Philadelphia Film Festival 2008 - Day 1

Excitement! I am currently in Philadelphia attending the film festival for the next week and a half. They have a good line up this year. Musicals, film noir, Indian Cinema, Jackie Chan + Jet Li, and of course, Danger After Dark.

I just got back from the opening night film, Young@Heart. This is a documentary about a group of elderly men and women who perform concerts where they sing cover songs of modern rock and punk songs. Their average age is 80 years old. It follows the group as they prepare for a big concert. This includes learning tricky new songs, dealing with illness, and even coping with the passing of some of the members. Sad stuff at times. Inspirational at others.

I enjoyed myself at the screening, and I got to meet some of the chorus members which was really cool. The film itself was nothing special, but given such subject matter it is very hard not to make an enjoyable film with it. The plot description just screams “feel-good” movie, and overall it does deliver. It was a very safe choice for the opening night, but I am really looking forward to some more of the un-safe films that I have on my schedule.
Come back daily for my festival reviews!