jadyte991

This documentary focuses on the true trials and tribulations of adolescence. A team of high schoolers must learn to work together and learn the important values of what it means to set goals and the hard work it takes to meet them. Their choir director is a sage - he's seen it all before, but still, with each new school year, he is challenged to his maximum. Competition docs are interesting because they have a clear finish line, but this doc is special because it doesn't shy away from the grit and process that it takes to get to that award winning performance. The cast of high schools is vibrant, as are their parents. A great film to watch with your family!

I saw this film at the Austin Film Fest of 2005 and I must say it was one of the better films I saw there. Lewis Helfer, who wrote, directed, and starred in this film, plays Brian, a 32 year old oddball, still living with his parents in NYC. His unique character, including his numerous face twitches, his daily loaf of bread, and unusual thought processes were all visually presented in a smart and comical way. Aware of his pitiful existence, Brian contemplates suicide almost daily, and finally decides to do it. But soon after his decision, he is told by doctors that he will only have two weeks to live. With this prognosis, he decides to live life "to the fullest." With this new rule for life, he decides to talk to the beautiful and mysterious Claire. As things unfold, he finds himself living for the first time, but time is running out. The experimental aspect of the film works very well comically, taking the audience into hilarious dream sequences and the inner-workings of his mind. I really enjoyed this film for it's quaint-ness, if you know what I mean. This was a little story with intricately molded characters that made a lasting impact on me. I unfortunately saw the second screening of the film, where Lewis Helfer was not present. If he was, I'd definitely give him kudos and a hug.

i saw this short film yesterday at the austin film festival and it was just beautiful. beautifully shot, acted, written, and edited. i spoke with the director after the screening and she told me she that this was her thesis film for her MFA at Columbia University. that film dept has been producing the most student academy award winners and winners of film fests around the world. it's a delicate piece and i hope it will get picked up by other festivals. best of luck to this new director, hannah beth king, and to the wonderful actors too. the little girl was beyond words... it's such a heavy role she has to act, and she pulls it off flawlessly.