Sunday, November 2, 2008

August Evening

After reading a good book or watching a great movie, I often struggle to find appropriate adjectives to capture the essence of what I experienced. I'm in the midst of that struggle tonight after having watched the beautiful film August Evening, which I previewed twenty minutes of back in December. It was well worth the wait to see the full-length, critically acclaimed film.

August Evening, which was filmed in my hometown and in San Antonio, felt like a trip home to see family and friends. I realized while watching the film that I've often failed to see the beauty in my hometown and have instead focused on how rundown parts of it are becoming. But writer, director, editor, and Gonzales County native Chris Eska captured the beauty of familiar downtown buildings as well as picturesque countryside vistas.

But even more than the beauty of the town, he captured the beauty of relationships that exist among different generations. The film follows a migrant worker's family as its members deal with life's disappointments and the love that exists in spite of such disappointments.

Unlike Hollywood movies with multimillion dollar budgets that often leave you and your pocketbook feeling a bit empty, this Texas film's authenticity is a rare find. So check out the screening information on the film's website and take the opportunity to watch a film that is deserving and worthy of the "Best Film" designation it has been winning at film festivals across the country.

4 comments:

Renae said...

I love the changes you've made to your house. The other changes take longer, but the payoff is greater, don't you think?

Renae said...

Thanks for the tip. I'll have to check that out!

onevoice said...

Loved seeing this with you - it was well worth it. The images Chris captured are still with me. I have a similar small town experience like Gonzales...my town is looking a little shabby too, but you're right, there is a beauty in the disrepair.

Krista Sanders said...

Hoping I get to see this. How neat it is filmed in your hometown!