Maryland Film Festival 2012

MFF billboard inside the Tent Village. Photo by Titilayo Akanke

Group gathering outside the Charles Theatre, one of the festival venues, after a film.

Photo by Titilayo Akanke

Morgan State University Director of the MSU Digital Media Center, Keith Mehlinger

waiting for the start of a film in the lobby of the Charles Theatre. Photograph by Titilayo Akanke

      The 2012 Maryland Film Festival provided an opportunity for film lovers to be immersed in the art form as they viewed films from countries around the world, networked, and gained an early perspective about what is new and unique in the independent film industry. Having experienced the most successful year since its inception fourteen years ago, the festival maintained its impeccable reputation for showcasing an eclectic array of films representing various genres and ethnicities. The Maryland Film Festival, unlike Sundance, Cannes, and some of the others, is not one in which films are judged for the purpose of receiving prizes or validation from a particular group. It is more of an arts event in which discerning audiences are seeking alternatives to the the types of productions that seemingly define the medium. According to festival director, Jed Dietz, "Because marketing movies in America is almost solely defined by a few big corporations, much of the creative energy around the world can only be seen at festivals--or though one of the new channels of distribution that seem to pop up (and disappear) daily."

     Some of the films showcased have compelling story lines that convey social or political messages, reveal profound life lessons learned by characters, or endow viewers with spiritual insight. Included among those that met those criteria are: two short films, I Am John Wayne and Fishing Without Nets; three features, Wanda, Supporting Characters, and Found Memories; and the documentary, Under African Skies.

I Am John Wayne
Directed by Christina Choe, I Am John Wayne, featuring actor, Jamir Daaliya as Taco, the central character, is the story of a young black man growing up in urban America and struggling to cope with the senseless killing of his best friend. His solace becomes caring for the horse of his friend as he continues his involvement in an equestrian program sponsored by an organization of Black cowboys in his area. Angry and still very distraught, on the day of his friend's funeral, he decides not to attend. Instead, he takes the horse without permission and rides through the city. He runs into trouble when the horse is stolen and spray painted by some teens with whom he has an altercation. In an emotional filled eighteen minutes, the film conveys social lessons about friendship and loss, political messages about the plight of urban teens in America, and spiritual insight about humanity.

From I Am John Wayne, a promotional photo depicting a scene of Taco riding through the city. 

Director and producer, Christina Choe (right) on stage during the follow-up discussion

after the showing of I Am John Wayne. Photo by Titilayo Akanke

Fishing Without Nets
     Fishing Without Nets, directed by Cutter Hodierne, (written by Hodierne and John Hibey) reveals the story of Somali pirates as they engage in abduction of vessels off the coast of East Africa. Filmed in Kenya and told from the perspectives of the pirates, the seventeen minute film depicts them bantering over the treatment of hostages, and attempting to recruit another young man who is struggling with the moral dilemma of whether to join the pirates or continue to eke out a meager living in his war torn, drought stricken Somalia. The young man, a central character, lives in abject poverty in a one room dwelling and has accepted money from the pirates to feed his starving family and purchase medicine for his sick daughter.

     Awarded the 2012 Sundance Jury Prize in Short Filmmaking, the Sundance Institute says, "by approaching a story of epic scope with an intimate perspective, this visually stunning film creates a rare, inside point of view that humanizes a global story."

Director Cutter Hodierne and co-writer, John Hibey on stage during a discussion 

following the showing of Fishing Without Nets. Photo by Titilayo Akanke

Wanda
Wanda, a 1970s film written and directed by and featuring actress, Barbara Loden, is the story of a young woman who makes all the wrong decisions in life which causes her to lose her children to her estranged husband in a custody battle, and subsequently begins a perilous involvement with Norman Dennis (actor, Michael Higgins), who appears to be a business man, but actually a cold and calculating thief and murderer. Poverty-stricken Wanda lives in a coal-town in Pennsylvania, and for a short while, escapes that life by going on the road with the professional thief who on one hand, abuses her, but on the other, teaches her some valuable lessons about life and survival. When things go terribly wrong with his big bank heist and Norman is killed, Wanda escapes arrest because while driving the get-away car, she gets lost on the way to the bank. By the time she gets directions from a police officer and arrives at the bank, the robbery has ended with Norman's shooting. With no place to go, Wanda returns to her home town.

     The vintage film was the selection of legendary filmmaker and member of the MFF board of directors, John Waters, who each year chooses a classic and hosts a discussion after the viewing. Wanda, the only feature directed by Loden, premiered at the 1970 Venice Film Festival and was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival in 1971. Laced with humor and irony, the film reflects experiences that are sadly familiar in the lives of some women. Though most women will not knowingly establish a relationship with a criminal, many can relate to Wanda's lack of self-esteem, and her search for love, acceptance, and a meaningful place in the world, all of which lead her to make poor choices in her dealings with men.

Actress, producer, writer, and director, Barbara Loden (promotional photo).

Supporting Characters

Written by Tarik Lowe and directed Daniel Schecter, Supporting Characters narrates a period in the lives of two best friends and business partners, Darryl (Tarik Lowe) and Nick (Alex Karpovsky) when their friendship is tested as they navigate through the film industry as editors. They disagree on the artistic direction of a particular work as they edit, and they have to decide whether money or loyalty to the principles and terms of their business partnership and friendship will govern their actions. The lives of Darryl and Nick are further complicated by ethnic differences and estranged relationships with the women in their respective lives. Supporting Characters is a film about making films as it has one of its story lines, the complications, pitfalls and nuances of producing movies. However, it is profoundly communicates the social and spiritual messages of how relationships define and impact lives. 

A scene from Supporting Characters (promotional photo).

Writer, actor Tarik Lowe, talking with MFF staff inside the MFF Tent Village. Photo by Titilayo Akanke

Found Memories

Found Memories, directed by Julia Murat, depicts Brazilian village, Jotuombo, populated entirely by elderly citizens who quietly go about their daily routines giving little thought to their uneventful existence, places in the world, or purposes in life. Still without modern conveniences and luxuries, the members of the town live very simple lives, unencumbered by many of the problems and concerns of contemporary societies. When a young female photographer, Rita (played by Lisa Favero), stumbles upon the village during an extended hike through the Brazilian Paraiba Valley and requests to stay for a few days in order to regroup, the aged citizens agree. She pursues her natural inclination and asks to photograph the town and its people, which after some trepidation, they also allow. Her documentation of their lives and community is a somewhat unwelcome disruption at first, but eventually evokes meaningful reflection that impacts every one's existence, including the youthful Rita.

     The mystique of the film is that it paints a fantastical possibility of an aged, self-sufficient clan who has shut out the world and its prejudice against age and ethnicity, and has rejected materialistic stipulations that define worth. Though Rita's presence interrupts their lives, Found Memories leaves viewers with the impression that some aspects of the villagers' lives may change, but the essence of their peaceful coexistence and undaunted spirits will remain.

Scene from Found Memories in which Rita photographs a

nude, Madalena (actress Sonia Guedes). Promotional photo.

Under African Skies

The documentary, Under African Skies, directed by Joe Berlinger, revisits the controversy sparked in 1984 when artist, Paul Simon, visited South Africa to record an album in defiance of an international cultural boycott protesting apartheid. The album, Graceland, which earned Simon a Grammy, showcased Simon's collaboration with a host of South African groups and musicians including Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekala, Ladysmith Black Mombazo, and Stimela. In 2011, Simon returned to South Africa for a reunion with the musicians in conjunction with the twenty-fifth anniversary of the release of Graceland. The film features interviews with the musicians, political activists and organizational leaders, including those of the African national Congress (ANC), and other notables including Maya Angelou, Harry Belafonte, Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Lorne Michaels, Quincy Jones, and Paul McCartney. Archival footage from the Graceland World Tour provides a backdrop of music for political analysis about the effects of aparthied, the historical events that finally ended it, the ramifications of Simon hiring black musicians, and the impact of his refusal to participate in the boycott.

Gathering of musicians during the recording of Graceland. Promtional photo.

Candid Moments from the Festival

Professors Darryl Wharton-Rigby and Keith Mehlinger in

 the lobby of the Charles Theatre between films. Photograph by Titilayo Akanke

Professor Wharton with director and Baltimore native, Sheldon Candis, producer of Luv which premiered at the festival. Luv is a somewhat autobiographical depiction of the the director's experience of growing up as an African-American male in an urban setting. The film features Common, and played to sold-out audiences each night.

 Standing by. Photo by Titilayo Akanke

Reflections and food between films at a Charles Street cafe. Photo by Titilayo Akanke