Spring Break
Festival wraps up screenings of local projects
Lydia Hryshchyshyn
Issue date: 10/24/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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Held at the Prince Music Theater from Oct. 16 to Oct. 19, the festival included features, shorts, animation, documentaries, student directed pieces and more. Each screening was not only inexpensive, but it gave attendees a chance to interact with the use of ballots to vote for the best short film.
Additionally, after many of the final screenings, the audience was invited to socialize with actors and directors at hotspots like Noche, Drinker's Pub and Upstares & Sotto Varalli. With so many of the pieces using First Glance as their world premiere, the audience was guaranteed a truly unique experience.
On Oct. 19, the screening included two shorts and a documentary. The first short titled "LET GO" explored the experiences of a recovering methamphetamine addict. "LET GO" transitioned back and forth between a therapy session and incidents occurring before and after rehab.
While difficult to watch at some points, the raw intensity felt genuine and the audience was sucked into the conflict. The scenes were heightened with the use of powerful music and expert cutting.
The protagonist struggled not only with his addiction, but also with the understanding that being sober meant saying goodbye to friends and places that would only serve as temptation. Despite being a 15-minute short, by the end the crowd was rooting for the young man and hoping he'd ultimately make the decision to "let go." The film won "Best Dramatic Short" following the festival.
The second short was a complete change of theme, but no less intense than "LET GO." "The Perfect Dress" opened to a distraught young woman searching for a green dress. She was not only struggling with insecurities about her own body, but had extremely specific requirements for the dress, creating a stressful task. In a very Cinderella moment, a saleswoman came to the rescue, bolstering the girl's confidence and helping her love her figure, because it was a reflection of her family. This advice, along with the dress, helped the character stay strong during the cancerous death of her mother. The message of the short was admirable, though some moments felt a little forced. Following the festival, "The Perfect Dress" was awarded "Best Screenplay Short."
The third and final film of the night was the feature documentary, "Unraveling Michelle," which followed the journey of transgender filmmaker Joe O'Ferrel's transition through the process of "feminization" and becoming Michelle Ann Farrell. The drastic change in lifestyle was facilitated with hormone therapy and surgery and the moving film included appearances by her mother, co-workers and girlfriends. In general, Michelle's friends and acquaintances were supportive of her new identity, which was heartening. At some points, the story seemed to move a little slow, though the final transition was well worth the wait and it was evident that Michelle was a happier person in the end. Farrell even attended the screening with friends and family.
First Glance will return next autumn to Philadelphia, but for now, check out www.firstglancefilms.com for more information about upcoming events and festivities.
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