Student films hit silver screen at Praxis
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on January 15, 2017 1:45 AM
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"6 Love Stories," a narrative film of intertwining love stories described as a "Love Actually" meets "Magnolia," features character actors Steven Tobowlsky and Beth Grant.
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"Petty Scores" is a story of a kleptomiac and his roommate who find themselves in over their heads following the theft of a briefcase.
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"Relish Our Dog," not just another hotdog stand, is a film featuring the popular Paul's Place, on the way to the beaches on the coast of North Carolina.
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Rhizophora, a documentary seen through the eyes of 11 residents in Vietnam living with disabilities caused by Agent Orange.
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The Praxis Film Festival returns next month, this time with the entire lineup of short- and full-length independent films being shown downtown.
This is the seventh year for the event, which began at Wayne Community College and was later split between the college and the Paramount Theatre. It moves to the downtown venue for this year's outing, Feb. 3-4.
Organizers have come up with an array of independently produced films, some of which have already won prestigious awards and other film festivals. Genres represented include narrative feature and short films, documentaries, animation and short films.
Likewise, the filmmakers hail from across the state as well as nationally and internationally. This year's program features submissions from Los Angeles, Italy, Lebanon, Slovakia, Canada and France, as well as stateside.
The two-day program is packed with opportunities to be in the audience for viewing, as well as question-and-answer sessions with several directors on hand to discuss their films.
The schedule runs from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. each day, with breaks built in for patrons to enjoy coffee and meals in downtown eateries.
Passes for the festival cost $15 for one day, $25 for both days, and a $50 ticket that includes all films and admission to a filmmaker reception planned for that Friday evening.
The full schedule and description of films are on the Praxis website, http://www.praxisfilmfestival.org.
Tickets are available online and at the Paramount Theatre box office and website, http://www.goldsboroparamount.com.
Student films
Friday, 10 a.m. - noon
*The Aeon (USA) An abstract immersive audio-visual experience. A study on the behavior of energy over a period of time. Experimental 2D/3D Animation techniques.
*Where RU From? (USA) Imagine a race then between the X and Y chromosomes: whomever gets to the egg first decides the child's gender. This film is a self-portrait of the artist's origins, her true beginning.
*Pangaea (USA) Pangaea tells the story of a young girl, trapped on the roof of her house during the days following the landfall of Hurricane Katrina. Shot by a group of Northwestern University students in a week in New Orleans.
*Missing (USA) A television interview with an estranged mother turns sideways as she revisits the memory of losing her son.
*To Die For (USA) In the aftermath of a catastrophic event, a young scavenger named Arlin Franger is one of the last humans on earth survive. Holed up in an underground facility she must choose between life or death. But, what is she willing to die for?
*Healing (USA) Siblings Stephen and Ashley struggle to lead normal lives after the deaths of their parents, a struggle made harder by their grief. At least, until Ashley figures out an effective coping strategy.
*Petty Scores (USA) A kleptomaniac and his roommate find themselves in over their heads following the theft of a briefcase.
*Ellen Infinity (Canada) Mark is depressed about his breakup with Ellen until he finds a way to recreate what they had.
*Finish Line (USA) Meyer has always viewed herself as nothing more but a "nice girl" who is surrounded by "pretty" people. But her mindset is challenged when a cute boy at school gives her attention.
*The Mathematics of Dreams (Italy) Fermo, an unsociable retired teacher of mathematics, has dreamt the winning numbers to the lottery, but he doesn't remember them. He decides to relive the dream to remember the numbers. Talia, a student of Fermo, helps him to recreate the dream and face the ghosts of his past.
12-1 p.m. Lunch Break
1-2:30 p.m. We're Still Together (Canada) A misfit high schooler and his manic rescuer set out into the Montreal night to connect with loved ones. Over the course of the night they begin to see each other and themselves differently. Q&A to be announced
2:45-3:45 p.m. Ignition (France) Clara and her father Manuel host a birthday party for their orphan neighbor, Anaïs. During the night, Anaïs disappears. Suspicion arise and questions grow more and more insidious as Clara and Manuel try to find their friend. Q&A to be announced
4-5 p.m. Documentary Shorts with Q&A
*Radio Renaissance (USA) Seeking to revitalize their Indiana community, the Family Folklore Foundation Players in Northwest Indiana created a radio play that involved residents in this community engagement and education project.
*Relish Our Dogs (USA) Just another hotdog stand? We don't think so. Neither will you.
*Coffin Cruisers (USA) The Carolina Coffin Cruisers are a taboo-breaking Charlotte-based club of macabre motorists. These creepy classic car enthusiasts convoy the Carolinas to share their appreciation of hearses and all things Halloween.
*Rhizophora (Germany/Italy) Dancing between waking and dreaming, this documentary videopoem is a day seen through the eyes of 11 young residents of the Friendship Village in Vietnam living with disabilities caused by Agent Orange.
*Remains (USA) A team of archaeologists and U.S. service members deploy to Vietnam to locate the body of a U.S. airman, missing since 1966.
6-8 p.m. Dinner Break - VIP Reception, Downtown Goldsboro in the Terrace Room of the Waynesboro House. Tickets Available.
8-10 p.m. Opening Night Films
*Love Biscuit (USA). Breaking up is hard to do. Especially on the day you propose.
*6 Love Stories (USA). Over the course of one afternoon, six LA couples connect, reconnect or fall apart. The intertwining stories are both moving and amusing and have been described as "Love Actually" meets "Magnolia." Director and actors present for Q&A.
Sat., Feb. 4
10 a.m.- noon. Trilogy of documentary films provide depth to the conversation about incarceration and its effects on individuals, families and communities. Seating before 10 and again at 10:15, after first film
* [solitary] (USA). The struggle to maintain one's humanity as one endures the ultimate punishment in the prison system. (not rated but if so, would be strong 'R').
*I, Destini (USA). An animated film that explores the poignant and imaginative illustration of a youth's perspective on the effects of having an incarcerated loved one.
*Guilty by Innocence (France). A story of an innocent man released after serving his 25-year sentence. Once released, he works to rehabilitate prisoners at the end of their sentences. Filmmaker attendance for Q&A to be announced.
12-1:30 p.m. Lunch Break
1:30-3:30 p.m. Family Affair (Netherlands) On his 30th birthday, Tom Fassaert received a mysterious invitation from his 95-year-old grandmother to visit her in South Africa. During his visit, Fassaert realizes the negative stories his father told him about her were true. But when his grandmother makes an unexpected confession, his venture becomes much more complicated than he could ever have imagined.
4-6 p.m. Narrative Short Films (Q&A to be announced)
*How Was Your Day? (Ireland) A moving and brutally honest look at a woman struggling with the emotions of raising a daughter who isn't the child she imagined she would mother.
*Submarine (Lebanon) Under the imminent threat of Lebanon's garbage crisis, Hala, a woman who never lost the spirit of a wild child, is the only one to refuse evacuation, clinging to whatever remains of home.
*Winter's Journey (Germany) Walter is waiting at the last station of his journey through life. His family and friends think they know what is best, but his ending belongs only to him.
*You Didn't Forget (Slovenia) An elderly woman's day is turned upside down when she sets out to find her missing husband, who's been struggling with memory loss.
*93 Not Out (India) A 93-year-old man loves books and his bicycle, but both are forbidden. The book is too expensive, and the bike he cannot ride because of his heart. What will he do?
*Fear (USA) Fear considers the tensions between fear and safety; faith and psychology; Chinese and American identity; and acceptance and healing. One man's story told in beautifully crafted stop-motion animation.
*Parchment Wings (USA) A journey into a fairytale brings comfort to an unlikely pair in the wake of a tragedy.
*Curpigeon (USA) A heartwarming story about the power of community support during a time of grief.
6-8 p.m. Dinner Break
8-10 p.m. Audience Award Announcements and Closing Night Film. (TBA)