One of the hardest things to do at a film festival is to decide what to see and make a workable schedule. Hours can be spent pouring over the catalogue and programme trying to figure out which films will be worth watching and whether or not they clash with something else, which they invariably do. Documentary festivals are a new adventure for me, with my only real contact with the form being on television. After a quick browse through what was on offer here I made a decision that I would only go and see films that were positive, inspiring and uplifting. I didn’t really want to go and films about death, destruction, injustice and other problems facing the world and individuals. I don’t need to go and sit in a dark room, especially with the glorious Greek spring weather beckoning, to be told that the world is fucked up and going to hell in a handcart. Maybe those burdened by catholic guilt and/or a limited range of experiences need to be reminded that the world is in a mess, although guilt is not going to fix it. Sure these films can raise awareness for the world’s downtrodden but how much does it help with the relief of their suffering when there are huge obstacles such as greedy and immoral corporations and corrupt, self-serving political machines to battle? How many people marched in the streets of London (before it was made illegal) to protest against the invasion of Iraq? And there are still troops there, thousands of people are still dying and there is no solution in site. And who is winning? Well, Shell and BP have made record profits, so someone is.
So with that in mind, the first film I saw was SURFWISE by Doug Pray. What a delight this film was. This is about someone who wanted freedom and simply took it. “Doc” Paskowitz is a legend amongst the surfing community. He was a doctor who was going places. He had lots of money, social and civic standing but was just plain miserable with his life because all he really wanted to do was go surfing, so he just gave it all up – including his wife and daughters and did what his heart desired (something I could easily relate to having made a similar choice, but much younger so without the responsibilities). He remarried, had seven children and travelled the coast of North America in a camper van. The kids didn’t go to school, they only had enough money to survive but they were free, happy and healthy. Although the film does look at some of the negative aspects of the lifestyle such as rampant sibling rivalry, a strong patriarchal rule and the children’s dissatisfaction with the eventual outcome of their earlier lives when they tried to integrate into ‘normal’ society without having had a formal education. The fact is the children were all reasonably successful in the paths they chose, whether it was music, business or surfing. The reunion at the end of the movie was particularly emotional. Although it was the first film I saw I get a feeling this will be my favourite film of the festival.
One thing they do really well at Thessaloniki, apart from feed you all the time, is run parallel cultural events. This time there is a photography exhibition with two separate, yet connected, shows at the Museum of Photography. It is an obvious choice to have photography as the medium has been recording and documenting the human condition long before movies came along. Tonight was the opening of the exhibitions. One is called One Second of Silence by Sotiris Danezis, which is a collection of photos from war zones around the world, which don't show the horror of war but the silent moments between the gunfire. The other is Rebuilding Afghanistan, which shows the positive things the Canadian government is doing to help that war torn land. Of course there were lots of speeches but the images definitely spoke a lot louder.
There is a strong musical strand to this festival, so being a lover of music it was obvious to go and see some of those on offer. PATTI SMITH: DREAM OF LIFE by Steven Sebring was my first choice, not in order of importance but in terms of when it was screening, which was late at night. I wouldn’t say I was a huge fan of Smith but have always liked her music and punk ethic, so the film was an interesting look at her life and work. The film was shot over a ten-year period at tours around the world, and with her family. Of course, being about punk icon who is also a poet and artist, the film was shot and edited with those sensibilities in mind, with the bulk of it being black and white. As a portrait of an artist it captures her perfectly while managing to soften those familiar hard edges. It features some of her more familiar songs such as Gloria. Although it doesn’t have the song Pissing in the River it does have a very funny verbal pissing contest. For fans of Smith, or her era, this is a must see.
