Far from RIFF-Raff: James McDaniel and Robert Milazzo come to Rome International Film Festival

RIFF opened the festival with a call to all heroes of independent film. The four barreled spot light stationed outside the city auditorium must have been seen for miles.  The opening feature film, “War Eagle, Arkansas” brought close to 200 folks and Emmy, Obie, and Tony Award winning actor James McDaniel and crew.  While Rome’s viewing of the feature film was the 30th run out of 44 bookings in festivals worldwide, they were full of praise towards the city for the event and gratefully acknowledged their presence was due to the “fact that Rome organizers just asked.”  The film takes on manifold themes of friendship and disability, but director Robert Milazzo indicated that it was “most deeply about choices – the choices we make every day and how the not-so-obvious ones may be the best ones.”

James McDaniel – a face you’d know from NYPD Blue, Malcolm X, Law and Order: SVU, L.A. Law, and countless movies, television shows, and plays – was a warm and reflective distinguished guest.  If one facet of the festival is about mentoring and relationship building, James made for a great story.  After majoring in large animal veterinary medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and deciding he was “just more of a city boy,” James walked into an audition in New York City and landed the lead role in A Soldier’s Play in 1981 at the age of 22. He didn’t offer deep secrets to break into the business, but instead the quiet confidence of a man who’s found the thing he both loves and does well, “it’s really just the only thing I’ve ever made a dime on.” He mused on the rarity of a person attaining success and satisfaction from the same venture and looked forward to the vacation with his family immediately following his trip to Rome.  From the looks of his current projects, it’s a vacation well-earned.

Experienced organizers and volunteers all indicated the way the festival has raised the bar from last year, and cited Harry and Laura Musselwhite’s energy and finesse as the reason RIFF is attracting higher quality films and award winning filmmakers and actors. It’s obvious the Rome is “on the map” nationally and globally in the film community.

Rome’s Own Siskel and Ebert
It’s more like Barr, Minor, and Mejia. After viewing every film and making award nominations, these three adjudicators and film buffs are willing to put their money on two films each you shouldn’t miss: Without hesitation, Mike Mejia recommended “The Wrecking Crew” and India-filmed, “Vanaja”.  Brian Barr was more than enthusiastic about “Franklin 13 vs The World’, the story of the paper-rock-scissors championship and a soundtrack every kid of the 80’s will love. He also joined in a vote for the short “Because There are Things You Never Forget” noting the one great punchline that makes the movie worth each of the thirteen minutes. Frank Minor suggested “Chickamauga” and “Things We Do For Love.”  Full schedule and descriptions are available at: http://rome.bside.com/2008/films

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