Local theaters are great for bringing us the latest Hollywood has to offer, but there are very few venues available in the ’Boro to go see independent films. The exception is the MTSU Student Film Festival, held this year April 10-14. Boasting free admission, and held annually at the Keathley University Center Theater, the festival has been held consistently since 1999 and has seen significant growth over the years. Students submitted 19 films this year, up from 13 films last year, despite the lack of a film major available at MTSU. The university does, however, offer a film minor, and significant work has been achieved through it’s electronic media department.
It should be noted that MTSU’s Film Committee, headed by William Fancher since 2004, does show some independents throughout the school year Monday through Thursdays, in addition to many free showings on Fridays. Fancher says he’s frustrated that films, such as the inspiring independent documentary Murderball, do not seem to receive near the patronage that the big Hollywood films do on campus (with equal advertisement). This seems tragic in a place of higher learning, especially since the bigger films are readily available elsewhere. The good thing is that the films generate revenue for the program. Hopefully, this will encourage the administration to build another theater within the proposed new student center.
At this year’s festival, four or five films were shown each night Monday through Thursday. Friday was set aside to award prizes for the top three films submitted for competition. Winners received a trophy and and gift certificates to a film supply company.
Monday night the standouts were Billy The Kid, submitted for exhibition by Will Fancher, and Uh Oh, Betty, submitted for competition by Drew Weaver. The winner of the 2004 and 2005 competition, David Poag co-directed Billy The Kid, a fictitious parody focusing around Fancher’s position as the films committee director. A nice submission, as the film is very tastefully done. It was also nice to see that most of their large cast had made it to the screening as well. Uh Oh, Betty is a humorous short, in which a narrator instructs Betty on efficient ways to rid of a corpse. It is set in a 1950’s black and white style. The film was very well executed, and very well received, taking first place in the festival.
The films shown on Tuesday fell a little flat in comparison. That said, Dreaming of You submitted by Brian Curp, is a very funny short about a guy and his dream girl. Le Coup D’etat, submitted by James Compton, may be the most ambitious work of the festival. It boasts many nationwide locations, lots of high end cars, action and nice wardrobe. In the end the film suffers the same curses that many had, which is inadequate lighting and inadequate audio.
Wednesday’s showing had one of my personal favorites, a film submitted by Daniel Henry called Frank. If I had to guess at movies that may have helped inspired this work, I would have to mention Gummo and Donnie Darko. The character Frank is nonverbal and wears a gas mask throughout the film. He suffers ridicule and relies on his isolation. One of the pivotal scenes, and also one of the best constructed, happens when the bullies destroy Frank’s sanctuary. The point of view shots and excellent use of soundtrack really make the scene.
The final showings on Thursday really demonstrated the diversity of David Poag. He submitted a cute semi-animated short entitled, How to Fry an Egg for exhibition. Then for competition, he followed with another one of my favorites, Seeing Sophie. A girl runs out of gas on the highway, takes a hike in the adjacent woods, and is rewarded with an adventure for the remainder of the day. The composition is exemplary, and the movie as a whole is very good.
Seeing Sophie won second place in the competition and Poag also took third with Brown Haired Girls, in which two friends discuss their plans over breakfast. This one is shot in black and white, and again is nicely composed. My only complaint might be that the audio is a little “hot”.
To view the winning film, Uh Oh, Betty visit myspace.com/movienightsproductions.
