Chris Garcia, Austin-Statesman film critic featured the following Austin made documentaries in his SXSW “Movies Worth Your Time” pick list.
As Chris says, “A jaw-loosening volume of non-fiction movies by young local filmmakers graces this year’s fest, heralding a new wave of Austin documentarians, many of whom come straight from the Radio-Television-Film department at the University of Texas.” (below is an excerpt from his full list)
“Sunshine” — Director Karen Skloss’ poignant meditation on unplanned pregnancy and single motherhood contrasts the choices of two Texas mothers, including Skloss herself. (3 p.m. March 14, Alamo Ritz; 9:15 p.m. March 16, Austin Convention Center; 2 p.m. March 20, Alamo Ritz)
“Winnebago Man” — For years the bizarre and riotously profane clips of a Winnebago salesman losing it have cartwheeled across the Internet, creating cult buzz and demanding the question: “Who is this maniac?” Filmmaker Ben Steinbauer embarks to find out. His discovery might scare you. (7 p.m. March 14, Alamo South; 6 p.m. March 18, Alamo Ritz; 1:30 p.m. March 20, Paramount)
“Over the Hills and Far Away” — Fresh off a good run at Sundance, Michel Scott’s film follows the journey a mother and father take to find an unorthodox treatment for their autistic young son. The trio rides on horseback over the grassy hills of Mongolia, hoping for spiritual deliverance. (11 a.m. March 17, Paramount; 1:30 p.m. March 19, Alamo South; 7 p.m. March 20, Austin Convention Center) View trailer here.
“Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo” — Veteran doc-maker Brad Beesley (“Okie Noodling”) jumps into the vibrant, near-extinct phenomenon of prison rodeos. We know why that bronco’s bucking: It wants that mass murderer off its back. (11 a.m. March 14, Paramount; 1:30 p.m. March 17, Alamo Ritz; 4:30 p.m. March 20, Austin Convention Center)
“Along Came Kinky … Texas Jewboy for Governor” — It was inevitable that Texas’ most florid self-promoter would one day run for office, and Kinky Friedman aimed sky high, pie high. David Hartstein shadows Friedman during his unsuccessful 2006 gubernatorial campaign. (7:30 p.m. March 19, Paramount)
“The Eyes of Me” — Adolescence is rough enough without a disability. But a quartet of teens at Austin’s Texas School for the Blind summon mighty determination in Keith Maitland’s film about growing up without sight but with abundant vision. (7:15 p.m. March 18 and 11:30 a.m. March 20, Alamo South)
UT Professor Paul Steckler adds, “This year’s SXSW is distinctive because of the sheer number of screenings of feature documentaries by young Austin filmmakers. While Bradley Beesley (“Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo”) is a relative veteran, all of the others are first-time feature filmmakers. Mike Scott, whose “Over the Hills and Far Away” premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, was an undergrad at UT just a couple of years ago. Karen Skloss (“Sunshine”), Ben Steinbauer (“Winnebago Man”) and David Hartstein (“Along Came Kinky… Texas Jewboy for Governor”) all graduated from school here almost as recently, while Keith Maitland (“The Eyes of Me”) moved here, in part, to make his film on students at the Austin School for the Blind. What also unites them, while using forms that are quite different, is that these films are all really good — the next wave of Austin documentary filmmakers.”
(Additional links will be provided as more information becomes available.)
