Bong Joon Ho's "PARASITE" Movie Review by Dennis D. McDonald

Bong Joon Ho's "PARASITE" Movie Review by Dennis D. McDonald

What begins as a farcical satire of haves vs. have-nots morphs into a tragicomedy with disturbing moral overtones.

We start with a down-and-out family that lives at a very low level (literally) that, headed by an out of work patriarch, folds pizza boxes to get by. The son by chance and via some subterfuge gets a job with a rich upper class family teaching its teenage daughter English. He brings in his sister to tutor the young son by taking advantage of the rich mother’s gullibility. Then through some chicanery the housekeeper is fired to be replaced by the poor family’s mom. And the rich family’s driver is maneuvered out of his position and the dad takes over as driver.

Alexandria Film Fest Awards Top Honors to 'Wake'

Alexandria Film Fest Awards Top Honors to 'Wake'

From Alexandria Living Magazine:

A movie about a widowed mortician and a life-size doll named Pedro won top honors at the 2019 Alexandria (Virginia) Film Festival (AFF). 

“Wake” directed by Cyrus Mirakhor was awarded Best of Fest as movie lovers in the Washington, D.C. area enjoyed their selections of more than 50 films this past weekend during the Festival. Full article here ->

Alexandria Film Festival Wrap-up!

Alexandria Film Festival Wrap-up!

For Immediate Release November 11, 2019
Contact: Gayle Converse, Media Relations, Alexandria Film Festival gcprod@bellsouth.net 404.989.0534

“Wake” Wins Top Honors at 2019 Alexandria Film Festival

Alexandria – A movie about a widowed mortician and a life-size doll named Pedro won top honors at the 2019 Alexandria (Virginia) Film Festival (AFF). “Wake” directed by Cyrus Mirakhor was awarded Best of Fest as movie lovers in the Washington, D.C. area enjoyed their selections of more than 50 films this past weekend during the Festival.

It's A Wrap!

It's A Wrap!

It's a wrap! The AFF 2019 was so much fun: 1,068 people attended over 3 days to see 53 films and visit with 64 filmmakers. Thank you to everyone! Congrats to our award winning films:

  • Audience Award: "She's in Portland"

  • Best Subtitled film: "On the Outside"

  • Best of Region: "Demand Curve"

  • Joe Cantwell Prize for Excellence in Documentary filmmaking: "Fruits of Peace"

  • Best of Fest: "Wake"

Former SNL Cast Member to Screen New Comedy at 2019 Alexandria Film Festival

Former SNL Cast Member to Screen New Comedy at 2019 Alexandria Film Festival

Alexandria – Native Alexandrian actress, director, and former Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast member Casey Wilson returns to her roots early next month to screen her new film, “Daddio” at the 13th Annual Alexandria (Virginia) Film Festival. The festival will be held November 7-10. Download full press release.

Alexandria Film Festival to Honor Veterans

Alexandria Film Festival to Honor Veterans

For Immediate Release 

Alexandria – The story of a mysterious United States Navy helicopter crash off the coast of Virginia will be one of the featured films Veteran’s Day weekend during the 13th annual Alexandria Film Festival (AFF). "Who Killed Lt. Van Dorn? will be part of the festival’s special “Veteran’s Showcase.”   Download full press release ->

2018 Winners

2018 Winners

Awards: Each film receives a cash prize and etched, hand-made, fused glass award by Patti North:

  • Best of Fest: “Hunting Lands” by Edwin Stevens ($300)

  • Joe Cantwell Prize for Best Documentary: “American Relapse” by Pat McGee ($250)

  • Special Jury Prize: “I Wrote This For You” by Jason Zavaleta, Matt Stoner, Brennan Keel Cook ($200)

  • Regional Award: “Warpath: The Road To States” by Clark Vandergrift ($100)

  • Audience Award: “The Makeover” by Sarah Park and Jane Pittman ($100)

Alexandria Film Festival Announces 2018 Schedule

Alexandria Film Festival Announces 2018 Schedule

Alexandria -- The 12th Annual Alexandria Film Festival brings more than 70 films to delight, entertain, and inform area film enthusiasts November 8-11. 

The celebration begins Thursday, Nov. 8 with a free program of six short films, screening outdoors at Waterfront Park in Old Town.  The Free Flowing Musical Experience will kick things off at 6:30 p.m., with the shorts beginning at 7 p.m. There will be free popcorn for the first 100 guests.