Mystic Film Festival

We are so pleased to once again be a screening location for this year’s Mystic Film Festival, with events taking place Thursday, Friday, and Sunday at La Grua Center. Schedule of events at La Grua Center:

Friday, October 21, 2022

12:30 pm- 2:30 pm DOCUMENTARY FILMS + Q&A
Latinx Superheroes (31 mins) The foremost expert on Latinx comics, Frederick Luis Aldama guides us through the heroes and villains of latin decent in mainstream comics since the 1940’s. With the help of some of the industry’s top creators of color he explores where these characters came from, the challenges and stereotypes that are still being overcome and what the bright future holds for both Latinx superheroes and the readers who love them.

Swimming Against the Current (60 mins) As most of us dread the idea of getting “older” the seniors of the “Harlem Honeys and Bears” Synchronize Swim Team inspire us to live our best lives regardless of age.

TICKET LINK: https://mysticfilmfestival2022.eventive.org/schedule/631fcc29157c1700b8d4e716

3 pm- 5 pm DOCUMENTARY FILM THE OYSTERING LIFE, PLUS Q&A, OYSTER TASTING & PROSECCO EVENT
The Oystering Life (60 mins) This film tells the story of oystering along the southern New England coast: from the native Americans and early European settlers to the boom times of the late 19th century and the collapse of the early 20th century, to today’s rebound–and the people who are making it happen.

TICKET LINK: https://mysticfilmfestival2022.eventive.org/schedule/631b8b565e1ed50387d2df76

Saturday, October 22, 2022

12:30 pm- 2:30 pm Student Films Block 1 + Q&A
The Show Must Go On (14 mins) After his closing night performance, a stage actor finds himself trapped in a seemingly endless play.

Clown Town (6 mins) A lesser clown’s bid to join an elite circus hinges on his final test: asking out his clown crush.

How to Tie a Tie (6 mins) A man struggles to tie his tie before a big event as he recalls the steps his father taught him when he was fourteen. Complications ensue.

The Silent Generation: A Robert Applebaum Story (8 mins) A short documentary film about Robert Applebaum, a 90 year old man who is part of what’s known as the Silent Generation reminiscing his days from childhood to the present.

As it Was (15 mins) College Senior, Joyce, is haunted by a punk song that disrupts her work and her relationship with her best friend. She can’t seem to shake the tune—until she comes to terms with a traumatic experience.

Sure, Tomorrow. (7 mins) Three siblings face the reality of their father not being present for an important moment in one of their lives.

Bird Lady (17 mins) In this short documentary, Kansas City filmmaker Carter Rostron explores the mystery surrounding a statue that has become known as the “Bird Lady.” For years, an assortment of small ceramic birds and other figures have appeared around the base of the statue. The documentary explores what’s been happening, what it means, and how it has become a beloved part of neighborhood folklore.

What’s Left Unpacked (8 mins) What’s Left Unpacked looks at two siblings that have a tumultuous relationship and need to sell their family cabin in the wake of their mother’s death.

TICKET LINK:  https://mysticfilmfestival2022.eventive.org/films/630cfda94a7164008c01759c

3 pm- 5 pm DOCUMENTARY FILM: Film, The Living Record of Our Memory (120 mins)
Why are we still able, today, to view images that were captured over 125 years ago? As we enter the digital age, audiovisual heritage seems to be a sure and obvious fact. However, much of cinema and our filmed history has been lost forever. Archivists, technicians and filmmakers from different parts of the world explain what audiovisual preservation is and why it is necessary. The documentary is a tribute to all these professionals and their important work. 

TICKET LINK: https://mysticfilmfestival2022.eventive.org/schedule/631fdd2ab6b8570063c21b36

5:30 pm- 6:30 pm The Church With the Overshot Wheel (21 mins)
Screening of silent movie from 1920, which was restored in 2022, plus a Q&A with Stonington resident Suzanne Harle about how she discovered the film and got the Academy to restore it. Composer Donald Sosin, will play live during the screening.

TICKET LINK: https://mysticfilmfestival2022.eventive.org/schedule/631b8b565e1ed50387d2df7a

7 pm- 9:15 pm Short Fiction Films Block 4 Women In Comedy + Q&A, Networking Event and Tribute to Ruth Buzzi 
A collection of short films made by women and networking event is co-sponsored by Women in Film and Video New England (WIFVNE) and will include a short stand up routine by Emily Santarsiero and a tribute to Ruth Buzzi. Sharon Contillo, current president of WIFVNE will MC the event. There will also be a Q&A with the filmmakers.

Perfect Match (7 mins) A woman wants to search the internet for her soul mate, and invites a friend over to help her choose.

Amber (6 mins) An amateur gamer unlocks a life changing hidden level.

Scotch, Please (12 mins) A mid-life experiment with on-line dating takes a curious mother on a short journey of self discovery. Sinead O’Sullivan has found herself at a place in life where many women just…settle. They settle for their stretch marks, the hours of carting their kids around, the late nights of laundry, and of society’s expectation that women just keep the world spinning, while putting themselves second. For Sinead, the status quo is simply not enough. Five kids and a nursing career aren’t enough to stop her from taking a risk on Tinder, to see if she still has what it takes. But what transpires on her first date just might keep her closer to home and to fulfilling life’s expectations of her. Or will it?

Shhh (16 mins) When a pharmaceutical spy ducks into a library to avoid capture he encounters a potential partner/love interest in a librarian looking for adventure and a new job.

TICKET LINK: https://mysticfilmfestival2022.eventive.org/schedule/631fdff0157c1700b8d4fa23

Sunday, October 23, 2022

12:30 pm- 2:30 pm Student Films Block 2
How We Remember (10 mins) THOMAS is getting ready to go to his sister CLEMENTINE’S funeral when he gets a message from his MOM asking where he is and instead decides to take a look into her room. While looking at the items in her room, strange happenings begin to occur. First her face is blurred out in a family picture, and then the music coming from Thomas’s headphones begins to warp. When Thomas is confronted head on with her ghost, he is scared away from going to the funeral all together. Instead, Thomas attends a therapy session with his therapist DR.BENES, who encourages Thomas to work through his grief through memory. Thomas does his best to reject this while continually being haunted by Clemetine throughout the session. Dr.Benes guides Thomas through an exercise where Thomas is transported to the last argument and place with Clementine, where the two fought over dirty dishes. Through this Thomas breaks down and finally begins to process the large amount of grief her sudden death has caused him. Thomas goes back to his apartment and sees the family picture with clear smiling faces and he goes to the kitchen to call his mother and finally do the dishes.

Toxic Faucets: Five Decades in Durham, CT (13 mins) After toxic chemicals are discovered in the drinking water of Durham, Connecticut, local, state, and federal government representatives unite in a five-decade-long fight for clean water, while Durham residents confront alarming disruptions to daily life and face serious illness.

Greaseballs (15 mins) Excited Mafia grunt Mario Angelo joins the Jonsini Crime family with a smiling face and high hopes for the future. It’s only after he whacks a fellow member that he begins to understand just how absurd organized crime truly is.

The Sky Above Us (8 mins) Based on the Short Story, “Araby” by James Joyce A pre-teen boy falls in love with his best friend’s sister, allowing his love to grow before he realizes that it’s too late to figure out the truth: the love was all in his head.

Turning Leaves (8 mins) Nina, a black college student, and her friend Lindsey, a white college student, are two childhood friends that decide to go on a hike together to rekindle their friendship. After a brief period apart, their reunion is met with awkwardness as the two friends want very different things out of the trip. Lindsey, due to her privileged upbringing, is conflict-averse and wants to pretend as if their friendship hasn’t changed since they were children. Nina however, is forced to face the realities of her racial identity in her everyday life, and desires to address the mistreatment and color blindness she has experienced around Lindsey and her family. The two dance around confrontation until Nina initiates a tough but honest conversation during the film’s climax. The friends must then decide if they can still fit together and what is required of each of them to keep their relationship intact.

Double Take (11 mins) When Cam and Wally get into an Uber, their night spirals out of control.

Ardent One (5 mins) An experimental film that reflects on the past, encourages you to live in the present and look into the future with optimism.

Virtually in Love (9 mins) Cyclically going from lovestruck to lovesick, Valerie awaits a potential lover she met online. Her longing for love causes her to disconnect from reality while daydreaming about the love she craves yet can’t find.

Lost Souls (7 mins) Follow a soul into the afterlife and learn how isolation and letting go of family and friends can affect us all.

TICKET LINK: https://mysticfilmfestival2022.eventive.org/schedule/631fcdfbc346d3009a1eddd4

3 pm- 5 pm Short Fiction Block 4 (DRAMAS)
Between Corners (9 mins) Unable to counterpunch, Raghid throws his boxing match. In the following days Raghid navigates his fear of taking action between asking for a raise and his old rival coming back for blood.

Corsets (8 mins) The show is about to start. Belén, a young Actress, arrives late to the theater with good news. Lola, a consecrated Actress, finishes preparing for the function while we see that something is disturbing her. Belén, excited, quickly prepares to start the show on time. The curtain goes up. Lola will fight to contain her emotions and continue with the show without affecting the quality of her work, without anyone noticing. She has to decide how to position herself in the face of bad news. Belén, happy and overflowing with illusion, also tries to make sure no one notices.

A Birthday Party (12 mins) The close relationship between two sisters is broken down irrevocably, when one insists on keeping up with the tradition of the circumcision of her young daughter.

Drive Thru N Chill (8 mins) A young music producer struggles to keep himself entertained during shifts at a 24-hour drive-thru donut shop. He finds solace in making music during the long overnight hours alone, while waiting for a call that could change everything.

Dis/ Connect (17 mins) After a one night stand, two people start getting to know each other and find that all is not as it seems beneath the surface.

Something Unseen (20 mins) August has bipolar disorder. While staying at his parent’s house alone, comes to find that ghosts are coming through a portal in the attic.

TICKET LINK: https://mysticfilmfestival2022.eventive.org/schedule/631fcedfdd19bf00783810d4