16th
Kathryn Jenson White: deadCENTER 2008
Well, the final film has screened, and the winners have taken home their trophies. The final event was a 9 p.m. awards ceremony followed by an outdoor screening of “Nerdcore Rising” on a beautiful summer night. Sponsor Stella Artois had plenty of product available. It was all good: Cold beer, good film, balmy night, cool people sharing a passion.
I saw many films, some of which amazed me. “American Teen,” “Rainbow Around the Sun” and “Okie Noodling II” were superb.
OFCC members were particularly pleased to judge the Short Documentary category and to give our first Jim Chastain Award to the winner of the category: Taisia Reshetnikova, for her emotionally jarring film, “The Jump.” Reshetnikova is a Russian film student, but she competed in the open category. The film explores a young woman’s decision to terminate an unwanted pregnancy by — hold on to your seat — bungee jumping. The emotions are raw in this film, and the response to the young woman’s emotionalism — which those running the bungee jumping think is fear of the jump rather than confusion about her motivation and the consequences of her action — makes this a moving piece. The winner was not able to come to the U.S. to receive her award, but she knows by now, I’m sure.
deadcenterfilm.org is the Web site. You’ll find more information there. Plan now to participate in 2009. You’ll be glad you did.
2008 deadCENTER Winners
Narrative Feature - The New Year Parade
Documentary Feature - Greensboro: Closer to the Truth
Narrative Short - Damn the Past!
Documentary Short - The Jump
Animation - A Faery’s Tale
Student Film - The Aviatrix
Oklahoma Film - Rainbow Around the Sun
Grand Jury Narrative Feature - disFIGURED
Grand Jury Documentary Feature -A Year at Danger
The festival winners are all fine films, and we were excited to see such a strong field of Oklahoma filmmakers among the national/international competitors. True indie film — not indie as big studios have defined it but as committed independent filmmakers do — thrives. Those who run deadCENTER deserve a standing O. We who love film love them for their hard work and talent. We also owe a debt of gratitude to all the volunteers who work with the staff.
Those Who Make It Happen