Every year when the Milwaukee Film Festival rolls around it feels like Christmas in my house. The giddy anticipation to be sucked into the silver screen is a feeling like no other. So, in case you’ve been remiss in your cinema-going, allow me to offer my best bets for the second week of the Film Festival.
Thursday, Sept. 29
Happy –7:30 p.m. (Oriental Theater, 2230 N. Farwell Ave.)
Everyone says money isn’t the key to happiness. But that old platitude is proven when researchers find that happiness is more abundant in certain slums than in many American households. This documentary reveals new findings from the emerging field of positive psychology and covers five continents to discover what makes humans happy.
There is actually an organization right here in Milwaukee called Hapacus, which actually championed for this film at the fest. “The Hapacus equation is a grassroots movement dedicated increasing happiness through education and training,” says Founder Bob Pothier. “Really, it’s about approaching it from a scientific angle and making it a conscious, rather than a subconscious practice.”
The Milwaukee Show – 7 p.m. (Oriental Theater)
Show some Milwaukee pride with these shorts from seasoned and novice local filmmakers, including the premiere of The Wheel from Milwaukee Film's filmmaker-in-residence John Roberts.
Friday, Sept. 30
El Bulli: Cooking in Progress – 7 p.m. (North Shore Cinema, 11700 N. Port Washington Rd.)
This documentary tracks Spanish chef Ferran Adrià to his molecular gastronomy lab and through the menu creation process for his recently closed, but often cited as the world’s best, restaurant El Bulli.
Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life – 7:15 p.m. (North Shore Cinema)
Travel back to the swinging ‘60s in Paris with one of the era’s most famous and scandalous icons – singing sex symbol Serge Gainsbourg. Dreamy cinematography, sexy leading ladies and plenty of pop!
Saturday, Oct. 1
Miss Tacuarembó – 7:30 p.m. (North Shore Cinema)
Natalia, a Bible-themed amusement park worker in Buenos Aires, lands an audition for an “American Idol”-style reality show and is ready for her wildest dreams to come true.
Nothing's All Bad – 9:30 p.m. (Marcus Ridge Cinema, 5200 S. Moorland Rd., New Berlin)
Desire and loneliness lead to unusual adventures and unexpected outcomes for four different people coping with very different circumstances.
Sunday, Oct. 2
Mumbai Diaries – 2:30 p.m. (Oriental Theater)
Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire hurled Indian cinema into the world’s view. Now, a beautiful portrait of a diverse group of Mumbai residents and how they connect with one another in ways they never dreamed possible.
El Velador – 2:45 p.m. (Oriental Theater)
This timely documentary is about a night watchman at a narco-cemetery in Mexico City that houses some of the country’s flashiest drug lords.
For more information on how to purchase tickets for these films and others, click here. And for more Film Fest coverage, check out the Moviegoers blog.
Two More Not to Miss
Riverwest Art Walk – In its 27th year, the Riverwest Art Walk is the city’s largest art walk event that invites the public into artists’ studios, homes, businesses and galleries in Riverwest. For more information, click here.
For the more athletic and adventure-seeking types, check out Cross the Domes cyclocross races at the Mitchell Park Domes (524 S. Layton Blvd.). Juniors, men and women, amateur to pro, will race throughout the day starting at 9:30 a.m. I hear the crowds and the racers get pretty rowdy so come prepared for just about anything.
Follow me on twitter @jkashou for more insider tips, events and happenings around town. Or, tip me off to an event you know of that you’d like me to cover.
