August Evening
by Kai in Reel to Reel / 10.13.08
August Evening
August Evening. I’m not talking about the month, but an independent film seeing a limited release in select cities through distribution via Maya Entertainment. From first time feature film director Chris Eska, August Evening follows an aging undocumented farm worker and his young, widowed, daughter-in-law through the trials and tribulations of dealing with an estranged family as he searches for work and self worth.
According to Imdb.com the film was shot for an estimated $35,000. However, and due in large part to the talent behind the project, the production value appears to be above and beyond that dollar amount. I’m sure the distributor’s contribution to a 35mm film transfer also helped. The film makes use of Austin based talent and even non-actors whom shine, through the direction of Eska (I would imagine)
Eska’s vision was made possible through the use of Pro-sumer (professional consumer) digital video equipment, which reduced the amount of production and post-production time and equipment cost.
With today’s technological advances, more than ever before, aspiring filmmakers have access to the tools they need to produce short and feature length narratives. However, this onslaught of everyday movie makers coupled with the kind of time that allows them to learn and manipulate cutting edge technology, such as pro-sumer high definition video cameras, professional editing and graphics software and special effects gimmicks, there has been an increase in spectacle and decrease in the practicalities that make a good story.
And, though Chris Eska is still evolving as a storyteller, he represents the brightest of this modern day crop of filmmakers. August Evening dives right into what drives the characters and creates the journey that reels in an audience. He uses the technological tools, not to dazzle an audience with spectacle, but to emphasize the emotional tone of people set in circumstances any human being could relate to.
As with most films, August Evening does have its shortcomings. It lags for what feels like the first half of the movie (though it’s probably only the first fifteen to twenty minutes), before the characters and situation really begin to thrive and pop. It starts to do the same toward the end, as well. Just as you feel as though the story is wrapping itself up, you find out there’s plenty more to go. It also uses a plethora of montages that eventually lose emotional impact through over-use.
However, don’t let me scare you away. While August Evening isn’t a great film, it’s a damn good one that is well worth seeing on the big screen. It has more than enough moments that make you laugh just before they cut to your core. The characters grow on you, and seeing them succeed forces a smile in your heart while seeing them fail makes you wish you could single handedly change the world.
If anything, I think the one true success this movie will see is enough of a monetary return to turn some eyes and ears toward Chris Eska and put him well on his way toward producing a second feature.
Excellent review. I can’t wait to see this movie.
I went to go see this movie and it was amazing!! I loved it and i hope i get to purchase it on DVD.