Good Ol' Freda

The Beatles were together for 10 years. Freda Kelly worked for them for 11. President of the fan club and band secretary, Freda was there from the early days at the Cavern to the final breakup. This film documents her life and experiences as a part of the band never before told.

If you like music; if you love the Beatles; if you like the voice of reserved British women, you should catch this film.

Good Ol' Freda
2013, 86 minutes, directed by Ryan White

Snap

A schizophrenic's psychotic break, set to dubstep.  What more should you want?

Snap
2013, 88 minutes, directed by Youssef Delara and Victor Teran

Hawking

Why would the world's most celebrated physicist narrate a biographical feature documentary?  To make sure it's filled with his own dry humor, of course.  Hawking is such a film, covering the highs and lows of Cambridge Professor Stephen Hawking's life, from youth through college, discoveries and marriages, and the continuing decay of his body.  "I felt like some sort of tragic character," he says, so "I took to listening to Wagner."

While clearly a person who's self ambition has been the focus of his life, he nevertheless recognizes the impact that his life and career has had on those around him, and on public culture in general.  I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about him in his own words, and in those of his friends and family.

Hawking
2013, 86 minutes, directed by Stephen Finnigan

Plus One

Just one year out of high school, Jill is diving into college life while her boyfriend David stayed behind. A stupid kiss is the impetus to tear them apart, and David thinks he has just one night - at the ultimate Spring party - to win her back. Thanks to extraterrestrial interference, though he may have more chances than he expects.

Meanwhile, Teddy is simply looking for the time of his life, and gets more than he bargains for. This is a story of understanding, of decisions, of consequences, of what it means to be you. All of which is set in the midst of young nudity and debauchery and a good bit of science fiction.

Plus One
2013, 95 minutes, directed by Dennis Iliadis

Milo

Ken has stress issues: an asshole boss, an overbearing mother with a young virile husband, a deadbeat dad, and a wife who desperately wants a family. All the stress leaves him with constant GI issues. Compounding these issues are the bloodthirsty parasite living in Ken's colon that comes out for revenge...

This is the best film I've seen so far this SXSW. I could easily see this become the Army of Darkness of the current college generation.

Milo
2013, 85 minutes, directed by Jacob Vaughan

Burma

Seven years after last abandoning his family, Christian's father shows up unexpectedly on the eve of a family weekend. None of them - Christian, his brother, or sister - particularly welcome their father's arrival, but tepidly accept him to hear his explanation for his disappearance.

A dialog-driven drama, the film explores the bonds of family and the impact when those are torn apart.

Burma
2013, 81 minutes, directed by Carlos Puga

La cinquième saison (The Fifth Season)

When I saw that Casa Kafka was a sponsor of this French-Belgian production, I knew it would be hopeless, depressing, senseless. In a small Belgian town, nature simply...stops. Chickens no longer lay eggs, cows stop producing milk, field lay fallow, trees die but won't burn. Young Alice and her friend Tom suffer and cope, with traveling beekeeper Pol and his son Octave as the only ones who maintain their senses against the seemingly global calamity. As food grows scarce and desperation grows, even they can't stop the tide of insanity.

There's seriously nothing cheerful about this film. Be warned.

La cinquième saison (The Fifth Season)
2012, 93 minutes, directed by Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodworth