Well folks, we have come to the end of ImageOut 2009 as we present the last film of our lineup, Just Say Love. This film challenges conventional storytelling in movies to present a story of finding connectedness in a most surprising way. I hope audiences will be pulled in by the intelligent writing, the captivating performances, and the unique stage-to-screen adaptation of this ImageOut There! Series offering. I am most intrigued by how the ImageOut audiences would react to the film. It is a treat to have both the filmmaker and the playwright/screenwriter at our screening, only its second time in a theatrical setting, to be able to answer questions.NOTE: The short film Chased screened in this program.
Posts
40 comments:
"Just Say Love" was a beautiful, well crafted story, told with such grace and tenderness. I was humbled to be in the presence of such talented visionaries as Bill Humphreys and David Moriello.
What a beautiful way to end the 17 ImageOut Festival!
It was a nice movie, although I thought it started to drag after a while. I loved the theatrical style, and hope more film makers will try this method.
Wow! A stunning stage play, beautifully brought to film. The film makers have admirably succeeded in bringing the experience that one can usually only find in live theatre to a film going audience.
After closing night, one might expect the audiences to be rather thin on Sunday night. That was definitely not the case tonight, as a large crowd turned out to see a most beautiful film. As Jim V. said, the tenderness and beauty of the dialog and the acting was indeed special. I was riveted to the screen the entire time. I was also pleased that our Michael made it his business to become aware that this movie even existed, and bring it here, in addition to the two talented gentlemen who created this lovely work. The perfect ending to a most entertaining film festival. I hate to see it end, but I look very much forward to #18
Wow, heartfelt, tender, poetry, art, and beauty are some of the words that come to me, when I reflect on this film. I loved that it not only got in touch with our human-ness but something deeper or higher if you will.
It is amazing how this film brought more to the table than most other films, with fewer props, costumes, and all the other things we attribute to great films.
Stunning, and I hope I get to see it again some day.
I'm glad I stayed for the film. I know I should have squeezed in a few more minutes for the Q&A but I was tired! You would've seen me yawning throughout the movie (and not because I hated the flic!) no it was really good. It's an interesting new film style.
I think it would be cool if you could start a new thread for people to share their "final thoughts" on the festival.
Stephan has a good idea.
I agree with Stefan and radioman about the desirability of a full-festival blog thread.
Just Say Love was a refreshing change of pace from ordinary cinema. In college, I participated in numerous black box theater productions and always enjoyed the flexibility that it offered the performer and the perceived intimacy that this extended to the audience.
Dave and Bill's effort succeeded brilliantly in bringing the immediacy and “right there” feeling that I have, in the past, associated only with live theater. I am impressed with the innovative techniques employed in the film, and I hope this film provides the impetus (and necessary cash) to experiment further in this direction.
I really wasn't sure how I was going to like this, since other "plays as movies" I've seen have felt forced. (Naked Boys Singing for example.)
This movie did a few unique things though that brought you into the play, and made you feel like you were on the set with them. A true "fly on the wall" experience.
While I had trouble sympathizing with either of the main characters, I still enjoyed the movie for both it's presentation style and the depth it went to to tell the story at hand. The only negative I can say was that I found the ending somewhat predictable. But then I've found others in the festival predictable as well, and still enjoyed them even knowing what was going to happen.
Overall, I hope the producer can use ImageOut as a stepping stone to get this work seen in other venues and festivals. Any festival looking for a strong unique film should grab this as quickly as they can, before it's snapped up by the rest. We are truly blessed to have attentive programming directors like Michael that seek out and acquire movies like this for our festival.
I also second Stefan's idea of a blog entry/thread for "overall" comments on the festival. :)
Stefan, Bill and Craig,
Please feel free to use the post "ImageOut 17: Quite the Success" for your overall comments on the festival.
I loved this film. It was extremely satisfying to see something a little different than just a filmed version of a play. The director brought us into the play, as opposed to just watching something on stage. It was more dynamic that way.
The writing was fantastic. It was uncluttered and very few missteps in the use of language. See this if you can. It is definitely a work of art.
Certainly one of the most interesting, unique and challenging choices in this year's lineup, JUST SAY LOVE was still able to capture the fancy of the majority of the audience. Bill and David were also great during the Q&A. But of course, everything was overshadowed by the "Disney ride" guy. That was rather strange and awkward. But glad it did not ruin the wonderful evening. Very pleased that people truly loved this movie.
Ballot comment:
Interesting. A little drawn out in places.
Ballot comment:
A new high in wish fulfillment.
Ballot comment:
Good. Very different.
Ballot comment:
Liked the idea and the dialogue. Beautiful execution if a bit unrealistic. Falling in love is a beautiful thing.
Ballot comment:
It was like seeing a play on screen.
Ballot comment:
Very stylish and beautiful. Well done in many ways but somehow, for all its ambition, boring.
Ballot comment J.C.:
CHASED - Very good production values. Love dramas that take a different turn for the better.
JUST SAY LOVE - Excellent production!! Great screen adaptation and values!! A heartwarming & moving drama!! Excellent acting performances!! Loved it!
Ballot comment:
Excellent movie. Best of the festival!
Ballot comment:
Wonderful transformation from play to film.
Ballot comment J.W.:
Fine end to the festival!
Ballot comment from D.F.:
Lovely, visual, sexy, tender film. Beautiful cinematography, gorgeous to watch. Wonderfully acted. Hot to watch. Wonderful to bring the producer and playwright. Better than excellent.
Ballot comment:
Beautifully acted, fascinating technique. With such simplicity, one really hears the characters speak through the words.
Beautiful story - the journey from attraction to feeling to commitment.
Ballot comment from F.N.:
The best movie by far ... that I saw.
Ballot comment:
Excellent. Creative style, minimal.
Computer animation, disappointing.
Ballot comment:
You saved the best for last. Thanks for a good season.
Ballot comment:
Love the device!
Ballot comment from J.C. and L.S.:
This was our favorite.
Ballot comment:
Great use of writing on a simple sound stage. Great example for over-produced film.
Ballot comment:
JUST SAY LOVE - This was great and a wonderful way to end the festival. This film had a great message and was extremely well executed.
CHASED - I liked this too. I loved the way these two men listened to what their hearts were telling them.
Ballot comment:
Thanks for putting the puzzle together. Loved the stage format.
CHASED was a fine memory of first love.
Ballot comment:
Oh my god! Wonderful!!
Ballot comment:
Very tender. The concept worked beautifully.
Ballot comment:
The format was wonderful right up to the computer animated portrait. The acting was some of the best that I saw in this year's films.
Ballot comment:
JUST SAY LOVE - My top 3 movies of this festival. To find that kind of love would be fantastic for me.
Great year!
Ballot comment:
My festival favorite.
Ballot comment:
I'd like to see how it plays onstage.
wonderful reading all these comments, including the ballot remarks. Looks like people really liked this film! Why wouldn't they? It was so beautifully and intelligently executed. I so enjoyed having Bill and David there to add their comments afterward. Yes, the "Disney ride" guy had me very uncomfortable for awhile, but thank goodness it ended well.
It looks from the comments above, that perhaps this movie could have been placed in a spot other than the final slot on Sunday night!
Ballot comment from T.M.:
JUST SAY LOVE is the most tender & delightful story imaginable. The actors were believable in their roles and the story line was wonderful.
Post a Comment