MFF 2009: Parting shots
Some of those who spent their Mother's Day weekend at the 11th annual Maryland Film Festival capped off the festivities at a Sunday evening party across the street from the Charles Theatre. We asked a few to choose the festival's highlight:
Mark R. Smith, freelance writer: I loved the Animated Shorts program. I really liked the one that used the lyrics to the Rolling Stones song (Dandelion Will Make You Wise). The Bill Plympton short, done with the line drawings -- those were terrific. The one based on a music video, by a group called Parson Brown, from the Netherlands someplace, that was really cool, too. I made it here for all four nights for the first time this year. That was pretty cool, too.
Joe Swanberg, director, Alexander the Last: We went to the (Orioles) baseball game with two British filmmakers whom we just met today. Those are always my best moments. I made new friends and had cool experiences with two people from another country. That's why I am so excited to come to festivals after so many of them, and so many movies. I've had so many experiences like that. This festival, every year I meet people who I end-up collaborating with and working with.
Kris Swanberg, director, It was great, but I was ready to come home: I'm just so impressed with how accomodating this festival is, and how great the staff has been. They flew us out and put us up. We get to see great movies and hang out, they have all these wonderful parties. It's just been really, really a nice, small, friendly festival.
Photo: Husband-and-wife filmmakers Kris and Joe Swanberg raise a toast to MFF 2009. Photo by Chris Kaltenbach
Melodie Sisk, actress, Modern Love Is Automatic: I'd say two things. The Love Songs presentation, with John Waters. Totally fantastic and amazing. What an awesome opportunity it is, to see something like that on the big screen. When does that happen? And then, to get to hang out with all these filmmakers, who have done really gorgeous stuff, and to see their films throughout the festival and sort-of become friends -- to have the chance to hang out and see each other as people.
Mike White, founder and editor, Cashiers du Cinemart: Probably Craig Baldwin's Q&A after Crack Up On Mu. He was very excited, and passed that on to the audience. I was really keyed-up after watching that. It was like watching your favorite professor in college-cum-mad scientist give you all the information about film you ever wanted to know.
Matthew Porterfield, director, Hamilton: For me, I love to come and re-connect with other filmmakers, see what people are watching, and get a chance to see films that might not get a release. Today, I saw Agnes Varda's film, The Beaches of Agnes, and I was really excited about that. That was kind-of the one I was holding out for. I was swept away. I also really enjoyed John Waters' pick this year, Love Songs, which coincidentally took place all in the neighborhood where my best friend and producer on Hamilton lives in Paris.
