There is something for everyone at this year’s third annual artsfusion festival according to Elyse Gonyo, producer of the week-long event.
“Most of these arts have been happening long before we came along, we are just bringing them to light,” Gonyo said.
This celebration of the arts aims at bringing the community together by broadly encompassing all aspects of the arts. Films are major avenues for artistic expression, and those being shown during artsfusion will be aimed at impressing even the most conversant dilettante.
Film-related events will also be included in artsfusion, such as lectures and film festivals.
The movies being shown include: “North Country,” “The World’s Fastest Indian,” “The Producers,” “Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story,” and “The Guestworker: Bienvenidos a Carolina del Norte.”
“North Country” stars Charlize Theron in the story behind the first major successful sexual harassment case in the United States. Theron’s character is the victim of harsh discrimination and eventually files and wins a milestone lawsuit.
“This movie supports a great cause; ending discrimination against women,” Gonyo said.
There is also a panel discussion following the movie sponsored by the Women’s Center. Experts will discuss sexual harassment issues in an attempt to create more awareness and help fight discrimination.
“The World’s Fastest Indian” stars Anthony Hopkins as Burt Munro, a motorcycle enthusiast who builds a motorcycle that breaks the land speed record in 1920. The planners of artsfusion said this is an entertaining movie for any motorcycle enthusiast and is also an intriguing story about the life of the man behind the record.
“The Producers” is a comedy about a distraught producer and his scheming accountant who plan to make money off of a flop instead of a hit musical.
Starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, this film is hilarious and is a great chance to see two amazing actors, said Gonyo.
She highly recommends the movie because, “It’s funny, cheaper than seeing the musical on Broadway, and stars two amazing actors.”
“Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story” is an adaptation of Laurence Sterne’s novel, “The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman.” This comedy stars Steve Coogan as Tristram Shandy and the film documents the making of the movie being watched.
The movie is a little surreal at times, but that is because the novel is remarkably whimsical. An incredibly original comedy, Tristram Shandy is recommended for anyone who enjoys “mockumentaries.”
“The Guestworker: Bienvenidos a Carolina del Norte” is a foreign film about an immigrant farm worker. Set in North Carolina, it is the story of 66-year-old Candelario, a “guestworker” who comes to the United States every year to harvest crops and provide for his family.
“This film is very timely and political with immigration being a hot button issue these days,” Gonyo said.
It is also a good chance for students to see an immigrant’s side of working in this country.
Jacquelyn Gallagher, communication manager for artsfusion, recommends the movie. “This is a great opportunity to broaden your knowledge about foreign films,” she said.
In conjunction with the films there will be two lectures: A Half-Century of filmmaking: Kurosawa and World Cinema, given by Stephen Prince and The Changing Landscape of Entertainment Media, given by Ross Breitenbach.
Prince, a professor of communication, will examine the academic role of filmmaking as well as the evolution of filmmaking. He will also discuss how international influences have shaped the American film industry.
Gallagher urges students to attend.
“This is worthwhile, he is an amazing lecturer, knowledgeable and entertaining,” she said.
The lecture will highlight the work of Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. Gallagher described the lecture as, “Dr. Prince’s area of expertise” and recommends it to anyone interested in looking at filmmaking in a broader context.
The most highly recommended lecture is Ross Breitenbach’s discussion of the entertainment industry, specifically the evolving television industry.
He is a Virginia Tech graduate, class of ’92, and is a reality show producer for shows such as the “Surreal Life” and the new MTV show “Yo Mama.”
“Breitenbach will discuss the industry from a business and marketing standpoint, a technical and production standpoint, a filmmaking standpoint, as well as how people can break into the industry,” Gonyo said.
There will also be a Q&A session following his lecture.
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