Milwaukee, and the state of Wisconsin, for that matter, are often the brunt of jokes in popular entertainment, especially on the big screen. Wisconsinites are often reduced to beer-guzzling, brat-inhaling, Cheesehead-sporting, Harley-worshipping stereotypes who attend a seemingly endless string of tailgate parties and fish fries.
Thankfully, that demographic makes up only a small portion of the city and state. And despite the rampant stereotyping the state is subjected to in popular entertainment, Wisconsin’s appreciation of cinema – be it homegrown, Hollywood or global – is as strong and inclusive as ever. And this is never more evident than during the Milwaukee Film Festival, which kicks off its third annual presentation tomorrow with 11 consecutive days of film screenings and programs highlighting work from around the world, as well as locally produced efforts.
Thursday’s opening night film is Natural Selection, a quirky, multiple award-winning, road-trip comedy/romance starring Rachael Harris (The Hangover, Showtime’s “Fat Actress”) and Matt O’Leary (Brick, Live Free or Die Hard) that took this year’s South By Southwest festival by storm. The film screens at 7 p.m. at the Oriental Theatre (2230 N. Farwell Ave.) – following the screening head to Discovery World for the opening night party. The party starts at 8:30 p.m. and lasts through 1 a.m. General admission is $20 (or $10 with an Opening Night Film ticket stub and FREE with a Festival Pass).
While I’m excited for Natural Selection, below are some other choice films I’ll be sure to check out over the first four days of the festival. On Monday I’ll reveal what I’m excited about for the second half of the fest.
The Salt of Life (Gianni e le Donne)
The Friday night opener at the Marcus North Shore Cinema is said to be a charming, slice of life comedy with a hilarious performance by writer-director Gianni Di Gregorio, who reprises his “Gianni” character from the 2008 Milwaukee Film Festival favorite Mid-August Lunch. The film is in Italian with English subtitles and runs approximately 90 minutes. This is the only screening scheduled for the film.
Make Believe
This documentary about kid magicians from around the world competing at the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas for the title of “Teen World Champion” won the Audience Award at the Los Angeles Film Festival and is said to be first rate. This is the opening night film for the Marcus Ridge Cinema in New Berlin on Friday. Magicians from the film will be on hand performing in the lobby. The film is in English/Japanese/Xhosa with English subtitles, and runs approximately 88 minutes. There will be three additional screenings throughout the festival.
The Interrupters & Hoop Dreams
As the festival pays tribute to Kartemquin Films, a Chicago-based production company celebrating its 45 anniversary and responsible for paving the way for nonprofit film production, it’s crown jewel, the 1994 masterpiece (directed by Steve James) will be screened at 2:30 p.m. at the Oriental Theatre. This moving portrait of two inner city basketball athletes (including one who would go onto attend Milwaukee’s Marquette University) with NBA aspirations is definitely one not to be missed.
Later that night, James’ latest effort, The Interrupters, an Oscar hopeful about former gang members who now actively champion against gang and street violence, will screen at 7 p.m. at the Oriental and James will be in attendance. There will be two additional screenings for The Interrupters during the festival at different venues.
Somewhere Between
Four Asian-American girls who were adopted by American families during China’s one-child policy seek out their birth parents in the hopes of reconciling their Western upbringing and sensibilities with their Eastern roots. The film will be screened twice during the festival, on Friday at 4:45 p.m. at the Downer Theatre, and on Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Marcus Ridge Cinema. It runs 94 minutes and is in English/Mandarin/Spanish with English subtitles.
The Dish & The Spoon
Rising star Greta Gerwig (Greenberg, Arthur, No Strings Attached) stars as a woman left by her cheating husband who bonds in a surprising manner with a stranded British teen. Gerwig is an actress who is incapable of being boring and elevates any film of which she’s a part – she’s the main reason to check this out. The film screens twice during the festival, once this weekend (Sunday at 9:45 p.m. at the Marcus Ridge Cinema) and again next weekend (Saturday at 7:15 p.m. at the Downer Theatre).
Tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and students (with valid ID), $8 for festival members and $6 for children (12 and under). Tickets can be purchased either at the theater box office, online or by phone.
For additional information about the schedule, venue locations, pricing, and scheduled events, visit milwaukee-film.org.
