Crystal J's Weblog

by Crystal Johnson

(Intended coverage for the Valley Scene and Look to the Stars)

There were no shortage of stars out to support independent film at this year’s Los Angeles Film Festival in Westwood Village, an area which has caught the attention of the world given the untimely death of pop icon and humanitatrian Michael Jackson happened just a mere few blocks from the festival.  There was a visible difference in the size of the crowds this year at the festival .Having the festival in the area despite these trying economic times helps restaurants and other businesses reap benefits of non traditional  people spending in the area for 10 days. The film festival began on June 18 ^th with the world premiere of The Paper Man starring  Jeff Daniels and Ryan Reynolds and ended June 28^th. Transformers and Public Enemies made debuts at their world premeires at the  festival. Fans lined the streets to see Megan Foxx and Johnny Depp.  The heart of the Los Angeles Film Festival is independent movies which compete in the categories of best foreign language film, narrative and documentary. Film Independent is a non-profit arts organization. Their mission is to champion the cause of independent film and support a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision.  Khaled Hosseini, writer of the academy award nominated and best selling The Kite Runner was emcee for The Stoning of Soraya screening.  Oscar nominated, Melissa Leo joined the Q &  A of Dear Lemon Lima a film which centers round a half what and half  ”eskimo” girl.  Trying to find her identity.

Foreign Language: The Stoning of Soraya

Given the climate of the times and the poignant story, it would not be a surprise to see this film get an Oscar nod for best foreign language film. Based on a best selling book and true story, the film is shot in Iran. The language spoken is Farsi. The story sheds light on the story behind the unjust stoning of Muslim woman. The broader platform is the lack of women’s rights that still occurs. This film left barely a dry eye in the house and stomach which didn’t feel punched by the end. Jim Caveziel and Shohreh Aghdashloo lend their star power to the film. See more details at www.thestoning.com

Narrative: Dear Lemon Lima

Oscar Nominee Melissa Leo joins a cast of virtual unknowns in a refreshing and very original teenage coming of age film. The story which takes place in Alaska centers on a teenage girl wrestling with her mixed ethnic background. She physically looks White and identifies White culture primarily because her non-white parent was never really apart of her life. This film takes an unconventional route to showcasing elements of Eskimo and Native American culture. There is so much20more to Dear Lemon Lima including young love, acceptance and coming into your own. This is among the hidden jewels at the fest and a film full of surprises, wacky a Napoleon Dynamite.

Documentary: Bananas

Bananas is one of the most talked about and controversial films at the fest this year as it chronicles the global politics of the Standard Fruit Company (now Dole) in regards to the first Nicaraguan sterility case tried in US courts. In a statement provided by the film festival, it states “The festival believes that questions of great public interest are presented by this film and are exactly what we ought to be talking and thinking about in a responsible society. The film is not being presented for the truth of the matters asserted. It is to stimulate discussion…” This film was taken out of the film festival as competitive.

The film festival encompasses stories from so many walks of life and tackles many social issues from Hurricane Katrina (After the Storm) to behind the scenes of the democratic Convention in Denver (Convention) to the impact of Mexican communites on those left behind when relative leave to earn a living in the United States (Those Left Behind). Among the more entertaining films are Passenger Side and Turistas. General admission for tickets are $12.00 each for adults. For more information visit the Los Angeles Film Festival website at www.lafilmfest.com/2009/.