Mill Valley Film Fest:
Once again, Bay Area filmmakers shine in star-studded lineup
You can always count on the Mill Valley Film Festival to be a reliable awards forecaster but it equally doubles as the hot spot for worthy works that haven’t received much fanfare. This year’s lineup lives up to that.
Holding true to tradition, the festival kicks off tonight with two features.
The biopic “A Private War” tracks the life of American war correspondent Marie Colvin. Actress Rosamund Pike and director Matthew Heineman plan to attend.
The other opener is the civil rights-themed “Green Book” with Oakland native and Oscar winner Mahershala Ali and Oscar nominee Viggo Mortensen. Ali and director Peter Farrelly are slated to attend the screening of the drama/comedy, based on the true story of a road trip through the South during a 1962 concert tour.
The festival closes Oct. 14 with “If Beale Street Could Talk,” Barry Jenkins’ (“Moonlight”) take on a James Baldwin novel.
In between there will be tributes and spotlights aplenty: actress Carey Mulligan and director Paul Dano appearing Friday for “Wildlife”; Oscar-winning filmmaker Pawel Pawlikowski on Friday for “Cold War”; director Joel Edgerton on Sunday for “Boy Erased”; actress Amandla Stenberg on Sunday for “The Hate U Give”; actor Richard E. Grant on Wednesday for “Can You Forgive Me?”; director Karyn Kusama on Wednesday for “Destroyer”; and Maggie Gyllenhaal on Oct. 12 for “The Kindergarten Teacher.”
Additionally, there will be musical performances — including one by the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir on Wednesday, tied to a
documentary about the chorus screening at the festival — as well as panels, including a summit on the festival’s Mind the Gap program that advocates for greater presence and prominence of women filmmakers.
So on to the movies. Here are some quick takes of films we recommend.
“PET NAMES” >> What any festivalgoer wants is to stumble upon a new filmmaking voice that is unique and bold. Enter filmmaker Carol Brandt. Her funny yet heartfelt first feature strikes numerous truths as it follows a young woman who takes a break from caring for her ill mother by going on a camping adventure with her ex. It defines the word gem. (Screens Friday and Saturday).
“I AM MARIS: PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG
YOGI” >> Walnut Creek director Laura VanZee Taylor’s moving portrait captures how a smart Clayton teen persevered over depression and an eating disorder by various means, from taking and teaching yoga in Walnut Creek and creating her own art while diving deep into therapy. Don’t be skeptical of this doc’s brief 54-minute running time; “Maris” is vital, serving as a beacon of hope for countless teens and adults struggling through mental illness. (Oct. 13, 14) “WORLDS OF URSULA K. LE GUIN” >> The life and career of the iconic Berkeley fantasy author, who died in January, is thoughtfully chronicled in Arwen Curry’s insightful documentary. What makes Curry’s feature compelling is that bookended by reflections from authors Margaret Atwood and Michael Chabon — to name but a few — is a respectful but clear-eyed overview of her landmark, beloved work. (Friday and Monday) “WHO KILLED LT. VAN DORN?” >> A high point in the fest’s documentary category can be found in Zachary Stauffer’s outrage-inducing investigative piece, a blistering expose on the military’s faulty “53” line of helicopters — dubbed the deadliest aircraft in
the military. Stauffer, a Berkeley resident, balances the terrible loss of life with an revealing probe of just what happened. “Van Dorn” is Stauffer’s first doc and the first film coming out of the Investigative Reporting Program at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism. (Sunday and Tuesday)
“FREE SOLO” >> Got vertigo? You might from watching this whiteknuckler that taps into what in the heck drives climber Alex Honnold to perilously climb the wall of El Capitan with only his hands and feet. Directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin reveal what makes Honnold tick, but that doesn’t compare to the thrilling, nerve-wracking sequence of Honnold achieving his goal. Man, I wish I could see it in Imax. (Saturday and Monday)
“ROMA” >> There’s been a lot of gushing from critics over Oscarwinning filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron’s black-and-white episodic drama about a young domestic worker in 1970s Mexico City. All of the praise is justified. “Roma” is a beautiful feat, satisfying in every way — visually and narratively. Catch it on the big screen to fully appreciate it. (Monday)
“SEDER MASOCHISM” >> An animated musical relaying the story of Passover sounds like it could have been a disaster. Not in Nina Paley’s nimble hands. Her clever, feminist overview is manically inventive and original. As the program notes state, it’s like a mashup of “Schoolhouse Rock!” with a little “Adult Swim” thrown in. You’ve gotta see it. (Monday and Tuesday)
“WILDLIFE” >> Actor Paul Dano’s directorial debut is a brilliant, cutely observed portrait of a family in crisis. Carey Mulligan digs into the complexity of her character, an unsatisfied wife who feels hemmed in and bored by her small-town existence. Jake Gyllenhaal delivers as a floundering husband while Ed Oxenbould is a discovery as the 14-year-old watching his parents behaving badly. (Friday and Tuesday)
“COLLISIONS” >> San Francisco filmmaker Richard Levien’s immigration drama receives a world premiere and it couldn’t be more topical. When 12-year-old Itan Bautista’s mother is taken by ICE, she and her brother reluctantly lean on their unreliable father as they embark on a journey to find her. Levien is a strong storyteller and has a strong story to tell. He also draws out impressive performances from his cast. (Oct. 12, 14)
“BEN IS BACK” >> Julia Roberts defies critics in a knockout performance as a committed mom who does everything in her power to try to steer her recovering addict son (Lucas Hedges, nailing it) from lapsing during a surprise return for the Christmas holiday. “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” director Peter Hedges ( Lucas’ dad) ratchets up the tension and turmoil to a breaking point. (Oct. 12, 14)
“BIRDS OF PASSAGE” >> Directors Cristina Gallegos and Ciro Guerra chart the violent rise of a poor indigenous man in Colombia from small-time coffee and alcohol trader to major marijuana dealer in this highly artistic, devastating story. One of my favorite films of 2018. (Wednesday and Oct. 11)
“ONE VOICE” >> With up to 13 or so faiths represented, the powerful Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir unites a community through the healing and historical bond of music. Oakland resident Spencer Wilkinson’s soaring documentary receives its world premiere and covers the group’s roots and showcases how it brings people together. The best part is just watching as choir members stir the soul with their moving vocals. (Wednesday and Oct. 13)
“THE WHISTLEBLOWER OF MY LAI” >> Connie Field’s documentary serves as both a harrowing history lesson and a behind-thescenes look at the creation of a performance piece involving composer Jonathan Berger, Kronos Quartet and musician Van-Anh Vo. The story of Hugh Thompson, who called out the atrocities, demands to be heard and then learned. The Berkeley filmmaker’s fine film does just that. (Oct. 11, 12)