The Monadnock International Film Festival prides itself on its slogan: Movies Matter.
With this theme as the backbone of the event, there is in fact solid proof that not only do movies matter, but the people who appreciate movies matter just as much.
In only its second year of implementation, the festival has incorporated film into the community of Keene, N.H.
Unfortunately, I cannot explain this film festival in all of its essence in a few simple words in an article.
What I experienced this weekend was only a slight feel for what MONiff is even in its infancy. Movie lovers should not be the only ones attending this event, as everyone that has ever even slightly enjoyed a movie can benefit from watching a true art form come together in a beautifully-seamless entertaining package.
Viewing two movies during the festival was a treat, as both of them were vastly enjoyable. On Thursday, April 10, the film, Before I Disappear was truly an amazing film to watch.
The actress of one of the leading characters in the film, Fatima Ptacek, who was also an actress in the film Curfew and the voice actress for the animated cartoon series, Dora the Explorer, made an appearance during a question and answer session with the audience. The audience asked multiple questions about the film and Ptacek’s work in the industry.
One audience member asked, “Do you do your own stunts?”
Ptacek replied she is not only an actress, but a competitive gymnast as well. “The director incorporated my gymnastics into the film because he thought they were really cool,” Ptacek said.
Along with gymnastics, Ptacek stated she was studying to learn the Mandarin language, which also ended up being used in the film. “I worked with a specialist to make sure my pronunciation was correct,” Ptacek said.
The idea of remaking the film came after the original title won not only an Academy Award, but over 25 awards in 2012 and over ten in 2013.
Ptacek said, “It was so surreal. We weren’t thinking about an Academy Award [Curfew]…Then, Shawn [Christensen, director] gathered up the actors and asked us if we wanted to make it longer.”
Ptacek commented on her involvement in a new upcoming show with Dora the Explorer as the main focus. “I’m not allowed to disclose too much information about it,” she said.
Other than the show, Ptacek stated, “There is a lot in store for me. I’ve got a lot of script reading and waiting ahead of me.”
Before I Disappear is a film about a man named Richie, played by screenwriter, producer and director, Christensen.
Richie is a screw-up: someone that fell into the wrong crowd early in life, is addicted to drugs and feeling sorry for himself.
During his job as a janitor in a club, Richie finds a body of a girl that overdosed on heroin and is asked to keep it quiet by his boss Bill, played by Ron Perlman.
Shortly after, Richie attempts different forms of suicide while drafting up letters to Vista, played by Isabelle McNally, the love of his life that only appears as a phantom in the film.
While bleeding out in his apartment’s bathtub, he is interrupted by a phone call from his sister who he hasn’t spoken to in five years, asking him to pick up her daughter Sophie, played by Ptacek.
Richie eventually juggles staying alive from his attempted suicide, keeping the dead girl a secret and taking care of his niece in a truly emotional and darkly-humorous adventure that hits home on every level.
From Richie sitting next to the Grim Reaper reading a newspaper, to Sophie running around the city at night to find a drugstore to patch-up her uncle, this movie is one that no one should have an excuse to miss.
Another feature film of the festival, To Kill a Man premiered for the first time in New England on Friday, April 11, 2014 to a sparse audience.
The Chilean foreign film, directed by Alejandro Fernandez Almendras and staring Daniel Candia, is based on a true story and has won multiple awards including the Sundance Film Festival’s Grand Jury award.
The story is about Jorge and his family, who lives in fear of a punk and criminal known as Kalule.
Eventually, Kalule harasses the family by stalking Jorge’s wife, sexually assaulting his daughter and even shooting Jorge’s son.
Even with all of these terrible events, the police and court system aren’t enough to keep Kalule from antagonizing the family to no end.
The film itself has amazing camera work and some stunning visuals coupled with silence that really amplified the mood.
The film can be categorized as being Fargo-esque, but without the dark humor. The film takes the audience and forces them to ask themselves: What would you do to protect your family?
Movies, directors, actors and awards, the MONiff is an event that operates professionally, without leading on that it’s only two-years-old.
What I experienced was a small taste of what this festival can offer. An event like this really shows off N.H. and the film community that thrives within its borders.
Eric Jedd can be contacted at ejedd@keene-equinox.com