My Experience At The Maui Film Festival

I have been wanting to post my experience from the Maui Film Festival, which occurred June 13-17... well, to be approximate, the last 29 days. But it’s never too late to share, now is it? The Maui Film Festival is quite a unique event held annually, if you didn't guess it, on the beautiful island of Maui. I was fortunate to have been given the opportunity to go on behalf of Oahu’s InsideOut Magazine, who sponsored the Taste of Wailea , a food and drink event held on one of the prestigious courses of the Waliea Golf Course, which then bleeds into the Maui Film Festival's weekend Celestial Cinema and awards ceremony.

The only bummer part about the trip was that we had arrived late into the film festival screenings and were on a very limited schedule. But, how about I just post some photos? Sound good?

Friday night: We had a choice. See a movie at 10pm or go to the Taste of Chocolate. Mind you, I was given the opportunity to see a beautiful French film, The Intouchables. However, this is where my Vegan powers waned, because though I knew I SHOULD check out the film, deemed one of France's most lucrative box office successes, my body resisted and forced me to get into the rental car and head off in the direction of the free desert. Below is the Chocolate Martini Bar, a mix of Vodka and Chocolate Patron.

Btw, Chocolate tequila taste like a Baboon's ass. It's a good thing I didn't spit this drink out at the man with the plaid on that walked by me as I attempted to saver this. And speaking of plaid, I could have sworn that guy was from Diary of a Wimpy Kid. At this point, my brain is hemorrhaging from the fowl taste of this drink, while trying to place the face of that man with the unusual outfit. In the morning, I wake with a chocolate hangover.

Saturday: After reviewing the schedule for the morning, we realize that weren't any screenings until late that evening and decided to venture off to see Ali’i Lavendar Farm. Gorgeous! And fresh air will always take away a chocolate hangover!

After strolling through the hillside, two things occurred to me while at the farm. 1) I was not consumed by the aroma of Lavender. 2) I get extremely bored when looking at plants. Just my observations. But, I will admit that the views are amazing. It's hard not to be relaxed in an environment like this.

On the way back we stopped at the Alexander and Baldwin Sugar Museum.  Sadly, I’m pretty sure that I am able to purchase this sugar from Maui in Oahu. Still! It was interesting checking out the old equipment. Know something else? It was here, that I was stricken with a strong aroma. However, the sugar mill across the street from the museum was the cause of that smell and let me tell you. It did not smell sweet.

Finally! We head back to the hotel, change and fly off to the Taste of Wailea. Being Vegan at a Food and Wine/Spirits event is extremely difficult but you have to hold your ground. When all else fails, you become friends with the cheese and decide, ‘What happens in Maui, stays in Maui’. Enough said. 

Though the weather was being a little bit naughty, it did hold up for us.

And who can deny a sample plate being offered to you as you walk by. Oh dear, is that cheesecake on both ends of the photo? Wasn’t me… I… never met him. Don’t know what you’re talking about….

Next, we rolled down a grassy knoll. (And some more than others. That wine will get you!) It is here where the outdoor Celestial Cinema is held, giving you a chance to camp out and lay under the stars while watching a great indie film.

And as the sun was setting, I could not help but plant myself off to the far left of the screen, where a small stage was constructed, allowing for the festival to bestow awards upon recipients prior to screenings. 

Funny story here, but it involves alcohol... and well.... Anyhoo. Though I cannot reveal the details, I can tell you that I was up front, smack dab in the center of this stage taking photos, along side the Getty photographer. It was amazing. I got to photograph James Marsden receive the Nova Award, and listen to him be interviewed by E Channel's Marc Malkin. And then it happened... "Holy #$%@!", I exclaim. It's him! It's the guy in plaid! Mac Malkin! 

Though I literally flew in and flew out for the weekend, I had a great time. It was my first time being in Maui and the film festival and I had a fabulous time. My only complaint was coming back to reality that Monday and realizing I wasn't going to be catered to anymore. Shocking! I hope you enjoy my photos. 

Movie Review: Elles directed by Malgorzata Szumowska

Elles

French film, subtitled in English

NC-17

“Elles” is a 2011 French film following a journalist named Anne (Juliette Binoche), who is researching an article about female students who resort to prostitution to help pay for their studies. Convincing two young women to openly speak about their inclusion into this widely known, but tabooed world, Alicja (Joanna Kulig), a Polish economics student and Charlotte (Anaïs Demoustier), begin to reveal all, from their first client, to their deepest thoughts and desires.

Though Anne is judgmental at first, she soon finds liberation through these womens’ tales, and begins to question her own marriage and sexuality that soon affirms a sort of empowerment into an acceptance of who these women are and their pursuit of happiness. It is an erotic French foreign film that graphically depicts as they say, ‘the world’s oldest profession.’

Make no qualms, the film is very raw at moments and for those uncomfortable with such vivid scenes, be forewarned. But in its entirety, the graphic sexual encounters seem to work due to the nature of the story. You begin to empathize with the two students, but not because they are ashamed of how they obtain their income, but because they do not feel any remorse for how they achieve it. It’s an interesting look at this topic and frustrating just the same.

My only complaint with the movie though may be in its delivery. At times, it was confusing to understand who was being depicted and how it related to the overall theme of the story. Specifically, we see Anne, the journalist who is investigating this topic, begin to lose her identity to this idealistic world in which she envisions something far more freeing than what we as viewers may feel about the situation. It’s her storyline in general that becomes convoluted and you aren’t quite sure what to make of her family, marital situation and finally, her revelations. It was like the film almost had us, but couldn’t quite grasp us. I must say, though, Binoche offers some very fine acting but unfortunately becomes drowned out by the lack of depth in her storyline.

In the end, you kind of take it for what it’s worth; a film that wants to be alluring, feministically daring and thought provoking. Did it work for me? At times. I do however applaud director Malgorzata Szumowska’s attempt to shed light on a dark subject as we understand that this was her original intention. “Elles” premiers July 13 at Kahala Theater as a part of their Angelika in Hawaii program. For other locations, please check Fandango. 

Movie Review: Moonrise Kingdom directed by Wes Anderson

Moonrise Kingdom
Rated PG-13 
94 mins.

It is no secret that I am openly fanatic about director and writer Wes Anderson. In fact, I derive much of my writing techniques from the dry but poignant scribe. So I was pleased to hear that Anderson had once again partnered with Roman Coppola, who co-wrote the brilliant "Darjeeling Limited" with Anderson, to bring to the silver screen a star-studded cast in this coming-of-age story. "Moonrise Kingdom" does not disappoint. What Anderson excels in is the method of storytelling through the eyes of his many aberrated characters with an overall tone of subtle oddity and quirk. The fallacy of their reality becomes the basis of the film and it's through their mishaps that expose their strengths. But what makes this movie much more enjoyable than his previous projects are that the main stars are the children themselves, bringing a sense of adventure and innocence.

The film is set during the '60s on one of the smaller islands off the coast of New England. We are privy to a narrator who sets up the scene as one would a play and, hilariously, his inclusion is quite often seen through the movie informing us of the details to the geography and the impending storm that is quickly approaching.

We then purposefully move to the 'Khaki Scout' summer camp grounds where we learn one of the boys, Sam (Jared Gilman), has flown the coop, resigning from his duties as Boy Scout. This sends the Scout Master (Edward Norton) and his troop on a search and rescue effort for the missing boy, while the island Police Chief (Bruce Willis) finds out from one of the distant neighbors, Walt (Bill Murray) and Laura (Frances McDormand) that their daughter Suzy (Kara Hayward), too, has run off. This sends all parties involved into a tizzy, as they are now searching for not one but two runaways.

From there, Anderson delights us with juxtaposed conversations, such as the one with social worker (Tilda Swinton), giving us more insight into Sam, as well as to a group of militia-like-weapons-bearing boy scouts who decide collectively to find the fugitive at all costs. These scenes deliver some of the darkest but strangely comedic sequences in the film.

But it is the runaways in question, Sam and Suzy, who by far carry the film; from Sam's hiking resourcefulness and witty banter to Suzy's ingenious suitcase clearly full of items necessary when fleeing in a forest - six books, a record player and a kitten. The film gloriously showcases their whimsical look at life through adolescent first love and their attempt to escape their flawed home lives; an endearing quality. Though there is humor, there is always an underlying seriousness to their situations and, as the children spend more time with each other alone, they come to find out more about themselves and where they want to go in life as adults.

What I love about Anderson's films is that the characters are always imperfect. The humor is dry but gloomy at times. However with "Moonrise Kingdom," Anderson has perfected his sinking-ship metaphor for life, and delivers a beautiful story with an almost child-like quality to it. There are scenes that stand out like painted backdrops to a school play that are reminiscent of his work in "Fantastic Fox" and then there are scenes that are so poignant that simply the use of vintage music, cleverly evokes an emotion.

In summary, "Moonrise Kingdom" was a solid film with strong performances. And Anderson's cinematographic skills are a breath of fresh air among a summer of super heroes and sequels. His films feel like a character analysis of the human spirit that, when deconstructed, most always alludes to empathy and growth, which somehow never get old to watch. (In other words, I freaking loved this movie!!)

"Moonrise Kingdom" is now playing in selected theaters.