With the conclusion of The Chicago Underground Film Festival, I felt many of the film experiences required a lot of tolerance tohandle. The invigorating part of this phenomenon is that filmmakers are putting their art to the test. I felt that many of the films went in-depth into worlds that are unknown. Specifically, I mean there were films that explore addiction, politics, and various challenging subject matter. The film that haunted me the most is You Can’t Stay Here, a film in which a mistake made in the wrong setting takes a turn for the worse.
You Can’t Stay Here is directed by Todd Verow. The film’s opening delivers that noir feeling which sends shivers down its audience spine. It is a film that takes place in the 1990s around New York City. The vibe during that time period on the east coast provides a setting of realistic suspense that only grows more haunting. You Can’t Stay Here feels eerie based on the perception of how the mind feels when anxiety is provoked. It is also a film in which safety is questioned sporadically throughout due to experimental filmmaking and writing.
The plot of the film is geared on a photographer, Rick (played by Guillermo Diaz). He strolls through New York’s Central Park focused on his photography. Rick’s whole world is turned upside down when he is the witness of a homicide situation. The murderer is Adam (played by Justin Ivan Brown) and he puts Rick into a life-threatening scenario. Adam has feelings for Rick and Rick has feelings for Adam. With their eerie bond, Rick’s situation can threaten his life if he reveals evidence to the authorities about Adam. Because Rick tends to be a man of solitude already, there is a feeling of intense loneliness that only causes his desire to grow throughout You Can’t Stay Here.
The film is an experience of anxiety which is built upon the audience’s increasing concerns about Rick. His thoughts and Adam’s presence continuously haunts him. Adam also shows up into Rick’s dreams. It is a bizarre experience and has dazzling sensations. The realism of the dangers impacting Rick’s life arewhat causes ongoing anxiety and suspense during You Can’t Stay Here.
There is a line in the film that goes, “Lose yourself in my eyes.” Rick is in a place where he is completely beside himself. Adam is always in his head and on his mind. The horrific event where Rick chose not to do anything only opens the door to his reality being altered. The state of mind throughout You Can’t Stay Hereis a continuous blur of emotions. It is a ride which starts with aneerie event that simply does not leave Rick or the film’s audience. You Can’t Stay Here is an experience that is unforgettable, but hard to revisit. You Can’t Stay Here is a film that requires an open mind. Three stars for You Can’t Stay Here.
Starting September 13 through September 17, The Chicago Underground Film Festival will be running. The festival’s opening night film will be shown at the Gene Siskel Film Center and the rest of the festival will take place at the Harper Theater. The Chicago Underground Film Festival is one-of-a-kind. It is a fest that celebrates culture and diversity. Films of artistic value are what makes this fest a strong presence for many cinema lovers (both in and out of Chicago). There are full-length featurefilms, short films, experimental films, and all kinds of visually brilliant projects by talented filmmakers. The people, the films, and the atmosphere are all essential to the fest. I have already seen a few of the films that will be featured at the festival this year. These films are different, poetic, and have dazzled me. Audiences can see these films as well, and they just might blow viewers away.
The first film is Hello Dankness. Written and directed by Soda Jerk, this is a film of reality and creativity with many accurate depictions and truths. The film is compiled with footage from commercials, classic films, music segments, and it all comes together in chronological order. The events and clips are in tune with the world we lived in during the presidency of Donald Trump. Now without getting too political, the film does an exhilarating job featuring moments from films and scenarios related to the big events we experienced during and post-Covid. From a Pepsi commercial to Fred Rogers to Wayne’s World to social media, Hello Dankness is a representation that is mind-boggling. It proves that everyone’s personality continues to shift. It proves that reality is far from perfect. I love how the film honestly displays how distracted we are by technology and our political views. The film makes it clear that many would benefit if they just disregarded all the media they allow inside their heads. Hello Dankness is a monumental opening to The Chicago Underground Film Festival. The film is showing at the Gene Siskel Film center on Wednesday September 13th at 7:30 pm.
The Second film is Even Hell has its Heroes which is written and directed by Clyde Petersen. The film is set in the 1980s and explores the musical success of the band Earth. The band’s backstory includes lots of trial and error, but also tons of success. Even Hell has its Heroes is shows interviews with Dylan Carlson, Slim Moon, Jonathan Poneman, and other artists as they discuss struggles with drugs and hardship in their days in the music industry. The film is deep in how it shows how the group provided encouragement for its members. Carlson states, “When I’m playing with other people, their shapes are involved and it’s flowing together.” The 1980s was a time when playing harsh songs had negative consequences. The interviews with the artists explaining their challenges getting gigs and writing music are the key to the film’s realism. The difficult era of artist Kurt Cobain before his death sparks the film’s portrayal of the how difficult it was for artists to move forward. The film’s title speaks for itself. The real-life examples demonstrate that success can come without being able to get past negative patterns. However, many of the artists have had to overcome their drug addictions s to make it farther with their musical careers. Even Hell has its Heroes is one of the most deep, emotional, yet encouraging projects in the festival this year. This film’sarchived footage offers surreal continuity which brings the audience into one of the dark eras of the music industry. The film is showing on Saturday September 16th at 4:30 pm, and Sunday September 17th at 4 pm. Both showings will be at the Harper Theater.
The third film is one that I truly believe belongs to The Chicago Underground Film Festival. Within the realm of surrealism and realism, this was an experience that haunted me. It also made me have a big heart for those who go out of their way to helpthose in need. That film is Sweetheart Deal directed by Elisa Levine and Gabriel Miller and written by Karen Sim. Sweetheart Deal dives into the life of four sex workers in Seattle, Washington whose lives are in a halting pattern. They are provided some courage when an individual chooses to be a healer and offers them shelter. The ladies go to the healer for shelter, advice, and food, but also just to feel some empathy. Thewomen have more challenges than just being sex workers as they struggle with addictions to drugs and are always fighting for survival. In spite of their issues, they are all seeking some sense of normalcy. The film’s emotional subject matter keeps finding meaning as the film’s healer goes out of his way to ensure the ladies have a chance to regain good in their life. It is a documentary that will haunt its audience, but also provide empathy and encouragement. It is by far one of the most faithful documentaries I have seen in a long time. With a narration filled with darkness, the light shines through in many fragments in Sweetheart Deal. The film is showing on Friday September 15that 9:00 pm, and Sunday September 17th at 3 pm. Both showings will be at the Harper Theater.
The Chicago Underground Film Festival has a lot to offer. From my experience with these films, I realize it is about audiencesbeing willing to step out of their comfort zones to fully experience these fascinating projects. There are many invigorating subjects featured in the films at this fest and audiences are in for a treat. The projects are spellbinding, different, and prompt intriguing questions on the reality that surrounds the film scene of the festival. Do not miss this opportunity to experience these fascinating and poetic movieswhich offer unique visionary experiences. Get your tickets and passes today at Cuff.org.
Movies with Tarek 