newcritics

Last Sunday, I attended the United Film Festival at the Anthology Film Archives, located on the lower east side in Manhattan, where a series of shorts and feature films were shown.

OM is one of those short films, directed by Fredric Reshaw and produced by Matt Feldman, it is an intelligent film about the universal difficulties of escaping the negative confines of the mind. “OM” represents two vignettes, which at first appear to be unrelated, however, we quickly become aware of the similarities. The films opens with a shot of a bustling Manhattan on an unbearably hot day as a messenger deep in his negative thoughts races on his bike to various stops along his route. Abruptly the scene changes as we become voyeurs watching and listening to the inner thoughts of the yoga students. At this point, it becomes clear that the messenger and the students are entrapped in thoughts of endless chatter. There is little interaction or none whatsoever among the characters in the film, and the damage imposed is self-induced. As I watching the film it seemed as if the characters were spiraling into a darkness that lurked within their souls. The film is shot in black and white, and the result is a stark and grainy texture, and adds an noir esthetic.

Hollow directed by Paul Bickel is a suspensful horror about a young couple and their young son. Almost from the beginning of this short film, we sense the boy is in a state of fear about the ominous red door in his bedroom. I actually breathed a sigh of relief when the movie was over, not because the film was finished; on the contrary, I found myself completely immersed in the story, and my imagination was fully engaged as I felt myself on the edge of my seat hoping that evil was not lurking behind the door. However, at the end, my prays went unanswered, and the boy’s disturbing visions became his reality. This short has a clearly defined arc that takes the viewer on a ride from beginning to end.

Strictly Background is a mesmerizing and is a remarkably well done documentary by the festival’s founder, California’s Jason Connell. The multi-award winning feature “Strictly Background” has been in numerous festivals throughout the country picking up several awards along the way, as well as winning best documentary in Norway and Edmonton. “Strictly Background” offers an unforgettable look into the life and work of struggling background actors in Los Angeles. Connell who was available for a Q&A had spoken about the making of the film including his own personal and frustrating experience as a background actor when he first arrived in L.A. several years ago.

Jason Connell documents and interviews ten older background actors who are hindered in an industry that reveres youth and beauty above everything. The extras are endearing in their plight as they share their experiences, which are often fueled with frustrations. But through their many disappointments they passionately persevere. Through Connell’s effective direction we learn the extras have to be ready for work at a moment’s notice. They are usually given only scant details by casting agencies concerning a role or a set location. We are privy to these private moments as we watch the extras receive a only brief phone call from their agent or as they listen intently to a brief recording for any details about an upcoming job. In “Strictly Background” the viewer experiences a range of emotions, it was disheartening to listen to the extras express their woes about being present on a film set all day and not used. We also empathize with their humiliation when their agents give them instructions to not talk to the stars at all while they’re on the film set. But these ten incredible actors have amazing determination even when they are given little regard. In a memorable scene, a group of extras are moved like cattle from one area to another usually to a holding cell–a room where they wait until they are needed. Jason Connell demonstrates his compassion and his admiration for the actors, by not exploiting them for an an easy laugh. Instead, and much more appropriately, one of the extras Tafan Nieves who is charming by nature, mocks the herd analogy by simulating an animal sound—he lightens an awkward moment, and makes an uncomfortable moment very funny. As a result, without embarrassment I found myself sharing a laugh with him.

Along with Jason Connell, Bryan Storkel deserves praise for the wonderful cinematography throughout the film. Also the editing rounds out the technical and creative process nicely. There is footage of actual films in which the extras have appeared. In one such clip from “Shawshank Redemption” John Richards is highlighted while the rest of the image has been reduced in color. In another highlighted image, Louis McCarten explains why only his lower legs were used in “Austin Powers”, McCarten exclaimed that his entire body was supposed to be used in the scene, however he claimed he was cut so not to upstage the star, Mike Myers. In moments such as these we can’t help but fall in love with the cast.

In “Strictly Background” it’s pay back time, and revenge has never been sweeter. The background actors finally have their walk with fame as they now are the stars of an award winning film. We watch, we learn, and we share in their extraordinariness. Bravo!

www.strictlybackground.com