Nashville Film Festival – Day 4

Just when we thought we had a well-oiled machine, things broke down today on the Film Talk Live from the Nashville Film Festival.  First, our guest Mario Van Peebles was a no-show.  Next, somehow the “continuous” button on my cd player got pressed.  After playing the intro music, the first clip began to play over Jett talking.  There was a honking car horn and a squeaking dolly playing in the background of some sections.  And last but not least, the guy behind the mixer blurted out, “That wasn’t her” when our guest said a certain actress played a certain part in a certain NaFF movie.  That guy was me.  What can I say?  My mom used to call me, “Mr. Correct-All.”  I can’t help myself.

My first film of the day may very well be my favorite thus far: Lourdes, a story about a wheelchair-bound woman making a pilgrimage to Lourdes in the Pyrenees Mountains.  The filmmakers take no religious position here but simply let the characters speak for themselves.  When something possibly-miraculous happens, things get very interesting.  Lourdes is an unsentimental film about desire and limitations, hope and reality. 5 out of 5.

The Sound of Insects: Record of a Mummy.  I won’t upstage my review in the Nashville Scene but instead will direct your attention to it.  5 out of 5.

The Documentary Showcase: I came in late and had to leave early, so I can’t really review this entire show.  Of what I did see, I enjoyed most the film about the Cambodian boy who was poisoned by arsenic in the well water (as was the rest of the village).

Cleanflix: This was on my card to see, but exhaustion got the better of me, and I had to skip it.  Alas.

We’ll see you tomorrow when our guest on the Film Talk is none other than the great Steve James who produced two of my favorite documentaries of all time: Hoop Dreams and Stevie.  At the fest, I’ll be watching James’ No Crossoever: Allen Iverson on Trial and the Hong Kong crime drama Bad Blood.