NYFF's Best-Kept Secret Not Even in the Program

I am a little behind the curve on this, but local filmmaker Jamie Stuart earlier this week issued perhaps the freshest piece of work affiliated with this year's New York Film Festival--and it's not even one of the selections. Rather, it's the latest of Stuart's video diaries chronicling his own festival coverage, documented from the front row of the Walter Reade Theater, where he camps out early and often for the event's press conferences.

But in addition to this epiosde's dedication to Little Children (with "appearances by" director Todd Field and stars Kate Winslet and Patrick Wilson), it's a wry, beautifully shot gem of self-effacement and ho-hum filmmaking satire; Stuart's quotidian pursuits totally invert the star-powered fury surrounding the festival. Drawing only the most constructive energy from this charge, he crafts counterpoints that manage irony without resorting to cheap cynicism. In other words, it's the best kind of clever. Maybe I just relate to it a little too much, but at any rate, I really can't recommend it enough.

UPDATE: Stuart sends word that Part 2 should be available early next week... Keep an eye on his site, or rest assured I'll let you know here.

Posted at September 29, 2006 4:20 PM