Spent the last few days going to some screenings during Houston’s first ever Cinema Arts Festival. I’m glad that Houston is beginning to be host to more festivals like this.

Wednesday: A screening of Richard Linklater’s new film, Me and Orson Welles. It was enjoyable , but still not my favorite Linklater movie. Christian McKay, the actor who portrays Orson Welles was top notch. But Richard Linklater was kind enough to take a photo with us so cool celebrity points for him.

I don’t know why but Annie Ray kept telling us in the most monotonous tone to “nuzzle each other” for this. Yeeeeeeeaah, it was awkward. I think Christopher and Ameet took it too seriously. Look at those expressions!

photo courtesy of Annie Ray

Thursday: Saw a documentary by Beth Federici and Laura Harrison about a collaborative team, Ant Farm,  I had never heard of them before, but apparently they were pretty well known during the seventies  for their controversial performances and architectural installations, including the most well known piece in Amarillo, the Cadillac Ranch. My favorite is their Inflatables project which offered cheap and easy to assemble inflatable structures to the consumer that could be readily transported from one place to another.

Saturday: Tilda Swinton and director Luca Guadagnino debuted their 11 year collaborative film, Io Sono L’amore (I Am Love). It was by far one of my favorite films so far this year. An operatic experience for all the senses. And can I just say that Tilda Swinton in the flesh makes everyone look like common folk? She just glows with regality in person.

(ok this is not the best picture, but thats all I could get! I didn’t want to be that person flashing snapshots during the speeches)