Sat Aug 31 Telluride

 Each year the festival chooses 1 director & 1 actor to honor. This year, Frenchman Jacques Audiard was the director.  We saw clips of many of his films, then there was an interview with him. The principal actors were also present.  We then saw his new film “Emelia  Perez”. Really well done.  The story revolves around a drug lord in Mexico, who decides he wants to completely change his identity—Actually, from male to female. He hires a lawyer to work on his behalf to locate a different country that will do the drastic surgery needed to change sex. The three women playing the three major roles received awards at Cannes &  it was easy to see why that occurred. They were excellent.  It will be on Netflix sometime.  ( by the way, I have found that even the films that are not released yet typically are  included in IMDB where one could get more information about a given movie.) 

The second movie wasn’t in the printed program— it was a “TBA” — called “ Real Pain” written, directed & starring Jesse Eisenberg ( who was here to introduce it)  also with Kieran Culkin.  The two are cousins who take a small group tour to Poland to honor their recently departed grandmother, who was born in there. For the most part, it is a comedy, but family tensions emerge between the cousins.  It was entertaining, but rather lightweight. It’s the kind of movie I would watch on an airplane. 

Next we saw “September 5”, the telling of the 1972 terrorist attack on the Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics. A journalist introduced the film to us and pointed out the  role that journalists play in reporting. In this case, the ABC sports reporters covering the Olympics were suddenly news journalists and some events may have been in advertently caused by their behavior. Peter Sarsgaard starred and was present to speak to us briefly before the screening. I thought it was an excellent film. It shows an important event in international history and shines a  light on terrorism, Arab -Israeli conflicts, and the role that journalism plays in reporting. I definitely recommend this film.

Well, I could have seen one or even two more films today, but three was enough. We came back to the condo and had a nice late dinner. Then three of the gals went back to see a late movie.

Fri Aug 30 Telluride

 Over the last several years things have evolved.  It used to be that we saw our first film Friday night but then for a few years they would show one late in the afternoon. But…

1.  This year we got to see an 11 AM film: “Social Studies” —a most clever title. The program description said “ Over the past 10 years, America embarked upon the most dangerous experiment in human history: we gave our children phones and invited them to immerse themselves, unsupervised in social media.”   That says it all.  I certainly didn’t need to be persuaded on this topic, but the film really laid it out.  This is a 5 part documentary focusing on a group of high schoolers as they try to navigate adolescence fully addicted to social media.  It will be shown on FX I think on Sept 27.  All parents, teachers, and anyone with children in their lives must see this!  ( We saw the filmmaker be interviewed after—bravo).

2. We then saw “Better Man” about British pop artist Robbie Williams and the part of Robbie was played by himself!  I didn’t know his music but enjoyed it in the film.  This documentary is an excellent creative piece— telling a poignant tale of his addictions & deep self doubt.  The director & Robbie were present to introduce us to the film & for a Q & A.  Very well done  

Another film was being shown tonight but we decided to call it a night.  

A Good day!😀

Telluride 2024. Aug 29

Pix:  The town of Telluride from the gondola; a view  of the salt flats from the airplane the other day;  and our favorite poster on the wall inside the gondola station. (We actually stay at the top of the gondola in Mountain Village, not technically Telluride.) 

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 I am happy to be at Telluride once again for the 21st festival that I have attended! This year we have 5 of us: Michelle, Julie, MGH, And Pat, who will arrive on Friday. Poor Pat had Covid and needed to recuperate first.

We got to town yesterday after spending a night in Denver. This year we are staying at Blue Mesa condos. It’s our first time at this one. We had a snafu when we first arrived because we only saw three bedrooms and we rented a 4 Bedroom place. But fortunately, the property manager came and unlocked a door to another room!  

Technically, the festival begins tomorrow. But some things are happening today. I was invited to see the screening of a fantastic movie: “Conclave” starring Ralph Finnes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini.  It is a very well done film and had my full attention the entire time. It is important that I not say too much about this movie and I strongly urge you not to read anything about it before you see it. Try really hard. Because if it gets spoiled, it would ruin the movie for you, but definitely see it. Of course, the topic is about the conclave after a pope has died and the intrigue that follows. The Director Edward Berger introduced the film to us. 

I  began my day with a massage in the building right next-door to our condo. It is exactly what I needed. Then we went down to Telluride on the gondola to have lunch at the Sheridan hotel, which has become our go-to place for our first lunch at the festival. Tradition. 

The programs were not printed yet so we are able to see it online, but I find it hard to read on my phone. So we will get the official program tomorrow. We will see one or two films tomorrow. But the bulk of the films will be Saturday,  Sunday, Monday.

Great to be back!!