LIIFE Day 2 Impressions

By David Salazar

Today was a bit different. We were able to attend the tech awards luncheon where it became clear that some films were favorites for the judges. Fortunately, those films are later on in the week so I will have an opportunity to still watch them. We had every intention of attending 2 blocks tonight, but after the emotionally draining feature in the first block, it was clear that there was no energy for another 2 hours of violent films (a gangster one no less).

1. "Isabella" by Donald Graham

This short film was more like a visual poem with some beautiful entrancing dance and choreography by Ingrid Graham. There is only one character and we are essentially shown her story through her dance. It is an interesting experiment that is worth a look.


Isabella Official Website

2. "The Lighthouse" by Po Chou Chi
I have embedded a video of the entire film. It may not be the most original concept, but it sure is beautifully executed and extremely poignant and touching. There isn't much to say that you can't figure out for yourself once you watch it.



3. "As if I am Not There" by Juanita Wilson

And the BIG one. I was warned that it would be hard to watch. And I was told it was an excellent film. But I never imagined that it would be so much more in both departments. It was excruciating to watch at times and it was one hell of a film. The film relates the story of a girl Samira from Saravejo who is captured and put into a Bosnian camp along with another group of village women. At the camp she experiences all the injustices and cruelties that you can think of. Beating? Check. Rape? You bet. Death? She sees a great deal of it. She essentially is forced to either prostitute herself with the main captain to survive or endure the cruel violent raping sessions with the other soldiers. The film is grueling and certainly not an audience pleaser in the least bit. What it is is a psychological study and observation of one of the darkest wars in recent times. The beautiful Natasha Petrovic plays Samira in one of the most heart-wrenching performances that I have seen in recent years. The beauty of her performance is watching how hard her character works to hold herself together emotionally despite all the tragedy that she endures. When she finally lets go of all the pent up trauma near the end of the film, it is a sublime moment to behold.

The story may seem familiar, but it is told with passion, balance, and delicacy that makes this common theme fresh and new. The film threatens to overdo the horror, but director Juanita Wilson does a great job of holding the integrity of the piece together at the right moments. The film can apparently be purchased on its website. Below is the trailer. Watch it!