Ten domestic films you will want to catch at The 34th Cleveland International Film Festival

Coming up in just four days now is the open of The 34th Cleveland International Film Festival on Thursday March 18th and it has a lineup of films that can stand up to any festival in the country, focusing on the actual films as opposed to the star power driving them. A refreshing breath of fresh air as larger festivals around the world seem hellbent on bringing in films which already have distribution, but they want the caché of premiering at a film festival. A festival going on right now that seems to be slipping into this rut is SXSW, and why? A great many of the films you can see at the CIFF are films that you may not be able to catch anywhere other than a film festival or if you purchase a DVD of the film as your local Blockbuster or wherever you rent movies from is unlikely to carry a great many indie titles. So take advantage and don’t miss out on these ten domestic films that are going to entertain and move audiences at the CIFF over the next two weeks. For tickets or screening times, you can click on the titles of the films.

Toe to Toe- Directed by Emily Abt

One of the CIFF’s featured filmmakers (Abt is part of the Someone to Watch program) brings a powerful coming of age story that has been well received at every stop along its journey including Sundance, and has many Clevelanders brimming with anticipation. The film explores the lives of two young girls struggling to find themselves and the confidence to make difficult choices. Abt is known for her powerful ability to deal with difficult subject matter like race and class in a way that is both accessible and challenging of popularly held notions. This film is going to be especially important for young women to see as it can possibly show them that they are not alone in the world, that others have problems to overcome as well, and they can be strong in the face of struggle.

Hannah Free- Directed by Wendy Jo Carlton

Adapted from a play by Claudia Allen, Hannah Free follows the life of an aging lesbian, Hannah, living out her final days in a nursing home that also houses her lover Rachel. But Rachel is in a coma, perhaps both physical and symbolic, and her daughter will not allow Hannah to see Rachel as she does not approve of their lifestyle. This powerful film is the kind that this writer is always drawn to, a film examining the life of someone different as this can often illuminate one’s own life. Hannah Free forges new ground and gives a voice to those who may need it the most. Please note this film has standby status for one of the screenings at this point, but it may get another one set up, so please be sure to check the CIFF website this week for more information.

Ingredients- Directed by Robert Bates

The way people eat here in America is often, well, horrible. Factory processed, chemical ridden, and generally unhealthy is often just par for the course in this up tempo culture. For a minute, perhaps it would be better to consider an alternative, one that benefits both the consumer and the local economy instead of lining the pockets of some CEO at a giant food conglomerate. With Ingredients, the concept of going local and organic is explored as it begins to pick up steam around the country in both restaurants and in homes. One of the places features in this documentary is The Chef’s Garden in Huron, owned and operated by the Jones family for more than 40 years. Take a new and fresh look at the choices you make with your food by taking in Ingredients.

Safiyah and Sadie sit with food activist Anna Lappe in
the documentary What's on Your Plate? by Catherine
Gund:  Photo Property of Aubin Pictures

What’s on Your Plate?- Directed by Catherine Gund

An inspiring new documentary from Gund that follows two 11 year old girls in New York City, Sadie and Safiyah, on their journey to discover why their peers eat the way they do and how they can improve their community by going local. Meeting with local farmers, food activists, experts, doctors, and the students along with their families, Sadie and Safiyah learn the power and impact of using sustainable food sources and how their community can be positively affected by it. An incredible concept and another example of young people, in this case 11 year olds, doing more for the world than many of their inept or apathetic adult counterparts. Bravo to the CIFF and the filmmakers for sharing this important story.

Louder than a Bomb- Directed by Greg Jacobs and Jon Siskel

Part of the high school film festival FilmSlam that runs as part of the CIFF, Louder than a Bomb is an engaging documentary that follows the lives of several students who compete and learn by taking part in the largest high school poetry slam in the world every year in Chicago. The inspiring stories of students that the film follows are beautifully woven through their words at the slam. Events like this are vitally important to improving the quality of life in a community and maybe this film can inspire something similar to spring forth from wherever you are. Having done poetry slams as well, it is a great way to learn creative ways to express oneself and even overcome fear of talking in public settings. This film is going to really have a positive influence on the many young people who will be taking it in at the festival and hopefully be an experience they never forget.

Convention- Directed by AJ Schnack

This insightful documentary film focusing on the historic 2008 Democratic National Convention has taken a familiar subject like politics and turned it inside out, delving deeply into the three aspects of the game and how they feed off of each other: those inside the circle, the citizenry, and the fixers in between who work with the media to try to put out the message. Seen through the eyes of the Denver mayor’s office, the Denver Post’s people, and the groups of protesters as well as special interest groups, Convention is certain to give you a fresh perspective on the political process and possibly even stir you to reengage if you have left the sphere.

The Joneses- Directed by Derrick Borte

The first effort for writer/director Borte certainly scores some Hollywood talent with David Duchovny, Demi Moore, Amber Heard, Gary Cole, and Lauren Hutton, but it also has struck a nerve with audiences through its comic treatment of an easily identified with theme such as the rise of consumerism. Minions of a secretive marketing company, the Jones family attempts to push the desires of the other residents in their gated community. Appearances are not always what they seem and this film is sure to make some question their purpose and actions, but in a fun and entertaining way.

Trailerpark- Directed by Patrick Muhlberger and Jonny Look

Part of the Local Heroes program which focuses on Cleveland and Ohio filmmakers, Trailerpark was made completely by Ohio University students, over 70 from their Media Arts program. This was a unique opportunity and it was capitalized on brilliantly by those involved, producing a film that exemplifies the importance of investing in education and what students are capable of achieving when given the opportunity. While exploring the fringes of society, Trailerpark is based on a Russell Banks’ book, the viewer will discover things about themselves as the filmmakers ultimately did as well. Supporting this film by attending it and spreading the word is a simple act you can do that results in the improvement of so many people’s lives who were involved with the film.  This will be the premiere of the film as well.

The Taqwacores- Directed by Eyad Zahra

This may be the one film this writer is most excited to see at the CIFF. A Buffalo, NY engineering student from Pakistan, Yusef, looks to move off campus yet stay true to his conservative Muslim faith. He finds himself within a group populated by alternative lifestyles that is wholly unfamiliar, the Taqwacore, or Muslim punk rock scene. As Yusef begins to accept his new housemates different approach to Islam, he finds himself becoming more an more like them while creating his own identity drawing from two seemingly different worlds. Utilizing a powerful score and select tracks and from the Muslim punk scene, The Taqwacores challenges conventional American media portrayals of Islam and hopefully will allow for a fair and fresh look at this often misunderstood religious faith.

Mezzanotte Obscura- Directed by Lori Petchers

Having watched the trailer for this film and read the short synopsis on its webpage, this writer can’t help but be compelled to see it. Films that explore the creative process are kind of a genre unto themselves, and they always seem to provide hope that struggles are had by all artists and they are kind of just part of the deal. This short film by Petchers will be screening as part of the Independent Shorts Program #6, which features several other intriguing films such as Undefeated, about a boxer who does not know when to stop, sounds vaguely familiar, and Expiration, in which a man takes his chances drinking soon to expire milk.

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