GIRL ON FILM

Storytelling is my passion, film is the vehicle and after graduating from UCF, I was hired by the Sundance Film Festival.  I trudged through snow to happily consume it – or have it consume me.  Currently, I am the marketing and public relations manager for the Florida Film Festival and Enzian, Central Florida’s only art house theater showcasing independent film year-round.  Everyday the good, bad and quirky of the indie film world flops on my desk and it’s in this column that I’ll spoon out my personal musing on it to you.

Le Fabuleux Destin d’Jordana…
There’s more to France than toast saturated in syrup and eggs and open mouth kissing.  I’ll admit my personal acquaintance to this country is minimal – I learned “garçon” means “boy” by way of the opening diner scene in PULP FICTION, and just recently deduced alongside a friend that the word “charcuterie” translates to, “a deli where meat cuts are sold.”  I doubt it’s mere coincidence my working French vocabulary is limited to “boy” and “meat market.” 

And now that the summer has come to a close, it’s still hot as hell and school is back in session, it’s evident the plan for the fall is escaping – fast, far and cheap.  Options are limited, and although a tour of the Orlando’s budding yogurt bars could be lactos- errific, crash landing in France by way of two upcoming spectacular films this month at Enzian seems like a much better deal.

Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s (AMÉLIE) latest whimsical tale, MICMACS, features a carousel of carnival characters that possess a peculiar yet inevitably useful skill.  The film opens with its unsung hero, Brazil, receiving a bullet to the brain.  Brazil survives and forms an intricate revenge plot against the big, bad corporate weapons manufacturer responsible for his colossal headache.

There are probably several cases of individuals who’ve been shot in the head and live to tell the tale, but I believe these super humans aren’t duly acknowledged.  To put this in perspective, sharks reportedly dedicate a week to The Most Interesting Man in the World, and what did he ever do aside from brandishing an impressive bronze tan?  If that old drunkard can garner national beer sponsorship, I believe the folks who have had a bullet lodged in their skullcap, and then live to overthrow the multinational that ultimately put it there, should least receive a parade if not a keynote speaking spot at a major university.  We could all learn a little something from these guys.

A second and slightly more elegant cinematic tour of France at Enzian includes the deeply sexy and enthralling biopic, COCO CHANEL & IGOR STRAVINSKY. This intense, gorgeous story of preeminent fashion designer (ahem) Coco Chanel details her tumultuous relationship with Stravinksky; a poor, married musician.  I believe we can all relate, no?  Just inject the words “drummer” for “pianist” and “dive bar gig” for “auditorium concerto” and viola; junior year of college flashing on the big screen. To view trailers or purchase tickets to MICMACS and COCO CHANEL & IGOR STRAVINSKY, visit Enzian.org.

Although these final two indies are not from across the pond, they’re definitely touting incredible escapism clout. GET LOW, the smart period drama about a crotchety grizzled hermit who plans his own funeral party that’s set to take place while he’s still alive, co-stars Bill Murray.  ‘Nuff said.

Setting aside any feelings you have of Michael Cera, I read somewhere that watching SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD is like listening the Jimi Hendrix for the first time.  In the obvious psychedelic sense; blending dream worlds into reality, exploding pop art transitions, destructive acoustic battles and romancing counter-culture, hipster heroes; this observation is dead on.  But in a more cerebral sense; a moment of pause when you’re acutely aware you’re experiencing something that may redefine an entire artistic medium; it’s a supreme K.O.

Wanna argue film and other things?  Follow me on Twitter @JordanaEM