Bohemian Cinema By Jonathan Pacheco

Bohemian Cinema at SXSW 2010

Things are going to be a little different this time around.

Last year I wrote down a goal (though where I wrote it is anyone’s guess): next time I attend SXSW, I’d attend with press credentials. Well, let’s hear it for the power of the subconscious, because come this weekend, I’ll be down in Austin with a Press Badge on behalf of The Official Blog of Slant Magazine: Based on the Site ‘The House Next Door’ by Seitz (I’m officially overusing that joke in an attempt to flush it from our culture as quickly as possible).

When I attended the festival in 2007 and in 2009, I went on my own, and enjoyed the freedom to watch five, six films a day, able to make that kind of schedule without any friends or companions to weigh me down. However, a dose of loneliness inevitably hit me halfway through the festival. I’m not one to strike up conversations with the college roommates in front of me or the Louisiana journalist behind me, so most of my “conversations” involved eavesdropping on the dialogues of others. This year, I’m not the only one in Austin upholding the Slant/House name. Elise Nakhnikian and Lauren Kinsler will both attend the festival and write for the blog, and while we won’t wear team shirts or attend every screening arm-in-arm, I know their presence will help alleviate some of that loneliness. I welcome the opportunity to make these new friends.

I’m curious to find out how my festival experience differs with a Press Badge as opposed to a Film Badge, as in previous years. I don’t see myself taking advantage of the main press perks—“red carpet” opportunities, promotional interviews with talents—however, my preliminary schedule has me watching 35+ films (and that’s with taking time off for Sabbath, and not counting some pre-festival DVDs I did take advantage of). Last year I caught around 23, so, press credentials or not, we’re gonna see what ol’ Jonny’s truly made of. Of particular interest: a midnight screening of Amer, which looks unspeakably cool, Aaron Katz’s Cold Weather (you’ll remember my fondness for Quiet City), as well as live-score presentations of classics I’m only now admitting I’ve never seen: The Passion of Joan of Arc and The Unknown. If those are anything like last year’s presentation of Metropolis, I’m in for some unforgettable events.

With such a high volume of films, my wisest move is to write mostly capsule reviews, which you’ll find over at Slant/House. However, look for some content to spill over onto this site, particularly after the festival’s run. The late entries will fit right in with my many procrastinated video essays, aborted series ideas, and false-started reviews.

Keep checking back here and The House Next Door during this new week; you have tons of reviews from myself, Elise, and Lauren, as well as a podcast to look forward to. You can also follow me on Twitter—@pacheco—or even check out my festival schedule, you freaking stalker, you. If you happen to see my Claudio Sanchez/Rubeus Hagrid haircut scurrying from the Ritz to the Paramount or slamming back a Red Bull before another midnight screening, don’t be shy, give me a shout. Help make my trip even less lonely.