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* 1st Annual Film Festival Heats Up The Winter Blast *

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

A look inside the Winter Blast Film Festival. "An Osprey Homecoming" was being shown.

 

By Jasmine Boney

jasminboney@yahoo.com

 

 

Last Friday, the Detroit Winter Blast held its first film festival. It is a new venue that showcases Michigan filmmakers. Hosted in a heated tent, the film festival showed the varying talents of Michigan residents.

The film festival started at 11 a.m. with Ballooning, Blimps and the Great Airships. Created by Al Eicher, from West Bloomfield, Michigan, the film featured balloons and other airships. Ballooning, Blimps and the Great Airships depicts the ballooning program in the Civil War and the division in the Union Army. Along with the war programs, his movie shows the history of the Gordon Bennett Balloon Races and the balloons of the WJR radio era.

Ballooning, Blimps and the Great Airships showed that balloons are more than a ride in the sky. Unaware of the impact that balloons have in history, the movie was an educational feature. The film was not personal and didn't have the any intense emotions. Another film that didn't have emotion or any character was the short film Graff in the "D".

Directed by Jim Hentges of Warren, Michigan Graff in the "D" takes a look at some of the most artistic graffiti from various railroad tracks. His film is a great way to showcase another form of art. The graffiti in the film had amazing footage of unknown artists.

Although there were no characters and no narration, Graff in the "D" gave Detroit a positive image. The art work was some of the best seen in Detroit.

As his first film, Hentges was proud of his work. He said that graffiti can be used as a draw to bring people in the city and that the film showcases a different art form which is good.

Both Graff in the "D" and Ballooning, Blimps and the Great Airships were good films that featured great footage of past and present history but neither one of the films had emotion.

Turning White-A Memoir of Change by Lee Thomas was a film that touched and taught people of a life unknown. The film carried intense emotions and a reality that people can relate to.

As an entertainment reporter, Thomas appears to live a happy life with no complications. Fox 2 viewers have grown accustomed to Thomas in the make-up he wears. Before going on air, Thomas conceals Vitiligo; a skin disease. The make-up hides the progressive change in his appearance.

In his documentary, Thomas shares his emotional highs and lows with viewers. Throughout the film, he shows how he looks without make-up, revealing peoples emotions and reactions. As Thomas shares his story, he talks with health care professionals and other people that have the same disease.

Turning White-A Memoir of Change displayed more than a skin change within a man, it showed the change of heart. Thomas tells a story about a young girl that makes him stay home for two weeks. After the story, people in the audience begin to tear up.

"It's sad that people are so mean, people need to wake up," said Famta Janneh of Detroit.

Thomas documentary gave an insight to an everyday life that he has to go through. Turning White-A Memoir of Change was the first film of the day that gave viewers of all ages someone to relate to. His film one of the greatest movies at the festival, he gave emotion, people and real life to the film. The aspects that Thomas provided allowed the audience to relate with him.

Besides Lee Thomas there was another filmmaker that made an incredible movie that most residents in Michigan can relate to. From Ferndale, Michigan, Andy Miller directed Everything is Alright. This is film about a man going through financial hardship during the Christmas season.

As the man stresses about the current state of life he meets a homeless man that is positive despite his situation. During the film, the two men have lunch together and talk about their life situations. Regardless of his status, the homeless man teaches his new friend that everything will be alright; you can't worry about the bad stuff.

"I like the movie, it was a good story, everybody can relate, I like it," said Bill Barno, Royal Oak, Michigan.

Everything is Alright was one of the few movies that were relatable in the festival. The film gave hope to a lot of residents in Michigan that are in similar situations. It took a homeless man to give a perspective about the happiness in life.

These filmmakers and many others were the first people to open the film festival. A wonderful addition to the Winter Blast, the film festival was a great event to attend. The festival was full of vendors, quiet and warm.

With array of filmmakers, the festival was a success and is worth looking forward to next year.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

The Film Festival line-up is shown on this sign.

 

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