“I think the experience of going to a theater and seeing a movie with a lot of people is still part of the transformational power of the film, and it’s equivalent to the old shaman telling a story by the campfire to a bunch of people.” — Wes Craven
Though it snowed the last couple of days and the temps are winter-like, it’s spring in Wisconsin. Like the migrating birds who return home, and the crocuses that will soon bloom, another sign of spring is the annual Wisconsin Film Festival #wifilmfest . This year it’s the 20th anniversary and cinephiles will fill theaters on campus and on the westside of Madison. Filmgoing audiences will view approximately 150 films over the course of eight days, Thursday, April 5 through Thursday, April 12, which makes the 20th Annual Wisconsin Film Festival the largest university-produced film festival.
Since it launched in 1999, the Wisconsin Film Festival has introduced Wisconsin audiences to over 2300 films. The 20th Annual Wisconsin Film Festival is presented by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arts Institute in association with the Department of Communication Arts.
Today is the start of my spring staycation. For eight days, I still go to work during the day, yet weekday afternoons, evenings, and weekends are spent in darkened movie theaters with cinephiles and filmgoing friends. I don’t leave the city, yet I’m transported to places all over the world. I time travel, and meet unforgettable people both on the screen and the filmgoers in line waiting to see the movies and sitting next to me inside the sold-out theaters.
I’m an old-school movie fan. I still enjoy being in the audience of a movie theater sharing the experience with companions and anonymous others. One of the fandom features of the film festival is that people actually talk to each other while waiting in the queues to buy tickets, or to see the movie. Festival filmgoers chat each other up inside the theater too, before and after the films.
First, before I share A Filmgoer’s Preview: The Wisconsin Film Festival, this is a reminder that I’m a cinephile and not a critic. As I see films and draft my festival dispatches, I will offer my thoughts on what I liked, what surprised me, what disappointed, and what took my breath away. Movie-going is for the most part a solitary experience. Like other forms of art immersion, we respond emotionally, viscerally, and intellectually to it and share our impressions with others afterwards. I see a lot of films on my own and sometimes with filmgoing friends and family.
Post-film discussions, whether on social media, or in-person, enhance the experience and provide insights to the art form, like sitting around a campfire and listening to a good story, and then talking about it afterwards. One of the highlights of the festival are the post-film Q & A sessions with guest filmmakers, actors, or subjects of the stories.
First Look at the Fest
This year I changed my strategy. First, I decided to attend the First Look at the
Fest. Second, I applied for press credentials. These are two of the best decisions I’ve made so far this year. In past years I ordered my tickets on the Saturday they went on sale. I’ve tried every strategy, standing in line at the box office, ordering online, and by phone. By far the most successful — and enjoyable strategy — was attending the First Look at the Fest which is a fundraiser benefitting The Real Butter Fund.
The benefit for attendees was the opportunity to review the Isthmus 2018 Film Guide two days before tickets went on sale to the public — enjoy savory appetizers and bubbly drinks — view a curated trailer reel — and, the best part, order tickets. This is a strategy that will be repeated!
Wisconsin Film Festival Strategic Planning
With highlighters, pencil, and pen in hand, I began the film selection process opening the Isthmus film guide like a wish book. After reading the film synopsis and penciling in checkmarks for films I wanted to see, I completed the initial round of film selection. First, a recap of my personal filmgoing criteria.
Film Selection Guidelines and Rules:
- I like to choose a mix of narrative, documentary, animated, and movies by local filmmakers. Sometimes I include experimental films and shorts.
- Since I still work during the festival (now gratefully only part-time Monday through Thursday), I select movies that begin in late afternoon or early evening.
- I’m an early morning person, so movies after 8:00 p.m. are generally off my list unless it’s something special and I might not get the opportunity to see it again.
- On weekends, based on past years, three films in a single day is my limit.
- Showtimes, venue locations, and estimated travel between theaters factor into my choices, sometimes eliminating films I hoped to see. This process sometimes requires multiple rounds of sifting and winnowing.
With the Isthmus film guide opened to the centerfold grid, I highlighted my selections. Once the selections are locked in, I ink a border around them. Next, it’s time to purchase. And yes, rules are meant to be broken, and I broke them again this year.
A Filmgoer’s Itinerary
Following are the tickets I purchased at the First Look at the Fest. I purchased one more ticket when they went on sale on Saturday, 3/10, Hal, a documentary about 1970’s director and filmmaker, Hal Ashby. This is a record for number of films for me, a total of 22. Since I’m working part-time and get off of work at 3 pm, I can see earlier films and on Fridays, since I’m off all day I can see more films than I normally would. Lastly, my father’s birthday usually falls during the festival but this year the festival is after his birthday, so I can see films every day. Oh, My! I also broke a couple of my rules (again), first, see only three films in a day max (on two days I see four), the other rule, since I’m an early-riser, no late films. I broke that rule too, I’m seeing three films that begin at 8:30 pm.
Thursday, April 5, Opening Night
Mountain
Friday, April 6
Under the Tree
Catch the Wind
Clara’s Ghost
Saturday, April 7
RBG
The Blood is at the Doorstep
Looking Glass
Custody
Sunday, April 8
Hal
Wisconsin’s Own by the Dozen
Saving Brinton
Vampire Clay
Monday, April 9
Support the Girls
World of Facts
Tuesday, April 10
First Reformed
Oh Lucy!
You Were Never Really Here
Wednesday, April 11
Three Identical Strangers
Joe Frank – Somewhere Out There
Thursday, April 12
Let the Sunshine In
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Hearts Beat Loud
Earlier, I mentioned that the second decision I made this year was applying for and receiving press credentials. Past years I’ve blogged about the festival on Mixed Metaphors, Oh My! and posted mini-reviews on social media. This year, I’m official, and if I can squeeze a couple more films in to watch and write about, the pass facilitates that if seats are available. In exchange, I’ll draft a few Filmgoer’s Dispatches from the Wisconsin Film Festival. I might be that chatty cinephile standing in line behind you or sitting next to you in the theater. I hope my enthusiasm is welcomed as I look forward to meeting you, talking about the festival, and the films you’ve seen, and those remaining on your list.
I’ll see you at the movies!
For more information about the 20th Annual Wisconsin Film Festival visit:
Additional Reading from Mixed Metaphors, Oh My!
Filmgoer’s Dispatch: 2017 Wisconsin Film Festival
A Filmgoer’s Takeaway: 2016 WI Film Festival
2015 Wisconsin Film Festival Fandom (and More!)
I’m seeing 6 of those you recommended, so please give me at least a C+…… Lewis
Lewis, I hope to see you at the fest. It’s usually one of the events that I can count on running into you. See you at the movies! By the way, you’re an A+ in my grade book.
Aw, shucks… I blush. Hope to run into you [not literally] too. Lewis