Santa Barbara International Film Festival Opens to a Sold-Out Crowd

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival danced to a lovely opening with the world premiere of the Disney documentary MADU directed by Matt Ogens and Joel ‘Kachi Benson.

The film follows the story of a 12-year-old Nigerian boy that gained admission to the prestigious Elmhurst Ballet School in England after a video his dancing in the rain went viral.  Here’s a link to the original video  Anthony Mmesoma Madu – Dancing in the Rain (youtube.com).

But, before all that, Mayor Randy Rowse arabesqued into action, graciously welcoming both locals and visitors to enjoy all the festival has to offer.

Roger Durling, SBIFF Executive Director, continued a Festival tradition by asking audience members to talk to a neighboring stranger.  Mine was a shy, young girl (not sure how old exactly since I have lost the ability to discern the relative ages of anyone under 30), who was attending the festival for the first time drawn by the inspiration of the story.  It’s a nice tradition.

Durling then gave perhaps his most eloquent description of the power of film to move people emotionally and to create commonality and community.  He stated, “art is not fully realized until you share it with someone…it is the question ‘what did you think?’ that completes the circle.” And that “we don’t go to films to find the meaning of life but rather that the feeling of being alive is the reason we go.” He exhorted the gathered to “let curiosity animate your days”.

The poster this year, by Santa Barbara artist Angela Perko, is a fresh take.  It is vivid with a velvet jacketed cinephile looking attentively forward with a screen for a head and a butterfly bow tie. A erudite colleague very observantly noted elements of Magritte and Rousseau.  It does make you think of the symbolism of it all.

The film itself was beautifully shot with the production values you would expect from a Disney documentary and the inherent story and subject were compelling.

It’s tone was perhaps a little somber for the story at times, maybe the reality of ballet school in England. There was burst of life and emotion when Madu returns to Nigeria, warmly embraced by his family.

However, in one scene with his parents, he is genuinely distraught, asking them to find a therapist to help him address his loneliness and turmoil. In response, his religious mother offers to take him to the prophet. He says, “I need a therapist not a prophet”.  She asks, “can I help”?  and he gives her a blunt “no”. It was a poignantly funny moment.

It takes a village to raise a Film Festival so go see something if you are so inclined.  There are some intriguing films in the program this year.  I am looking forward to a documentary following Special Olympics athletes titled, “All You Hear is Noise”, with 25 of Santa Barbara’s own Special Olympians in attendance.  It promises to be a raucous, joyous screening.

See more film schedules at sbiff.org