Here’s a question: Why should you watch an art film? Keep that thought in rotation. Now let’s back up. Everyone has walked out of a movie at least once (more than once if you’re unlucky) and thought: “That gave me nothing.”  There’s only so much analysis that one can do in this situation.  Questions you [...]

The dramatic question which motivates “Callers” is this: How does a slovenly, down on his luck guy deal with the sudden and unexpected death of his girlfriend? There are several different avenues that a filmmaker can go down to give an audience the answer. The key element to consider is that “Callers” is a comedy, [...]

When does the music truly make the movie? How do certain songs become ingrained in the experience of watching a film?  What kind of thought process is there behind the selection of those songs? These only seem like relatively simple questions: In reality, one of the great duties of a director is to guide the [...]

Let’s start this entry by painting a picture: You’ve sat up all night next to your editor, making certain that every bit of polish is in the right place. The score sounds fantastic, the shots are just the right length, the performances are better than you remember them being on set. It’s official. You’ve made [...]

The key to crafting the Santa Fe Film Festival into a distinctive and important event is a singular vision. There are many decisions to be made, films to be selected, and an overall level of quality to be met. This all begins with the capable guidance of a qualified executive director. Diane Schneier Perrin is [...]