Under The Bombs

Filmmakers discuss making Under the Bombs

PARK CITY

I had somewhat low expectations for Under the Bombs. I can't really pinpoint why... but I assumed I'd find a fairly low budget documentary-style narrative film that was far more interesting in concept and subject than in artistic value and watchability. I saw it because I felt it was one of those films that "had to be seen."

But... not only was the film quite watchable, it was actually good! I mean, it's not like it blew me away or anything, but I'd definitely recommend it to others and would gladly watch it again.

So what's the premise here? In the summer of 2006, Lebanon was relentlessly bombed for 33 straight days killing over a thousand people and displacing millions. By the time the UN-backed cease fire finally took hold, families had been scattered, thousands of homes destroyed and much of people's basic needs were nearly non-existent in the south part of the country. Desperately seeking to find her son and sister who were living in the South during the attacks, Zeina arrives on a boat from Dubai and enlists the help of the only cab driver crazy enough to take her to that part of the country. Their journey to reconnect with Zeina's family takes them through landscapes of utter destruction, bombed-out bridges, areas with no remaining gasoline and mourning communities over a period of several days. Initially distant, Zeina and Tony, the cab driver, soon become friends and come together in the task of retracing her son and sister's last whereabouts.

Underneath it all, it's a story about shared humanity that renders differences of class, religion and politics irrelevant when faced by a common goal. Tony and Zeina's journey is long and extremely dangerous, but the bond that grows between them and those around them is incredibly strong.

The most remarkable thing about this film is that it was shot 10 days into the actual bombings using many nonactors by a French-Lebanese documentary filmmaker. Initially no script existed, so they more or less made it up as they went along. However, production value is surprisingly high, rivaling that of many independent Hollywood films. It balances various aspects of documentary and narrative filmmaking to great a film that feels incredibly real, but packs a well-written and personal story. Rather than simply trying to inform you on a subject, the film pulls you in and connects you with these characters who carry out their story in front of a backdrop no production designer could ever create. It effectively illuminates the trauma of war, leaving behind most of the politics of Hezbollah and the Israeli military. Very powerful stuff.

Hitting the slopes

Park City nestled in snow

PARK CITY

Just got out of the Under The Bombs screening. More on the film later today, but I was quite pleasantly surprised.

Since I'm free until 11:30 tonight I'm going to hit the slopes for awhile to get in a bit of snowboarding. Hopefully I don't end up like Morgan Spurlock who broke two fingers snowboarding his first day out at Park City.

Phoebe In Wonderland

Daniel Barnz, Patricia Clarkson and the Phoebe In Wonderland crew field audience questions

PARK CITY

So... Now that I'm once again in a warm theater I can throw a little love out for Phoebe In Wonderland. Premiering at this year's fest, the film's story revolves around a nine year-old girl with an active imagination, played by Elle Fanning (sister to Dakota). She's one of these kids who's a bit special, because it's sometimes difficult for her to separate fantasy from reality. This alone creates problems for Phoebe both at home and at school, but things are made even worse by the fact that she's started acting out by spitting on other students and being somewhat verbally abusive, though she claims it's beyond her control. Phoebe manages to find a safe and supportive place in the school's play, Alice In Wonderland, where she's really able to grow and perhaps find herself.

At the expense of sounding cliché, this film is really about the beauty of the imagination and the struggle of family and of growing up. It's not sappy though, this is really a solid film with a good character arc, lots of good conflict and an ending that doesn't feel like studio bullshit. The performances from Elle, Bill Pullman, Felicity Huffman and Patricia Clarkson are all solid and well fleshed out. All in all it's a really good film from first-time feature director Daniel Barnz who made Variety's "10 directors to watch" list for 2008.

Next film's about to start. Gotta run.

Shuteye

Moonlit view of the ski slopes from the condo

PARK CITY

Nothing like the bite of five degree temps to smack you awake and make you forget how much ass lag you have. Phoebe In Wonderland was great, but I'll be waiting until tomorrow to post on it. Right now it's time for sleep.

The clouds from ealier today have cleared off and given way to some lovely moonlighting on the slopes visible from the condo.

Where In The World Is Osama Bin Laden?

Morgan Spurlock and nearly the entire production team talk about making Where In The World Is Osama Bin Laden at the film's premier.

PARK CITY

Back in line again at Library Center following the premier of Where In The World Is Osama Bin Laden awaiting my fourth screening of the day. We'll see how this goes... I'm exhausted.

So... Where In The World Is Osama Bin Laden? Leave it to Morgan Spurlock (of Supersize Me fame) to turn the subject upside down, dig deeper than you thought possible but still keep a sense of humor about the whole thing.

Here's the deal. Morgan's partner Alex is expecting their first child. Suddenly the current state of the world comes into sharp focus. What kind of a world is this kid going to grow up in when we can't even find one guy supposedly living in a cave? So Morgan, taking a queue from Hollywood films, determines that the perhaps what's needed is for one man to simply go over to the middle east and track him down. So Morgan, being that "one man," does his homework on current events, gets his shots, takes a class on self defense (ie how to defend yourself from grenades, hostage takers, enemy fire, suicide bombers, etc) and heads off to the Middle East to try and track him down.

It's a crazy scheme, but just as with Supersize Me, Morgan manages to uncover a lot of extremely interesting material. How do those in the Middle East really feel about America? How did Osama manage to build such an incredible following? Will it really accomplish anything to bring the man in? What emerges from all this is a uniquely honest portrait of the Middle East and how US foreign policy is shaping the current state of that part of the world. Many of Morgan's findings are expected, but many of them are not.

Morgan's usual wit is apparent here as well, just as it was with Supersize Me. Rather than detract from the subject, the comic elements really help frame the discussion, calling to attention just how insane a lot of this stuff really is.

This film is undoubtedly going to fly at the level of Supersize Me and thus will hopefully really call public attention to some of these issues and incite some much needed change.

This film also saw one of the best Q&As from the fest. Not only did Morgan bring his entire production team, including one of the field producers from Saudi Arabia (who had never seen snow before this week), but also Morgan's partner Alex. With such a huge turnout, it was a great opportunity to ask the tough questions... like "what the hell were you thinking?!" and "how the hell did Alex ever let you go off and do this when you were expecting a child!?"