there and met many actors and individuals from Australia that I felt comfortable going there. (I don’t travel to places without knowing people there just in case something happens.)

(Actor Nicholas Hope star of the film Bad Boy Bubby)

I met Stephan Elliot, writer and director of the film Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (DDDD). This was also the year that I met Thomas Gibson, but once again I didn’t know who he was and I didn’t take a picture.

(A poster from the poster auction representing the film, Love and Human Remains)

Thomas Gibson was the star of the film Love and Human Remains (DDDDD), which is one of my all time favorites. I Met Alan Jacobs, the director of the film Nina Takes A Lover (DDD) he was quite surprised that I wanted his autograph.

I photographed Mimi Rogers that year, who was promoting the film Reflections of a Crime which was originally going to be called Free Regina. The story behind me meeting Miss Rogers was that a friend of mine was working as a freelance writer for one of the local publications. To get me and another friend in, she decided she’d need a photographer. We were all to interview Mimi Rogers, but I wasn’t really a big fan and since we were not allowed to talk about Tom Cruise and other personal matters I thought it was best that I not ask any questions during the interview. The photos I took were very relaxed. She was very nice and very beautiful. After the interview we got to talk and she shared information with me about her new production company. I had plans to write a script, but things changed and it never saw the light of day. (You’ll find out why in the next installment.)

Another funny thing that happened that year was when I met Josh Evans. He was the director and actor of the film Inside The Gold Mine. Josh Evans is the son of Actor Robert Evans. While we were talking we had asked if he had done any other films. He happened to be in one of my favorite films, Ricochet which starred Denzel Washington and John Litgow. When he told me he was one of the leads, I was dumb founded. I had seen this movie many times and I didn’t remember him. I don’t know if it was as bad for him as it was for me. (When I returned home I watched the film and sure enough he was one of the lead characters, but I didn’t remember him. At that time the character didn’t stand out. Now that I’ve met him, there is no way that I’ll ever forget that he was in the film.)
Another interesting story was another young director. I had never heard of him before and so I really didn’t have any interest in photographing him or getting his autograph. He was a young Asian director and writer by the name of Greg Araki. He was promoting his film Totally F**cked Up. I was not impressed with the film and I’ve never seen it available on DVD. (I’d probably add it to the collection just because.) As you’ll find out I did become a big fan of Araki’s later films. I decided that I would become a Goodwill member and show my support. After all, SIFF was creating opportunities for me, why shouldn’t I help out.

A Man in Uniform, Tango, Just Like A Woman (Great Britain), The Young Americans, Up, Down and Sideways (Greece), Stefano (Italy), Sex, Drugs & Democracy Director Johnathan Blank, Producer Barclay Powers (The Netherlands) Golden Balls (Spain), How To Be Miserable and Enjoy It (Spain), Kika (Spain), The Journal De Lady M (Switzerland), East, Drink, Man, Woman, The Beans of Egypt Maine - I met Director Jennifer Warner and actor Rutger Hauer. Ever since Blade Runner I was a fan of his, but I was not expecting him to be so soft spoken and he wasn’t very tall.
Blessing, Clerks, Erotique (Shorts) - Let’s Talk About Sex, Taboo Parlor, Wonton Soup.
Freedom on my Mind I met the Director Connie Fields and Producer Marilyn Mulford.
Love and a .45, and Sleep With Me.




Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So, so if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)


Check out my other blogs:
http://ArtbyDlonzo.blogspot.com
http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com


The Seattle International Film Festival will celebrate it’s 40th year in May of 2014. I’ll review some of my favorite films. And talk about my experiences from 1993 - 1999. Continuing with part three next week.

Thanks for stopping by, and do come back again or become a follower. Remember to keep an open mind.

Molly Ringwald and More

 Saturday April 26, 2014 I got to see Molly Ringwald perform at the Zachery Scott Theatre. Molly is now singing Jazz, something she did when she was a kid with her father. Her first CD Except Sometimes includes many songs from the American Song Book. Molly performed standards by Billie Holiday, Fats Waller and other jazz greats. It was a good show in the intimate Kleberg stage.

While watching Molly perform I noticed she was wearing high heeled shoes. Higher than she normally wore in her films. She mentioned she had purchased those shoes in Austin, Texas a year ago. I then noticed how tall she is. Most of her male co stars are not that tall so that was the reason for her shoes having a one inch heel as opposed to two or three inches.
I don’t know if it was Molly’s choice or it just happened that way, but in every film her style was artsy. Totally out of the box. Check out the films below and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

Strike It Rich  (DDD) - Stars Molly Ringwald and Robert Lindsay, as a newly married couple who suddenly becomes rich. The husband, a mathematician comes up with a plan to beat the roulette wheel. Soon the couple has even more problems than they had before.

Fresh Horses (DDD) - This was Molly Ringwald’s first grown up role after deciding she wouldn’t do another John Hughes film. I believe Some Kind of Wonderful would have been the follow up to The Breakfast Club or was it Pretty in Pink? Molly Stars opposite Andrew McCarthy her co star in Pretty in Pink. She’s a young girl with a past. The film also stars Patti D Arbanville, Ben Stiller and Viggo Martenson.

For Keeps (DDD) - The film stars Molly Ringwald, Sharon Brown and Molly Ringwald plays a high school senior who becomes pregnant and has to make a big decision as whether to keep the baby or not. The pressure is on from her parents and her boyfriend which doesn’t make things easy.

Betsy’s Wedding (DDD)- Molly Ringwald wants a non traditional wedding that won’t offend either side of the family. A comical look at a father trying to please everyone for the wedding of his youngest daughter. An all star cast including Alan Alda, Madeline Kahn, Ally Sheedy and many more.

Malicious (DD) - A young fatal attraction. Molly Ringwald plays a disturbed young woman that becomes obsessed with a young college baseball player.  Patrick McGaw makes a mistake by sleeping with the young woman and can’t seem to get rid of her. She just won’t take no for an answer and does everything to make his life a living hell.

Requiem for Murder (DD)- In this dark interesting film, Molly Ringwald plays a radio DJ with a night time show that plays classical music. A fan seems to be obsessed with her and kills during her show those that appear to be rivals.

Starman (DDD) - Starring Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen I had seen this film when it first came out. I just spent my time watching movies once I got over the fear of going to the movies alone. There were many films I wanted to see, but I couldn’t get anyone to go to the movies with me.
Jeff Bridges is an alien that takes on the features of Karen Allen’s late husband. It has some funny moments, but it is an interesting premise. It made me think of that new series Believe, where individuals return home.

Stormy Weather - Starring Lena Horn, Bill Robinson, Cab Calloway, Fat Waller, The Nicholas Brothers A very entertaining and surreal film. It’s in black and white and I often wonder what it would look like if it were in color. Lena Horn sings the classic title song among others and the Nicholas Brothers give their incredible classic tap dancing routine.


Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So, so if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)


Thanks for stopping by and keep an open mind. Become a follower while you are here.

Check out my other blogs:
http://ArtbyDlonzo.blogspot.com
http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com


The Seattle International Film Festival will celebrate it’s 40th year in May of 2014. I’ll review some of my favorite films. And talk about my experiences from 1993 - 1999. Continuing with part two later in the week.

Thanks for stopping by, and do come back again or become a follower. Remember to keep an open mind.

SIFF 40th Anniversary Part One

 (The Egyptian Theatre)

Until 1992 the only film festival I had ever heard of was Canes. Now almost every major city has a film festival.

(Pass holders wait to be let into the theatre)

Like many of you I had never heard of the Seattle International Film Festival, that is until I got a call from my best friend at the time who had moved to Seattle. After he graduated from High School we lost touch. One day out of the blue I got a phone call and we caught up.

(Actor Rory Cochran from the film Dazed and Confused. You may also recognize him from CSI: Miami)

It had always been a dream of mine to make a film. It started out with an 8mm camera I got when I was in elementary school and then I got a VHS video camera. I read books and taught myself how to edit. I took classes and joined groups. I even worked on a few projects, but funding was lost and they never saw the light of day. In 2004 I began shooting digital video.

(See How People Act -This is the program from 1992. I love this cover and was able to get the poster for that one as well.)

When my friend told me about the festival and all of the people he was meeting, I began to think about that dream. We had talked about making a film together. I would write and direct and my friend would be the cinematographer. When he told me about all of the people he was meeting I asked if he had been making contacts, getting numbers, opening doors, but that wasn't his forte. I was always the business person. Raising funds or getting whatever was needed for a project. I knew then that I had to go to Seattle.
I waited for an invite, but I made up my mind whether I got an invite or not I was going to Seattle to attend SIFF. Like most things in my life it all fell into place and my friend invited me to visit. I got a hotel room in Pioneer Square which put me in the heart of everything. We stayed downtown when there were films we wanted to see and when we had a break we stayed in Tacoma.

(Isn't this a great work of art? the 19th year of SIFF)

I've seen hundreds of movies at SIFF. Some really good, some unusual, but all very interesting. I applaud anyone that gets a film made because its not an easy thing to do. Even getting it into a festival isn't that easy.
(I used to be on the screening committee for the New Orleans Film Festival, Cinema 16.)
In 1993 when I first attended SIFF, Daryl MacDonald was the festival director. Everyone made me feel so welcomed. I did have to get used to the weather. It rained, but not what I was used to. It rained constantly like a mist. I was on vacation and I was not going to let this ruin my trip. I bought a nice backpack and a small umbrella and made the best of it. I saw as many movies as I could, but I had to take time out to eat. I could not live off of Starbucks alone like most of the film goers. I was not familiar with Starbucks and I wasn't a coffee drinker. There was a store on almost every corner and a kiosk in front. The program cover was awesome so I picked up a few copies as a keep sake. Mike Lowry was Governor and Norman B. Rice was Mayor. I used one to make notes and another to get autographs. I wasn't sure if I'd meet anyone, but I wanted to be prepared if I did. I also bought the poster which I framed and have hanging on my wall.

(Seattle brought out my creative side)

I will list the films that I saw for each year and whether or not I met someone from the film. I will list its country and a rating if the film is part of my collection, but some films I don't remember them entirely.
You can check out the titles to see if the films are available. There are a few foreign films. There are many films that I am only discovering have made it to DVD, but at the time most of them didn't have any distribution.

As a part of SIFF I got to see films that most people would never see. I got to see how movie deals are made. I got the opportunity to photograph and interview people in the industry and make a few contacts.
In 1993 the festival ran from May 14 - June 6.
There was an Australian actor that appeared in two films, Hammers on the Anvil and Romper Stomper. Hammers on the Anvil was a love story that starred Charlotte Rampling. Romper Stomper was a disturbing film for me as it dealt with racism. The skin heads against the chinese. At that time the unknown Russell Crowe starred and one best actor for both films at the Golden Space Needle Awards. Virtuosity hadn't been released in the U.S. at that point. Since I didn't know who he was I didn't photograph him.
There was a tribute to John Schlesinger and I learned about the secret festival. One is sworn to secrecy about the films that they see at the secret fest.
Sometimes the audiences change the way a film is marketed. Even the titles get changed when a film is released. Sometimes you get to see a film before it is completed, a work in progress. A short film that becomes a feature.
Movies - Much Ado About Nothing (DDD), King of the Hill (D), Midnight Cowboy (DDDD), Sunday Bloody Sunday(DDD), Menace II Society (DDDDD), Romper Stomper- Australia (DDDD), Hammers on the Anvil- Australia (DDDDD), Man Bites Dog -Belgium (DDDD), Heart Strings - China (DD), Un Coeur En Hiver - France, Kitchen and Other Rooms - France (DDD), Les Visiteurs- France (DDDD), Orlando GB, Netherlands, Italy, France (DDDDD), Al Lupo Al Lupo- Italy, For A Lost Soldier(This film was disturbing for me at first, but I really liked it) Netherlands (DDDDD),  Crush- New Zealand, Jamon Jamon Spain (DDDD), House of Angels -Sweden (DDDD), The Wedding Banquet- Taiwan (DDDD), The Abyss Special Edition (I had never seen this film before and to see it on the big screen with footage never seen before was quite the treat) (DDDD), Acting on Impulse (DDDD), An Ambush of Ghosts, Bound by Honor which became Blood In Blood Out (DDDDD), Chain of Desire I met the director and we got to talk Temistocales Lopez (DDDD), Dazed and Confused (DDD) I met and photographed Rory Cochran, Fortress (DD), The Harvest, The Music of Chance (DDD), Quick, Sex Is... I met and photographed director/producer Mark Huestis, Twenty Bucks I met director Keva Rosenfeld (DDD), Vermont is for Lovers, and Don't Call Me Frankie.
After I returned to New Orleans, I decided to become a Goodwill member of SIFF.