Mukul  Khurana

San Diego Experience

Looking for Gems in all the Right Places

San Diego Film Festival 2007 Begins...
By Mukul  Khurana
Posted on Fri, Sep 28th, 2007
Last updated Sat, Sep 29th, 2007

The 6th San Diego Film Festival opened this year on a Thursday with four compressed days instead of the five days last year. Karl Kozak (Co-Founder/Director of Programming) argued persuasively that the extra day had only served to showcase the opening night film and the opening party--why not combine all those things into one big day? So, the opening night film was Kabluey (Directed and written by Scott Prendergast). Due to the fact that Iraq was in the background (literally) and Lisa Kudrow and Terri Garr acted in this film, it must have seemed to be the better choice.

There is a gem at every film festival--sometimes more than one... SDFF 2007 did not start off on a strong footing with Kabluey. However, faith was restored by the second day with Adrift in Manhattan (Directed by Alfredo de Villa and written by Alfredo de Villa/Nat Moss), a poetic vision in a time when our culture is adrift in questions swirling around Iraq. Whatever happened to the "film" in "film festival"? Artists have a broader responsibility. This should have been the opening film.

Adrift in Manhattan had just as strong a cast (if not more so) than Kabluey. Heather Graham, Dominic Chianese, Victor Rasuk, William Baldwin, and Elizabeth Pena gave excellent performances in this film. Alfredo De Villa explored our human need for connection, loss, grief, and sexuality (just to name a few themes) with expert hands. At times, it felt like we had been transported to European cinema--but the film was a declaration of love to a very American city: New York.

Almost perfect weather in San Diego makes it hard for films to compete with other activities in this city. In order for people to feel compelled to sit in a dark theater, films really have to be special. Though the feature films on the first day were not unique, the "shorts" program more than made up for any oversights. Spark Shorts (Program # 2) contained some excellent ideas. Worthy of mention in this crucible of talent were 27,000 Days (by Naveen Singh), Control Z (by Robert Kirbyson), Needful Head (by Zeth Willie), and Election (Padraig Reynolds).

27,000 Days is the story of a dying man trying to find closure/make sense of his life as he approaches death. The experimental nature of this film makes it a mesmerizing meditation. Needful Head is an animation with very clever dialogue. Poetic most of the way, it is a cinematic masterpiece.

In the same vein, Twist Shorts (program # 3) delivered great dramatic tension. Captain Titan (by Amit Bhalla), In the Wall (by Mike Williamson), Kiari (by Mario Bastos), The Knife Grinders Tale (by R.L. Hooker), Voodoo Bayou (by Susana Jacques), and Somewhere in the City (by Ramsey Denison) proved that 10-20 minutes is enough time to make a point.

Captain Titan was funny--with a twist. In the Wall was graphic--with a twist. If you could stay in your seat and give them a chance, you were rewarded. There is nothing sadder than a fallen idol: Kiari makes the dreams of a little boy real. On the other hand, there is nothing quite as tragic as death due to misunderstandings: The Knife Grinders Tale leaves one with a bitter aftertaste. Compassion for the homeless is celebrated in Somewhere in the City. Even in this beautiful city, we can't escape this reality. The first day ends and we stream from the artificial dark into the night.

About the author: Mukul Khurana is a writer with a background in teaching, editing, and PR. Presently, he specializes in sales and marketing for the travel industry.
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