Jackie Spafford
Film Review: My Type
A short film that premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) earlier this year was shown again on Wednesday night at Centre Stage Theater, accompanied by a panel discussion on early detection of diabetes. The film, My Type,…
Film Review: Palestine ‘36
The award-winning and controversial film Palestine ’36 presents a seldom-depicted view of Palestine’s struggle. It is controversial in that it is impossible to find agreement on the origins of the Palestine-Israel saga. With any conflict, events are never recounted by…
Film Review: What We Carry
Like the US, Canada has an ugly history of trying to erase native culture and language through the establishment of residential schools, where native children were sent involuntarily. Unlike the US, Canada has attempted in recent years to acknowledge the…
Film Review: The Yellow Tie
The Yellow Tie, which had its North American premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) last week, is based on the life of composer and conductor Sergiu Celibidache, whose name may not seem familiar to those outside the…
Film Review: Dear Lara
The documentary Dear Lara is an infuriating, queasy, shocking, inspiring and powerful watch. It uncovers the prevalence of sexual abuse in the rarefied world of classical music, and was written and directed by a violinist who was also an abuse…
Film Review: On the End
Based on true events, On the End is a classic tale of an underdog’s fight against The Man. Tim Blake Nelson plays Tom Ferreira, a cantankerous mechanic with a rundown repair shop and house in an area of Montauk, Long…
Michael B. Jordan Receives Outstanding Performer of the Year at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival
The wildly popular actor Michael B. Jordan was honored with the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award on Thursday night for his work in Sinners. He is only 39 (his birthday was on Monday), yet he has already delivered so…
Decorated Filmmakers Honored with Outstanding Directors Award at Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Four young but already highly decorated filmmakers were the honorees at the Outstanding Directors Award event on Tuesday night. Hosted by Scott Feinberg of the Hollywood Reporter, the honorees came out for one-on-one discussions, followed by a lively group conversation.…