Friday, April 16, 2010

MSPIFF 2010: The Impossible Shuffle

As recommendations and requests float in, I try to negotiate a realistic but ambitious plan of attack for MSPIFF. No doubt this plan will change more than once as I talk to more people about films they've seen. See any places where I am going wrong? I am open to suggestions!





For resources on what to see at MSPIFF check out the following:

5 comments:

Sandy Nawrot said...

I imagine this event for you would be like me going to a book festival, or even the 24-hour read-a-thon. Sheer, overwhelming bliss!

Daniel said...

Ha, well from one fellow kibitzer to another, I'd say that Al might do well to show just a little gratitude to the people who still cherish the "film experience" enough to plug and patronize the festival (never mind if they're not actually screening 35mm, right)?

However, I do have to give him credit for "unwashed in Burnsville" line - classic.

Also, I think you should skip class on Monday to see Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench. ;-P

Kathie Smith said...

Al will never change.

Fortunately, I saw Guy and Madeline at Sound Unseen (probably when you saw it!) I would second that one as a recommendation for anyone though.

Anonymous said...

I notice and appreciate you marked film format (35mm, beta). Did the print program have screening formats listed? I remember this has been a point of contention in the past. If MSPIFF wants to be the torchbearer for quality cinema as the area's top film festival, they still need to take the role more seriously and set a high standard. I don't get the constant complaining. Orgs in other cities (many of them smaller) manage to produce terrific film festivals featuring all the qualities highlighted in the Strib article. There's no reason MFA can't do the same in Mpls/St Paul. It's a great event, but it could be much more vibrant.

Kathie Smith said...

Agreed. In general though, I am more impressed with what MSPIFF pulls off than disappointed.

Unfortunately, format is not noted in the catalog and I'm not sure why. I got my hands on a list that has the format of each film. It seems like most of this is decided once the film is booked - why not put it in the program and if there is a possibility it might change, just put: Format: TBA. Anyway, I'm content because I know what the formats are going to be, and I can relieve everyone of my complaining about not knowing what I'm walking into! But I can't be the only person who cares whether they are seeing something on 35mm or DigiBeta or HDcam.