Shanece’s Compass Festival of The Worlds

This is it! The chashama Film Festival begins this week. Did you mark your calendar? Did you buy your tickets? Are you ready for the experience? Of course you are; I have been preparing you since August. And, though our time is ending together, I will not leave you hanging during the final hours. Today, I bring to you “Desert in the Coffeehouse,” “Dolly Belle,” “Echoes,” and “Empty House.”

While filming “Dreaming in Morocco,” Pamela Nice was confronted by eager young Moroccans who wanted to know American opinions about Arabs. She was unable to speak for all Americans, so the interesting questions inspired her next film “Desert in the Coffeehouse.” Although the film is intended for an Arab audience, I think Americans will find this film absolutely fascinating. The interviews will have you laughing, gasping and scolding.

Arming herself with a camera and the young Moroccans’ questions, Nice proceeds to raid coffee houses in America’s own “middle America,” the twin cities in Minnesota. She interrogates a wide variety of Americans, who had some shocking responses to the questions, “What are your images of the Middle East?” and “How do you think Arabs view the U.S.?” Some respond that the Middle East makes them think of silver Audi made out of actual silver, and the video game “Call of Duty.” Some believe Arabs look to America as having an exciting culture with bigger-than-life personalities and a pioneering mentality. I suggest watching the “Desert in the Coffeehouse” to hear the rest of the responses and questions.

Tajna Tanovic’s short film “Dolly Belle,” is filmed in black and white with touches of color here and there. For a good chunk of the film, you are wondering “is this woman running a marathon by herself?” Once you see the movie, you will understand my question, and you may just feel out of breath after watching it. There is barely any dialogue, but serious background music. Tanovic explains “The soundtrack played an important part as it had to carry the tension and lead up to the ending which is left bare and has no music. I wanted it to be simple yet strong.”

Tanovic incorporates all her skills from acting, the performing arts, singing and songwriting in her first film “Dolly Belle.” She plays the lead actress, the running woman. Her idea for the film was inspired by her “wish to show a girl running in a Renaissance gown through the streets of Brooklyn.” And, where is this running woman going? You’ll never guess until you see the end for yourself.

Before you see Cara Mumford’s “Echoes,” I suggest putting on a black turtleneck sweater, a beret and a pair of dark sunglasses. To go the extra mile, bring some bongos if you wish. “Echoes” has this edgy and underground appeal that makes you want to snap your fingers, not clap your hands, at the end of the movie. It is a short film blending contemporary ballet and spoken word into a visual poem. The images move with a rhythm.

Mumford includes graphic images of the World’s history into “Echoes.” It is her way of illustrating how echoes of past atrocities shape the world today and making a political statement. She is inspired by “the mythopoetic work of Maya Deren, the enigmatic storytelling of Darren Aronofsky and the beautiful cinematography found in the films of Luc Besson.”

“Empty House” is a more personal short film. Sean Christensen explores his parent’s divorce by fusing his perspective as a teenager with his reflection as an adult. The motivation behind the film comes from his desire “to tell genuinely human stories that are relatable on many different levels… I’m drawn to real stories, because I don’t feel that enough of them are shared with audiences as they should be.”

Watching “Empty House” is like viewing a slideshow and home videos on an old-school projector in a living room set in the 70’s. The idea behind using dollhouse miniatures in the film is to push the concept of substitution, “trying to compensate or make up for everything that you’ve lost in a tragedy,” says Christensen. “The dollhouse reminds you of home, but it’s not real, it’s made of paper and cardboard.”

Four films and four different perspectives on dealing with the hardships of life: “History Matters,” “The Devil Within,” “A Day in the Life of a Street Sweeper,” and “Every Child is Our Child.”

Huda Abdul-Razzak’s “History Matters” is short, sweet and to the point. The film spotlights how the dissemination of controlled information influences the news, knowledge, truth, and perspectives. The film is based on a U.S. news report about the “war” in Gaza. It switches between interview footage and a mock news report. The central question is whether the “war” in Gaza can really be identified as a war? “History Matters” is a powerful eye opener, and yet, the filmmaker never shows footage from the tragic incidents in Gaza. The film stands on its visual storytelling merits.

Jac Ash’s short animation “The Devil Within” would be perfect for the Cartoon Network channel’s Adult Swim. Think “Lucy, the Daughter of the Devil” and “Moral Orel.” The film is witty and risqué, with a dash of controversial. It is a comical look at judgmental people who lash out and try to spread their poisonous hatred onto others. The film positions “the hater” as a hypocrite, thus illustrating how haters are not so perfect either. It also associates judgmental people to devilish and evil ways.

Steven Flor filmed “A Day in the Life of a Street Sweeper,” because he was inspired by “the unnoticed heroism of the street sweepers in the Philippines and the sacrifices that they live with each day.” The documentary is fascinating and interesting as it follows Angela Navecilla, a woman trying to support her four daughters and five grandchildren. Despite Angela’s struggle and hard-stricken life, she remains optimistic and proud of her job; her tone even hints at honor. She insists that her only wish before she dies is to be able to afford her own burial! Flor hopes “the audience will learn that even in a life of poverty, values such as love, compassion, honesty, and integrity are present in their [street sweepers'] lives.”

In “Every Child is Our Child,” Andrew Kornhaber documents a community’s response to the challenge of HIV and the actions it takes to save its orphaned children from a lack of an education and the absence of parents. The people of Manya Krobo, Ghana believe that “education is a powerful weapon against AIDS.” Every Child is Our Child is a program created by the Unitarian Universalist United Nations office and the Queen Mothers Association in the Manya Krobo region of Eastern Ghana. The film’s message, the dedication of the Manya Krobo people and the children’s aspirations are moving, inspirational, and beautiful.

Today, I’m looking at two polar opposite films. First, there is “Maleldo,” a film that documents cultural and religious traditions and practices that – trust me – are not for the faint-of-heart. And, then there is “City of Noise,” an explosion of art and music.

Andrea Capranico’s “Maleldo” explores the religious fever during Holy Week in San Fernando Pampanga in the Philippines. This film is a graphic, bloody and fascinating learning experience. Throughout the film, the people in San Fernando Pampanga attempt to prove their faith and to express their penitence by sacrificing, flagellating, and participating in crucifixions. Watch “Maleldo” to witness the dedication, passion and pain behind the people’s beliefs, sacrifice and symbolic solidarity.

In “City of Noise,” Mitch Barany imagines a surrealistic world with popping visual effects for The Summerlad’s music video. Watching this video makes you wonder if Barany was inspired by Tim Burton’s fantasies and Salvador Dali’s artwork. Belgian surrealist artist Rene Magritte’s Man in the Bowler Hat comes to life, getting a face and an identity, and Thing from the “Addams Family” makes a cameo appearance. The whole film is like a psychedelic out-of-body experience that leaves you wandering in a maze of rooms and scenes.

The best part of this job is that I get a sneak peek at some of the exciting entries to this year’s festival. This past weekend, I curled up on my couch and watched two documentaries, a short animation, and one feature film. I’m biased towards the horror/thriller genre, so my personal fave is “Dirty Step Upstage.” Director Amber Moelter keeps the viewer guessing: is it a real documentary or a fictional thriller? It reminded me of Jacob Aaron Estes’ gritty and brooding “Mean Creek” (2004). Both films share a sense of suspense and mystery that ooze through the films. The characters are ominous, secretive, and oblivious, driven by obsession, fame, and revenge. With all the proper thriller elements in place, a slow documented pace adds an underlying tension to the film. The visuals are supplemented by a soundtrack that is both memorable and infectious.

“But Some Are Brave,” an animated short, reminded me of the films shown on PBS. Grace Channer added raw and dark elements to her animation that would probably prohibit it from being aired on TV. Definitely more appropriate for a mature, adult audience. The short is vividly colorful with no dialogue, and the sounds recall the drumming often heard during folklore storytelling. Channer’s animation has the cool appearance of moving paintings. Without words, the viewer is left to interpret each scene in his or her own way.

The documentaries transport the viewer across seas to Germany and Lebanon. Gerburg Rohde-Dahl’s “Expansive Grounds” documents the construction of the massive Holocaust memorial in Berlin, Germany, and explores the current German perspective about the Holocaust. Behind the lens is the daughter of a Nazi supporter. The documentary provides a channel for her and other adolescents of the Nazi regime to express their disillusions and ignorance regarding the Holocaust. Like the massive memorial, the documentary represents another symbol for the German guilt.

Deborah Harse’s “Marathon Beirut,” also touches on political unrest and how people learn to cope. Footage and interviews illustrate the motivation behind the creation of the marathon, and how the love for Lebanon keeps the marathon going. This documentary inspires hope and demonstrates love for a country.