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LARRY'S 66 DINER :: THE SCREENING ROOM :: MODERN FILMS :: "BRIGHT STAR"
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AuthorTopic: "BRIGHT STAR" (Read 36 times)
rmichaelpyle
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"BRIGHT STAR"
« Thread Started on Oct 21, 2009, 3:19pm »
Last night my wife and I went to the movies for a change... ;) That is, modern movies... Anyway, we saw "Bright Star" which has not yet opened here in Indianapolis. We saw it because it is part of the Heartland Film Festival which is currently running here with several very, very scarce international releases. The theme of the Heartland Film Festival is "truly moving movies". The opening statements of their on-line information are

"In 1991, a group of visionaries united to create a unique film festival to honor beautifully made films that celebrate the positive aspects of life called the Heartland Film Festival.

The Heartland Film Festival started in 1992 as a small event in Indianapolis and has expanded over time to become one of the fastest growing film festivals in the country. Today, the annual film festival is a ten-day event full of independent films, a variety of special events for film enthusiasts of all ages, and a one-of-a-kind experience in one of the Midwest's most inviting cities.

Each October, Heartland Film Festival screens independent films from around the world and presents $200,000 in cash prizes and Crystal Heart Awards to the Festival's top-judged submissions. This includes a $100,000 Grand Prize Award for Best Dramatic Feature, a $25,000 Award for Best Documentary Feature and a $10,000 Vision Award for Best Short Film. Selected student films receive Jimmy Stewart Memorial Crystal Heart Awards and cash prizes. The Crystal Heart Award and Jimmy Stewart Memorial Crystal Heart Award cash prizes are made possibly by the generous support of Godby Family of Services, The Joshua Max Simon Charitable Foundation, KeyBank, Lilly Endowment, Inc. and The Stewart Foundation.

During the Heartland Film Festival, Heartland has awarded more than $2 million in the last 17 years to support filmmakers in their quest to create films that bring out the best of the human spirit."

I can only say that we truly enjoyed a very fine film about John Keats and the love of his life, Fanny Brawne. The film is truly biographical for the last, say, two or so years of Keats' life. Extremely well written, well acted, gorgeously photographed, wonderfully edited, it is not only romantic, but almost the perfect film if one enjoys very romantic, British Masterpiece Theater styled films. The one thing that stood out like a sore thumb above everything, however, was the costuming! It's some of the best I've ever seen in a film, both for quality and for being historically accurate down to the finest detail. The portrayals by the young actors is also quite good. I must say, too, that the portrayal of Keats by Ben Whishaw reminded me often of James Dean portrayals. It was striking at times. It is also simply astonishing to remember that Keats died at 25!! So much great writing, mature and deeply thought, at such a young age. This is a Jane Campion film, and she has either directed, written, or produced several winners, such as "The Piano" (1993). Her early film of the autobiography of Janet Frame called "An Angel at My Table" (1990) inspired me to read all three autobiographies of the New Zealand author. Fascinating reading, but, again, inspired by a great movie-maker. "Bright Star" is also a great film, and it has already stirred talk among those who vote for the American Academy awards. It has yet to open in several places, and it may be considered by some a "small film", so it may only play in art-type theaters. Don't turn down the opportunity to see this movie!
« Last Edit: Oct 21, 2009, 3:26pm by rmichaelpyle »Link to Post - Back to Top  IP: Logged
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Re: "BRIGHT STAR"
« Reply #1 on Oct 21, 2009, 4:44pm »
Thank you for the review, R. Michael. It's encouraging to hear that there are organizations out there who support young filmmakers. Bright Star sounds like a wonderful movie, and I will be sure to see it if it comes to San Francisco.
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