Bohemian Cinema By Jonathan Pacheco

SXSW ‘07: Rough Start

Tags: SXSW, Robert Rodriguez, Grindhouse

A disappointing evening, and it was totally my fault. By the time I got registered, I missed the opportunity to go to Robert Rodriguez’s grindhouse double-feature of Torso (1973) and Zombie (1979), as well as the screenings of Sisters and All the Boys Love Mandy Lane. After catching a different screening at the Austin Convention Center, I attempted to find the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar.

I attempted for a long time. When I finally did, their screening of American Zombie was full. The rest of the evening is kind of embarrassing for me, and not in a “Good story, that’s hilarious!” way, but in a “You’re a little pathetic” way, so I’ll just say that circumstances caused me to see only one film last night instead of the 3 or 4 that I had planned.

I will also say that, while I planned for many things for this trip, and tried to cover all my bases, I did forget a key element: parking. I now feel like quite an idiot. I realized last night that I must plan my trips carefully, so today will be a day full of convenient mass transportation. We’ll see how tonight goes (I’m afraid of the dark, especially alone in a city I’ve never been in).

Now, the one film I did see:

Election Day

The film chronicles Election Day, November 2, 2004. What makes the film so interesting is that it documents the day, not of those running, but those voting—and it follows many. We see voters in Ohio, New York, Florida, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and a few more places. I’m impressed by the filmmaker’s vision and foresight to follow all these individuals and families, and because there are so many, all of them being very interesting in what they encounter (and how they encounter it).

Because of the way it’s put together, the film feels like an ensemble, much like Bobby, Magnolia, or any Robert Altman film. Some people have larger parts; some stories, the moment we cut to them, we know we’re getting something funny Some “characters” have smaller parts, but the point is made in their story as well. The result is something interesting to experience: you’re watching a film that has the feel of a good fictional ensemble, but it’s all real.

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I now sit near the front of the line for the Robert Rodriguez Grindhouse 101 Panel (yes, I like the guy). I left my camera in my room, but now I have a plum spot in line.

Here’s hoping that I plan today better than I did last night. What I’m looking forward to: Hell on Wheels, a documentary on the new Austin Women’s Roller Derby, and Joe Swanberg’s Hannah Takes the Stairs.