By Eva Trieger
SAN DIEGO — If you’re a fan of the silver screen, you are in for a treat! Block off your calendars for October 14th through the 24th for the 20th anniversary of the San Diego International Film Festival. This extravaganza of films contains a vast array of genres including narrative films, documentary films and short films. With great sensitivity to the pandemic and public safety the SDIFF is offering many of the films virtually, while other films will be presented all around San Diego’s beautiful and iconic backdrops including Balboa Park, the USS Midway and the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, paying homage to America’s Finest City.
Reviewing the smorgasbord of offerings proves that there is truly something for every palate. Representing over 65 countries, the 168 qualifying films will offer patrons an up-close tangible sense for what is important and life-altering in the world today.
In a telephone interview with the CEO/Artistic Director, Tonya Mantooth, I caught her infectious enthusiasm for this spectacular program. Mantooth has been a film producer for her entire career, having cut her teeth in the commercial world on documentaries and feature films. Her unique background had her poised to take on and rebuild the film festival with greater empathy for the process undertaken by the filmmakers. “Knowing the process,” Mantooth explained, she was able to take all the things that looked great on paper and bring them into reality. She shared that sometimes even when there is the magic, “capturing lightning in a bottle” the translation to success in film is elusive. “I have huge respect for the filmmakers,” Mantooth stated.
I was curious to know which film had ignited the Artistic Director’s passion and informed her life’s work. Mantooth shared that Dr. Zhivago was a film that stirred her through the visuals and the music, even if she was too young to understand the movie. She stated that she felt the power of the story without comprehending it as a child.
When I queried Mantooth on the key qualities of a filmmaker, I was told that observation is key. The filmmaker needs to possess the ability to listen and work collaboratively. The successful filmmaker is able to “see the little moments and listen and be able to not direct, but to allow the performance to unfold.” I am eager to see this for myself in “The Humans”.
Personally, I am a fan of short films because I admire the magical relating of an entire story in minutes. That capturing of an event or an interlude told in a snippet of time so appeals to me. Is this true for Mantooth? A resounding “yes” answered my question, and was qualified by a few key features. Tonya explained that short films are often overlooked and for this reason they are reviewed midyear. She loves them because they allow new filmmakers to explore a moment or single emotion, enabling them to cultivate their creativity. They also serve as a bellwether for what the world is experiencing, and they bring it to audiences far sooner than feature films. Finally, short films reveal a commonality of a moment in time. To prove this last point, Mantooth suggested I view three short films. Each revolved around a theme of isolation and aloneness. This clearly reflected our shared experience of COVID over the past 18 months. We’ve all experienced this disconnect, this sense of isolation. Mantooth hopes that through these films we learn that this feeling is universal and in fact, we share the emotion, making it more impactful and bringing us together.
With this in mind, I screened three short films from the festival, and while each told a unique story, an undercurrent existed that united all of them. The theme of aloneness and isolation brought each of these films under the same umbrella. In Wuhan Driver, written and directed by Tiger Li, produced by Alena Syvatova, we see the dismissal of an Asian man, a NYC cab driver by his fares. He is treated poorly by all, and his loneliness in life is echoed by desertion in death. In Frank and Emmet, written and directed by Carlos Fernandez Puertolas and produced by Jonathan Coria and Bryan Dimas, a grandfather (Paul Eiding) accepts his own death and attempts to explain this loss to his puppet (Brian Michael Jones) and ultimately to his granddaughter (Arabella Grant). The notion of loss and death evokes aloneness and lack, yet the puppeteer, Frank, tells the puppet, Emmet, “I made you and you made me.” In these lines we see how interconnected we are and how we impact each other’s lives. A disturbing film about sexual abuse, once more pointed up the way society responds to that which it finds offensive or threatening. Following the rape of a young woman, the detectives respond that because she “passed out” and her report was “inconsistent” they can’t help her. The young woman has obvious bruises and cuts. Her actions tell us that she is clearly frustrated but doesn’t have the tools to proceed. A friend arrives and sets the chaos in motion, bringing in reporters, strangers, trolls and activists. None of this helps the young woman cope with her abuse; it simply exacerbates her isolation and aloneness in this horrific experience. This short was written, directed and performed by Kelsey Forman and produced by Nicole Murray and Kelsey Fordham. Each one of these films left me feeling unbalanced but pondering, which I feel is perfect. Films should be provocative!
Speaking of provocative, I asked the festival’s CEO if she’d ever been surprised by a film’s reception or award potential. Mantooth shared that in 2019, she had put Taika Waititi’s JoJo Rabbit in the festival. Colleagues questioned this choice feeling the film made light of Hitler and antisemitism. Mantooth explained that her choice was deliberate as she was concerned that the younger generation lacked awareness of the tragedies that occurred under Nazi rule. She believes that “cinema is a catalyst for positive change” and this film illuminated a dark era, creating new awareness in younger viewers.
The selection process is daunting! Over 3,000 films were submitted and a committee of 50-60 viewers were chosen from a pool of 200. They watched films based on their personal proclivities: shorts, features, documentaries etc. After rating and reviewing films, they were sent to Tonya Mantooth. The Artistic Director watches about 800 films a year. Hint: If you want to spend time with Tonya, I suggest you ask her to a concert, a hike or a Bocce ball tournament.
Mantooth is especially proud and excited by the emergence of the female filmmaker in 2021. She believes “things are accelerating in the industry.” While acknowledging it may take a while for parity there is a foundational change. “It is not a pendulum. This is a sustained change.” As proof, Mantooth pointed to two films that reveal how women do not need to “keep their story small.” One film, The Lost Daughter directed by actor-turned-director, Maggie Gyllenhaal, tells a bold story. A second film and one long-awaited from Jane Campion of The Piano, features Benedict Cumberbatch, and provides a breakthrough story of women. The Power of the Dog focuses on men, and the writer envisions it as the masculine counterpart to the female perspective of her previous film. Mantooth is elated that millennials do not succumb to the antiquated notion that women must be subservient or “sweet” and she related that she is thrilled to see young female filmmakers emboldened.
While there is no doubt that COVID has altered our ability to hold a film festival as we have in days of yore, the 20th anniversary of the San Diego International Film Festival will not be quelled. The festival has pivoted quickly to offer not only streaming films, but interactive Q & A’s. Mindful of safety measures but retaining the aura of the festival, there will be many more intimate, smaller scale social experiences such as cocktail parties and group screening events. This year, with adherence to public health guidelines, the SDIFF plans to host events including first weekend screening, a cocktail reception and a walk in Balboa Park as well as a culinary cinema night that boasts food and wine pairings. Additionally, an event on the Midway will honor San Diego’s historic military presence.
San Diego has an exciting ten-day experience unfolding and you don’t want to miss it! Tickets may be purchased at sdfilmfest.com or by calling 619.818.2221. To whet your appetite, please visit the below link and check out the extensive film offerings https://sdfilmfest.com/festival-experience/
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Eva Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com