The Circuit

The NY Times' Michael Cieply writes about Sony's "Baghead" gamble - opening the Duplass Brothers' "Baghead" in Austin.  "Baghead's" next fest - after being picked up at Sundance - was SXSW, where lines to screenings snaked around corners. 

Can Texas open an indie film?

Cieply says it may not be such a gamble:

Professional reviews and expensive advertising in the national media centers matter less. Internet buzz and the folkways of a flourishing festival culture now count for more.

“It’s a cumulative effect,” [SPC's Tom] Bernard said. Critics in the big media centers, he argued, have generally gotten into the habit of writing for one another more than for movie viewers. Meanwhile, audiences in regional centers like the Texas cities he has in mind for “Baghead” have become well informed about films thanks to the widespread availability of information on the Web.

And the studio can generate excitement, for instance with an open-air premiere planned for “Baghead” in Austin, word of which will presumably spread to Dallas and Houston.

However, every Texan knows that Austin is not an accurate reflection of the state.  Ask many Austinites and they'll claim to be from Austin, not Texas.  After all, what's the local news filled with?  Branch Dividians, Texas Militia, polygamists, the mass arrests of the black population in Tulia, and outright murder in Jasper. 

With such fertile contradictions surrounding Austin, it's natural that great art and music is coming from it.  But beyond its liberal leanings - on a very basic level - Austin is the closest place to escape Texas.  It's an oasis, with a front row seat to miles of fantastic and tragic drama. 

But the rest of the state looks on the city as the weird sibling who never fit in.  They tolerate Austin.  "Baghead's" opening will be a unique test.  Will they tolerate Austin's exports as something more than the weird kid's new project?  As a Texan, I hope so.  But I'm not holding my breath.