Artist Lance Letscher working on a metal collage (Credit: Jason Gamble Harter)
We all know Austinites are a talented bunch. Even though SXSW Conference & Festivals showcase visitors from all over the world, many Austinites have their work featured during the event, as well. During SXSW Film, which runs March 10-18, 2017, seven full-length Austin-related films will be screening. Support Austin’s local film industry.
Because details are subject to change, we’ve included links for each film where you can see when and where each screening will take place.
L-R: Rooney Mara, Michael Fassbender and Ryan Gosling in Terrence Malick’s “Song to Song,” a Broad Green Pictures release (Credit: Van Redin/Broad Green Pictures)
1/ Song to Song
Starring Ryan Gosling, Rooney Mara, Michael Fassbender, Natalie Portman and Cate Blanchett, this Terrence Malick picture will open SXSW Film 2017 with its premiere on March 10 at Paramount Theatre. (Please note that if you don’t have a badge, getting in to this one will be very unlikely.)
If you remember spotting Gosling roaming around Fun Fun Fun Fest in 2011 and 2012, or Mara and Fassbender at ACL Festival, it was because they were filming “Song to Song.” The movie promises to be packed with eclectic live music performances and scenes of Austin while dealing with “two entangled couples,” but it’s yet to be seen whether the characters will be relatable to actual Austinites. Screening info
2/ The Secret Life of Lance Letscher
This documentary was created by talented Austin filmmaker Sandra Adair, who has edited 18 of Richard Linklater’s films. This year, Adair makes her debut as a director with this piece focused on Lance Letscher, an Austinite who’s known around the world for his incredible collage artwork. As the official description states, “told through memories of trauma and triumph, the film provides a doorway into Letscher’s profound insights on creativity, the subconscious, work ethic and spirituality.” Screening info
3/ La Barrucuda
Two Austin-based directors, Julia Halperin and Jason Cortlund, based “La Barrucuda’s” production right here in Bat City. As part of the Narrative Feature Competition, this film follows a woman seeking a bond with her half-sister. Both share a late father who was a country musician. Like a country song, their connection falls from ideal to chaotic. Screening info
4/ Through the Repellent Fence: A Land Art Film
After the success of last year’s documentary focused on The Broken Spoke, called “Honky Tonk Heaven,” Sam Wainwright Douglas is back. His new documentary feature follows Postcommodity, an art collective that installed a two-mile long piece near the Mexico-United States border with 28 inflatable spheres. The film will show audiences how and why the collective made the remarkable effort to use their land art to make a powerful statement. Screening info
Fence by art collective Postcommodity, installed 2015 in Douglas, Ariz. and Agua Prieta, Sonora
(Credit: Michael Lundgren, courtesy of Postcommodity)
5/ Disgraced
Disgraced is a crime documentary from local producer and director Pat Kondelis. The film covers a mysterious news story many Texans might remember from 2003-2004, when a Baylor basketball player murdered a teammate. The description says this instance was the only time “in the long history of U.S. intercollegiate athletics that an athlete murdered a fellow athlete.” Screening info
6/ Infinity Baby
“Infinity Baby’s” topic is exactly what you might guess. The description of the narrative simply reads, “A comedy about babies that don’t age.” It stars Kieran Culkin, Trieste Kelly Dunn, Nick Offerman, Martin Starr, Kevin Corrigan, Megan Mullally, Noel Wells and Stephen Root. The film’s director, Robert “Bob” Byington, lives in Austin. It looks like this film will fit right in with Austin’s “weird” vibe. Screening info
7/ Mr. Roosevelt
This comedy follows a 20-something gal who relocated to LA after college, leaving her Austin home behind. When she returns to ATX, she discovers her ex-boyfriend has moved on by remodeling their old home and getting a new, intimidating girlfriend. Written, directed, produced and starring San Antonio native Noël Wells (from “Master of None”), this film should hit close to home for many Austinites. Screening info
How to See These Austin Movies
Sinaloa (Sophie Reid) and Merle (Allison Tolman) in a scene from “La Barracuda” (Credit: Patrick Rusk)
You have multiple options for attending film screenings as an Austinite. You can still walk up and buy an official $1,325 Film Badge at the Austin Convention Center, or you can take the more economical route by purchasing a Film Wristband or trying your luck at attending via a single admission ticket.
Film Wristbands can be purchased here for the full week ($95) or second half of the week, March 14-18, for $65.
The SXSW Hierarchy
Those associated with the film and their families get inside the venue first. Platinum and Film Badge holders with SXXpress passes (which you get by standing in line at the Austin Convention Center the morning of the screening) gain entry immediately after, followed by Film Badge holders without the pass. Next, those with Film Wristbands, Interactive Badges and Music Badges enter. Finally, any spots left will be sold as individual tickets for $15 right before the film begins. According to SXSW.com, “We sell tickets most often at our larger venues: The Paramount Theatre, Vimeo Theater at the Austin Convention Center and ZACH.”
Those who find all of this overwhelming, you aren’t alone! But if you enjoy people watching and a bit of hullabaloo, give SXSW a shot. You never know what you’ll gain access to, which celebrities you’ll spot or who you’ll meet next to you in line until you’re in the right place at the right time. For more information, check out SX’s official website.
@theAustinot wants to know:
Which films do you hope to see during SXSW Film 2017?
