Held in the heart of Silicon Valley, California, this year’s 17th annual Cinequest Film Festival took off in an international fashion.

The opening night gala was engrossed with eager movie-goers waiting to view the premiere of The Namesake. The movie’s well-known director and producer, Mira Nair, brings us into a realm to which many immigrants from across the globe can relate. Her adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Namesake, captivated the audience which could see a bit of their own familial history in the story of a traditional Indian family adjusting to the intensity of the American culture. Through a traditional arranged marriage, Ashoke and Ashima meet in her families’ home in India. They will be living in the U.S. and Ashoke, who has already studied and lived there, is not hesitant about going back to the States. His new bride Ashima has her own private reservations though. While Ashima finds herself in the chaotic city of New York, she tries her best to adapt to American customs. More difficult is the opposite adaptation forGogol, Ashoke and Ashima’s son, played by Kal Penn [Harold and Kumar go to WhiteCastle(2004)], as he struggles against his own ancient heritage and name. After meeting Max, the typical blond-haired, blue-eyed, all-American girl next door, Gogol feels liberated from his traditional Indian background. Although an arranged marriage is being pushed unto him, he rebels against his parents’ wishes. As the story unfolds, it is prevalent that sometimes it is inevitable to detach from your roots, no matter how much you struggle.

A special feature held at Cinequest was the filmmaking and technology forums. Each Friday and Saturday of the two-week event, special forums were held for filmmakers, both established and novice alike, about distribution of film, sight and sound, screenwriting, and producing. These forums were compiled to teach filmmakers new techniques in filmmaking, and also, to share with the new hopefuls ways to break into the industry and how to maneuver one’s projects once initiated. The forums were particularly useful for film students from near-by colleges. San Jose State and USC students, as well as other students from various colleges and universities were ready, willing, and eager to learn what the connoisseurs of the industry had to teach.  

Aside from the films and forums, the special guest appearances were the “must see, must be at” events at the festival. Guests such as J.J. Adams, the genius creative mind behind the Emmy Award-winning Lost, Felicity, and Alias,was there to share with the audience a look into his world as a Hollywood producer, writer, and director, and to discuss his knack for impacting a worldwide audience through the different elements of film and storytelling.

Mr. Abrams was refreshingly down to earth and has a quick sense of humor; which captured the attention of the audience. Not only did he speak of his Hollywood endeavors and experience working with Tom Cruise on Mission Impossible III, he also spoke about his life with his wife and children. Some of the audience members asked him about the kind of films and television shows he enjoys producing, to which he replied, “I like to write and produce stories that inspire - the character defines the structure of the story and the theme keeps it together.” Mr. Abrams also stated that “Screenwriting is crazy and painful, but it is amazing as well.”  He maintained his down-to-earth personality when asked about his feelings on his Golden Globe win, simply saying,” It is a great perk to win, but I can live without it.” He also stated that if someone is a serious filmmaker, then (s)/he can “…make films with less money and make them better.” This comment was well received by the innovative filmmakers in the audience.

Amongst the “Big Names” of Hollywood, were also some new filmmakers who spoke about their films at the Cinequest press conference. Russ Marleau of “Curiosity of Chance,” John Jeffcoat of “Outsourced,” and David Hewlett of “A Dog’s Breakfast,” just to name a few. Mr. Hewlett, also an actor, had an interesting comment for the journalists who asked about his experience with acting, and now writing and directing his own film. “I like how much actors get paid, but writing and directing created an appreciation of how much goes into completing a film.” All the filmmakers on the forum unanimously agreed that writing, producing, and/or directing their own films gave them a greater sense of accomplishment. This is because when one has the opportunity to create his/her own film and/or documentary, (s)/he gains the power to touch an audience with his/her own unique storytelling style.  

Two of the most anticipated guest stars were actress Minnie Driver and drummer Stewart Copeland of The Police. Both of these talents, along with J.J. Abrams and writer/producer Christie Vachon, were invited to receive the Maverick Spirit Award. The award recognizes actors, writers, directors, and producers who are not afraid to push the envelope in style and content, and who also make a difference in the entertainment industry while doing so. During the press conference, Ms. Driver spoke about her experiences with acting in her debut film Circle of Friends (1995), Good Will Hunting (1997), and Phantom of the Opera (2004). She also spoke about her love of singing and about her new album coming out soon. Ms. Driver is also known for her involvement in women’s labor rights and as a spokesperson for the venerated Oxford Committee for Famine Relief (Oxfam). She continues to draw attention to the troubles of impoverished and underpaid garment workers throughout Southeast Asia. 

Aside from the forums and guest appearances, there were three films in particular that stood out: Act Normal, Hitler Meets Christ, and Indestructible. Act Normal is a documentary 10 years in the making, about Robert, a Nottingham native who began practicing Buddhism from a very early age. When he reached adulthood, Robert traveled to a monastery in Thailand. He originally planned to stay for three months and ended up living there for 10 years. An interesting string of events unfold when Robert visits Kazakhstan one summer. He meets an aerobics instructor, marries her and resigns from monk-hood after 16 years. While back in the secular world, Robert needs to acquire a job, so he takes some peculiar positions: one as a security guard and another as a bar keep; very different job descriptions from his days of seeking enlightenment. Unfortunately the marriage does not last, and Robert questions whether he made the right decision. While adapting to the “ways of the world,” Robert feels a sense of emptiness and loss. He finds himself enthralled back into the way of life he originally sought out for himself, that of a monk. It’s an interesting journey and one that the audience can relate to well, as all of us at one time or another question and search for our own purpose and place in life. Learn more about the film at www.actnormalthemovie.com.

Hitler Meets Christ is an unusual film about two men who meet in a somber train station. One believes he is Christ and the other believes he is Hitler. Emmy Award winner Michael Moriarty, Law and Order, adapted the screenplay from his own controversial play, and also stars as this new form of Hitler. The Christ figure is played by Wyatt Page. Like the two true beings, these two characters take on the personification of Christ and Hitler. The dynamics between these two figures are humorous and disturbing at the same time, and while they discuss and debate the nature of man, the audience cannot help but wonder what such a meeting would manifest into if it truly was to occur. 

Indestructible is an inspirational and emotional documentary about a remarkable young actor and filmmaker, who turns the camera on himself to record his degenerating struggle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. His tremendous internal and external journey begins with traveling all over the world in the hopes of finding an effective treatment to alleviate the symptoms of his terminal disease. Ben Byer, with his ailing condition, goes to Greece, China, Jamaica, and even Israel, just to name a few countries, to meet others with ALS, experiment with an ancient Chinese cleansing agent (Bu Nao Gao), and to undergo a fetal cell transplant procedure, anything in the hopes of halting this destructive disease. One of the most amazing scenes is when Ben visits Israel, and with the help of his brother, climbs to the top of Masada, a desert fortress overlooking the Dead Sea. A feat to prevail over for anyone, the audience cannot help but cheer for Ben and feel a sense of pride for this persistent and courageous man. This film not only makes you think about how fragile we all are as human beings, but it also shows how Indestructible the human spirit can be, no matter what it is dealt. A film for all audiences to see, it will un-doubtably leave you with a sense of joy, compassion, pride, care, and interest in the life of someone who fights to live everyday, a life that can easily become our own one day, as ALS does not discriminate. Read more at http://indestructiblefilm.com and our interview with Ben Byer, writer, producer and inspiration behind the documentary Indestructible.

Cinequest was recently named the in Top 10 Film Festival in the World by the Ultimate Film Festival Survival guide, a title that was very much lived up to at this year’s event. Cinequest proves to be one of the best, and it will continue to be a Maverick festival itself, while serving artists, filmmakers, film lovers and students alike.