#diff2018

These incredibly talented guys made a film you’ve gotta see. It’s called Blindspotting. Daveed Diggs may have won a Tony and GRAMMY so far (for Hamilton) but I think he and Rafael Casal should both prepare for awards season with this one. It’s so unique and powerful. Did you catch it at Dallas International Film Festival, SXSW, or Sundance? If not, see it in July when everyone is going to start talking about it. #blindspotting #daveeddiggs #rafaelcasal #hamilton #tony #grammy #diff2018 #film #dallas

See www.durbanfilmfest.co.za for more information and the programme.

#DIFF2018 Closing ceremony. It’s going to be a great night @kgomotsomoncho

#diff2018

❌❌❌ WHERE TO ENJOY BEST FIREWORKS SHOW?🎇🎆 ❌ The viewing stands The viewing stands for spectators are set up on the eastern bank of the Han River, with ticket prices ranges between 300,000 VND and 2 million VND per ticket. The stands, of course allow audience admire the best view of the show. 🎇🎆 ❌ The terrace of high-rise hotels and restaurants 🏙🌃🎇 There are numerous restaurants, hotels, buildings along the Han River where you can get the best view of firework shows. You have to pay a higher prices than normal💰💰💰, but in return you will be assured to have great vision and not to be intermingled by thousands of people. Recommended venues: 👏👏🙌Novotel Danang Premier Han River, Sunriver Hotel, Trendy hotel, Brilliant Hotel, Grand Mercure Danang, New Orient Hotel Danang. ❌ Tourist boats the Han River⛴🛥🚢 The boats help you to admire fireworks displays at the nearest distance. You have to reserve the seats in advance. ❌ Bridges crossing Han River 🌉🌉🌉 The city’s bridges crossing the Han River are also popular venues for visitors to come, wait, and immerse in the exciting atmosphere of the festival. Amongst them, Han River Bridge offers the most excellent position for splendid fireworks performances. 👏👏👉All you need is to walk into the bridge early in the afternoon to take the most appropriate sitting position, and don’t forget to bring cameras, drinks and snacks. 🍿🥤🌭It’s fun and 🆓🆓🆓 ❌ Han River Banks Highly recommended for those wanting spend their time walking with family members or friends, enjoy river freezes, whilst admiring free-of-charge fireworks displays. 👉The distance from Bach Dang - Phan Dinh Phung T-junction to Le Van Duyet T-junction is seen as the most beautiful streets to enjoy fireworks shows at a short distance. #DIFF2018, #danangfestivals #urihousedanang #urihouse #dananghomestay #danang #danangentertainment #traveltodanang #danangtraveltips (at Uri house - Danang homestay)

#diff2018 nothing but illustrious guests ball bags #1stofthemonth #crossroads

Frank Mosley talks to #DIFF2018 about Casa de Mi Madre which also screened at #DVF30

BART CHAT Hi all, The Dallas International Film festival carries on this week, and I think it’s great that film festivals get along like this in our area.  We have our special screening of Frame of Mind-Remixing the News on Tuesday night at 6:00 PM. Most of the filmmakers will be present, so please come out. We are also supporting a few other films from DIFF later in this chat. And hope you can support those, as well.    Speaking of DIFF, I saw a very important film there this weekend, Won’t you be my Neighbor?, Morgan Neville’s film about Mister Rogers. If you don’t know Morgan Neville, he made 20 Feet from Stardom and several other good docs, most about music. While this film is well made, it is truly the subject that is so critical for these times. I was too old to watch Mr. Rogers, and it seemed the opposite of Sesame Street and everything else made for kids. It moves comatosely slow, where Sesame Street was pushing the pace of TV, preparing a generation for music videos. Watching this film made me understand how he talked to kids and made them feel good about themselves, good about different, good about their neighborhood, and more than anything else, made kids feel like they were loved.  After disasters like the Columbia space ship exploding, Mr. Rogers could dialogue with kids in a way that most adults could not imagine. There are many moments when you will cry for joy, so bring a tissue with you. After the screening, people were hugging each other in the lobby; it has that kind of effect on audiences.     As I watched the film, I could not help feel that this is what is so needed now.  Fred Rogers made a show that was not about bullies picking on the uncool or outcasts, not about throwing pies and insults at others, which we spend so much time doing. We have a divided America that has lost respect and the ability to talk to each other about our concerns for the future of this country, where both “sides” feel hurt about the way things are going. But mostly, I feel that if our president had watched Mr. Rogers growing up, perhaps he would not need to make so many people feel so bad. Perhaps he would not send out noxious tweets and speeches. Perhaps, if he were to watch this film—it is 2 hours and I am not sure he has that much attention span—he would feel good about himself, without putting people down, without needing to brag about his genes or anything else. So when this film comes out next month, please see it.   I’m getting off my soapbox now. Other things to see at DIFF this week are Don’t Forget Me, Generation Wealth, People’s Republic of Desire, Combat Obscura (which gives you a real look at the war in Afghanistan) and Blindspotting.   On Tuesday and Wednesday night from 7-10:00 at The Studio Movie Grill in North Arlington, we will have our end of semester screenings for UT Arlington where I teach, so come out and see those for free.    There are two cool workshops coming up now that film school semesters are winding down. Women in Film is having their Boot Camp May 18-20 at Abernathy Media Professionals new space, which I have heard it is pretty nice. The other workshop is AICP’s Production Training Seminar on the 19th and 20th. This one is more expensive and is really not for beginners. Both look good.   Also on the 19th, there is a cool event about home and archival films that I will share more about next week. So, what else is screening this week? The Texas Theater is showing Isle of Dogs Tuesday and Thursday. This weekend they have a film I have been waiting for:  Grace Jones: Boloodlight and Bami.  I have not seen this, but hear good things about it and it’s a good way to relive those Grace Jones, Stark Club nights. On Mother’s Day, they have a dog film festival at The Texas. These are not like your YouTube, cutie pie videos, but are short films that feature dogs. At The Alamo in the Cedars, you can see Breakfast at Tiffany's and Mommie Dearest on Mothers’ day—nice mix, or you can go to The Alamo in Richardson and see Carrie and The Sound of Music, or at The Alamo in Lake Highlands you can see Psycho. What do these programmers think of their mothers? Maybe they should have watched Mr. Rogers.   No new episode of “Fog of Truth” this week. We wrapped up Season 2 and are taking a week off, so this gives you time to catch up: fogoftruth.com.   That is it for this week. See you Tuesday night at 6:00. Bart Weiss, Artistic Director Dallas VideoFest