Had a short day today, only three films, and the first of them was the documentary Pool Party which mixed live musical performances with interviews and historical footage, telling the story of the McCarren Pool in Williamsberg, one of the biggest pools in the world. It holds, at capacity, 6,800 bathers and was built in a public service frenzy in 1939. It became abandoned for quite some time but after a visionary choreographer saw the potential of the space it was redeveloped and has been hosting free live music events starring some of the neighbourhoods best artists such as The Beastie Boys, Sonic Youth, The Breeders and Yo La Tengo, throughout the summer. It was an amazing history lesson of the Williamsberg area as well as an inspiring story of a small groups commitment to celebrating the culture of the area whilst entertaining the locals. One aspect of the film I found particularly intriguing was the case put forward that areas that are particularly run down and therefore cheap to live in, that then become infested with creative types suddenly become expensive and trendy areas to live with high rise million dollar apartments since the commencement of these parties being erected and a multi million dollar plan by the current New York government to redevelop the pool back into a pool for the rich locals to enjoy. I suddenly feel I've been taught something significant.
I had to get back to the office and welcome the second platform acting team back inside and therefore missed the short preceding Sodankyla Forever - The Century Of Cinema, and quite a bit of the film but I did catch a number of the interviews featured in this documentary which was basically just a huge collection of cinemas finest talking to film circles (I assume at the Midnight Sun Film Festival which filmmaker and film historian Peter von Bagh Directs) talking about films. I walked in as they were all discussing the significance of war films and seeing as I had to sit at the front and the angle from the front makes me feel a bit sick, I slept through quite a lot of it. What I did see was very comprehensive and quite intriguing. This felt like the love child of von Bagh and I wouldn't mind actually seeing it in full at some stage.
Finally for the day was the incredibly moving Autoluminescent: Rowland S. Howard, the documentary celebrating the life and art of the incendiary Rowland S. Howard. Lovingly compiled interviews with his nearest and dearest woven with intermittent readings of his unpublished novel. I don't want to say too much because this film really needs to be seen by anyone who loves music, art or film. I was moved to tears post film when Howard's long time lover Genevieve McGuckin could barely speak post film through her tears, it was a lovely portrait of a troubled soul with an incredible talent and unnerving style. I want to be really post punk so much more now. Went home to put on something cool before heading to the after party. I think I freaked out Richard Lowenstein; I kept staring at him waiting for a moment between conversations with others, to go and tell him how wonderful I thought it was, and how much I love He Died With A Felafel In His Hand and Dogs in Space, but I never got the chance. I did have a nice DnM with Genevieve and got a little kiss on the cheek from Mick Harvey after I told him I liked his Serge Gainsbourg album and he told me I was cool.
Pick of the Day
Definitely Autolumiscent, it was such a beautiful film and was also incredibly inspiring.
Surprise of the Day
Pool Party was surprisingly educational. I was expecting a collection of live performances from the artists but it was so much more.
Film total so far
34
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