2019 University Theme Film Series: “Careers, Conflicts, and Callings”
Winona State’s Film Studies Program announces its 2019 University Theme Film Series: “Careers, Conflicts, and Callings,” Oct. 1-Nov. 7. In support of the “Career Readiness” theme, these ten films explore the complexities of finding, following, undertaking, and even sometimes leaving one’s career path.
In a World: Mountainfilm 2019 Trailer (a Don LaFontaine tribute)
With all due respect to “The Voice” Don LaFontaine, here is a trailer for our 2019 travel study to Telluride Mountainfilm Film Festival from Brynn Artley with a special assist from voice artist Joe Van Ryn.
Mountainfilm 2019: Looking Back
As we look back on our travel study to Mountainfilm 2019, our reviewers reflect on some of the festival’s most impactful films, people, moments, and ideas.
First Year Experience at Mountainfilm 2019
This year’s Mountainfilm was a new experience for most of us, and the opportunities were limitless. We met new friends and filmmakers, saw dozens of great documentaries, were inspired by speakers and symposia, and enjoyed everything Telluride had to offer.
Mountainfilm 2019 Festival Theme: Equity
Our first vlog and review set from 2019 Mountainfilm takes a look at this year’s theme of equity and features reviews of films with topics as diverse as Woodstock, transgender athletes, America’s railroads, and the Telluride Valley.
Preview: One Week Job (2010, feat. Sean Aiken)
We’ll be showing One Week Job as the final film in our Careers, Conflicts, and Callings series Nov. 7th, in SLC 120. Sean Aiken himself will be our special guest to introduce the film, answer questions, and discuss his experience.
Preview: The Blair Witch Project (1999, Dir. Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez)
Winona State will be showing The Blair Witch Project on October 31st at 7pm in SLC 120. This will be our Halloween addition to the Careers, Callings, and Readiness film series. Directed by Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel Myrick, this 1999 mystery/horror film takes you through the lost documentary footage of three aspiring filmmakers and their journey on finding out more about the Blair Witch.
Preview: Finding Home in Boomtown (2019, dir. Matthew Maxwell)
Finding Home in Boomtown’s charismatic characters shape the film and give it voice, balancing its serious tone with a sense of humor and making for an emotionally impactful, raw documentary that will leave audience members with tears in their eyes.
Preview: Sorry to Bother You (2018, dir. Boots Riley)
Sorry to Bother You speaks to one’s career readiness, as well as the conflicts and callings one might face in their career. Its satire drives home the importance of moral integrity, self-knowledge, and–surprisingly–union representation.
Preview: 17 Blocks (2019, dir. Davy Rothbart)
Director Davy Rothbart’s award-winning documentary 17 Blocks shows us four generations of an African-American family struggling through tragedy and looking for hope. Rothbart will visit Winona State with his film Oct. 22, 2019, at 7 pm in Stark 103 Miller Auditorium.
Preview: The Greatest Showman (2017, dir. Michael Gracey)
2017’s The Greatest Showman, starring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, and Zendaya, faced criticism for historical inaccuracy but wowed audiences with its charismatic cast and ebullient song-and-dance numbers.
Preview: North Country (2005, dir. Niki Caro)
In North Country (2005, dir. Niki Caro), Academy Award-winning actress Charlize Theron stars in the inspiring true story of women pursuing careers and facing harassment in northern Minnesota’s mining industry in the 1980s.
Preview: Generation Startup (2016, dir. Cheryl Houser, Cynthia Wade)
An inspirational documentary, Generation Startup (2016) tells the true story of six young college graduates with different backgrounds who take on the challenges of entrepreneurship in and around Detroit.
Preview: Office Space (1999, dir. Mike Judge)
The second film in this year’s “Careers, Conflicts, and Callings” series Oct. 5, Office Space is a hilarious look at the job of IT workers in the office environment, portraying how one might overcome the obstacles their bosses present.
Preview: On the Basis of Sex (2018, dir. Mimi Leder)
On the Basis of Sex is a truly inspiring film following Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s career path. Her aspiration for change in gender equality is portrayed through her hard work and dedication to her students, clients, and family.
Review: Hustlers (Lorene Scafaria, 2019)
Lorene Scafaria’s Hustlers (2019) brings together a great team of A-List talents, but ultimately, leaves a lot to be desired both its ideological message and its cinematography. In the end, the only thing Hustlers will be hustling is your time and money.
Review: Tall Girl (Nzingha Stewart, 2019)
This cheesy love story will bring viewers back to their high school days with its awkward relationships and confrontation of bullying.
Child’s Play (2019) Review: The New Creepy Chucky for the Younger Generation
Chucky gets his very own remake 31 years later, one with cool effects and creepy surprises, with talents from Mark Hamill and Aubrey Plaza.
Review of Between Two Ferns: The Movie–Concentrated Comedy and Minimal Character Investment
Between Two Ferns: The Movie is Zach Galfianakis’s latest attempt of translating his online comedy series into a full feature film, doing so with minimal character development but enough jokes to leave any viewer with tears in their eyes.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (dir, Quentin Tarantino, 2019)
An unpredictable film covering the struggle that aging actors faced in the 1960’s, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood employs many of the era’s techniques and invites its viewers to reminisce while foreshadowing the violence that lurks in Hollywood’s shadows.
Ascending Afghanistan (2016, dir. Erik Osterholm): Mountainfilm Review
The Mountainfilm festival’s theme for the 41st year is equity, meaning equal opportunities for everyone. Erik Osterholm’s Ascending Afghanistan focuses on thirteen Afghani women mountaineers pushing through the setbacks women in their country face.
What Now?: A Mountainfilm 2019 Talk with Cheryl Strayed and Tom Shadyac
The 2019 Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride, CO, left festival-goers were left with a disorienting sensation: would anything we learned here come with us into our regular lives? Author Cheryl Strayed and director Tom Shadyac responded in their talk titled, What Now?, emphasizing a feeling of great of equanimity amongst all who attended.
Gay Chorus Deep South (2019, dir. David Charles Rodrigues): Mountainfilm Review
One of the last films shown at Mountainfilm was Gay Chorus Deep South (2019, David Charles Rodrigues), the story of a San Francisico-based gay men’s chorus tour through seven red states and emphasizing social issues that dealt with identity, communities, and politics.
Any One of Us (2019, dir. Fernando Villena): Mountainfilm Review
Going into the Mountainfilm 2019 screening of Any One of Us, nearly every audience member knew that professional mountain biker Paul Basagoitia was going to suffer a devastating accident leading to a spinal cord injury. Fortunately, director Fernando Villena was very aware of this fact and used it to the film’s advantage.
Tigerland (2019, dir. Ross Kauffman): Mountainfilm Review
Full of unique storytelling modes, interesting characters, and beautiful camera work, Tigerland is a work of art created for a great cause, which is why it was a perfect fit for the Mountainfilm festival.
Ken Graetz