It’s that time of year again. I’m busily preparing to attend my eighth(!)South by Southwest conference in Austin, Texas this March. I really should say conferences, because for the second year, I’ll have a Gold pass which allows me to attend both the Interactive and Film events. This year, I’m hoping to offer a lot more film coverage here. Prior to the conference, though, I’d direct your attention to the wonderfully useful SXSWBaby! site where I will be blogging about all the film panel and screening announcements. If you’re planning to come, or just want to experience the buzz vicariously, come on over and check it out.
Since I haven’t seen this posted yet on the SXSW site, I’m posting my own crappy recording (and I do mean crappy. You will have to turn it WAY up.) Blogging About Film featured:
Eagle vs Shark (Director: Taika Waititi, New Zealand, 2007): I’d had my eye on this film since it played at Sundance and when I got the chance to see it at SXSW in the storied Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in downtown Austin, I didn’t hesitate.
I’d heard the film compared to Napoleon Dynamite, but without the condescension (and some would say, cruelty). For the most part, this is true. But Eagle vs Shark also comes across as unique in its own right, mainly due to the winning performance of Loren Horsley as Lily, who seems as steadfast and good-hearted as a heroine from a medieval fable. The film also makes sparing but effective use of stop-motion animation to add just the right amount of whimsy. The remote setting of rural New Zealand and the rarely-heard accents add to the quirky feel but don’t feel contrived. Instead, it’s comforting to know that there are geeks in every corner of the earth.
I left the theatre smiling and realized that I’d been doing it for practically the entire running time of the film. This is a gentle, tender-hearted romantic comedy that still packs some big laughs.
UPDATE: Just got the word from Alliance Atlantis that the film will open in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver on June 29 (the US limited release date is June 15) and it will go wide on July 13th.
Yes, it’s hard to believe, but I’ll be attending my seventhSouth by Southwest in a few weeks. Things will be a little different this year for a number of reasons.
This year, for the first time ever, I’m speaking on a panel. Not seeing anything on the schedule about the subject, I proposed a panel on faith, and it was accepted. It’s entitled Ghost in the Machine: Spirituality Online and it’s scheduled for Saturday March 10 from 5:00-6:00. I’ve assembled a panel of rock stars who will say most of the intelligent things, but I’m still nervous and excited.
As a panelist, I received a free Gold pass this year, which means for the first time I can attend both Interactive and Film events. I’m still unclear how ticketing to film screenings works, but I’m hoping to actually see a few films this time. A few of the scheduled films recently screened at Sundance, so it might be a good chance to see some stuff that won’t make it to Toronto until at least the fall, if at all.
The Interactive section of the conference ends on Tuesday, but I’m not leaving Austin until Saturday morning, so I’m hoping to catch a few bands during the Music portion, and just generally hang out in one of my favourite American cities with some of my favourite Americans.
If you’re going to be there, make sure you say hello! And it’s also acceptable to buy me a Shiner. After all, I’m a crusty conference veteran now!
P.S. Make sure to check out SXSWBaby for the latest news and updates.
(8/10)
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