The Festival is really gearing up now. Sundance can be a glam, gossip-ridden event, so stirring up a bit of drama may not be such a bad idea. Meanwhile, I’ll be true to the ‘freedom of expression’ that is core to the Festival’s theme. After training, a co-worker told me about two films screening for volunteers and staff. I checked out Adventures of Power, a silly and fun film about an air drummer’s quest to help others feel what he feels from the music. This struck a familiar cord with me, as my UCLA roommate constantly air-drummed to Rush, finding ‘Tom Sawyer‘ to be the ultimate air drum challenge, as did Power, the film’s geeky protagonist. The second film, I Always Wanted to be a Gangster, made me realize I’m a francophile to a fault. Especially excited to see this black and white film from France, I forgot to check the bus schedule; finding the film interesting but a bit slow, I left half-way through – missing the last bus and having to take a cab home. Sundance was a great success, and I was able to see many films: An American Soldier, American Teen, Fields of Fuel, Gonzo, I.O.U.S.A., Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired, Downloading Nancy, Frozen River, Durakovo, The Drummer, The Deal, Hell Ride, Fears of the Dark, and the winning Shorts. I met some great people, and enjoyed taking the bus to Old Town, tromping through snowy streets. The documentaries in particular have motivated me to get more creative and live outside the comfort zone. Now that my paranoia is quelled, this next stage should be a great opportunity to make changes and develop into the character I want to become.
