By Mr. Will Wong
It is hard to imagine a time where there was any doubt that 9 to 5 would’ve connected with audiences. The 1980 Colin Higgins Comedy starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton would go on to gross $103 million at the Box Office (second only to Star Wars that year), a TV Series, over 1,500 stage productions worldwide, a theme song which won Grammys and of course, sparking the conversation about equity in the workplace for women.
Co-Directors Camille Hardman and Gary Lane explore the lasting legacy behind the Film as we learn how its three leads were actually cast before the Script had even been written, to Tomlin leaving the project multiple times and the risks of releasing the Film around Christmas against other heavyweights. The gamble paid off as the Film struck a chord with audiences, breaking ground and empowering women around the world to have agency in their workplaces.
The Documentary on one level gives us insight into the development of the Film, using archived and current interviews with Co-Writer Patricia Resnick, Higgins, Fonda, Tomlin, Parton and of course Dabney Coleman, who played the Film’s misogynistic boss Frank Hart. A perfect storm of elements came together to win audiences over, with a tone that made an impactful statement while audiences at the same time had fun watching it.
On another level, we see the Film’s role in the fight for Women’s Equality. We see various steps forward and backward in the cause, tracing back to the Equal Rights Amendment with efforts made to ratify it in the early ’70s well before the Film existed, to 2020 as the Pandemic hit and Virginia signing-on as the final state needed to ratify the amendment. We learn about the 9to5 movement which inspired the Film, after a group of secretaries came together to draw focus on Pay Equity and family flexibility in the ’70s.
In a post-#MeToo world, re-visiting the themes and message behind 9 to 5 couldn’t have happened in a timely manner. Ironically, did you know Harvey Weinstein hadinvested in and produced the Broadway production of 9 to 5? Tons of interesting tidbits and interviews with those who are a part of the fight for equality and the Franchise’s legacy, including the likes of Allison Janney, Rita Moreno, Megan Hilty and more.
STILL WORKING 9 TO 5 is a comprehensive look at the lasting impact that this unsuspecting film would go on to have on the world. Having seen it when I was very young, I viewed it as entertainment. I now see it through a new lens. You’ll also want to sit through the credits for a new rendition of the titular hit featuring Kelly Clarkson!
STILL WORKING 9 TO 5 screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:
Sunday, March 13th, Screening @ 3:45pm CT, SXSW Film Theater
Monday, March 14th, On-line Screening @ 9:00am CT
Monday, March 14th, Satellite Screening @ 6:00pm CT, AFS Cinema
Friday, March 18th Screening @ 4:45pm CT, Stateside Theatre
By Amanda Gilmore
This thought-provoking Documentary examines the struggles the LGBTQ+ community and their families face in relation to their Christian faith. It follows two conservative Christian mothers, Sara Cunningham and Kimberly Shappley, and how their love for their LGBTQ+ children has made them advocates for the Queer community. This leads them to join an online community of like-minded Christian mothers called “Mama Bears”.
Director Daresha Kyi has found subjects who are open about their prior faults. Both mothers grappled with accepting their children at first. They were tied to their faith rather than unconditionally loving their children. Once they accepted their children their impactful advocacy began. Cunningham works within the community showing up to events with a “Free Mom Hugs” sticker, which has now become a national movement. And Shappley battles the Texas anti-trans bathroom bill that would prevent her child from using the girls’ bathroom in their hometown.
What Kyi beautifully captures through these two Mama Bears is the profound impact one can have when one chooses love instead of hate. Kyi ties her message together through her third subject, Tammi Terrell Morris. Tammi is a young lesbian who has struggled with self-acceptance. Through her story, the audience has someone who exemplifies why the Mama Bears are so important.
Mama Bears is a touching Documentary that explores the complex intersections of politics, religion and unconditional love.
Mama Bears screens at SXSW:
In-Person:
Sunday, March 13 at 3:00 PM EST – Alamo Lamar E
Monday, March 14 at 4:00 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 2
Monday, March 14 at 4:30 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 4
Online:
Monday, March 14 at 10:00 AM EST – Available for 48 hours
By Mr. Will Wong
Director Michael Morris (Better Call Saul, 13 Reasons Why) is known primarily for his work in Television, but makes his feature debut at SXSW with TO LESLIE. The Texas-set Drama centers on Leslie (Andrea Riseborough), a single mother who has made some poor life choices and after winning the lottery some years ago, blowing it all away. She lost custody of her son and has bottomed-out, going from stranger to stranger, turning to alcohol as her sources of comfort. She’s burned bridges around town and they aren’t afraid to remind her.
She meets Sweeney (Marc Maron), who owns a local motel. He gives her a chance to start again, hiring her on as a cleaner. Leslie however struggles, returning to her old self-destructive ways. This seems to be her last chance at getting her life in order and a shot at redemption with her son, a cross she’s beared for many years.
While TO LESLIE takes some time to unfold, Morris gives scenes the space to breathe and his audience to ponder. And your patience is rewarded if you wait to the end. Riseborough‘s superb work cannot be denied. She delivers a performance that makes one feel the weight of the world she carries on her shoulders. She’s numb to her critics, including Nancy (Allison Janney) who once loved her but now loathes her, and is really just trying to get through the day and not get fired. While her relationship with Sweeney doesn’t erase her problems, it awakens that little bit of vigor she needs to move forward again and for things to fall into place. The Film possesses great heart and soul because of the care and compassion Riseborough puts into Leslie and the struggles she’s facing. Sidenote: she produces the Film alongside Maron.
TO LESLIE screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:
Mar 12, 20228:30pm—10:29pm
Mar 13, 9:00am CDT – Mar 15, 9:00am CDT9:00am—10:59am
Mar 15, 202212:45pm—2:44pm
Mar 18, 20229:45pm—11:44pm
By Amanda Gilmore
Nothing is working out for Scientist Cameron Edwin (Jim Gaffigan). His wife has filed for divorce and he’s just been fired from his own television program. When a satellite falls from orbit and crashes into his dysfunctional family home, Cameron seizes the opportunity to fulfil his dream of becoming an astronaut by re-building it into a rocket ship. His wife and daughter believe he’s experiencing a Midlife Crisis, however, when surreal events begin happening around him, a mystery unfolds.
This unique Dramedy relates to the dreamer and romantic within us. Writer-Director Colin West creates a strange world for his characters to exist. However, this odd world is essential to the storyline. It toys with the audience’s concept of time and questions the relationships between characters. Through this one family, West has created a touching story about the relationship between love and memory.
These themes are perfectly captured through the talented Cast. While known for his Comedy, Gaffigan is refreshing in this rare dramatic role that he excels in. He makes an impact as a man stuck and yearning to rebuild his life and dreams. In some scenes, Cameron is shown doing educational science videos similar to those found in schools. Here, Gaffigan allows some of his comedic talents to shine through and gives off Bill Nye vibes.
Gaffigan’s chemistry with Rhea Seehorn, who plays his wife Erin, is strong. Resulting in moving, scenes shared between the two. Erin has a wide character-arch allowing Seehorn to show her range. Rounding off the Cast is Katelyn Nacon, who plays the couple’s daughter Nora, and Gabriel Rush, who plays her schoolmate Marc. The sweet relationship that blossoms between the two are a highlight.
The mystery infused in this peculiar world keeps the audience invested, even if it could benefit from a tighter runtime. However, even with Linoleum dragging in parts, it makes up for it with a heartfelt reveal that makes an emotional impact.
Linoleum screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:
In-Person:
Saturday, March 12 at 8:15 PM EST – Alamo Lamar D
Sunday, March 13 at 1:45 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 2
Sunday, March 13 at 2:15 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 4
Thursday, March 17 at 7:30 PM EST – ZACH Theatre
Online:
Sunday, March 13 at 10:00 AM EST – Available for 48 hours
By David Baldwin
Jaakko (Petri Poikolainen) is blind and suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. He was not always this way, but now spends his days in pain and confined to a wheelchair. He chats daily with his girlfriend Sirpa (Marjana Maijaala), who he has only ever spoken to online and by phone. When she receives some bad news, Jaakko decides he must go to see here – even if the solo trip takes three hours and will involve multiple forms of transportation and relying on the kindness of strangers.
For 82 paralyzing minutes, Writer/Director Teemu Nikki takes us on a harrowing journey that is just as uncomfortably intense as it is charmingly humourous. The entire Film is told in close-ups, mainly of Poikolainen’s face, with every background object obscured or completely out of focus. Save for a few moments, we are with him the entire time and basically everyone around him ends up being a disembodied voice or a total blur, giving us keen insight into the limitations of Jaakko’s field of vision. It gets rather taxing in some moments, and completely heartbreaking in others. It makes for a tough watch for casual viewers, whereas the more invested viewers will hold onto Jaako’s every word and movement, hoping against the odds that he will make it to Sirpa. We know it will not be easy, and Nikki is acutely aware of what the audience’s expectations are. And while I will not spoil the obstacles he faces, I had to look away more than once out of sheer terror and distress.
All of these feelings would be meaningless without a compelling lead, and thankfully Poikolainen is more than up to the task. Much like Jaako, he is disabled, confined to a wheelchair and suffering from MS, which makes his performance especially more authentic and the situations he finds himself in infinitely more unsettling. It makes for a challenging and demanding dynamic, yet Poikolainen is always up to the task making for a performance that demands your attention just as it sears its way into your brain. Coupled with Nikki’s direction, it makes for an unforgettable experience unlike any other.
THE BLIND MAN WHO DID NOT WANT TO SEE TITANIC screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:
In-Person:
Saturday, March 12 at 6:00PM EST – Alamo Lamar C
Tuesday, March 15 at 7:15PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 2
Tuesday, March 15 at 7:45PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 4
Friday, March 18 at 12:30PM EST – Alamo Lamar C
Online:
Sunday, March 13 @ 10:00AM EST – Available for 48 Hours
By Amanda Gilmore
Director Sara Dosa brings us the mesmerizing Documentary Fire of Love at SXSW ’22. It follows real-life couple Katia and Maurice Kraff who were intrepid French Scientists, who spent their lives trying to understand the mystery of volcanoes. Through their work, they captured some of the most spectacular footage of volcanoes ever recorded.
Audiences may flock to Fire of Love for the volcanoes, but they will be swept away by the unexpected love story between Katia and Maurice. Through the use of archived footage, Dosa gifts us with a love story for the ages set against the most stunning recordings of volcanoes. This is what makes the Documentary one to seek out. It’s entirely unique in its storytelling, allowing us to be taken on a journey of love and nature.
Due to the immense knowledge and love the scientists had for volcanoes, we are given a rounded education of them. This information is delivered by footage of the couple and soft-spoken narration from Miranda July. Her narration allows for the information to be understood while never distracting from the mesmerizing archival footage displayed.
Katia and Maurice passed away doing the thing they loved. Fire of Love pays homage to these fearless scientists and their impactful work.
Fire of Love screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:
In-Person:
Friday, March 11 at 7:15 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 2
Friday, March 11 at 7:45 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 4
Sunday, March 13 at 6:15 PM EST – Satellite Venue: AFS Cinema
Thursday, March 15 at 1:00 PM EST – Paramount Theatre
Online:
Saturday, March 12 at 10:00 AM EST – Available for 48 hours
By Mr. Will Wong
Writer-Director Duo Hannah Barlow and Kane Senes arrive at SXSW with Australian Horror-Comedy SISSY. The Film which taps into horrors for millennials in some ways echoes some of the tone we saw in Emma Seligman‘s SHIVA BABY, but delivers fully on the violence and gore as much as it does with biting humour.
The Film centers on Cecilia (Aisha Dee), who by chance reunites with her childhood BFF Emma (Barlow). Emma is about to get married and invites Cecilia to her bachelorette in the mountains with her crew. There is a bit of tension though as Cecilia‘s new BFF Alex (Emily De Margheriti) hasn’t quite forgiven Cecilia for a childhood trauma she caused. Years have passed and Cecilia is a popular mental health and wellness influencer and this bachelorette begins to awaken her painful past. While these memories are uncovered, more bodies get buried.
SISSY is as much a Psychological Horror it is as it is a Physical one. Cecilia finds herself being scrutinized for her career choice and lifestyle by Emma’s circle of friends, sending her spiraling. Despite presenting to the world composure and strength, she finds her world crumbling as one fatal catastrophe after the other occurs at this bachelorette. Uniquely, Senes and Barlow strike that fine balance taking awkward moments and finding the humour in them.
Dee is effective in the leading role, exuding calm and serenity as her influencer self, but as her world unravels, she becomes a crumbling mess. We wonder how she is going to make it out of this, and if she ever will grow and take accountability for herself. SISSY is tons of fun and shot beautifully, but most of all saying something about the things we place value in the Social Media age, and how catastrophic trauma in our younger years can be on our lives.
SISSY screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:
Favorited
Mar 11, 202210:00pm—11:42pm
Mar 12, 9:00am CST – Mar 14, 9:00am CDT 9:00am—10:42am
Mar 13, 202211:45am—1:27pm
Mar 16, 20224:00pm—5:42pm
By Mr. Will Wong
Memphis is a young man living with Cerebral Palsy. He dreams of being an Actor after landing a few roles in smaller independent films. Senenca, his best friend, whom he has feelings for, worked on one of these films with him, is an aspiring Opera Singer. She realizes she must leave Texas to make her dreams come true. He struggles to get any government support from the state, while also at a crossroads in his life to pursue his dreams and leave Texas for the first time ever. David Zucker‘s debut Documentary YOUR FRIEND MEMPHIS explores life from our central subject’s eyes over a span of five years in his life.
The Film is an exploration of the struggles Memphis is dealing with in wanting to break-free as a young adult and be financially independent, followings his dreams and positive messages that we are inundated with in our day to day, which can contribute to our delusions. The reality however, is that the system is set-up so that someone disabled should be grouped together with others and collectively be placed on the fringes of society. And Memphis doesn’t want that.
We also meet Memphis‘ parents in the Documentary. His mother who left him at an young age, while battling with her own mental illness. She worries about him being able to take care of himself if he were to go out on his own, and she wants him to take-on a steady job so he can support himself, reminding him that his dreams aren’t going to pay his bills. His father has been there consistently throughout his life and loves him very much. When we see him deliver Memphis some reality checks, we see very quickly how uncomfortable things can get.
Zucker offers an insightful and empathetic look into the uphill battles Memphis faces and it isn’t tough being drawn-in by his optimism to life. When others around him doubt him, we believe in him still. That’s how intimate the Director allows us to get with his subject. It can be so heartbreaking seeing life deal its cards to him as he comes of age. And at once, he is making a compassionate statement about how we treat those with disabilities and the support they receive.
YOUR FRIEND, MEMPHIS screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:
Mar 11, 2022 7:15pm—8:48pm
Mar 12, 9:00am CST – Mar 14, 9:00am CDT9:00am—10:33am
Mar 13, 2022 11:30am—1:03pm
Mar 16, 2022 1:00pm—2:33pm
By Amanda Gilmore
When Sonja (Maria Bakalova) finds out she is HIV-positive she turns to her sister Lora (Ralitsa Stoyanova) and her family for support. Each member in her predominantly female family is struggling with their own issues in their modern Bulgarian society. However, when the stress of her diagnosis pushes Sonja to reject therapy and spiral her family rallies to help her.
Co-Directors and Writers Mina Mileva and Vesela Kazakova have created an unflinching, honest Feminist critique on modern Bulgarian society. Through the lens of one family, they are able to speak to the inherent misogyny and homophobia present in the characters’ culture.
The Filmmakers have their female characters set in a society that is fixed against them. The beauty of their interactions lay in how they push each other to fight back against their society’s political and social beliefs. The entire ensemble is captivating and has authentic chemistry. Stoyanova is a standout as construction worker Lora who is forced to provide for the household. Her magnetic chemistry with Bakalova makes for powerhouse scenes.
Mileva and Kazakova’s resolute vision in Women Do Cry creates scenes that are as distressing as they are necessary. When Sonja goes to a gynaecologist appointment, she informs the doctor of her diagnosis. He then refuses to help her and calls her a whore. Bakalova delivers a heartbreaking performance as Sonja struggles with her diagnosis. She takes her performance up a notch in the second act as Sonja’s stress pushes her into a state that worries her family.
Women Do Cry screens at SXSW:
In-Person:
Saturday, March 12 at 1:45 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 2
Saturday, March 12 at 2:15 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 4
Monday, March 14 at 3:00 PM EST – Alamo Lamar C
Friday, March 18 at 8:30 PM EST – Alamo Lamar C
Online:
Sunday, March 13 at 10:00 AM EST – Available for 28 hours
By Amanda Gilmore
Have you been craving the nostalgia of ’90s fashion, entertainment and/or technology? Are you seeking an endearing story about friendship told with British comedy? If so you’re in luck because Director-Writer Reggie Yates has got you covered.
In his breakout Feature-debut Pirates, Yates takes us on a journey through London on New Year’s Eve 1999. 18-year-old life-long friends, Cappo (Elliot Edusah), Two Tonne (Jordan Peters) and Kidda (Reda Elazouar), travel from North to South London with the hopes to attend the best millennium party ever.
A lot of the comedy comes from the time Pirates takes place. There’s a scene where Kidda ignores his friends’ questions because he needs to feed his Tamagotchi. Another scene holds a conversation between Cappo and Two Tonne discussing the new website Google and if they can play a DVD on a PlayStation. In the Second Act, the costumes speak for themselves as the three sit in Cappo’s tiny Peugeot 205 decked-out in ’90s Moschino.
Yates fits a lot within the Film’s tight run-time of 80 mins, while never losing sight of its central message. Each comical event that happens in the one eventful night ties to the heartfelt theme about the importance of friendships. This message and the comedic moments are made stronger through the vibrant chemistry the three actors share. Their chemistry creates authenticity to the life-long bond the characters have.
Overall, Pirates is a stand-out New Year’s Eve film.
Pirates Screens at SXSW:
In-Person:
Friday, March 11 at 6:30 PM EST – Alamo Lamar A
Monday, March 14 at 8:30 PM EST – Alamo Lamar C
Wednesday, March 16 at 7:45 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 2
Wednesday, March 16 at 8:15 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 4
Online:
Saturday, March 12 at 10:00 AM EST – Available for 48 hours
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com