Overheard at the True/False Film Festival
“That was wild! I still can’t tell if it was real. Was it real?” — MU student Martha Haddock on her confusion about the promotion video for True/False that showed men doing back flips off chimneys
“The whole festival has been great, because the town has a feeling of epic intimacy.” — Greg Kohs, director of “Song Sung Blue,” who was invited to True/False after meeting the festival’s co-founders, David Wilson and Paul Sturtz, at the Slamdance Festival in Utah.
“I will tell you what I just saw. There was someone over there chugging wine. I have never seen that before.” — True/False volunteer Julie Ellebracht on the Reality Bites reception that served appetizers to holders of VIP passes
“With the size of this town, it’s like Columbia on steroids.” — Mike Pagano of St. Louis on the impact of the festival on Columbia. Pagano provided the visual images displayed on the walls at Tonic for Friday’s Lover’s Leap party.
“I liked that they picked people who came and directed the film. It really had a deep impact on the film and the audience. They are using films that are affecting us now in our age and generation.” — MU student Sameera Ali
“True/False has been the most different crowd we have ever done. It was definitely not our home crowd at all, but we adjusted perfectly to get their attention.” — Hip-hop artist Thesis on performing Saturday at Mojo’s-a-go-go dance party
“My favorite was the opportunity to see the band (Mucca Pazza). They were awesome. Me being a theater person, it was cool to see that they stayed in character. It was SNL cheerleaders meets brass punk.” — Afton Sanders of Columbia
“The movie tells a lot about things we should probably know but don’t.” — Maddie Hicks of Columbia on “Very Young Girls,” a documentary about child prostitution
“I went out to eat the other night and the manager at the restaurant was talking to me about the festival. I said I didn’t have a pass, but I was looking to buy tickets. Then she just sort of gave me her pass.” — MU student Jesse Langilly about how he was able to get a pass after they had already been sold out
“The only bad thing about True/False is sitting inside all day watching films when it is so gorgeous outside.” — Matt Evans of Columbia
“I can’t wait to go to the copyright lecture. I am interested on seeing if what I am doing is legal.” — Mike Pagano of St. Louis, laughing about his art and the events he planned to attend
“We went to ‘Alternatives to Slitting your Wrist,’ and I was sitting in the same row as the director and the subject of the documentary. At the end everyone came and gave him a big group hug.” — Martha Haddock, MU student
“It made me really nervous. I felt like their mom saying, ‘You shouldn’t be doing this.’ But it was still really awesome.” — Rich Davenport of Columbia on taking a motherly role during the promotion video that showed men doing back flips off chimneys
“I was really impressed by the organization. I didn’t think it was going to sell out that quick. I am going to make sure to plan better next year.” — Shelby Floyd of Columbia
“That is the thing about all the town people: It wasn’t like you could be, ‘Uh-uh, you aren’t from around here.’ It’s Columbia; they meshed.” — Afton Sanders of Columbia
“Dave and Paul (True/False co-founders) are so good at getting filmmakers here. The way they are presenting their work is done in such a personal way; it’s cool.” -Nick Mustoe of Columbia
— RACHEL SCHROEDER, RICKY O’BANNON and NATALIE DURKOVICH compiled this report.