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VirginSpringCinefest
The festival has been named in honor of Ingmar Bergman’s classic film ‘Virgin Spring’ and it has been launched to showcase independent art-house films from around the world.
(www.vscinefest.com)
Submit Your Film Via: https://www.wfcn.co/festival/vsc
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Chasing Lines (2018)
The tremendous power of inner mind creativity
"Chasing Lines" explores the subtle bond between the earth and the conscious creativity of human existence through the powerful cosmic vision.
Through the self-revealing monologues, the individuals focus on the generosity of the human mind and our place in each of our individual journeys. There were so many points to ponder, almost too many steeped in high philosophy. I had to keep stopping the talk just to hear them all. As I continued to listen I realized that this talk was a highly thought out and masterful chronology of a creative journey, bravely laid bare. The spirituality connection was a gift given freely to anyone willing to take it in. No matter what's your belief system, educational background, age, geographic location or any other defining trait, this film is astoundingly a remarkable collection of thoughts to consider.
The film fosters an anti-conventional thinking as we expand our sense of self and understand that our identity "I" cannot be squeezed into the volume of a body or a span of a lifetime, a new channel of creativity opens up for us. My existence as a human being is dependent on my heart, lungs, and kidneys as it is on the sun, photosynthesis, the air, the rivers, and the earth. I have a personal body and a cosmic body and they are both equal mine and equally vital to my existence. This is the great insight into wisdom traditions, particularly Vedanta which says "Aham Brahamsmi - I am the Universe." Since we have the infinite consciousness that projects as the universe, "the creator," our personal creativity attunes to cosmic creativity. This is the kind of creativity that brings major revolutions such as Einstein's insights into relativity and time. I owe all of my insights that lead to my books, to alignment with cosmic intelligence.
The film speaks volumes about the assumptions that we are evolving towards unity consciousness where we experience ourselves as cosmic beings participating in the evolution of the universe. The human body is part of the cosmic body. The human mind is part of the cosmic mind. Awakening to this cosmic dimension of ourselves is profoundly restorative. With that experience and understanding, we bring healing to our wounded planet and a new sense of adventure to the human journey. Our journey towards enlightenment goes through several stages: soul consciousness, cosmic consciousness, divine consciousness, and unity consciousness. Each stage of consciousness creates its own reality. Biology, perception, cognition, and the state of our nervous system transform as we move to higher states of consciousness. This is the journey we must all undertake as we move from our microcosmic identity to our cosmic identity. The narrative mode in unfolding the conflict that goes on in the minds of the protagonists as they seem lost trying to find the meaning of mortal existence and search that subtle line of the horizon that merges with the ethereal world is quite evolving and creates a lasting impact.
The film demystifies certain old myths about celestial existence and reiterates that our mind is the most powerful tool in the universe. It holds a tremendous amount of knowledge, experience and feeling. Creativity is making connections within the realm of information, memories, thoughts and feelings stored away in the abyss of our mind.
The film lays emphasis on human creativity that teaches us how to build creative visions we failed to realize we were capable of building. The film explores this tremendous power of inner mind creativity that uses meditation and relaxation to take us deep into the innermost recess of our mind. It teaches us to look at situations from a multitude of perspectives, opening our inner-eye to possibilities we might otherwise never have seen.
Last but certainly not the least, it strongly makes us ponder on the subtleties of how the mind works, discover the secret to building creative visions out of ideas, and eventually learn a very effective method of realizing our visions, so that they leave our mind and take a final plunge into the actual reality.
Moumita Deb/Cult Critic/VSC
Green Lake (2016)
A solid, entertaining horror film that keeps you hanging on until the end
Derek Frey's 30-minute featurette, "Green Lake" (2016) reads like a classic horror movie. A "Creature of the Black Lagoon" of sorts, with the added intrigue of being filmed on location, at one of only two lakes in Hawaii. Mythological shapeshifters are the fabled guards of these precious fresh water sources, and legend has it that if their land is disrespected or trespassed upon, a Mo'o possesses the power to wreak havoc.
Frey gives us a classic horror set-up. A group of friends, unaware of the danger that lurks in their surroundings, decide to make the worst possible decision. The lush beauty engulfing the lake does seem like the perfect backdrop for a good old fashion psychedelic mushroom trip. And it could be a great bonding experience, except for the issue with the pissed off protector of sacred land who woke up to join the party.
The dark shape of a woman materializes from the murky waters of Green Lake. Her visage is reminiscent of Samara moving toward the audience after emerging from the well, in Gore Verbinski's famous scene from "The Ring." Unlike Samara, the Mo'o is seductive. She hypnotizes her victim as she slinks ever so slowly in for the kill. Her skin is smooth and reptilian. Her hair, long and matted with seaweed gives her the appearance of a being who is part of the eco-system.
Frey's use of practical effects blends into the natural world. A CGI creature would have appeared too perfect, too modern in this setting. Instead, using costume and make-up, along with body movements and some clever editing produced a believable rendition of the mythic creature. It's no wonder Frey has such a strong affinity to practical effects; he has spent his career working with Tim Burton.
Matthew Reid's original score adds substance to the opening narration, transforming the narrator's words into folklore. The music drifts and bounces throughout the film, moving seamlessly connecting scenes. Reid's score combined with the skillful use of foley sound adds a sense of anticipation, and outright panic, perfectly timed. Frey also called in some of his Big Island musician friends, Technical Difficulties and Delight Talkies, who wrote songs specifically for the film.
In true Indie fashion, everyone had multiple roles; cast doubled as crew. For nine grueling days, the small band of filmmakers weathered the elements and went without sleep to the point of exhaustion and mental breakdown. Frey calls "Green Lake" his mini "Apocalypse Now." The Mo'o rising from the water does call to mind one of the famous scenes from Francis Ford Coppola's movie; however, Frey could be referring to the mental and physical pain that he and his friends went through to produce the film. The sacrifices must have been worth it because the result of their perseverance has garnered numerous festival awards.
"Green Lake" is a solid, entertaining horror film that keeps you hanging on until the end. All great horror movies have an underlying meaning, a warning about some mistake that humanity is making, and "Green Lake" is no different. It's a warning to everyone that we must maintain our balance with and respect nature or face the consequences. Always remember, "Horror Dwells Deep."
Helen Wheels/Cult Critic/VSC
God Came 'Round (2017)
A warm film with excellent editing and cinematography, and a brilliant acting
The existential angst of all human beings is what "God Came 'Round" conveys and deals with, throughout the wider section of the plot, and this is something that connects us through the regular humdrum affairs of our lives. Directed by Derek Frey, "God Came 'Round" is a story of the dramatic turnout of a man and his love life being the baseline of the story. The story focuses on how to romanticize with the unachievable with wisdom taking its responsibility when everything turns topsy-turvy. Sandeep (played by Deep Roy), who portrays all honest emotions of joy, sorrow, anxiety, despair and gives in to being patient and returns to his normal life after his anticipated venture with the girl he dotes on takes an unfortunate turn.
What's striking is that Sandeep (Deep Roy), who is a flower seller, looks for hope each day through his fantasies so much so that he starts to think he has imaginary friends. An alien visits him, even though he is left disappointed by previous day's circumstances; to try and yet learns to take each day at a time but real life hits him straight and optimism leaves his side. He is visited by his conscience in the form of God to be reminded of his nugatory trials.
The editing and the cinematography with its sheer excellence make the music video hit all the right chords of emotions. Through the expertise of the director, the story is knit into a sublime emotional tragedy. It seeks the attention of all lost and forlorn in love and the particular scene I fell in love with is the one where the protagonist who offers each passerby roses to buy for a dollar. We see how a simple rose is ignored by them which would hardly cost them a buck. This emotional paramount wraps us sentimentally and shoots us back to reality. A topic so versatile yet so unexplored; most of the time, we choose to neglect ourselves because of others and seek happiness through bleak and unrealistic desires. Seen wonderfully executed here is the constant war between our inner and outer world and our consciousness gripping us with questions of who we really want to be.
Brilliant acting is done by Deep Roy, who suits the role perfectly with his sensitive performance. But what turns to leave a spectator confused is how abruptly the plot ends. The depth of the whole story lies in how the character would have handled the entire situation which is compromised in the climax. Nonetheless, the question remains: how we want to spend our lives; to waste it away just to get what we want the most or be content with what we already have and find bliss in it. Overall, it is a warm film, laying all the fundamentals of emotions, with layers of stories which sends up a message that no matter what you have to stand up for yourself; you are your own Savior and you have to find your own bliss.
Nabadipa Talukder/Cult Critic/VSC
Huidas (2014)
A powerful interplay of emotions
China, a young American girl of Spanish and Chinese origin, is gripped by a deep sense of grief and loneliness after her father's sudden death. She gets consumed by profound guilt and repentance for neglecting her father, as she remained busy with her work in photography. While trying to escape from the mundane world of materialistic pursuits, she decides to embark on a trip to all the places she visited with her father. Along the way, she encounters danger, defeat as well as triumph.
This important journey brings back to life the memories of her father. Her escape increasingly brings her closer to the nature, Spanish people and their country. Her feelings also evolve as the time goes by - she gradually matures and rediscovers her lost self. In her journey, she has to overcome very hard times, even a close encounter with death. However, she also finds help and understanding which motivate her to overcome her grief and find her roots. As an artist, she develops a new way of mourning, which represents a brighter approach to the understanding of grief. Her unfulfilled desire to unite her parents is brilliantly portrayed in the pictures she takes.
At the beginning of her trip China felt alone because of the loss of her family but at the end she succeeds in gaining a new family which gives meaning to her life. Once again, destiny puts in her hands the life of optimism, hope and belief in the essential goodness of humankind.
The eventful journey takes her into very dark domains of life, to the ruthless world of people wearing masks of hypocrisy. She becomes a victim of the most heinous crimes, which include even a violent sexual assault. The film features a powerful interplay of emotions. Poetically shot and written, "Escapes (Huidas)" is part fantasy, part visual art and a lot a raw emotion. The title doesn't correspond only with the physical escapades the protagonist must go through, but also with the mental ones. Her trip symbolizes her quest to find the justification of human existence while realizing at the same time that running away from the illusory world of sorrows is not the real solution.
A cult film in its own right, "Escapes (Huidas)" unveils the dark facets of human life that each one of us encounters at every crossroad. The film portrays the transitional dimensions of Spanish road movies.
China's suffering resonates well with the belief that women are more vulnerable to complicated grief than men. Elements of the emotional struggle with death, dying, grief and bereavement are all well depicted. The grief that spills out as a severe depression enables China, in the long run, to mature and grow a lot as a person. Eventually, she focuses on heading towards the positive direction. The film strongly conveys the message that grief is an inevitable part of life, but brooding on it doesn't make it any easier. The deep sorrow that accompanies the death of a loved one is real and universal. However, pain and death are the part of life to be accepted and not escaped from.
Moumita Deb/Cult Critic/VSC
The Way Home (2017)
A perfect attempt to discuss a theme troubling to mankind as alienation, isolation, and loneliness
Being alone with your feelings is the worst because you have nowhere to run. They are dancing in your mind and all you can do is handle. You never realize how lonely you are until it is the end of the day and you got a bunch of things to talk about and no one to talk to. Human beings are always demanding emotions play a prime part in their lives. Whatever the circumstances are, good or bad they always need a companion to share their feelings.
A painful, lonely, confused, silent childhood results in extreme reclusiveness. Maybe you are perfectly fine being alone, but if you grew up around a lot of family and had a pleasant, social childhood, you probably have a higher need for affection, affiliation, and social interaction. Even introverts need human connections, at least once in a while.
The short film "The Way Home" directed by Federico Olivetti makes a perfect attempt to discuss a theme troubling to mankind as alienation, isolation, and loneliness. The film follows the tale of a Sardinian child Michele fatherless, completely clueless, and helpless having no one to speak to. This exuberant kid only has his mother to share his feelings, but she is too busy to give her child minimum time that he expects. The only person he can openly speak with is his lost father. One morning he skips school and reaches a coastal town, apparently deserted. He wanders through the streets of the city, has an accident. He was rescued and was taken to the hospital, but he gets scared and returns home. He asks his mother for help, but she completely ignores him.
One day Michelle discovers his mother's affair, tries to stop her but fails to. He follows her mother and gets completely disheartened. Michele runs away, roams lonely and abandoned, just like a stray dog no one to care for through ruins and wild paths, pushing him further and further from the sea. Exhausted, he descends a gorge carved in red rock, and rests inside the ruins of a building, have little food that he was carrying in his pocket and falls asleep.
Director Federico Olivetti, in his film "The Way Home", has interestingly worked on the climax of the film. He created a twist in his film which completely changed the innocence of the child and made him grow. Now, you have to watch the movie to know what changed Michele's life forever. Did he get the chance to speak up everything to his mother? To find answers to all these, you got to watch this film for sure.
I started watching the film with mixed feeling, but ended up satisfied, wishing the film to last longer. Shots in this film will surely sear your mind for a long time after viewing this picture. And if you do not get lost in the aesthetic, you will most certainly lose yourself into loneliness and how the innocence of a child ends. "The Way Home" by director Federico Olivetti is as beautiful and well crafted as it is absolutely oppressive and unforgettable.
Riya Saha/Cult Critic/Virgin Spring Cinefest