Borscht Film Festival 2008
Ric and I were able to attend a single night of this homegrown Film Festival, which celebrates Miami's young, up-and-coming filmmakers. I had never heard about the festival before, yet I came to find out that this was year number four for the Borscht. After attending on Saturday night I must admit I will not allow myself to miss out next year!
The wiki defines borscht as a vegetable soup, from Eastern Europe, traditionally made with beetroot. At the time of this post, none of the folks from Miami's own Borscht Film Festival could be contacted to answer the question, "why name a film festival after a soup?"
Borscht can be served hot or cold. The range of films shown could fit with this comparison. On a single night, the films went from ice cold to blazin' and back again. Although there may have been a couple of WTF moments- there was never a dull second.
Among the highlights of the shortfilms were submissions from 131 projects, as well as a music video for the Miami Bass Warriors (directed by Luis Castellanos), which we posted on this site a few days ago. One of the biggest laughs was gotten by the MGM Lion, who, as soon as the lights dimmed, gave his familiar roar and then assured us that we were all going to die someday.
The other biggest laugh involved a handsome young man and a muppet- and thats all I can mention here-Just use your imagination.
Aiden Dillard - Director of "Special Angelz"
The main event was a feature film by Miami bred writer/director Barry Jenkins "Medicine for Melancholy". Followed by the uniquely absurd "Special Angelz" by local writer/director/performance artist Aiden Dillard (keep an eye out for REV's exclusive interview with Dillard in the coming weeks).
The thing that struck me most about this event was the raw, creative energy that seemed to flow through the room, as well as through all the work. It was so strong that upon stepping outdoors I realized that that same energy pulses through the sweet Little Havana air.
If you log on to the film Festival's website (www.borscht.info) you will find the CCCV manifesto. What does this mean? Its 305, in Roman numerals. A new handle for a new generation. The self proclaimed "Miami New Wave".
It's worth the read. These artists are not messing around, and based on the talent that was displayed Saturday night, they're not going anywhere anytime soon. I dare say they've given voice to a feeling/movement that's been on the rise. Something I noticed a while back, something that led me up to doing REV.
There is something very special in the balmy Magic City air. Some sort of ether that feeds creative brains. Produces them, perhaps. This special something has been multiplying in the past few years, growing, changing becoming more tangible; palpable even.
The Borscht film festival proves it, feeds on it, as do so many other young artists, whether they are painters, illustrators, photographers, musicians, writers, film makers, conceptual artists or otherwise.
I guess the CCCV themselves said it best when they stated that they were "an entire generation of artists informed and inspired by Miami whether they like it or not, coming into their own at once, together."
131 Projects - Pixelmania
131 Projects - 1+31=131
131 Projects - Freights & Penits
Miami Bass Warriors - Going Back to Calle 8
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- Filmiami announces Miami Music Festival
- Future Classic Festival Has Arrived
NOTE FOR COMMENTS: Do not flame or leave obnoxious comments, THEY WILL NOT BE APPROVED. Constructive criticism should always be welcomed by any artist, but don't be a d-bag, show some class. Thanks. - REVMiami Staff
