SIFF, a belated first report and update

Saturday evening (May 24), I saw my first SIFF Film, "Chris & Don: A Love Story," on the enthusiastic recommendation of varina8 in the company of ironymaiden and e_bourne. It's a documentary about the writer Christopher Isherwood (who wrote "I Am A Camera," upon which "Caberet" is based) and his decades-spanning romance with artist Don Bachardy. It's a sweet story told mostly by Bachardy, augmented by excerpts from Isherwood's journals and the couple's pictures and home movies. The end of the film, documenting Isherwood's failing health and Bachardy's response to it, was a little hard for me, but my response is a sign of good film-making--I was affected, I was touched. If you have an opportunity to see the film, I recommend it. It's a very good documentary.

Today's SIFF film is "Nocturna," an animated film from Spain. I may then drop into Seattle Center for a taste of Folklife. We shall see.

Note: So far this morning, Merlin seems better. There's been no spitting up, but then he and Spanky haven't been fed yet. Merl's been quite active, though, trotting about the house, jumping onto me, onto the bed, his usual self. I don't know what's going on with him. I may end up taking him to the vet tomorrow, just in case, depending upon how today goes. We'll see.

Sydney Pollack

A good actor, a fine, fine director. Enjoyed your work, sir. You've left us too soon.

::lights candle::

Today's SIFF film, plus Folklife

Got to the bus this morning to discover ironymaiden waving to me from her seat at about the midpoint of the vehicle. We rode over to Pacific Place together to see "Nocturna," an animated film from Spain/France, dubbed in English (and the dubbing is excellent).

SIFF's description of this film is along the lines of "Miyazaki meets Monsters, Inc." and I'd say that's pretty accurate in all the best ways. The film follows the adventures of Tim who, afraid of the dark, opens the windows at his orphanage (or boarding school--it was unclear) every night so he can see his favorite star and thereby fall asleep peacefully. One night he sees his star disappear. The disappearance sends him on a quest to discover what happened to her (and the others that disappear throughout the film). "Nocturna" is the name given to the kingdom of night, a world that sleeping children never see, filled with little people all with specific tasks (there are the hair messers; Pee, the inciter of bedwetting; the cat shepherd who makes sure that every cat in the city is assigned a child to help sleep, and so on).

The animation is rich and textured, painterly in some spots and beautifully edgy in others. The characters are all drawn with a charming plumpness about them and an expressiveness that is endearing. The soundtrack is lush and evocative.

I laughed with delight and was completely caught up in the adventure, start to finish. I had one or two quibbles about plot points, but ironymaiden pointed out quite correctly that it was kid logic; the film was wonderful regardless.

If you have an opportunity to see "Nocturna," do. It's a charming, pleasing work of art; the kids will enjoy it, too.

From Pacific Place, I walked over to Westlake Center and caught the monorail to Seattle Center for Folklife. I wandered the vendor stalls but took nothing home with me. I saw the Temple Beth Am chorus sing some wonderful new interpretations of Jewish music. I heard some terrific Native American drumming and chant. I saw kids with their school music instruments making a go of it--good for them. Heard an excellent steel drum ensemble play "Margaritaville" and immediately thought of our resident Parrothead, twilight2000. I didn't go to any of the workshops or indoor events; the weather was too pleasant and mild.

After some grocery shopping, I came home and watched "Atonement" on Pay Per View--excellent movie. Sorry I didn't see it in the theater. I bet some of that cinematography was breathtaking on the big screen.

Tomorrow, it's back to work. Don't know if I'm going to take the bus, though I ought to; I have no obligations tomorrow night to rush home for. I guess I'll see how the weather is and decide then.