Anticipation

No better time for blogging than while waiting for a delayed flight, anticipating the arrival home.

I've had a wonderful trip to Rhode Island - visiting the George Wein Folk Fest 50 (as I've come to find is its correct name) and great friends, and discovering the joys of transversing an entire state in the time it normally takes me to drive across town.

I also briefly stopped by the RI Film Festival on my way out of Providence, catching an international short film showcase. One film, Half Kenneth, has its basis in historical documentary - the subject matter involving the Manzanar Japanese-American internment camp during WWII. The story of two young brothers trying to escape and make their way home to their mother is quite touching. One of the executive producers of the film is Yoko Ono Lennon, and the actual camp is now an historic rememberance site managed by the National Park Service. Makes me want to read up more on this sad and shameful chapter in American history; I'm not sure if a comprehensive doc has been made on the subject, but it should be brought to light so never repeated.

Since I was unable to stay to screen any docs at the festival, I will instead share the films scheduled there that I hope to see in the near future:

Annie Leibovitz "So, There You Go" - portrait of the renowned portrait photographer.
Art & Copy - the world of advertising.
Homegrown - living life Little House on the Prairie-style in the 21st century.
Little Miss Dewie - a "duckumentary" short.
Not Your Mama's Roller Derby - think this one is self-explanatory.
School Play - everyday drama of 5th grade, framing a production of The Wizard of Oz.
Shooting Beauty - fashion photographer captures a hidden world of beauty at a center for disabilities.
Uneven Fairways - the African-American experience in golf.
William Shatner's Gonzo Ballet - Shatner meets Ben Folds in an avant garde way. 'nuff said.

A few other docs I want to see this month at the IDA DocuWeeks festival in LA include:

Rock Prophecies - profile of rock photographer Robert Knight.
Tapped - the troubles of the bottled water industry.
Smile 'til It Hurts: The Up With People Story - remember them?

Some good stuff coming out of the vacation - docs follow us everywhere!