Excuse Me, I'm Looking for Mr. Redford

Our screening wasn't until noon, but we had a distance to travel to get there from Mel and Deb's. We also had to pick up Alisa on the way, and take Deb to the airport as she was heading out to Atlanta on business. Our morning pace was leisurely, but calculated, and soon it was time to head out. We met Alisa in town, and then shuffled off to the airport. Mel and Deb did their goodbyes and then Mel, Alisa, and I were on the road, headed toward Sundance Resort. The trip took around an hour, and we soon found ourselves amidst the picturesque beauty that is SUNDANCE... not the Festival, but the Resort, home of Robert Redford.

After grabbing some coffees, we sttrolled the resort and wandered the wooded path toward the screening room, a beautiful little theatre, with the best projection and sound, and really comfy seats. Today's film was "Nerakhoon" ("The Betrayal"), directed by Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath. "Nerakhoon" tells the tender story of a Laotian fmaily, displaced after the US fled Vietnam. Goes to figure that the US could be so inconsiderate as to make life "hell on Earth" for these people who showed their support and patriotism for America's efforts during this conflict. This film was not done in a matter of months or years, but instead the filmmaker has been filming and documenting the family's history and their ongoing life struggles over the course of more than twenty years. The film was shot with a tender heart, as the filmmaker formed bonds with Thavi's family and assisted in many of their ongoing effrots to relieve their troubles and help gain closure to issues still faced by the family.

Turns out that after US troops left the region, a commnist regime regained control and jailed and even killed many who elped the US efforts. Thavi's father was one of those who was literally taken away in the night and never again heard from, his family assuming his execution was imminent. So the family "laid low", until it became obvious that they needed to flee before they too were taken, tortured, and possibly killed, not nlike their missing father. One by one, with Thavi being the first, they found a way to escape first to Thailand and then eventually to that wonderful land of opportunity... America. However, because of the urgency to flee, and because their transportation options were limited, two daughters were left behind with their grandmother.

Without giving too much away, let me just say that the "land of oportunity" wasn't quite what they expected. They suffered hardships, threats by Asian street gangs, losses, but somehow continued to push forward. The film lays witness to family reunions, disappointment, and their strength to survive and maybe even find that "oportunity" promised in America. The film had a strong message, and the camera revealed the beauty of Laos along with many tender family moments. Interspersed with News Reel footage of the bombing campaigns and other archival footage, the filmmaker did a wonderful job of weaving the story. It was the quiet moments of the film that most moved me, as the director carefully chose her timing and pace.

This film was preceded by a short film: "My Olympic Summer". Filmmaker Daniel Rubin used old super 8 films and family photos to help tell the story of his family and his father's 15 minutes of fame. Those 15 minutes were actually a few days: Rubin's father, a practicing Rabbi based in Munich, was assigned as Army liaison to the Israeli Olympic Team during the Munich Games. He too was taken hostage when the SLA assaulted the Israeli Olympic Team, and began their slaughter in retaliation for Israel's actions throughout the years. However, Mr Rubin was later released and spared his life because the SLA stated that their beef was not with him, but with Israel, and I'm sure they were concerned about American revenge. Though interesting, the story did not move me as much as many docs at Sundance, and I left feeling that I needed to know more.

And by the way... no "Bob" sightings today. Redford ad left the building or the resort.

After the screenings we headed back to Salt Lake, but only after I again introduced myself to the director, inviting the film to SouthSide. Fingers crossed... again.. Alisa invited me to "Sundance in Español", a mixer celebrating the ten films at Sundance of Spanish Language, directed by Spanish directors, or about Spain, Mexico, and Latin/South America. The event was sponsored by Zion Bank, one of the lead sponsors at Sundance and by the Salt Lake Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. I met some of the "biggies" in Salt Lake's Spanish Community and was excited to see the enthusiasm of the community, as exemplified by the support of various organizations and the number in attendance. I need to help create this kind of atmospher and corporate/public support for our SouthSide Film Festival.

Soon day turned to night, and I had made plans for a "guy's night in" with Mel and Clayton. It would be a night of Martinis, beer, a delicious dinner of Telapia and salad, and a screening of "Super Bad". It was nice to relax by the fire with two of my very good friends, but soon the evening drew to a close. Thursday would mean an early rise, standing in Wait List lines in Park City, and hopefully supplementing my screening schedule. Tomorrow will bring more excitement.

In the meantime... butter up the popcorn, turn down the lights, and crank up the projector. The evening's show is about to begin.