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The Nashville Film Festival Challenges Conventions and Breaks Down Barriers on Opening Night at Belcourt Theatre in Hillsboro Village
It was pretty fitting that the opening night movie at the 55th Nashville Film Festival shown on Thursday, September 19th, 2024 at the Belcourt Theatre was about a band who got their big break due to an indie film about them that appeared at multiple festivals in the mid to late 70's. That movie - "THE TRUTH ABOUT DE-EVOLUTION" was a 9-minute short made in 1976 - that helped them land their first record deal. Today, a more in-depth documentary "DEVO" explored the quirky and often misunderstood group's 50-year career from their Kent State origins to industry triumphs through never-before-seen archival footage and interviews with co-founders Mark Mothersbaugh and Jerry Casale. The enlightening presentation worked to reiterate the enduring power of the medium to an already appreciteve audience of devoted "spuds" and indie film afficaianados.
An award-winning time was had by all at the 55th Nashville Film Festival. "DEVO" touched upon many themes including overcoming entrenched societal norms, traditions and conditions that sometimes mask the starker realities of our existence. "REBEL COUNTRY" which was the second offering in a compelling opening night double feature proved that country music is changing - or perhaps even returning to its roots as this musical documentary traced the troubled history and inclusive future of the genre with performances from today's most talented iconoclasts including Blanco Brown, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, BRELAND, Sam Williams and up and coming artists Brooke Eden and Frank Ray. All these performers helped make the case that country music is now more than ever open to new acts who are not necessarily in the traditional mold - backed up with the songs and sales to prove it. The 55th Nashville Film Festival was a celebration of culture, movies and music. This multi-day event took place at several of Nashville's premier arts venues September 19 through 25. In addition to an eclectic choice of films there were panels, parties, seminars and workshops with all providing networking opportunities for fans and filmmakers. Additional content was also available online. The Nashville Film Festival is one of the oldest running film-focused gatherings in the south. All genres including animation, comedy, documentaries, drama, experimental, family, horror, LGBTQ and music were presented. Plus, new directors and students were given opportunities to showcase their work here in Middle Tennessee. Over seven days, the 55th Nashville Film Festival previewed over 150 films - more than Cannes and Aspen combined - from around the world with some featuring in-depth discussions with their creators. NashFilm's have won high honors in the industry including multiple Academy Award nominees and Oscar awards. Over their long history they have screened many prize-winning narrative, documentary and animated shorts. On Sunday, September 22 - we decided to observe the 55th Nashville Film Festival Film & Screenwriting Competition Awards that took place in the afternoon at Hilton Green Hills. Following an opening set of acoustic music by the impressive singer-songwriter Alex Angelo we had the pleasure to watch many of the filmmakers and creators be recognized for their productions in front of a live audience. There they were honored as all of their hard work paid off when the juried award winners in the Film and Screenwriting Competitions were announced. The winners took home the smart looking trophies - and cash prizes - before being celebrated afterward at the Awards Reception in the hotel.
Melissa Etheridge appeared at Regal Cinemas in Green Hills; Devo is interviewed via Zoom at the Belcourt Theatre. "THE BLACK SEA," directed by Crystal Moselle and Derrick B. Harden, was named Best Narrative Feature, while Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie's "SUGARCANE" earned the Best Documentary Feature award; "SWAMP DOGG GETS HIS POOL PAINTED", directed by Isaac Gale and Ryan Olson, received Best Music Documentary honors, and Titus Kaphar's "EXHIBITING FORGIVENESS" received the Best New Directors Feature. Additionally, in the shorts categories, "DREAMS LIKE PAPER BOATS", directed by Samuel Suffren, was named Best Narrative Short, "SHOTPLAYER", directed by Sam Shainberg, received the Best Documentary Short award and "WANDER TO WONDER", directed by Nina Gantz, was named Best Animated Short. Furthermore, "A MAN CALLED HURT: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF MISSISSIPPI JOHN HURT", directed by Jamison Stalworth and Alex Oliver, was awarded Best Tennessee Feature, and "FIRST NIGHT", directed by Haneol Lee, received Best Tennessee Short. Screenplay Competition winners include: A.D. Smith's "R.E.G.G.I.N." named Best Drama Feature Script; Elizabeth Baquet's "BASS CHAMPS" and Jason Kaleko's "EDGEPLAY" earned Best Comedy and Best Horror Feature Script honors, respectively; the Best Tennessee Writer was awarded to Phillip Charles for "I AM" and additional honors for scripts were awarded in categories including Best Short Script, Best Half Hour Pilot Script and Best Hour Pilot Script.
The coveted awards; Nashville musician Alex Angelo; Melissa Etheridge is interviewed after her engaging documentary; Frank Ray, Brooke Eden and Sam Williams on the red carpet. Being that we are a music site we focused mainly on that category of films this year. We were captivated by the riveting "MELISSA ETHERIDGE: I'M NOT BROKEN" and the award-winning musician was in the house to answer questions about her film. The dramatic docuseries presented in its two parts told an inspiring story of healing and transcendence through the power of music when five female residents from the Topeka Correctional Facility - a women's prison in Kansas - wrote letters to Etheridge that she then used as inspiration to create and perform an original song for them. Having recently lost her son to opioids, Etheridge works to understand and interrupt the cycle of addiction while connecting with these women who, so often, are forgotten by society. Additionally, the production explores themes of female incarceration, redemption, substance abuse, generational trauma, grief and healing. With female incarceration rates up 700 percent since 1980, Etheridge bonds with the women through the conduit of music as an act of empathy, understanding and hope. Learn more about how to help incarcerated women through the Women's Prison Association. WPA empowers women to redefine their lives and is dedicated to every woman's freedom, safety and independence. Finally, we wrapped up our festival coverage back where it began on Wednesday at the Belcourt Theater to learn more about another hard-working band from Ohio who beat the odds to become international superstars. "THIS IS A FILM ABOUT THE BLACK KEYS" was the Closing Night Presentation that traced Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney's journey from a jamming session in a basement in Akron all the way to rock 'n' roll heights. They barely knew each other when they made their first recordings, yet quickly realized they shared a powerful musical connection and a drive to succeed. Touring relentlessly for ten years, the duo navigated the highs and lows of life on the road, finally reaching escape velocity with their hit records Brothers and El Camino. As so many forces have threatened to pull them apart, the band has managed to stick together. 24 years later, they’re tighter than ever, still making great music and still asking what's next. Now we are wondering "what's next" for the Nashville Film Festival and how do they top their shining "double nickels" celebration that by all accounts was their best ever. Guess we will just have to wait until next year to find out!
More winners; Sam Williams embodies Rebel Country in Nashville; the festival began and ended at the Belcourt Theatre in Hillsboro Village. Related Links: For more information on the NASHVILLE FILM FESTIVAL and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links - Nashville Film Festival | On Location with the 2023 Nashville Film Festival
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