Silver Screen

Hill Country Film Festival's must-see movies for 2017

Hill Country Film Festival runs April 27-30.

The eighth annual Hill Country Film Festival will light up Fredericksburg April 27-30 with screenings of a host of feature and short films. Brainchild of executive director Chad Mathews and programming director Gary Weeks, HCFF was created to celebrate and showcase filmmakers from Texas and around the world.

The duo created the beloved Hill Country festival as an atmosphere where filmmakers can not only showcase their project, but also build lasting relationships and find an audience for their film. Mathews' sister, Amy Miskovsky, is the festival director largely responsible for executing the event.

“I love working with my family and friends to bring this festival to the Texas Hill Country, a place that holds so many great memories of summers and holidays," Miskovsky says. "The more I learn about independent film, the more certain I am that HCFF is the perfect complement to Fredericksburg’s rich cultural and artistic community.”

One special event for this year's festival is A Conversation with Robert Walden. Louis Black, co-founder of Austin Chronicle and co-founder and director of SXSW, will host the intimate conversation about the actor’s career, work process, and passion for character development. It takes place Saturday, April 29, at 6 pm at Fritztown Cinema.

In addition to conversations and high-profile screenings, this year's short films include some that are fully produced and directed by high school or college filmmakers. The festival will also showcase a screenplay competition with five feature finalists and five short finalists, as well as the Coen Brothers' No Country For Old Men, which will be screening out of competition.

All-access festival badges and individual tickets are currently available for purchase online. The complete schedule can be found at the HCFF website.

Our five picks for can't-miss screenings are:

As Far As The Eye Can See
This Texas-made feature film tells the story of Jack Ridge, a 40-year-old former piano prodigy, who has withdrawn to a North Texas farm after his wife left him. The story revolves around the annual piano competition and corporate pressure to sell his land. Written by Paden Fallis, directed by David Franklin, and starring Jason London.
Thursday, April 27, 7 pm

What Children Do
Filmed in upstate New York, this comedy is about two estranged sisters who are thrust back into each other's lives by the impending death of their grandmother. It is directed and written by Dean Peterson and stars Janna Emig and Kate Hoffman.
Friday, April 28, 4:15 pm

Victor
Based on the true story of Victor Torres (adapted from his inspiring autobiography Son of Evil Street), this film tells the story of Torres' experience migrating to Brooklyn as a teenager, where he fell victim to gangs and heroin. His remarkable journey of faith and recovery led to a lifetime of helping others in need. Brandon Dickerson directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Thomas Ward; starring Patrick Davis.
Friday, April 28, 6:30 pm

Dealt
This fascinating documentary showcases Richard Turner, one of the world's greatest card magicians, who is completely blind. This is an in-depth look at a complex character who is one of magic’s greatest hidden treasures. Written by Bradley Jackson and directed by Luke Korem.
Saturday, April 29, 4 pm

La Barracuda
Another family film, this sinister yet musical story is about a young British woman who comes to Texas to stake her claim to the family's music legacy — and to meet her half-sister. Directed by Jason Cortlund and Julia Halperin, the film stars Sophie Reid and Alison Tolman.
Saturday, April 29, 7:15 pm

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Movie Review

Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin are both funny and deep in A Real Pain

Photo courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg in A Real Pain.

Comedy film duos have a long history, from Laurel and Hardy in the 1920s and ‘30s to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler in movies like Baby Mama. But the majority of duos have either been friends or work partners; relationships that can be close, but not as close as family. The new film A Real Pain aims for the comedy that a great duo can bring, but hits deeper because the two lead characters are related to each other.

Benji (Kieran Culkin) and David (Jesse Eisenberg) are first cousins who decide to take a trip to Poland to visit the childhood home of their grandmother, who has recently passed. Their personalities could not be more different, with David buttoned-down and reserved and Benji extremely social, if a little wild. This contrast is on display from the moment they leave on their trip, affecting almost every aspect of their journey.

The two meet up with a diverse tour group in Poland, including guide James (Will Sharpe), recently divorced Marcia (Jennifer Grey), married couple Mark (Daniel Oreskes) and Diane (Liza Sadovy), and Eloge (Kurt Egyiawan), an African man who has converted to Judaism. As the group visits various historical sites, David confronts contrasting feelings about Benji, who goes from charming to abrasive seemingly at the drop of a hat.

Written and directed by Eisenberg, the film is about both the family we have and the history of those who came before us. With Benji and David being Jewish and their grandmother having escaped from the Nazis in World War II, the themes hit harder than they might in other situations. Eisenberg takes care to honor his Jewish ancestors both in the way he has Benji and David talk about their grandmother and the places they visit.

But even though emotions are heightened due to the significance of the trip, the film is far from a dour affair. Benji keeps things interesting at almost all times with a series of impulsive decisions, many that are entertaining for both the tour group and the audience watching the film. He is one of those film characters that is great to watch on screen, but would likely be too much to handle if you were confronted with him in real life.

The relationship between Benji and David is a complicated one; the two obviously have love for each other, but they rarely see eye-to-eye on the best way to approach certain situations. This tension keeps the film grounded, and Eisenberg does a great job at showing the push-and-pull the two cousins have with each other. The little moments, especially when Benji and David go their separate ways, say a lot as the characters try to reconcile where each is at in their respective lives.

Eisenberg has always been an understated performer, so this role is almost perfect for him. Culkin, fresh off his Emmy-winning role in HBO’s Succession, is an ideal foil for Eisenberg, as he has a manic energy that he can control or not control at will. It’s also nice to see Grey in action again, as she brings just the right touch to her supporting role.

The drama in A Real Pain comes from the life experiences of its two main characters, which are on full display despite the story only doling out details in small doses. The film is subtle yet powerful, a testament to Eisenberg’s filmmaking ability and the actors never trying to make too much of their scenes.

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A Real Pain opens in theaters on November 15.

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