MVIFF

MVIFF: Exploration of Truth in Film Fosters Community

By Erika Hahn

With all the high profile festivals that abound today, it is so refreshing to attend a down to earth, fun, enriching film fest that celebrates regional independent filmmaking by fostering a sense of community and intelligent thought rather than competition, exclusivity, and celebrity. The 4th Annual Martha's Vineyard Independent Film Festival (MVIFF) in March achieved an organized thoughtfully programmed event with that rare feeling of inclusion not exclusion.

Based around the premise of “The Power of Truth,” most of the films covered a complex web of documentary formats or fictional narrative's exploring both satirical and poignant reflections on society. The program was not limited by locale including some international works from Australia (MADEMOISELLE NIGOT AND THE DOCTOR), Iceland (SAVIOR), Spain (MIGUEL NE TERREN) and Africa (LOST BOYS OF SUDAN).

One that drew the most questions from the audience was by Italian documentary producer Franco Sacchi, now based in Boston. His feature film, co-produced by Gian Claudio Guiducci, AMERICAN EUNUCHS, was introduced by documentary filmmaker extraordinaire Kate Davis (SOUTHERN COMFORT). It touches on the lives of four adult men who voluntarily seek castration, a procedure undergone quietly by nearly 40,000 Americans each year. Their reasons are varied, but the true controversy seems to be how they undergo such extreme non-medically necessitated procedures. A fascinating look at a complex and very unexplored topic.

Another highlight was the JOHN DOUGLAS RETROSPECTIVE, a feature length selection of over 30 years of activist documentary filmmaking by John Douglas. Now a Vermont native, Douglas put together the retrospective specifically for MVIFF. A member of the internationally known Newsreel Group in the 60’s and 70’s, John showed clips from his work on the black share cropper housing crisis in Mississippi, the Vietnam War, and the short-lived revolution in the tiny Caribbean isle of Grenada in the 80’s. Audience members were treated to a selection of his latest work with computer animation: two helicopters piloted by skeletons adorned with soft drink ads decide to not rescue a couple on the roof of a flooded house, instead to race to the latest sports event on a whim.

In an exploration of point of view and historical settings New York filmmaker Richard Sandler showed two of his latest works. BRAVE NEW YORK is a feature length documentary with snippets of footage he collected of over 12 years of life in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan. AKA MARTHA'S VINEYARD is a work in progress exploring the history of the island with lovely footage of nature and the impact of modern life from colonial days to the present.

In the narrative fiction arena a film of note was NARROWCAST, a film by Eric Marciano, which lampoons the current reality TV craze. Eric noted that he wrote the movie before reality TV became as popular as it is today. A hilarious scathing social critique on the cynicism of cable network executives capitalizing on the public's demand for exploiting people's need to be recognized and heard. The heroine, Miss Candy Kane, a transvestite in mid-life crisis, seeks professional help from a shrink offering a small gift in exchange for free therapy, not realizing her soulful analysis of her problems are being taped for a television show. Includes a swinging band number. It's hilarious.

One of the most poignant moments came on Friday night for a sold-out standing room only premiere of DAN: A WORK IN PROGRESS. The documentary chronicles young Vineyarder Dan Aronie's five-year journey after a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis. His family began the project with Liz Witham. The bittersweet film moves between his frequent health crises, including open-heart surgery, his laughter in the face of such overwhelming challenges, and his mental fortitude in the face of his declining functioning. Dan, his girlfriend, and his family were on hand for Q&A and received a standing ovation.

Thomas Bena (MVIFF's founder and Director/Producer) and company delivered three days of wonderful cinema in a relaxed setting that was more reminiscent of hanging out in one's living room than being in a stuffy screening room, complete with numerous couches. Hosted at the Chilmark Community Center the adjacent room was a place to hang out, look at the beautiful art installation along the walls, sample a wonderful selection of local foods including locally grown fresh-pressed wheat grass juice, and hear live music by Vineyard musicians. Poetry readings between screenings added to the casual art-infused local character of the festival. Of course there were the requisite parties held nightly with Thomas, MVIFF co-producer Richard Skidmore, and Advisor Kate Davis the good hosts, making sure everyone had a wonderful time. Filmmakers were put up at the elegant Mansion House in Vineyard Haven, one of the festival sponsors.

On Saturday festival attendees enjoyed a hot lunch while listening to the panel discussion “Get Your Film Made.” Hosted by the humorous Critic-at-Large David Lasagna, filmmakers Kate Davis, Franco Sacchi, Richard Sandler (BRAVE NEW YORK), and Eric Marciano (NARROWCAST) answered questions relating to how they maneuvered in the process from idea to finished project.

For more information on MVIFF visit the official web site www.mviff.com.

Erika Hahn has a Master's in Documentary Television Production from Emerson. She is a freelance writer/photographer and is frequently found haunting film festivals in New England. Contact her at erika_hahn@emerson.edu

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