Paychecked! was a hit. This short documentary explored the world of the omnipresent payday loan stores, their outrageous interest rates, and the people that frequent them. It was upbeat and funny, not overly preachy, and fast-paced, fun to watch even if you never thought about these stores before. Good selection of music, too.
Romey & Jules was a melodramatic love story about the forbidden love between a mime and a clown. Immediately recognizable was Kirby Soderberg, of Pantomiming fame. Kirby was also in attendance, and we got to meet him after the program. Nice guy, much younger than I expected.
Of the Dead of Winter films, the first film (the name escapes me) caught my attention. It was stark black and white with great cinematography and editing. It featured a rambling yet rapid-fire poetic voiceover that spanned the whole film non-stop. Quite a mouthful. And who should show up in the credits but Justin Ward, the legendary and reclusive local filmmaker behind Manscare. I didn't catch in what capacity he contributed to this film, but it all made more sense when we saw his name.
It was good to be back at a PFP event. It's been five months since the Screen Wars award ceremony. Things are really looking up for this year.
3 comments:
I thought Paycheck was a bit silly. I also feel it didn't shed any light on the subject. Even the people he interviewed off the street knew they were rip-offs, as well as the people that go there. Like Last of the Spanish Mustangs, it didn't drive home a point (except the obvious one), and it didn't motivate me to feel one way or the other.
Yeh, it was a bit silly. I guess I don't look at it as a documentary at all. To me, it was a comedy, and at that, it was fun for a few minutes. I'd certainly rather watch Paychecked! than some of other local short comedies I have seen.
I think he meant to do a documentary, though, so he missed that mark.
I'm very curious to the see the previous one he directed, 14 Days in America.
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