USC hosted a Festival of "Films from the New Europe" over the weekend featuring full-length movies and animated shorts from Eastern and Southern Europe.
The organizers in the Cinema Arts Department noted that the selection,
"Directly engages with post Cold War transformations and the rethinking of what European identity and European cinema mean."
"They examine and challenge the emotionally and politically charged redefinitions of "Europe" since the fall of the Berlin Wall and grant access to under-explored voices from traditionally marginalized cultures."
Included in the eclectic selections presented were..."The Last Resort", directed by Pawel Pawlikowski (Poland); Taxidermia, directed by Gyorgy Palfi (Albania); "The District", directed by Aron Gauder (Hungary); "Tirana Year Zero", directed by Fatmir Koci (Albania); and, last but not least, "East of Bucharest", directed by Corneliu Porumboiu (Romania).
Film enthusiasts munched on delectable finger foods and quenched their thirst with satisfying soft drinks, designer juices, and mineral water (no alcohol on campus, please!) as Frank Sinatra's smooth song stylings echoed hauntingly throughout the crisp night air at the low-key event held in the Queen's Court, outdoors.
The stuffed mushrooms were a standout, as were the succulent strawberries dipped in rich, velvety chocolate. I confess - I gobbled down two of each! For those with a sweet tooth, delectable miniature pastries beckoned, too.
A couple of the catering staff were a bit cool and aloof; I surmise they were working part-time jobs, and would have preferred to have attended the gala festivities as a guest rather than being in service to others.
As Frank would say, "That's life".
Actually, The Frank Sinatra Theatre was a great venue for the screenings.
In the lobby, I was quite taken with the extensive collection of Sinatra memorabilia on display.
In fact, the crooner's Oscar for supporting actor for his role in the classic film of yesteryear - "From Here to Eternity" - elicited a number of "oohs & aahs" from the theatre-goers who passed by on the way to their seats.
I was drawn to the period posters promoting long-time favorites like "Guys & Dolls" (co-star, Gene Kelly).
The proud centerpiece was a "Congressional Medal of Honor" which was bestowed upon Mr. Sinatra by the White House.
In addition, glass cases were enlivened with the inclusion of old LP covers, personal notes from Eleanor Roosevelt, "Ron" (was this before or after the affair Frank was alleged to have had with Nancy, I wonder?) and JFK.
There were also various official-looking documents praising Frank for his devotion to "community service", well-known to the public throughout generations.
Panelists in Q & A sessions after each film were generally moderated by Professors in employ at the University of Southern California - and on occasion - featured special appearances by the actual creators and/or director(s) of the films.
The dialogue tended to be Academic in approach; overly so - on occasion.
For example, one student at one screening, referenced a couple of details in a particular scene...then, asked if a vivid blue dress "centre-stage" symbolized the new Albania.
I chuckled.
The director, Fatmir Koci, responded, "I don't think that much."
A couple of the USC Profs were too cerebral at times, as well.
Terms like - "rich field of formal experimentation" and "post-war social-economic influences" - sounded a little fussy and off-putting.
A couple of the filmmakers may have been taken aback a little by the pretension of it all, I expect.
Yeah, there was a lot of ego-stroking, and over-reaching, in my estimation.
As the old saying goes,
"Those who can't do, teach."
In the final analysis, educators such as these could conceivably blunt (without being consciously aware of it) the spontaneous natural gifts of students in their charge, rather than nurturing them.
Hence, the jokes about film school, I guess.
In the next couple of days, I'll be posting a couple of reviews on a handful of the projects, so stay within "blog's reach"...
