American Film Festival

Today I went to the Spoleto American Film Festival held at the Charleston County Library. The movie today was called Shine. Shine was made in 1996 and it is the true life story of David Helfgott. I must say that it was a tragic, riveting movie. It was so very sad. I cried or rather I tried to hold it all in . I could do it no more. When David, played by Geoffrey Rush, cried on stage after he had overcome his illness and was on his way to playing concerts again, I had to let it all out. It was the climax of the movie.

It was beautifully done and the music was excellent. I can see why it won an Oscar. Coming from parents who were just as toxic as David's was, it was kind of like seeing some of my early childhood. (Thank god I was stronger than he was..no breakdowns here.) The movie was excellent and the auditorium at the library was not filled up. There were about 20-35 people there. It was a great way to get out of the heat. A movie will be shown every weekday at the libary at 1:00pm. The theme for The American Film Festival, this year is real life people and their lives. The movie tomorrow is Shakespeare in Love.

Based on the true story of Australian pianist David Helfgott, this delightful movie charts the early and traumatic early years. Telling the story in flashback we see David as he grows up and into a child prodigy while his father abuses him and his siblings with the memory of his childhood in Europe and the loss of his family in the concentration camps. David finally breaks away from his father and goes away to study overseas, he later suffers a breakdown and returns to Australia and a life in an institution. Many years later he is released and through several twists of fate (in reality even more unlikely than film portrays) he starts playing a piano in a bar before finally returning to the concert hall.

After the movie was over, on the way out I viewed the art exhibit there. It was called: Viewpoint: Charleston Kids With Cameras. The pictures were quite good. It is a good program that helps underprivileged youth ages 7-12 from the Meeting Street Manor Housing Authority Residence and the Charleston Developmental Academy. If you have the time check it out.

It was yet another great Spoleto day!

It is not the paper mill! It is pluff mud!