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Annette Kellerman's SXSW Experience! Day One...

 

I hate to date myself like this, but today marks the first day of my 20th SXSW Film Festival. Though the fest has grown by leaps and bounds since my first experience all those years ago, I will never cease to be amazed by all the hub hub surrounding the fest, the films, the events, and of course the parties. Since I am somewhat of a fest vet, I have been covering more than just film reviews the past few years. I attend plenty of films, but I also partake in the myriad of aforementioned tie in events that occur all over downtown Austin during the fest, and I figure at least some of you might be interested in tagging along with me, at least virtually. So, I hope you enjoy my "day in the life" coverage from day one.

My afternoon kicked off with a party commemorating the SXSW screening of Nacho Vigalondo's latest effort COLOSSAL. It was hosted by Neon Films, the new distribution company from Drafthouse Films Tim League and Tom Quinn of RADiUS.




The party featured a kick ass crawfish boil- an institution around Austin this time of year- as well as lots of tasty beverages.



Like most events that fall under the Drafthouse banner, this one came with a special twist as COLOSSAL director Vigalondo challenged local rising star (and neighbor of mine, btw. Cue It's A Small World) actor and director Macon Blair to a life size bout of rock 'em sock 'em robots. I chatted briefly with Blair's very-pregnant and incredibly talented actress/wife, Lee Eddy, before she took her place ringside to cheer on her man. I haven't seen their new film that won the jury award at Sundance I DON'T FEEL AT HOME IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE, but based on the accolades plus this pic of the husband/wife team, I am pretty much dying to check it out.


After the robot boxing match, I headed downtown to queue up for the premiere of the long-awaited new Terrence Malick film SONG TO SONG.

Some of the film makers as well as the primary cast (minus Natalie Portman who sent her good wishes from her postpartem state) were there to introduce the film. They did a quick pre-screening Q and A. Notably Malick was his usual MIA, further solidifying his elusiveness. Check out this pic of SXSW'S Janet Pierson onstage with Michael Fassbender, Ryan Gosling, Rooney Mara, and Berenice Marlohe.


For an Austinite SONG TO SONG reads like an epic ode to this incredible city we share with the legendary director. Every frame of the film features some part of Austin. From the mansion-filled nooks and crannies of the city's hidden lakeside abodes, gorgeous suites in various high rises that now adorn the once modest skyline, to Enchanted Rock out in Texas Hill Country, Malick seems to have checked off virtually every picturesque spot in and around my town.



The film revolves around a meandering love story against the backdrop of the live music scene in Austin. For a time here in Austin, Malick could be found popping up all over the place with his small crew and stable of ingenues. Even I almost ran headlong into their crew at the Austin City Limits Music Fest, stunned to realize I had almost run down Ryan Gosling with my kid's stroller. Word on the street was that they had also shot in the same guerilla-like manner at Austin's notorious Fun!Fun!Fun! Fest. Despite the exhaustive tour of the capital city, I was constantly aware that although the sights and sounds I witnessed in SONG TO SONG must look like someone's Austin experience, it certainly didn't look like my Austin experience, much less that of a real life Austin musician. This disconnect is also mirrored in my feelings about the story. I suppose in a convoluted way, the crux is that there is no crux, and the characters are simply traipsing through life and various relationships with the uncertainty that prevails throughout all aspects of reality. Or it could be that there just really isn't a very cohesive story despite the incredibly talented and screen worthy actors and actresses holding it all together with gorgeously intimate performances.

Whatever the case. from a completely Austin-esoteric point of view I immensely appreciate the depiction of some of the most beautiful and fascinating locales of my fair city, ultimately I just didn't connect with the plight of the beautiful people up on the screen.

Look out for more coverage of my SXSW experience!

Rebecca Elliott

aka Annette Kellerman

 

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