The World Premiere of Holden On: #ATLFF2017

The World Premiere for Tamlin Hall’s film Holden On took place Saturday, March 25 at the 2017 Atlanta Film Festival. This heart-wrenching narrative is based on a true story about a 17 year-old boy named Holden Layfield who tragically takes his life after a two year struggle with his dual-diagnosis of schizophrenia and drug addiction. This story is an honest account of a gifted athlete from Lagrange Georgia who is praised by his peers and already being scouted by college football teams pre-graduation. Tamlin Hall (Writer & Director) brilliantly chooses to tells Holden's story in 1st-person which allows the audience to momentarily step into Holden's world and to feel what he felt. The film also shows us how Holden manages to hide his illness from his parents and friends which left so many stunned when it all began to surface. Mr. and Mrs. Layfield share with us in detail about how they feel witnessing their son's story on the big screen.

First of all, I've got to say how inspired I am by the strength and faith I sensed in speaking with the Layfields. Mr. Layfield very humbly shares how they hope that this film will inspire other people who who are like Holden was, to speak out and seek help before it's too late. He also shares with us how he believes that God can take tragedy and work it out for good such as what this film is already beginning to produce. Likewise, Mrs. Layfield, in tears of gratitude, shares with us how proud she is of Tamlin (who grew up with Holden) for all the hard work he has put into this production and how she appreciates him telling his story to the world.

Shortly afterwards, I also got an opportunity to interview Director Tamlin Hall who immediately was taken aback by this feather brooch I was wearing on my blazer. Tamlin asked me if there was any particular reason I chose to wear the feather brooch and when I told him there was none, he motioned for Mr. Layfield to come over to tell me the significance of the feather. He shares with me how he once asked God to give him a sign that Holden was OK and specifically asked to see a feather after reading an article in Guidepost Magazine about a mother who experienced a similiar thing and began to see a white bird shortly after her son's death. Since, Mr. Layfield says that God has been confirming by feathers showing up in very unconventional places! I was humbled to discover that the feather has become a very significant sign that close people wear to commemorate Holden's life. 

Tamlin shares with us how he is totally ecstatic to have the world premiere hosted in Georgia at #ATLFF2017 and mentioed how much of an honor it is to see this all unfold. He too grew up with Holden and was inspired to tell this story on a more intimate and personable level for those who may be facing the same struggles. We also got an opportunity to speak with Holden's best friend Zinte Lovelace and Actor Steve Ellis who plays "Zinte" in the film. 

Photo Courtesy of Sara Montgomery

Speaking with Zinte first-hand really touched me. Zinte shared how even being there for this screening brought back a lot of memories and how he is still trying to piece together all that Holden was going through during the time of their friendship. He says that you never know what people are going through on the internally and how this has taught him to be more sensitive to people around him; to look beyond facades and focus on what people are not saying. Likewise, Steve Ellis shares with us how careful he was portray Zinte in the right light and just how honored he was to play Holden's friend through the difficulties he experienced.

Finally, I also got a chance to speak with the star of the film Actor Matt Fahey who plays the role of Holden Layfield. Matt tells us that this whole process to the point of watching himself play this character is an extremely emotional journey because of how real the subject matter is. He says that not only was it an honor to glorify Holden's life, but the other objective for this film is to provide a voice for people who otherwise do not have one and need an outlet to express themselves. Overall, I would say that this film is a brilliant and well-written script that puts you in a real place of reflection in regards to life, time and seizing the moment. I pray that the message that was relayed throughout this film imparts hope and courage to others who face or have faced similiar issues. 

For more information on this film, please visit www.iAmHoldenOn.org.

*  Photos Courtesy of Lindsay Abarca Photography and Sara Montgomery Photography

The 41st Atlanta Film Festival Starts Today!

The 41st Annual Atlanta Film Festival begins today and will run throughout April 2, 2017. For a span of 10 days total, participators can expect an enthralling plethora of more than 160 feature length and short film presentations, 37 Creative Conferences and over a dozen Special Presentations. The Atlanta Film Festival has proven to be a monumental event that draws in filmmakers, writers, film lovers and more from all over the country and abroad. This highly anticipated Festival (aka ATLFF) has received global recognition as one of the "25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World" and "50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee". The Opening Ceremony and red carpet screening this year will feature a narrative, DAVE MADE A MAZE - a story about a character named Dave who falls victim to his own fort erected in his personal living room. Dave winds up "trapped by the fantastical pitfalls, bobby traps and critters of his own making." Following the opening film, there will be a after party available to pass-holders who have obtained wristbands at the conclusion of tonight's screening. 

For more information on AFF, please visit, www.atlantafilmfestival.com and to check out my recap from last year's 40th annual AFF, visit http://urbanluxmag.com/2016/04/02/40th-atlanta-film-festival/.

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The 2017 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival in Review

Wednesday, February 15th marked the close of this year's grand Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF). With over 37,500 film lovers in attendance and a total of 202 screenings showcased over the span of 23 days, this year's film festival has been a huge success! This year, facilitators of AJFF deliberately focused on enhancing audience experience and accessibility to draw in more participation both local and otherwise. As a second year participant at AJFF, I was totally excited to see which film selections would be shown this year and excited about engaging with other die-hard AJFF fans! Beginning with the opening night at the Cobb Energy Centre where guests gathered together in a classy place, enjoying all of the delectable food items there to the brilliant Alone in Berlin opening night film, nothing has been a disappointment! 

This year, AJFF announced for the first time, Jury Award Winners delegated among various categories including best Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, Short, Emerging Filmmaker, Building Bridges and Human Rights. Details and results for these awarding films can be found via www.ajff.org. Beyond that, I think it's is important to mention that this film festival is a high-quality event from start to completion, which makes you feel like you've not only learned something about the culture, but also gained a greater appreciation for the diversity and history of Jewish community as a whole.  And closing night was just as spectacular!

The finale screening for AJFF this year was the comedic drama known as The Women's Balcony. This film tells the story about a close-knit synagogue congregation that is torn apart after their dedicated women's balcony collapses during a Bar-Mitzpah. In utter shock including the rabbi's wife ending up in a coma, the congregation is swiftly engaged by the young Charismatic Rabbi David, who at first, appears to want to help them.  Gradually, they realize Rabbi David's legalistic, fundamentalist ways only end up doing the congregation more damage than good. Finally, the women of the congregation speak out and peacefully protest their objection to his directives which proves to turn matters favorably for both the men and women involved. 

A great closing film choice followed by a kingly dessert reception lacing the upstairs and downstairs lobbies of The Woodruff Arts Centre, there is no better way that I could imagine finalizing such an excellent film festival like this one!

For more information about #AJFF2017, please visit www.ajff.org. Desserts for the closing reception were provided by Icing Cake Designs & Sweets Boutique.

Also, be sure to checkout these photos from the closing ceremony all Courtesy of Rhema Word Enterprises. 

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#AJFF2017 Film Review | Aida's Secrets

Aida's Secrets is yet another stunningly  captivating film and documentary showcased at this year's Atlanta Jewish Film Festival! The story involves two estranged brothers Izak and Shepsel, who were never told about one another, both born during the post-war era in separate displaced persons camps. Separated from their Polish mother Aida and 65 years later, the brothers find themselves reunited, in hopes of putting the missing pieces back together concerning their uncertain heritage. While visually-impaired Shephsel ends up in Canada and his brother Izak, is shipped away to Israel for adoption, an investigation spearheaded by Izak's family, successfully, brings the two together to rejoin their mother Aida. This documentary is a story of redemption, hope, and particulary, Aida's Secrets is a film about how unconditional love prevails in spite of decades of unresolved questions. 

Filmmakers Alon and Shaul Schwarz, capture the beauty of this family's story and teach us the importance of courageously confronting circumstances experienced with those closest to us in order to redeem lost, yet highly valuable time.  For more information about #AJFF2017, please visit www.ajff.org.

Chick-fil-a's 6th Annual Daddy Daughter Date Night

Saturday, February 4th, Chick-fil-a locations throughout Atlanta will host the 6th Annual Daddy Daughter Date Night. First let me say, I'm sorry for the late notice to all my readers, but I just discovered this brilliant event a day ago! As a matter of fact, most of the tickets are already spoken for throughout the whole city. 

The Daddy Daughter Night theme varies from one location to the next. But guests can expect an evening filled with special activities, fun, a meal and potentially a limo ride (subject to each restaurant) between the hours of 4:30 - 7:30PM. Convinced? I am! Hannah and I will be doing our thing at this exciting event and I look forward to the quality daddy daughter bonding time! Moms, we appreciate you, but it's daddy's time! No Moms allowed this ride. 

So go and visit www.eventbrite.com for more information. 

#AJFF2017 Film Review | Past Life

A brilliantly emotion-packed film, Past Life, is inspired by a true story about two sisters Sephi (played by Joy Reiger) and Nana (Nelly Tager), who find themselves, 30 years after the Holocaust, forced to dig up the truth about their father's haunting past. The story thickens after an electrifying vocal performance, when Sephi is abruptly reviled in public by an elderly Polish woman, Agnieska Zielinski (Katarzyna Gniewkowska), who accuses Sephi's father of being a murderer. Confused and devastated, the sisters commence their own secret investigation of their their Holocaust-surviving father, Baruch (Doron Tavory), with hopes of piecing together their father's secret wartime past. As the film progresses, Baruch decides to disclose the truth about what took place during the War and shares the dark story about the months he had to hide from the Nazis in a Polish cellar. With this new insight into their father's past, the sisters find themselves even more inquisitive about whether even this is truth or not as it poses serious questions about their own heritage and sense of personal identity. 

Nana later discovers that she is severely ill as the family progressively begins to blame her condition  as a curse resulting from her father's transgressions. Yet, the brilliance about this entire film is the turn of forgiveness and reconciliation that it teaches. We learn how the past has its direct and indirect influence on the future and about the burden of strong intergenerational ties. Past Life is a film for anyone who understands the importance of moving beyond the past no matter how painful it is, in order to move forward. This film empowers you to forgive, to let go and to courageously address matters that could either damage or otherwise restore for generations to come. 

Opening Night at the 2017 AJFF

With a sense of high anticipation in the air, the time for The 2017 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival was finally here! Tuesday night, the majestic Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta quickly began to flood with long-time patrons, media affiliates, industry personalities and film lovers. This, my second year attending this amazing film festival, left me totally excited to see what the opening ceremony had in store for us. And to my point, the ceremony from start to finish was just excellent! From the plethora of cuisine sponsors and their delectable selections to the administration, greeters, and overall hospitality, they did not miss a beat! The AJFF opening gala is always an upbeat atmosphere that allows guests and industry professionals alike the opportunity to mix and mingle in a very classy place. In fact, the gala is the ideal space for networking among like-minded people who passionately appreciate the cultural enlightenment that this film festival has to offer.

Among the dining sponsors present for the gala were the following:

Atlas

Buckhead Diner

Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse

Ecco

For All Occassions & More

The General Muir

IL Giallo Osteria & Bar

Imperial Fez

Nan Thai Fine Dining

Ouzeria

Southern Art & Bourbon Bar

Soto Soto

Taco Cowboy

Southern Baked Pie Company

Tiff’s Treats

Piece of Cake

Batdorf and Bronson Coffee Roasters

Following the conclusion of the gala, we all made our way into the main arena in preparation for the feature screening Alone in Berlin. Despite technical difficulties in the beginning, the crowd was electrified to be present that night and you could tell that everyone had high hopes for the opening film. Not to mention, we were being serenaded by an amazing band posted in the balcony prior to the show starting. Finally, at the top of the show, we were pleasantly surprised to receive an official welcome to the 2017 AJFF by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed! Mayor Reed told us that we should be a very proud city to hold the position of hosting the world’s largest Jewish Film Festival as well as the fact that our very own Atlanta Falcons are in the Super Bowl!

Just before the Alone in Berlin began, AJFF Executive Director Kenny Blank and AJFF Board President Steve Labovitz came on stage to share with us that we are living in a very exciting moment to witness history unfolding as the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival works tirelessly year-round to “Achieve new ways of culture and social understanding in a way that only film can." And that we should all be grateful to be a part of a city and event that believes in "making arts a priority in our community". This film, Alone in Berlin, is a heart-gripping story of a middle-class husband and wife in Berlin Germany who tragically lose their son at war and who choose to defy the Nazi regime by leaving random post cards throughout the city as a form of silent protest. Actors Emma Thompson and Brendan Glesson execute and splendid performance of this couple’s grief to action. And knowing that this was based on a true story, we were all left utterly touched by their courage and unyielding determination to avenge their son’s death and the powerful political statement of justice they left behind.

For more information about this film, the 2017 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival and to purchase tickets, please visit www.ajff.org.

                                              *Photos Courtesy of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

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