Visions of Inspiration
When I began writing this column last fall, it was based on the instinctive sense that the time was ripe to focus on entertainment that was uplifting, and that by giving it some attention, we would see more and more inspirational entertainment come into view. Little did I know that Jirka Rysavy, CEO of Gaiam, shared this view to the extent that he created a Gaiam-sponsored film festival to showcase inspirational feature films, documentaries, and narrative shorts.
The Inspiration Film Festival’s goal was to provide the focus and place for people to come together and watch inspirational films, and to send a message encouraging filmmakers to produce more uplifting fare.Judging by the response from filmmakers and the program line-up, the first annual event succeeded in its mission. Held in Santa Monica on April 24 -25, an impressive range of projects was selected from more than 750 entries; final screenings included documentaries Ocean Odyssey and Real Dirt on Farmer John, features Illusion, Loggerheads and Saint Ralph and nearly a dozen narrative short films.
I had the opportunity to preview two of the features. ILLUSIONIllusion is a heartwarming, well-crafted and entertaining film. A blend of drama and mystical truth, full of cinematic metaphors, it tells the story of a legendary film director, Donald Baines, coming to terms with matters of the heart and reconciliation with his son at the end of his life. Donald is mysteriously awakened one night by Stan, a favorite editor of his who had passed on thirty some years ago. Stan is there to assist Donald, and they are magically transported from his deathbed to an old movie house via the beam of light from a film projector. At the movie house, Stan shows Donald three “akashic records” (i.e. “reels” in the film) from the life of Donald’s son Christopher, a child he rejected and never knew Organic Yoga Pants.
Each reel represents a period of Christopher’s life; one from the teen years, one as a twenty-something and one present-day of Christopher in his thirties. Donald learns about his son’s life and loves, and sadly discovers that at key turning points, when a father’s reassuring direction would have been invaluable, Christopher has filled the void with a debilitating inner critic. Donald is beside himself, “that’s not what I’d say to him!” But how can this man, at the edge of death, now be there for his son? Or is it all just an Illusion?
Donald Baines is played by the real-life legend Kirk Douglas in an outstanding performance. Funny, heartwarming and completely engaging, Douglas’ performance reminds us just how good an actor this man is. Overall, the acting in this mystical fable is top notch. Ron Marcuso plays Stan, giving a strong and endearing performance of making the illusion as well as the truth believable. The creative force behind the film comes from the director, writer, and co-star Michael Goorjian, who gives a fine performance as Christopher. Several of the other actors in the movie are part of the LA-based theater group Buffalo Nights (buffalonights.org) which Goorjian co-founded.The movie took four years to come into being.
The vision and amount of ingenuity and creativity Michael Goorjian used to create the movie is inspirational itself. The 17th century play ‘L’Illusion Cornique,’ by Pierre Corneuille, gave Goorjian the idea for the movie. The three ‘reels’ or films of Christopher’s life within the film were shot over a four year span. This allowed Michael to finance, gather support for the project and attract ‘bankable’ talent (including the legendary Douglas) over time. The end result gives credibility to the age span in the ‘reels’ and a wonderful movie with an excellent cast.