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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 9, 2017)
NOVEMBER 9, 2017 // 9 WANDERINGREEL.ORG “Light Sight” WANDERINGREEL.ORG “Artalde” WANDERINGREEL.ORG “What Tears Us Apart” choose to invoke it. At times, it has fallen out of favor only to be reclaimed and redefined throughout history. This film was nominated for the Short Film Grand Jury prize at the Sun- dance Film Festival in 2017. that are older — like “Artalde,” which was filmed in 2010. Harrington said the other main function of this film festival — as with many film festivals — is to promote independent work. The more awards a short film wins, the more exposure it gets, and the better the chances are for the filmmakers to find support and fund- ing for other projects, such as feature films. In love with the form After working in the film industry, Harrington landed in Big Sur, Califor- nia, and became involved in the Big Sur International Short Film Screening Series at the Henry Miller Memorial Library. He “fell in love with the form,” he said. He’s made his own short films, including “The Old Man and the Moun- tain Lion,” and taught cinema. Now he wants to bring these exceptional films to small towns. “When you make a short film, it lives a short life,” Harrington said. “I thought these films deserved more time in front of a live audience.” That’s why Harrington and his team took the festival on the road. “When the audience is excited and talking about the movies,” Harrington sees “a way to strengthen commu- nities. We’re used to watching films together, but not necessarily discussing them.” COURTESY MICHAEL HARRINGTON The Sugaring Off Bernard is an austere man whose sole occupation is to care for his beloved Line, who is very ill. Their son organizes a sugaring off party that forces Bernard to reconnect with the exhilaration of spring. Light Sight An (animated) imprisoned character in a room is attracted to a hanging light and tries to catch it. But the room itself becomes an obstacle. This film has earned many nomina- tions and several wins from various in- ternational and animation film festivals. THE FILMS Mare Nostrum On the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, a Syrian father makes a decision that puts his daughter’s life at risk. “Mare Nostrum” (“Our Sea”) was the Roman name for the Mediterranean Sea. It is a name that has changed with the times, and with the people who White Face “White Face” is the second film by Mtume Gant, the only American direc- tor highlighted at the festival. He plays the main character, Charles, a New York actor who “hates his Black skin and all the hardship that comes with it. Feeling trapped by his race, Charles believes he has found the solution to his problems: change his appearance to embody “whiteness.” The film has won several awards in 2017, including best short film at the San Francisco Black Film Festival and best experimental film at the Harlem International Film Festival. Artalde A shepherd, lost in the city, searches for his flock. COURTESY MICHAEL HARRINGTON “Mare Nostrum” What Tears Us Apart In a luxurious Parisian apartment, after a long separation, an encounter. CW
