Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

On the last day of high school before graduation two education driven best friends (Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever) decide to go into unchartered territory and attend a high school party.

Booksmart is a beautiful study of how strong the bond between best friends can be, while being an authentic and hilarious coming-of-age story. Director Olivia Wilde’s precision makes it hard to believe this is her first time directing a feature. When it comes to the performances every actor is perfectly cast in each of the multi-layered characters. Feldstein and Dever make star-turning leading roles that are infectious. The two of them together light up the screen with their magnetic chemistry.

Booksmart screens at SXSW on March 10 at 9:40 PM at The Paramount Theatre.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

This Documentary takes an in-depth look into the breakthrough called CRISPR, technology that can be used to edit genes within organisms. This has the ability to cure disease, reshaping the biosphere and designing future children.

Human Nature is an eye-opening look into the world of CRISPR and what it can possibly achieve in the future. Director Adam Bolt takes a look at both sides, one opposed to what CRISPR can achieve and one who can’t wait to see what it does accomplish. It will open minds and also shape the way we look at what Science beholds.

Human Nature screens at SXSW on March 10 at 11:45M at Atom Theatre at Austin Convention Center, March 12 at 8PM at Alamo Lamar A, and March 14 at 5PM at Alamo Ritz 2.

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

We are onto Day Two of SXSW and it feels as though things are just taking flight!

We started our day at The Daily Show‘s Presidental Twitter Library for Donald J. Trump. This was one hell of an experience. As soon as you walk in there are caricatures of people Trump has given unique nicknames. As you walk through the wide lobby and go into different rooms there are many of his famous Tweets, and also some of his deleted ones. Nothing compares to the back room where there is a golden toilet that guests can sit on and get their photo taken. One unique, and hilarious, addition to this event is the startling alarm that blares whenever Trump actually publishes a new Tweet. The Daily Show has truly raised the bar high making this a memorable experience for Festival-goers at SXSW.

We then headed over to the Hilton Hotel where the ACLU was holding the Making Change On and Off The Screen Featured Session. On hand to talk was the Executive Director of the ACLU Anthony Romero, Actress Amber Heard, Author and Top Chef Host Padma Lakshmi, and Actor and Director Ike Barinholtz. Heard, Lakshmi and Barinholtz spoke about what it means to be ACLU Ambassadors in Women’s Rights, Immigration Rights and Voter Rights respectively. A big topic the four were speaking about was how everyone can be an Activist in the world today. “Everyone has the power to start a revolution,” Heard said. When it came to speaking about the change that has happened in Hollywood since the #MeToo Movement began Barinholtz said he sees change happening. “I think Showbiz is heading in the right direction,” he affirmed. After the hour-long discussion fans rushed up to the stage to take photos with Heard who was more than willing to spend time with fans.

Then it was time to hit the red carpets and premieres of some of the biggest movies at the Festival. First up was The Beach Bum, which is the latest Film for Director Harmony Korine. Two surprise appearances on the Red Carpet and at the Q&A following the Film were from Martin Lawrence and Jimmy Buffett, who both act alongside Matthew McConaughey. McConaughey and Isla Fisher were front and center at the Premiere. Review here.

The last Premiere of the night at The Paramount was Long Shot, starring Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen who were both in attendance. When guests first got into the theatre they were handed a complimentary concession token worth $10. Director Jonathan Levine, Rogen and Theron introduced the Film and contributed to a short Q&A following because they had another surprise in store for the audience. That surprise was that Boyz II Men were there and performed for all of us! They sang two songs, the second was “I’ll Make Love To You” with the band give roses to the women in the audience. The audience went absolutely insane. It appeared like Rogen and Theron enjoyed the performance also, as both were singing to the music. When the performance was over guests left the venue and realized another treat was in store. They gave everyone a jacket that is identical to the one Rogen wears in the Film. Review here.

It was a very eventful day, one we would love to relive all over again! We can only look forward to tomorrow which will be another eventful day. There are more Pop-Ups to be seen and Olivia Wilde will be making her directorial debut with Booksmart which will have its World Premiere tomorrow night. Check back for more!

Check out our gallery of the day below. Hover cursor right to move forward:

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

The Beach Bum follows the hilarious misadventures of Moondog (Matthew McConaughey).

Writer-Director Harmony Korine (Spring Breakers) has yet again created a thrill ride of a Film but this time he’s all about finding bliss. He has an amazing Cast with an outrageously-funny lead performance by McConaughey. What makes The Beach Bum great is that there is an important message to be learned through Moondog’s madness, and it’s an important one.

The Beach Bum screens at SXSW on March 9 at 6PM at The Paramount Theatre.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Vai is a Portmanteau Feature Film made by nine female Filmmakers from Pacific countries and follows one woman’s journey from childhood to adulthood.

This Film tells a beautiful story of finding one’s empowerment through embracing the culture and community we come from. It’s entirely unique in its nine different voices the story is told from and seven Pacific countries it’s filmed in. Although it is a different Actress throughout each period in Vai’s life, the Script, direction, and acting come together seamlessly never confusing the audience.

Vai screens at SXSW on March 8 at 6PM at Alamo Ritz 2, March 10 at 3:30PM at Alamo Lamar C, and March 13 at 4:45PM at Alamo Ritz 2.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

This Documentary follows 2018 Nobel Prize winning scientist Jim Allison and his visionary quest to find a cure to Cancer by prompting a patients own immune system into defeating their disease.

The most essential element in any Documentary is finding an interesting person and compelling enough a story. Breakthrough has got those two key ingredients along, with a talented Filmmaker to bring this aspiring and hopeful story to the world. This Film tells Allison’s story in an entertaining and educational way.

Breakthrough screens at SXSW on March 9 at 1:45PM at Atom Theatre at Austin Convention Centre, March 12 at 7:45PM at Alamo Lamar D, and March 14 at 8:45PM at Zach Theatre.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Salvage follows a group of residents from Yellowknife, who salvage what they can from one of the last and largest open garbage dumps in North America.

This beautiful Documentary captures the spirit of Yellowknife and the townspeople through their unique outlook on salvaging. Director Amy C. Elliot educates the audience on how salvaging can help us reduce the amount of waste in the world, and in turn, create a healthier earth. She has found funny and heartwarming people that each highlight a different reason behind their salvaging. Therefore, changing the way we all view the items we consume and throw away.

Salvage screens at SXSW on March 8 at 5:45PM at Alamo Ritz 1, March 12 at 8:45PM at Alamo Lamar E, and March 13 at 7:45PM at Alamo Ritz 1.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Go Back To China follows spoiled rich girl Sasha Li (Anna Akana) who has recently blown through half of her million dollar trust fund. When her father (Richard Ng) cuts her off completely, she is forced to go back to China and work at the family toy business to earn her trust fund back.

This semi-autobiographical Film is a comedic and heartfelt story about finding who you are by knowing where you come from. Writer-Director Emily Ting has a steady pace that focuses on character development and an emotional family story, resulting in a fresh take on this familiar genre. It’s also a great showcase for the talented Akana who commands the screen with an impressive starring role.

Go Back To China screens at SXSW on March 9 at 2PM at Stateside Theatre, March 10 at 11:15AM at Alamo Lamar B, and March 15 at 2:15PM at Alamo Lamar B.

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Dana (Nöelle Schönwald) has been working as a prostitute to raise money to help with her daughter’s illness. When she sees a chance to break free from the mafia boss who exploits her, she takes her chance. But will she escape?

Director-Screenwriter Gabriela Calvache takes an unflinching look at human trafficking. She tells the story through Dana’s experiences: resorting to drugs to escape from her reality and being beaten whenever she doesn’t follow orders. Then there’s the world inside the mafia boss’s house, which houses many women from children to adults. Nöelle Schönwald carries the Film with intensity and shines brightest in the scenes leading up to the finale.

La Mala Noche screens at SXSW on March 9 at 4:45PM at Alamo Ritz 2, March 11 at 2PM at Alamo Lamar C, and March 14 at 10:45AM at Alamo Ritz 2.

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Alyssa and Maksim work to preserve the treasures of the world’s most important seed bank in war-torn Russia. This seed bank holds the key to their country’s food supply.

Director and Writer Jessica Oreck has created a unique Film about a true story she sets it in the future. This technique draws parallels between the past and present. She does all this while shooting in beautiful black and white.

One Man Dies A Million Times screens at SXSW on March 9 at 2PM at Alamo Ritz 2, March 11 at 3PM at Alamo Lamar D, and March 15 at 4:30PM at Alamo Ritz 2.