CINEMA ARTS FESTIVAL WRAP UP

As I write this post the 2010 Cimena Arts Festival is winding down. It definately had something for everyone this year. Some of the screenings I was able to attend were "Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer," a docudrama about the former New York Governors downfall after being tangled up with call-girl ring, directed by Alex Gibney; Frederic Laffont's documentary "Ballad For a Cowboy," which follows bareback rodeo rider Clint Cannon and his dreams of reaching the finals at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Also got a chance to screen the 2010 honorees of the Texas Filmmakers Showcase. This annual event celebrates Texas Short Filmmakers. Most notable in this years line up was "Katrina's Son" by Ya'Ke Smith and Van Blumriech's "The Natural Order of Things"

I also got the chance to meet actor filmmaker John Turturro after the screening of his feature "Rehearsal For a Sicilian Tragedy" with director Roman Paska. Isabella Rossellini was also in the audience. Rossellini was in town to screen two films during the festival. I didn't realize I was sitting directly across the aisle from her until she was whisked away to one of her screenings at the Rice Media Center. Stunningly beautiful, even now.

All in all it looked to be a great festival, and hopefully if my crazy schedule allows I'll be able to report again from CAFH next year. 

Special thanks to Alfred Cervantes, deputy director of the Houston Film Commission for his generosity.