Best March Event in Town

From The Cleveland International Film Festival website

Since Wednesday, March 19, my time has been spent sitting in a dark theater watching countless films at the Cleveland International Film Festival. Hence, March is my favorite month because I can see a variety of films normally not shown at your neighborhood movie theater. From documentaries, short subjects to narratives, whatever you like to see, they have it. So incredible.

How many films did I watch?

My magic number was twenty-four. My total films I was able to watch. Not bad! It might sound like a lot but individuals who buy passes (this gives filmgoers the flexibility to see any film and watch as many films as their heart desires) can see upwards of sixty-six if they watch six per day for eleven days. It is doable, but not recommended. I saw six films once and by the time I was on my sixth one, my brain was inoperable. I walked out of the theater with a glazed look on my face not thinking about the film I just watched. I needed to get out into the fresh air. Hence, all the films begin to blur together.

The beauty of buying a pass is the ability to choose a film on the “fly.” What this means is: if you hear what audiences are saying about a film, you can decide to see something else without worrying that you just bought a ticket to a certain film. Once you buy a ticket, you are locked into that film. You can decide to sell it or exchange it for a fee. 

What I traditionally do: I read the entire guide, mark notes which ones are documentaries, thrillers, comedies and check the ones that I have an interest in. What happened this year is most of the films that I picked didn’t exhibit the long lines; hence, I adjusted my picks based on what others have gravitated towards. 

You may have thought I bought tickets, not necessarily. I volunteer every year so at the end of my shift, I receive “two vouchers” that is turned in for tickets. Most of the time it works out well; other times when the film is on “stand by” you give the desk your “voucher” and pray that you get into the film after everyone else. Usually it’s not a problem – they seat you where you might not have the best seat, but your “in.” What happened this year, everyone wanted to see “The Verdict” and by the time I heard “the buzz” I was too late in securing a ticket. I got a “stand by” ticket but they were not seating any “stand by.” This is a rarity, but it has happened because of the record breaking crowds. My recommendation - Buy your tickets early.

The Ballot

Quite honestly, I’m not exactly sure when I became such a film buff. I always enjoyed seeing movies but not the passion I currently have where I scrutinize all elements of the film: is it a good story, it is beautiful to watch, are the characters interesting, the dialogue (writing) is original and tight editing where it moves along at a good clip. This is what I think about when I cast my ballot for “excellent” or if the story and/or dialogue is idiotic it will receive a “fair.” I gave more “fair” ratings than I usually do and I’m embarrassed to admit, a few more “excellence.” It seems like I love the film right when I watch it then when I see something else the following day, I kick myself that I gave the rating that I did. Frustrating at times!

I can honestly say that there were a lot of well made films – a few that stick out: “The Auction,” ( a quiet film about an elderly gentleman who inherits a farm and he ends up auctioning it off throwing him into a new world that he hasn’t experienced in a long time; “The Ferry,” another quiet film about an elderly Chinese man who ferries individuals from one end of the river to the next. The cinematography was gorgeous and light on dialogue but it was just beautiful; “The Longest Distance” where a woman gets cancer and decides to take her own life on her own terms. Again, a beautiful film that was well written and the characters had depth that struck your emotions that I couldn’t stop thinking about well after I left (An Award Winner). “Obvious Child” that was not on my radar but as I was volunteering the night before, I saw a lot of people going into the theater. The film opens up with a woman comedian delivering her monologue that was “raw.” I quickly thought, why did I get a ticket for this film? However to my surprise, I really, really enjoyed it because it was not trite where you knew what was going to happen in all those romantic comedies. I was impressed – a well written comedy where I laughed and cried at the same time. For a documentary, I loved “Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia” where Gore just told it how it was. He didn’t care if you agreed with him or not. I didn’t agree with everything he said, but I respect his view point. This film was on my maybe list and turned out to be a delight. 

I can go on and on which films I loved and the ones I didn’t. Not everyone has the same opinion on films; that is why film like any other artistic medium is very subjective. As I mentioned above, I stood in the “stand by” line for “The Verdict,” and I didn’t get in. They added a screening and I was so excited to see it and what happened, I was bored to tears. Everyone loved it and my opinion was that it needed more editing – way too long. That’s how it goes. You never know if you will be enamored or bored – the beauty of The Cleveland International Film Festival. You will always be amazed by the films that you see, not normally seen in your neighborhood. 

I realize March is over and April is half way done but Cleveland has so many gems like a film festival primarily in one spot. 

The Cleveland International Film Festival
March 18 - 29 2015 
http://www.clevelandfilm.org

Waterloo Arts District - First Friday

It’s March 8, the first Friday Walk All Over Waterloo event and the art scene is a flurry of activity. There were at least three art events going on. I could have volunteered for the Cleveland Museum of Art’s MIX event or hit MOCA’s free party from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m, but I elected to attend the my neighborhood first friday event instead. I’m glad I did. 

The National Arts Program 

Waterloo Arts was crazy busy with the opening of the National Arts Program where Cleveland locals can submit art. I’m a Cleveland resident so I submitted a pastel grape drawing. You would of thought I was entering a “big time” exhibit for I couldn’t decide what to draw or do. Admittedly, I was stressed. I ran downstairs into my refrigerator and grabbed a bunch of fruit – oranges, apples and grapes. I arranged them and arranged them again into different configurations. I did a small apple sketch while I sat at the Cleveland Museum of Art’s atrium waiting for my sister. 

I settled on three apples and I manically drew and illustrated with my favorite medium – pastels. As of last year, I finally set up my drawing table and I’ve been doing some drawing – I drew my sister’s house as a Christmas present and two African elephants. I enjoy it as I pull out a wide variety of color no matter what the object is - apples don’t necessarily need to be all red. There are browns, purples and yellows – I’m thinking like Van Gogh and other artists that put color down as you feel how it should look. 

I finished the apples and settled on the grape drawing instead. I was happy with it as I framed it and dropped it off at Waterloo Arts. That is the first time I submitted a drawing. Yes, I’ve done graphic design where the client sees it and decides if it’s good or not. It gets printed for the whole  world to see. Who really sees or cares who the designer is. The client wants it done and preferably under budget – project completed.  

As I walked into the Waterloo Arts, there was an abundance of artwork from school aged children to someone as young as two. For example, there was a dress form made out of metal with plastic strips for a skirt that was leaning against the wall. I love it. It was a good start into the art of sculpture. 

Other children submitted photography, collages, pottery and drawings. The main comment from attendees was how they all enjoyed “art done by children.” I completely agree. The creativity was infectious. All this from Clevelanders. I was so proud of the crowd where it was hard to maneuver within the gallery and see the exhibit.

The other piece that I thought was creative was a wall relief of an elephant using found metal. Again, this was a beautiful example of sculpture. It was easily recognized and the polished metal worked as a plausible solution. Too bad it was stuck in the back.

Where was my piece, you may ask? It took me a while to find it but it was back in the corner below another piece that won second place. A woman was photographing the piece above mine; she might have gotten some purple grape in there. It wasn’t important where my piece was. It was an honor to submit it with all the great art in Cleveland. The best in show was a painting of two nudes with vibrant red hair blowing in the wind per say. It was well done. Very close to that piece, there was a boat scene that I though was also done well. All the work was stellar in one way or another.

All egos aside, my favorite part of the evening was the parents standing next to their child and taking a photo of their art work. There was an energetic full, crowd anticipating a view of creative art in Cleveland. I was happy to see so many people walking along Waterloo jettisoning from one gallery to the next.

Maria Neil Art Project

After I left Waterloo Art Gallery, I walked a few more minutes down the road to Maria Neil Art Project Gallery to see new work from “Hilary Gent: Aftermath.” Her paintings were amazing. The entire gallery was glowing in orange, red, brown, and yellows. Right when you walked in, there was a huge canvas that over took the gallery dramatically with an urban housing feel. I walked around several time to take it all in.

I approached Hilary and told her how much I loved her work. She gave me the back story that all this work “emerged” within the last year after witnessing a building engulfed in flames. That makes sense since the color pallet is orange and red equating with fire. The fire filled her with such emotion that her coping mechanism took over and she created art work - painting after painting after painting. 

My favorite piece was off to the right side as you enter the gallery. There are these white buildings (probably homes) and at the foreground is a scrapheap of discarded wood, timber if you will. It just spoke to me because of the balance between the cleanliness of the white homes with the sadness of timber gone in to waste. Right next to the painting, there was a relief of wire and plastic, it looked like a bird’s nest to me – the artist retrieved scraps from the fire that also is in the show.

Who says you have to go far away from home to see terrific art. I didn’t have to this Friday. There is creativity in the tiniest of places. I like how the artist is inspired by their art instead of a big time gallery showcasing their wares. Waterloo is intimate and quietly off the beaten path. If you haven’t attended any art galleries on Waterloo, I suggest you do.

Maria Neil Art Project

Hilary Gent: After Math - March 7 - April 19, 2014

www.marianeilartproject.com

Waterloo Arts

http://artscollinwood.org