Wrote this last night "from the field":
Just came from another screening. Not mine this time:) Another shout out
to the Reel Sisters Film Festival & Lecture Series over in Brooklyn, NY!
This last screening was right here in Los Angeles, the Glamour Reel Moments screening of three short films directed by Zoe Saldana, Eva
Longoria, and Olivia Wilde.
I have to admit, when I got the invitation from WIF and RSVP'd for the
Monday night screening, I had no idea what it was or what it was about.
I'm just always down for free events and I love movies, so when you
combine the two it's catnip for a recovering film student. I came
straight from school in jeans and a sweater. When I asked how much it
was to park at the DGA garage, I felt foolish when they told me it was
free. I felt even more foolish when I came across guests in suits and
gowns at the elevator. But my email invitation didn't mention black tie,
so I forgave myself.
Anyway, the premise behind the films is that they're inspired by the
true stories of Glamour readers. And all have a message of empowerment
and inner beauty. Of course. The stand out for me was Ms. Saldana's take
on autism. I was truly impressed. KAYLIEN is about a child who feels
out of place due to her disability. If you guessed from the not so
subtle title, that the metaphor they're evoking is "alien," you guessed
right. But the way the young girl's story was depicted in the 15-20 min
film was so universally relatable that it could've been anyone's story. I
teared up recalling my own childhood of getting picked on by teacher's
and students for having dark skin.
Whether you've ever been the new kid at school, the only minority in a
class, or a child with autism you can relate and the message is still
the same: Embrace each other's differences and treat everyone with
kindness and respect. Well done, Ms. Saldana and congratulations to all three directors for
executing excellent and touching films.
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