“Un-Natural State,” screening at Filmfest DC, explains a fact 78 percent of Americans don’t believe: D.C. residents do not have a representative in Congress voting on their behalf.
“Outside of the District, people wonder why we care about this,” said D.C. resident and director of “Un-Natural State” Kirk Mangels. “But when you ask them what has your representative done for you, and they answer this or that, I say, ‘Well we don’t have that.’ That seems to be the trick to get people to understand. Otherwise, it’s like trying to prove a negative.”
“Un-Natural State” is one of 75 films flickering onto screens around D.C. through April 26 for Filmfest DC.
In its 23rd year, the festival boasts the best in international cinema, world and D.C. premieres, official foreign language Oscar selections, and more than 30 international directors and producers introducing their films.
“One of the reasons we survived and thrived is because we’re presenting films that if we didn’t show would be tough to find,” said Tony Gittens, Filmfest DC founder and director. “We don’t show films made by people interpreting other cultures. We give folks an opportunity to see what living in these cultures is about.”
The festival’s lineup reflects 40 countries spanning the globe from the Republic of Srpska to Cuba.
During 2008’s Filmfest, more than 28,000 filled theaters and cultural institutions for galas, screenings, workshops and filmmaker question-and-answer sessions. Given the movie industry is historically recession-proof, Gittens said he was optimistic another 28,000 would return for 2009’s festival.
This year’s 11-day cinematic sprint around the world will pay special attention to new features and documentaries from Japan and Eastern Europe. Other highlighted series include films that explore various governments’ roles in daily lives.
Among the handful of Filmfest screenings with D.C. connections are the rock documentary “Wilco Live: Ashes of American Flags” from D.C. music legend Brendan Canty and “Bedford: The Town They Left Behind,” co-directed by Joe Fab, who wrote and co-directed the widely acclaimed documentary “Paperclips.”
The film about Bedford, Va., which lost more residents per capita on D-Day than any other American community, juxtaposes the town’s tremendous sacrifice then with its continued sacrifice as Bedford soldiers leave for Iraq and Afghanistan, Fab said.
“What ‘Bedford’ asks is, ‘Must every community have to keep expecting to serve like this? Are we getting any better?’ ” he added.
If you go
Filmfest DC
When: Through April 26
Where: Nine locations throughout D.C.
Admission: $10 for regular admission, $80 for 10-ticket pass, $30 for four-ticket pass accepted for screenings Monday through Thursday
Info: filmfestdc.org
