The Circuit

by Brandon Harris
The Bahamas International Film Festival got underway this week, expanding from four days to seven for its fourth edition at Paradise Island’s Atlantis resort and a few scattered locales on PI and neighboring Nassau. An eclectically programmed affair showcasing 83 films from 26 countries, the young festival is showing signs of maturity amidst the broad simulacrum that dominates the landscape of a pricey Caribbean resort, even one as rich with natural beauty as this locale.

It has, not surprisingly, no pretenses of market status or preoccupation with world premieres; the festival’s primary achievement from a programming perspective having been to provide a leisurely, hospitable stop along the fest circuit for a unique cross-section of features and shorts, be they critic driven, underperforming indiewood titles (Paul Haggis’ "In The Valley of Elah," Mira Nair’s "The Namesake"), Sundance and Cannes favorites (James C. Strouse’s "Grace Is Gone," Sean & Andrea Fine’s "War/Dance," Cristian Mungiu’s "4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days" and Philip Van’s short "High Maintenance," which played both), popular films from the Black, Gay and Asian niche scenes without distribution (Jennifer Sharpe’s "I’m Through With White Girls," Ian Poitier’s "Oh Happy Day,"  Ritchie Mehta’s "Amal"), notable micro indies which have had small runs in New York (Scott Dacko’s "The Insurgents," John Jeffcoat’s "Outsourced") and a few films nearing the end of their mid-tier festival run (J.G. Bigg’s "Pleure En Silence," Ramcess Jean-Louis’ "Sarbane’s Oxley").

Other notable films include opening night selection "Battle In Seattle," a star studded recounting of the 1999 WTO protests by actor turned filmmaker, Stuart Townsend, "Beyond The Call," Adrian Belic’s follow up to his Oscar nominated doc "Genghis Blues,"  Philip Van’s and perhaps the hottest title on the festival circuit this fall, Jason Reitman’s "Juno"

Festival attendees, when not busy hitting the impressive array of waterslides, acquariums, beaches, fitness centers and astronomically priced shops and restaurants, are treated to constant stream of parties, panels, fashion shows, dinners and tributes during the festival’s first few days. Actress Naomie Harris will receive the festival’s “Rising Star Tribute” on Tuesday and Actress/Filmmaker Daryl Hannah was feted last night, receiving a  “Career Achievement Tribute” from festival patron Sir Sean Connery, who was in fine comedic form during last evening’s ceremony and even over the phone during Friday’s opening press conference.

Festival founder Leslie Vanderpool burst into the room, interrupting one filmmaker to exclaim that she had Connery on the phone for a brief word. She put him on speaker, which fazed the legendary actor, who, in his signature Scottish brogue, said it sounded as if everyone in the press conference had been forced into a “tight toilet”.

I’ve been a bit too busy seeing films, finding reasonably priced local food and talking to budding auteurs to lose any money at the low stakes, three card poker tables or even go swimming yet, but I was able to catch Floyd Mayweather’s 10th round knockout of Brit Ricky Hatton on one of the casino’s giant screens, the fight being closely watched by jurors Elliot Kotek and Ryan Fleck.

Fleck, who was here with "Half Nelson" last year, is an avid sports fan; his next film "Sugar," which bows at Sundance next month, is about a Dominican baseball player’s time with a farm team in the Midwest.

As a lifelong Cincinnati Reds fan, Fleck shocked and delighted me when he revealed that the baseball advisor for "Sugar" was none other than Jose Rijo, the jovial former Cincinnati Reds right hander who was a member of their 1990 championship team and arguably the best pitcher in the National League for a few years in the early 1990s.

Brandon Harris has directed several award winning short films including Happiness is no fun, a recipient of the 2006 National Board of Review student filmmaking grant and Evangeleo, which has screened at the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City. He serves as a film critic for National Board of Review’s website, freelances for Filmmaker Magazine and blogs at http://cinemaechochamber.blogspot.com.