There Really is Film in Lansing

I love to be by the ocean. I love the breeze forever accompanying its presence, and the looming adventure in its distance. Staring at its vastness, I am made aware of the true scale of humanity, of our sameness and singularity all at the same time. I only get this feeling in one other place: watching a great film, on a giant screen in a dark room … in the silence of appreciation.

As part of the Capital City Film Festival selection committee, I have yet to experience the films in the way I describe above. I will tell you, however, that I have cried, laughed, questioned the state of my moral compass, and been adequately frightened while watching the films selected. I am excited to hear the reactions of others, to share discourse and opinions … a large part of what makes film so appealing for me.

I am also excited about the variety, and you should be too. I have moaned and whined about the lack of an art house theater here in Lansing – something reminiscent of The Odeon – playing foreign and indie film that broaden our film repertoire and our minds. Well, here it is, offered to us over the course of four days.

I won’t tell you what to watch or when to go, but if you only have time for one day, keep Saturday free for a Gondry feature, some great short films, An Oversimplification of Her Beauty, Detropia, and much, much more.

I look forward to spending some time on my pseudo beach April 11-14. I’m so glad there’s film in Lansing.

-Suban Nur Cooley, CCFF selection committee