THE MANEATER &
MOVE P R E S E N T
TF YOUR GUIDE TO THIS YEAR’S
TRUE/FALSE FILM FEST FLIckS TUnES SHOpS Previews of every feature film.
Mixing music into a film fest.
Local businesses dig the crowds.
YOUR GUIDE TO THIS YEAR'S
TRUE/FALSE FILM FEST
lETTER fROM THE EDITOR
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Park Ave.
I remember the first time I saw downtown Columbia. For some reason, I thought it would be a skyscraper-filled metropolis like Chicago or something, so I was seriously disappointed. I think I was about 12 years old. Thankfully, if there’s one thing I’ve learned in the eight years since, it’s that pretty much everything you thought you knew when you were 12 was dead wrong. Downtown CoMo rarely does a better job of proving 12-year-old me wrong than with the annual True/False Film Fest. This year’s lineup doesn’t look likely to disappoint: Watch a film about the family trying to build the biggest house in America, or the rebellious Chinese artist trying to operate in a oppressive culture, or the president trying to save his country from the wrath of global warming — not to mention a good ol’ fashion football flick, the newest Morgan Spurlock doc and a locally made movie that is literally scaring people out of their seats all around the country. This year, the festival’s ninth, offers 31 feature films as well as seven secret screenings and two sets of short films. Passes have sold out already, but tickets are available at the box office ($8) and via the “Q” system, which lets you line up an hour before showtime to fill empty seats ($10). Sound confusing? Well MOVE’s got you covered with previews for every feature film, inside looks at the non-film aspects of the festival and a big ol’ map.
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Forrest Theater Tiger Hotel
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Volunteering at True/False
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The volunteering program offers perks in addition to involvement with the festival.
For the past eight years, thousands of film lovers have descended on Columbia and participated in a weekend of live music, zero sleep and truly exceptional films during the True/ False Film Fest. This event would not be possible without the people that work between the truths and lies. Local volunteers are needed every year to accommodate the moviegoers as well as to set up and tear down. “Volunteers start applying in November,” says Callie Lockhart, assistant box office manager. “They are put where they are needed based on their previous skills, availability and overall interest.” The volunteer system is divided into two different groups depending on the availability of the workers. “Volunteers do everything,” Lockhart says. “Tech, music, artists, run venues, help with venue design, runners, box office, events, set up, take down. ... The list goes on.” The largest group, or the general volunteers, requires workers to donate 15 hours of their time. In exchange, each volunteer receives a volunteer pass, a volunteer T-shirt and admission to a volunteer-only party. The more rigorous group of volunteers are called “Juggernauts.” These individuals give 40 hours of their time to the festival. They get the same perks as general volunteers and also get to pick up tickets at the box office Friday. “There is a giant volunteer training session about two weeks before the fest,” says Lockhart. “They go over general fest practices as well as individual assignments with their team coordinator.” Lauren Dunn, a freshman at MU and volunteer for True/False, is excited to get involved with the ninth annual festival. “I can’t wait,” Dunn says. “I’ve always been a big movie buff and to be involved with a festival of this caliber is exciting. Everyone that’s working towards this festival has such enthusiasm. I’m looking forward to working with such an eclectic group of individuals.” The application to become a volunteer can be found on the True/False website. In order to be a volunteer, dedication and a positive attitude is key. “I was assigned a Theater Operations position at Ragtag Cinema — from 8:30 in the morning until 12:30 in the morning,” Dunn says. “It’s going to be a long day. I’ll either be taking ticket stubs, counting how many people watch the movie or will usher people to available seats. There should be a bit of downtime between the movies, so I’m hoping I’ll be able to view a couple shows if there is extra space.” Between Ragtag, the Missouri Theatre, Jesse Hall and other venues, the many films vary from subject, just as the screens vary in location. “I’m looking forward to watching Oscar winner ‘Undefeated,’” Dunn says. “I’m a sucker for football movies and after watching the preview, there is a passion and grit that comes out on a football field like nowhere else. I’m also looking forward to see ‘Al Weiwei: Never Sorry’ and ‘How to Survive a Plague.’” caitlyn gallip | staff writer
SHOPS
Taking care of businesses:
Keeping it local
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This weekend’s film festival crowd has local businesses ecstatic.
Columbia’s sidewalks will become a little more crowded this weekend as the True/False Film Fest draws people downtown. The influx of festival-goers spending time and money downtown helps out local businesses, many of whom have sponsored the film festival. Mustard Seed Fair Trade is a True/False sponsor this year, which seems to help bring in customers, Mustard Seed Executive Director Jessica Canfield says. “True/False festival-goers are very loyal,” Canfield says. “They like to support the businesses that keep the festival going.” As a sponsor, Mustard Seed donates to the “swag bags” given out to visiting filmmakers and certain True/ False pass holders. This year, they donated chocolate. The chocolates all have scannable Quick Response codes that link to the stories behind the chocolate, she says. “We’re a fair trade store, so we thought it was important to share those stories,” Canfield says. “(Also, it’s) kind of a neat link with the film festival.” Stores see an uptake in sales the whole weekend thanks to the film festival crowd. Makes Scents, another sponsor of the festival, is staying open late on both Friday and Saturday nights, the owner Christina Kelley says. “It is definitely better than a normal weekend,” Kelley says. “In the past, it’s always started on Thursday, and then we have a little bit of residual traffic on Monday. It’s a nice, solid five days of sales for us.” All the extra customers means checking to make sure everything is well-stocked for Mustard Seed, Canfield says. But at Hot Box Cookies, a late night favorite, there is no worry about running out of cookies, despite the big crowd expected. The owner, Corey Rimmel, might come in early to make extra cookie dough this year. “I know especially Saturday night, last year, was a big night (for Hot Box),” Rimmel says. More people walking around downtown and discovering, or rediscovering, stores helps local business out. The increase in foot traffic is very good, says Tina Bradley, a master designer at Allen’s Flowers.
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Behind the Screens:
brandon foster/associate editor
A sign outside Lakota Coffee Company on Ninth Street advertises special deals for True/ False Film Fest attendees. Lakota is one of many local businesses cooperating with the festival to enhance the Columbia experience for moviegoers.
“It’s nice to have so many out-of-town guests, as well as in-town guests who don’t always get downtown,” Bradley says. This weekend is a good time to flash a True/False pass if you snagged one. Many of the downtown stores are cutting special deals for festival-goers. Even with just a True/False ticket stub, customers get 10 percent off purchases, store-wide, at Mustard Seed. A little farther down Ninth Street, Makes Scents is running a 20 percent discount the whole weekend. savannah kannberg | staff writer
PREVIEW
March March ‘mini circus’
to start off True/False weekend
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For the sixth year, the film festival’s parade will march down the streets of Columbia.
People on floats, unicycles or their own two feet make their way down the streets of downtown Columbia, donning their handmade props and costumes in a 55-second video on the True/False Film Fest website. A beat of a drumline bursts in the air. Some dance along and others stand on the sides and gaze at the product of imagination and creativity. It’s the annual event that marks the beginning of True/False. The festival’s signature kickoff March March Parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday. It will start at the Boone County Courthouse Square, march its way down Ninth Street and end at the Missouri Theatre. The Marching Mizzou Drumline is participating again this year, along with the MU Mule Team and the Collegiate Shag Band, and Mark Messing of Mucca Pazza, a Chicago-based “circus-punk marching band,” will be instructing a group of high school students to perform as an alternative marching band. “The last few years, Marching Mizzou drumline has been part of the parade,” says David Wilson, one of the festival’s co-
conspirators. “People gather around them and dance, and hopefully True/False is that thing that knits the local community and the college community together.” Jonathon Shipman, the drumline’s section leader, has participated since the drumline first joined the parade in 2010. He says the drumline plays music that is normally used at the football games to get the people pumped up. The drumline is usually the last group to trail the parade, but Shipman says it adds a different element and a different change of pace. “It’s one of the things that we look forward to every year, and the second semester there aren’t football games, so we don’t have a lot of opportunities to play, and we’re lucky they keep asking us to come,” Shipman says. “You see some really interesting things, some things you’ve definitely never seen before.” One of the things Shipman says that he will never forget is the memory of a woman dressed up as a tree. She had tree branches and leaves all over herself, her face barely visible.
Maneater File Photo
Robots and tinfoil flood the streets at the annual True/False March March Parade. This year’s festival kickoff parade will start at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Boone County Courthouse Square. “These people go all out,” Shipman says. “You see people on unicycles. It’s like a mini circus, but it’s a lot of fun. I think it’s a great chance for everybody to show off their creativity. It’s really cool to see the ideas people get, things you thought weren’t possible for people to create.” Since 2007, the fourth year of the film festival, the parade has been an annual hallmark that kicks off the festival’s events. Imagination and creativity are two foundations of the festival and its films, and co-conspirators Paul Sturtz and Wilson hope
to share those values with the people of Columbia. By holding a parade in which anybody can make his or her own costumes and floats, everyone can celebrate the beginning of a weekend event full of films that are created from thoughtful consideration and new trends and styles. “This is a very handmade festival,” Wilson says. “It’s not a corporate event. Everything about the fest one way or another is done by hand, so this parade feels like a part of that … It’s pretty free form and loose. It really celebrates the community coming together 02.28.12 • MOVE
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PREVIEWS coMPileD BY DYlAn cHAPMAn AnD BRAnDon fosteR
* inDicAtes DiRectoR will Be in AttenDAnce
½ Revolution
The belovS
DiRectoRs: Karim El Hakim* and Omar
Shargawi*
AbendlAnd
The revolution in Egypt in 2011 was characterized by heavy leaning on modern technology such as Twitter and Facebook. This film shows another role gadgets played in the government overthrow: documenting the revolution on the spot (insert Gil-Scott Heron reference here). This up-close-and-personal, street-level documentary — which is as much historical document as movie — reveals film’s role in 21st century revolutions. 9:45 p.m. Thursday, March 1 at The Blue Note 9 p.m. Saturday, March 3 at The Picturehouse 4 p.m. Sunday, March 4 at Jesse Hall In German, the word “Abendland” generally means “the West” but also has the more literal (and poetic) translation of “evening land.” Director Nikolaus Geyrhalter takes that dual-meaning to heart with this film, which provides a seldom-seen glimpse of Europe after the lights have been turned out. This is a world of seclusion and surveillance, sex and death, technology and religion. With “Abendland,” Geyrhalter goes minimal, using no titles or narration, simply letting the images speak for themselves as we see in the moonlight that which is usually hidden behind closed eyelids.
5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 1, at Ragtag (Big)
building bAbel
5 p.m. Thursday, March 1 at Ragtag (Little)
DiRectoR: David Osit*
8 p.m. Saturday, March 3 at Ragtag (Big)
DiRectoR: Alison Klayman*
The AmbASSAdor
DiRectoR: Mads Brügger*
ArgenTiniAn leSSon
Named recently by ArtReview as the most influential artist in the world, Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is also arguably the most controversial, especially in the eyes his sovereign nation. Whether tweeting a raised middle finger to Chinese officials, photographing himself dropping a 2,000-year-old Han Dynasty urn or getting publicly beaten by police, Ai Weiwei is undoubtedly the rebellious teenager of Chinese popular culture, but behind all that rebellion lies some genuine, unbridled artistic talent (remember the amazing “Bird's Nest” Olympic stadium in Beijing?) that must be seen to be believed. 7 p.m. Thursday, March 1, at The Blue Note 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at The Picture House 1:30 p.m. Sunda, March 4, at Jesse Hall Imagine if Sacha Baron Cohen went to Africa and you’ve got a pretty good idea of what to expect from “The Ambassador.” After conning his way into North Korea in his previous film and deciding that wasn’t risky enough for him, Danish filmmaker Mads Brügger enters the “lawless” Central African Republic disguised as a Liberian diplomat and, lucky us, we get to follow him along his bewildering, satirical and dangerous trespass into the corrupt world of diamond trafficking. 7 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Jesse Hall 10 a.m. Saturday, March 3, at the Missouri Theatre 7 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at the Globe Theater Part documentary, part home video, “Argentinian Lesson” captures the the sweet innocence of pre-teen romance as 8-year-old Polish boy, Janek, travels to Argentina and meets Marcia, 11 going on 30. Filmed by Janek’s father, this film is an atmospheric beauty and charm. It will be shown along with “Into the Middle of Nowhere,” a 15-minute short by director Anna Frances Ewert.
5:30 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Ragtag (Big)
DiRectoR: Wojciech Staron* 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at the Forrest Theater 8 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at Ragtag (Little)
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MOVE • 02.28.12
Before you start thinking that “The Artist” has begun a trend of black and white film, remember that “The Belovs” was shot in 1993, so give it all the hipster cred it deserves. And there’s more to this touching portrait of a Russian farm family than the film on which it was captured. Herein lies a deeply affecting glimpse into the tenderness and humor that can exist even among desperation and tragedy.
DiRectoR:Victor Kossakovsky* 13:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at Ragtag (Big)
DiRectoR: Dikolaus Geyrhalter* 10:30 p.m. Friday, March 2 at Ragtag (Big)
Ai WeiWei: never Sorry
inDicAtes eDitoR PicK
bully
DiRectoR: Lee Hirsch*
CAníCulA
It would have been near impossible in 2010 to read or watch the news without hearing about the conservative uproar over Park51, or “The Ground Zero Mosque,” as it had come (falsely, as it is neither a mosque nor on Ground Zero) to be known. “Building Babel” follows developer Sharif el-Gamal as he tries to construct this, the most infamous community center in the world, navigating the wrath, hate and scrutiny sent his way. This film will be shown with a short, “Paraíso” by director Nadav Kurtz. 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 2, at the Globe Theater 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 3, at Ragtag (Big) 10:00 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at Ragtag (Little)
No matter who you are, you’ve been affected by bullying, whether you were the bully, the bullied or an observer. Director Lee Hirsch takes this common thread of experience and places a magnifying glass to it as he follows his subjects from the home to the school bus to the hallways as they get punched, ridiculed, ostracized and even (for 16-year-old Kelby,) intentionally struck by a car. Some call bullying a natural and inevitable part of growing up, but it’ll be difficult for anyone to watch this powerful and affecting film and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at Jesse Hall 3 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at the Missouri Theatre
Not to be confused with “Bunnicula,” everyone’s favorite vampire rabbit, “Canícula” tells the story of the village of Zapotal, as director Jose Álvarez delves into an entirely different world of culture. In our metropolized and strip-malled world, this documentary reminds us of the natural, remedial universes that still operate in the modern world. Don’t expect a typical tribal doc, but rather a mesmerizing humanization of the unknown.
DiRectoR:Jose Álvarez*
8 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Ragtag (Big) 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 3, at the Globe Theater 5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at Ragtag (Little)
ComiC-Con epiSode iv: A FAn’S hope
DiRectoR: Morgan Spurlock*
Best known as the dude who ate nothing but McDonald’s for an entire month, Morgan Spurloch dives into the world of the nerd in this geek-glorification doc. Meet some of the crazed super-fans who have made San Diego ComicCon International one of the biggest celebrations of comics, sci-fi and all-around pop culture this side of Krypton. Also, two illustrators featured in the film are CoMo natives, so bonus points for the home-field angle. 10 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Forrest Theater 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at Jesse Hall 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at The Blue Note
The ConneCTion
Director: Shirley Clarke
DeTropia
Originally released in 1961 and headed for an upcoming theatrical release, director Shirley Clarke dives into the film herself, filming a group of jazz musicians as they wait on their heroin man. Clarke embodies the True/False spirit, blurring the line between fact and fiction as the movie, based off a theatrical play of the same name, begins with the claim of using “real footage.” Garry Goodrow, who plays Ernie in the film, will be at the screening. 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Ragtag (Little) 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at Forrest Theater
Seemingly reduced to car commercials, Eminem lyrics and general punch lines, Detroit is profiled in this gritty documentary. Directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady dig into the depths of the Motor City and examine the lives of those who still reside there, including a blogger, an explorer, a nightclub owner and an opera singer. The film will be preceded by the four-minute short “Meaning of Robots” (directed by Matt Lenski.)
how To SUrvive a plaGUe
Director: David France*
The impoSTer
8:30 p.m. Friday, March 2, at The Picturehouse
Director: Bart Layton*
Directors: Heidi Ewing* and Rachel Grady* 6 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at the Globe Theater 10 a.m. Sunday, March 4, at The Blue Note
GoinG Up The STairS
Director: Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami
GypSy Davy
Sometimes, the desire to create comes late in a person’s life. For Iranian artist Akram, that moment didn’t come until she was 50 and suddenly found herself stealing her son’s art supplies to hone her skills. After being invited to an art exhibition in France, Akram must first ask her husband’s permission to travel abroad. Thus follows a film as much about marriage and modern society as it is about artistry. The film will be preceded by the 15-minute short “The Love Competition,” whose director, Brent Hoff, will be at the screening. 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Forrest Theater 3 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at Forrest Theater 1 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at The Picturehouse David Serva Jones was two things above all else: a flamenco guitarist and a ladies’ man. As one who could strum the strings of a woman’s heart as easily as the strings of his immortal instrument, Jones left in his wake a string of broken hearts and estranged children, one of whom is Rachel Leah Jones, who’s journey to reconnect with a long lost father is captured in “Gypsy Davy.” The result is unique portrait of an enigmatic and and passionate legacy among guitar and love.
3 p.m. Friday, March 2, at the Globe Theater
Director: Rachel Leah Jones* 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at The Picturehouse
Herman Joshua Wallace, a former Black Panther member convicted (perhaps wrongfully) of killing a prison guard, has been in solitary confinement for forty years. Now, as his sentence nears its end, he endeavors to design, through letters and phone calls, his very own post-prison house. Meanwhile, artist Jackie Sumell builds an exhibit around his story and the authorities decide to review his case and the story takes a turn toward the unknown.
If there exists a conception that documentary film cannot reach the same levels of suspense and high drama as narrative film, it will be shattered by “The Imposter.” The story of a boy showing up in Spain years after going missing at age 13 in rural Texas, this film is rife with twists and turns without being at all showy or exploitative. You’ll be on the edge of your seat for “The Imposter”s entirety as you forget that what is unfolding on screen is 100 percent real footage and not some Hollywood thriller. 7 p.m. Friday, March 2, at The Blue Note 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at the Globe Theater 8 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at The Blue Note
The iSlanD preSiDenT
Director: Jon Shenk
low & Clear
Directors: Kahlil Hudson* and Tyler Hughen*
10 a.m. Sunday, March 4, at the Missouri Theatre
herman’S hoUSe
You’re probably thinking, “Oh great, that’s just what the world needs, another AIDS documentary.” Well, director David France would argue that, yes, that’s exactly what it needs. “How to Survive a Plague” focuses on the the multi-faceted activist group ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) through a mother-lode of found archival footage from the ‘80s. At once journalistic, intimate and powerful, “How to Survive a Plague” breaks away from the well-populated pack of AIDS documentaries to assert itself comfortably at the top of them all. 8:45 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at the Missouri Theatre 10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 4, at Jesse Hall 6:20 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at Jesse Hall
You might disagree with global warming, but try telling that to Mohamed Nasheed, president of the Maldives, an island nation in danger of disappearing beneath the waves. “The Island Nation” documents Nasheed’s first year in office as he tries to tackle that problem as well as many others, such as trying to construct a democracy after years of military rule. He gives stirring speeches, he holds cabinet meetings underwater for the press, and by the end of this film, Mohamed Nasheed will have your heart and your sympathy. 7 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Forrest Theater 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 3, at Jesse Hall 12:30 p.m. Sunday March 4, at the Missouri Theatre
Documentary film as a genre isn’t exactly known for stunning visual impact, but True/False has a tradition showcasing films that nevertheless push the boundaries of visceral filmmaking. “Low & Clear” is this year’s example of that, as its stunning cinematography captures the fleeting friendship of J.T. Van Zandt and Alex “Xenie” Hall as they spend a winter week together fishing and feuding in Canada. It may sound like a slight story, but it’s absolutely elevated by the visionary duo behind the camera. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 1, at Ragtag (Little) 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Forrest Theater 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at Ragtag (Little)
marina abramović: The arTiST iS preSenT
5 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Ragtag (Little)
Director: Matthew Akers*
Director: Angad Bhalla* 1 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at the Globe Theater
3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at The Picturehouse
Performance artists sometimes get a bad rap — as pretentious weirdos or as hacks — but if anyone will convince you of the validity of that art form and defy those accusations it will be Marina Abramovic, the self-proclaimed “grandmother of performance art.” After an artistic career spanning four decades, Abramovic decided to talk to director Matthew Akers, and those interviews as well as archival footage from her past comprise “The Artist is Present,” an unflinching, honest and riveting film about the life of a wildly unique artistic voice.
12 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Forrest Theater 3 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at the Missouri Theatre 5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at The Blue Note
Secret ScreeningS Blue
GolD
6 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at The Blue Note
4 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at The Picturehouse
3 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at Ragtag (Little)
3 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at The Blue Note
12:30 p.m. Friday, March 2, at the Globe Theater
3 p.m. Friday, March 2, at The Picturehouse
Green
10:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at the Forrest Theater 10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 4, at the Odd Fellows Temple
lavenDer
8 p.m. Thursday, March 1, at Ragtag (Big) 10 a.m. Saturday, March 3, at the Forrest Theater 5 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at the Forrest Theater
oranGe
2:30 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Ragtag (Big) 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at the Globe Theater 10 a.m. Sunday, March 4, at Ragtag (Little)
PurPle
10 p.m. Thursday, March 1, at Ragtag (Little) 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at The Blue Note 6 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at The Picturehouse
reD
6 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Th ePicturehouse 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 3, at The Blue Note 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at Ragtag (Big)
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MOVE
5
Me @ The Zoo
Directors: Chris Moukarbel* and Valerie Veatch*
only The young
Directors: Elizabeth Mims* and Jason Tippet*
You’ll all remember Chris Crocker for his infamous “Leave Brittney Alone” YouTube video, which attracted millions of views and turned him into an instant celebrity — for better or worse. This documentary by co-directors Chris Moukarbel and Valerie Veatch takes what is ostensibly a story of a self-absorbed teenager with a web cam and an opinion, and turns into an engrossing study of gender, identity, celebrity and tolerance. 10 p.m. Friday, Mar. 2, at The Blue Note 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 3, at the Missouri Theatre
Sometimes, after so many stories of war and disease and politics, it’s nice to experience a movie about the simpler parts of the world. Not to say that teenage love and angst are insignificant. “Only the Young” captures the California friendship between Garrison and Kevin, a friendship complicated by the discovery of the opposite sex and captured beautifully and energetically by filmmakers Elizabeth Mims and Jasen Tippet. It’s a celebration of youth as vibrant as any in recent memory. 9:45 p.m. Thursday, March 1, at Forrest Theater 11 a.m. Saturday, March 3, at The Picturehouse 4 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at Ragtag (Big)
The Queen of Versailles
How would you like to live in the largest house in America? Housewife Jacquie Siegel would like that very much and with the help of her husband’s massive fortune will do anything in her power to make that happen for them and their eight children. Not one to go the obvious route, director Lauren Greenfield takes this premise, seemingly tailor-made for reality TV, and turns it into a startling allegory about so much more than square feet and Victorian-era home furnishings.
Director: Lauren Greenfield* 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 2, at the Missouri Theatre 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at Jesse Hall 1:15 Sunday, March 4, at the Globe Theater
searching for sugar Man
Director: Malik Bendjelloul*
suMMer of giacoMo
Imagine being deaf for 18 years and then suddenly being able to hear. If, predictably, that was really difficult to imagine, check out Alessandro Comodin’s “Summer of Giacomo,” which tells just that story. What is easy to imagine is how powerful a film could be made with such a subject — especially when motifs like adolescence, friendship, culture and Italian countrysides are thrown in for good measure. Sounds good.
3 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Ragtag (Little)
Directors: Omar Mullick* and Bassam Tariq*
undefeaTed
12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at Ragtag (Little)
“These Birds Walk” presents a special opportunity to experience a documentary in the midst of its production, as this film has yet to be completed. And just as the film has yet to reach its conclusion, this story about a home for orphans in Pakistan also provides a sense of longing for completion. The outcome of troublesome lives of these boys, and the culture they live in, is largely unknown.
7 p.m. Thursday, March 1, at Forrest Theater 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at Ragtag (Little) 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at Forrest Theater
It should be enough to just say that this movie just won the Oscar for Best Documentary, but we’ll go on. A sort of real-life “Friday Night Lights,” this film documents the struggle of Bill Courtney, a volunteer high school coach trying to turn his inner-city football team into a winning one. Directed by a pair of young filmmakers (one of whom is an MU grad,) this masterful work is powerful, inspiring and artful. If you only see one film at this year’s fest, make it this one.
7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 1, at the Missouri
Directors: Dan Lindsay* and T.J. Martin* Theatre
6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at Jesse Hall
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Ignoring the director’s chosen nickname, this documentary looks to be anything but fishy. Yu tells the story of Grandma Jiang of Sichuan, China, whose juxtaposition of jokes and dark seriousness give a layered tone to the film. As the grandmother’s life pushes along its latter years, this documentary debut poses questions of dignity and tradition for this persistently smoking woman who has lived in the same house for half a century.
Director: Xun “Fish” Yu* 12 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Ragtag (Little)
3 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at Ragtag (Big) 10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 4, at Ragtag (Big)
V/h/s
Surprise! This one’s fiction, y’all. Filled to the brim with gore, scares and sex, this thriller focuses on a group of kids who come across a sack of VHS tapes of self-recorded horror. “V/H/S” opened to much acclaim at this year’s Sundance as well as some fear-induced faintings. It might not be a documentary, but with its imaginative use of found footage and home movies as well as its reliance on Columbia and its residents (both in front of and behind the camera,) “V/H/S” well-earned its spot at this year’s fest.
Directors: *Adam Wingard, Glenn McQuaid, Radio Silence, David Bruckner, Joe Swanberg and Ti West
10:30 p.m. Thursday, March 1, at Big Ragtag 10:00 p.m. Friday, March 2, at the Missouri Theatre 10:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at Big Ragtag
¡ViVan las anTipodas!
Ever dream of digging that hole to the other side of the planet? Did you know those places had names? “Antipodas,” they’re called (“antipodes” in English), and this documentary explores the relations of four sets of antipodes, including some Argentinian bridge-keepers, a Botswana kiosk worker, Chinese bicyclists and a Russian shepherd. (Yes, the other side of the world includes more countries than just China.)
Director: Victor Kossakovsky*
The WaiTing rooM
Latino singer-songwriter Sixto Diaz Rodriguez’s two albums in 1969 and 1970 came and went on American shores without much attention. However, in apartheid-era South Africa, he somehow achieved fame on the level of The Beatles and Neil Young. “Searching for Sugar Man” asks the question, “OK, so what happened next?” Rumors abound, including a heroin overdose, an onstage suicide and even the murder of a lover, but director Malik Bendjelloul shows trials of two fans, a jeweler and a journalist, who weren’t content with rumors and sought the truth. 1 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at Jesse Hall 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at the Missouri Theatre
Director: Alessandro Comodin* 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at Forrest Theater
These Birds Walk
The Vanishing spring lighT
5:30 p.m. Friday, March 2, at the Globe Theater 5:45 Saturday, March 2, at Missouri Theatre 4 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at the Globe Theater
In cities like Oakland, violence is the norm. And the obvious but overlooked counterpart to this culture is healing. Enter Oakland Highland Hospital, where director Peter Nicks explores the system first hand, telling the stories of doctors and patients alike and showing just what happens at the back end of a convoluted health care system rather than being lectured on the issue from afar. Editor Lawrence Lerew will be at the screening.
p.m. Thursday, March 1, at Forrest Theater Director: Peter Nicks* 4:30 1 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at The Blue Note 5 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at Ragtag (Little)
SHORT FILM COMpILaTIOn
SCREEnInGS re:vision
12:30 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Ragtag (Big) 12 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at Ragtag (Little) 3 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at the Forrest Theater "Grandpa Looked Like William Powell" (David Levy, 4 min.) "Old Man and the Lady" (Markku Heikkinen, 15 min.) "1989 (When I Was 5 Years Old)" (Thor Ochner, 11 min.) "Aaron Burr, Pt. 2" (Dana O'Keefe*, 8 min.) "Goodbye, Mandima" (Robert-Jan Lacombe, 11 min.) "Claes" (Martina Carlstedt, 23 min.)
this Monkey's Gone to heaven 10 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Ragtag (Little) 6 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at Ragtag (Big) 10 a.m. Sunday, March 4, at the Forrest Theater
"Where Is My Mind?" (Martin Ginestie, 13 min.) "Heart Stop Beating" (Jeremiah Zagar, 3 min.) "Four Cubic Feet of Space" (Tony Gault, 8 min.) "Back to Land" (Tijana Petroviç*, 4 min.) "The Lion Wearers" (Narges Abyar, 12 min.) "Full-Time Ministry" (Helen Hood Scheer*, 5 min.) "Sunshine" (Doug Nichol, 15 min.) "Family Nightmare" (Dustin Guy Defa*, 10 min.)
TUNES
On screen, on stage »
True/False Film Fest will bring a variety of bands to CoMo.
Although the True/False Film Fest focuses on celebrating filmmaking, it also involves another art form that plays an essential role in most films: music. With an eclectic group of 34 musicians playing in Columbia theaters as well as just on the street, this year’s musical acts will be a much anticipated part of True/False, which takes place from March 1 to 4. From traditional folk bands and singer-songwriters to heavy rock groups and techno DJs, the festival is sure to include performers who will satisfy a wide variety of musical tastes. The musicians will perform in venues like The Blue Note, Mojo’s, the Globe Theater, Ragtag Cinema and more. Bryan Redmond, the lead vocalist and saxophonist in the jazz band Grand Marquis, anticipates a welcoming crowd at True/False. “There’s not going to be a lot of people that are closed-minded about things,” Redmond says. “It’s going to be a very open minded crowd.” Redmond also says there is a strong relationship between music and film. “Film plays into our music because each song is like a miniature movie,” he says. “Music creates emotion, which is integral to what a filmmaker wants to do.” Performing Sunday night at the Volunteer’s Party is local DJ L3R0Y. Leroy Lee is a co-founder of Dirty Disco here in Columbia. “Dirty Disco is a high-energy and unique dance party for people who simply want to dance, have fun, dress up and be themselves without being judged or harassed,” Lee says in an email. “It has a strong presence in Columbia’s nightlife scene, and we couldn’t be happier to be a part of it.” Lee also says music has an important role in the festival. “Music is definitely a big part of the festival, as it should be,” he
Courtesy of Grand Marquis
Kansas City swing band Grand Marquis will bring its multi-instrument sound to True/False Film Fest beginning Thursday. More than 30 bands will soundtrack this year’s festival at locations like The Blue Note, Mojo’s, Cafe Berlin and Eastside Tavern. says. “Columbia has a lot of local talent, and it’s great that the festival showcases so many artists.” “Busking,” or street performing, will also be a big part of the musical atmosphere during the festival. Many bands will play before and after film screenings, which will surely be enjoyed by the lines of people that often accumulate outside of the shows. The band Richard the Lionhearted participated in busking last year and plans to again this year. The band’s members plan to watch the films after their performances. “That’s the best part about busking — getting to sit in on the films after we play,” he says. They hope to see the film “The Ambassador.” Justin Theodore Young, a singer-songwriter from Brooklyn who performs under the name Wine Teeth, will be playing at True/False for the second time. “It was an amazing experience, and I knew that I wanted to play
PANELS
EVENTS WEDNESDAY Eastside Showcase With Hott Lunch, Catacombz, Enemy Airship 10 p.m. at Eastside Tavern
THURSDAY The Jubilee With “Undefeated” screening 6 p.m. at the Missouri Theatre Thursday Night Showcase With Cindy Woolf, Bramble and Les Trois Coups 9 p.m. at Cafe Berlin Mojo’s Showcase With Bassdrum of Death, Jerusalem and the Starbaskets, Ming Donkey One-Man Band 10 p.m. at Mojo’s
FRIDAY March March Parade 5:30 p.m. at Boone County Courthouse Square Reality Bites 5:30 p.m. at the Missouri Theatre Friday Night Showcase With Pearl and the Beard, Toughcats 9 p.m. at Cafe Berlin Campfire Stories 9:30 p.m. at Odd Fellows Temple @CTION! Party With DJs from DC’s Fatback Party 10 p.m. at Tonic
the festival again,” he says. “I love the way the entire area becomes about film and music.” Wine Teeth will be playing five different time slots, including three at Ragtag, one at Flat Branch Park and another at the Globe Theater. He describes himself as “an indie-folk singer from the south with strong influences in roots, rockabilly, old country and Appalachian music.” Young loves the way True/False has combined film and music. “Music becomes a character in some films,” he says. “It often sets the mood and tone, builds excitement, evokes emotion. I think what True/False is doing with the marriage of the two mediums of art is brilliant.” Festival favorites Pearl and the Beard, Toughcats and Malone return to True/False this year and will be playing at the Berlin Theater at 8p.m. Friday. Other performers include Believers, Dark Dark Dark, Catacombz, Les Trois Coups and Ming Donkey One greta weber | reporter Man Band.
SATURDAY
FRIDAY
True Life Run 8 a.m. at Flat Branch Park Third Coast Breakfast Club 10 a.m. at Ragtag (Little)
The Guy Who Built the Influencing Machine With graphic designer Erik Buckham 12:30 p.m.
The Speculative Stroll Tours by Speed Levitch, Gabriel Williams 11:45 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. at T/F Box Office Mojo’s A-Go-Go With Believers, Why Are We Building Such a Big Ship?, Dark Dark Dark, Cassie Morgan 8:45 p.m. at Mojo’s
From the Department of Recorded Sound With music supervisors Joe Rudge, Kate Urcioli 2:30 p.m.
Saturday Night Showcase With Run On Sentence, Nick Jaina, Busman’s Holiday 9 p.m. at Cafe Berlin Gimme Truth! 9:30 p.m. at The Blue Note !@#% Comedy Night With Johnny St. John, Dan Friesen 11:15 p.m. at The Blue Note
SUNDAY The Weird Wake-Up Breakfast 9:30 a.m. at Odd Fellows Lodge The Speculative Stroll Tours by Speed Levitch, Gabriel Williams 11:45 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. at T/F Box Office Closing Night Reception 6:15 p.m. at Missouri Theatre Buskers Last Stand 10 p.m. at Missouri Theatre
Kids Today With Elizabeth Mims (“Only the Young”), Wojciech Staron (“Argentinian Lesson”), Omar Mullick (“These Birds Walk”) 4 p.m.
SATURDAY Poetic Journalism With Heidi Ewing (“Detropia”), Karim El Hakim (“1/2 Revolution”) 10:30 a.m. The New Cinematic Nonfiction With Victor Kossakovsky (“¡Vivan Las Antipodes!”), Kahlil Hudson (“Low & Clear”), Xun “Fish” Yu (“Vanishing Spring Light”) 12:30 p.m.
SUNDAY The Manic Pixie Dream Girl Subverted: Real Life Women in Documentary Film With Lauren Greenfield (“Queen of Versailles”), Jason Tippet (“Only the Young”), Valerie Veatch (“Me @ The Zoo”) 10:30 a.m. Uncomfortable Questions With Rachel Leah Jones (“Gypsy Davy”), Lee Hirsch (“Bully”), Bart Layton (“The Imposter”) 12:30 p.m. Firewalls & Firestorms: New Media in China and Beyond With Alison Klayman (“Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry”), Karim El Hakim (“1/2 Revolution”) 3:15 p.m.
All panels are held at Columbia Art League and are free to the public.
Editing Master Class With Pedro Kos (“The Island President”) 2:30 p.m.
TF 02.28.12 •
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