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Welcome to Miami Dade College’s 40th Annual Miami Film Festival where cinephiles can partake in more than 140 pieces from more than 30 countries. This year’s festivities begin on Friday March 3 and run until Sunday March 12. Screenings take place at the Coral Gables Art Cinema, the U’s Cosford, and downtown’s Silverspot and auxiliary event venues include several others. There is something for everyone here, and this year’s website is easily navigated and excellent.
This year, it’s Ray Romano’s turn in the Miami Film Festival’s opening night celebration, Somewhere in Queens. Because everyone loves Raymond, this appears to be a splendid selection.
There is something about Queens. It holds a peculiar place in uncool cultural zeitgeist. Tapping into it means instant disdainful mirth. Making fun of Queens in the entertainment hemisphere is a sure winner. Queens has no defense.
Yet every so often, the script gets flipped and the borough emerges victorious. Behind every successful portrayal of Queens is a strong ensemble. In Somewhere in Queens, the simple life belongs to the amiable Russo family with the usual stereotypical, screaming around the dining table, Italian-American family. Your drinking game can include shots after the word gravy, any mention of a pasta variety, and all references to the construction business. In classic All in the Family, Archie Bunker played the hilarious, grouchy, blue-collar future MAGA member. In Coming to America, director John Landis cast Eddie Murphy as African royalty moonlighting in a fast food restaurant looking for love. In Romano’s directorial debut, all early reviews pointed to something good, not overly sentimental, a sensitive depiction of those often fond rescues of family meltdowns and coming of age struggles.
Interesting developments are occurring in the movie and serial business. Box office takes are way down, though some oxygen still remains thanks to Avatar, Black Panther, and Top Gun. Simultaneously, unpunctuated insane Everything Everywhere All at Once also rocked the earning boat. All the while, art house and indie films captivate viewers in big cities, on home screens, and internationally. Plainly, there are lots of great things to watch.
Suspicious as the critical review game is, with oft incessantly artificial praise of any and all movies, there are still thousands of legitimately worthwhile viewing experiences available. This year’s Miami Film Festival, even without the beloved Tower Theater, has plugged into that special sauce that makes Miami what Miami is.
There are Made in Miami offerings. Haitian, Jewish, and Muslim films stand alongside our uniquely diverse Latin offerings. There are more than enough BIPOC and LGBTQIA films to provoke a governor to start a culture war AND provoke those opposed to culture wars to search for a dictionary. It’s a beautiful thing.
Aside from the features about drug lords, terrorist attacks, climate change, coming-of-age, and musicians seeking redemption, several romantic comedies like Rye Lane will provide indispensable relief necessary from all the topics which continue to drive us mad. There are too many things vexing us AND too many fine flicks to list. Naturally, the MFF will award prizes, have big parties, and invite film enthusiasts to lectures.
Go to https://miamifilmfestival2023.eventive.org/schedule for the schedule.
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