The streets are filled with, uh, publicity

I’m back in Spokane, trying to catch up on the mass of detritus – yeah, it’s a word – that has been added to the basura (that’s Spanish) that already passes what covers my desk. Meanwhile, out noble correspondent Marshall Peterson prowls the streets of Park City, doing his best to bring us news of the 2006 Sundance International Film Festival.

Marshall is fortunate in that, being one of the managers of a hostel in Guadalajara, Mexico, he is both fluent in Spanish and has connections in the Mexican film industry. What follows is his continuing attempts to cover the festival, which he’s discovering isn’t all that easy to do.

Sundance 4: Work, party, work …

Lotsa stuff today… Below I include an example of creative promotion of the film “Downtown Locals.” The sidewalks abound with people promoting their projects, and rightly so. There are a ton of movies playing, so how does one decide? Plus, there’s something about a personal invitation from the director that makes it seem worthwhile.

Yesterday’s festivities were a blast, but the downside of the parties is the day after (know what I mean?). Slept in today (seriously, the festival season in Park City is a marathon and I’m pacing myself to arrive at the finish), but made it to a Q & A between young documentary filmmakers, including my buddy Tin Dirdamal, director of “De Nadie.” One of the many thought-provoking panels offered by Sundance (but you need to get there early as they fill up quickly).

Each documentary was very different from the other. Some were light, some very heavy, but it was an hour well-spent. Both “De Nadie” and “Crossing Arizona” (Joseph Mathew) are border-issue themed movies, the former dealing with the incredibly difficult journey that Central Americans suffer to even get to the border. The latter deals with the increasingly difficult and deadly border crossing into Arizona.

Spent the rest of the day preparing e-mails and photos, charging my batteries, literally (camera) and figuratively (my body).

Below : Park City is filled with inventive attempts to publicize films, such as this snow-sculpture billboard for the film “Downtown Locals.”

Photo by Marshall Peterson