SLOIFF Review: “Y Vân: The Lost Sounds of Saigon”
Riveting, Authentic, Inspiring For many of us who became adults during the Vietnam War, mentions of Vietnam evoke images of Kim Phúc at age 9 running away from her village…
SLOIFF Review: “This Tempting Madness”
Shock, Surprise, Confusion, Fragility Director Jennifer E. Montgomery’s film This Tempting Madness opens with ominous music, a voiceover on the fragility of the mind, and scenes of a woman falling…
SLOIFF Review: “That’s So Drag”
We need more safe spaces. For art. For creativity. For self-expression. Spaces that encourage us to take risks, push boundaries, and challenge the norm, because that's how progress happens. Those…
SLOIFF Review: “The Musical”
The Power of Spite "The thing about life is sometimes you win, but other times you watch your enemies steal what could have been yours." Gizelle Bonilla, making her…
“Sirāt” Is a Wonderful, Disturbing Film
Director and screenwriter Óliver Laxe opens his latest film, Sirāt ("path" in Arabic), with closeups of rave dancers moving in Shaker style to loud drumming sounds. The ravers look punk…
PCPA Presents Unique Take on “Measure for Measure”
PCPA brings Shakespeare’s most provocative and morally complex play, Measure for Measure, to the Severson Theatre in Santa Maria February 26 through March 15. The striking production features an all-woman…
“A Private Life” Delivers An Unexpected Answer
Rebecca Zlotowski’s new film, A Private Life, is billed as a psychological thriller, but lest you be fooled by the advertising gods, this intriguing film is much more interested in…
Super Bowl Sunday BBQ Funds Local Scholarships
The 57th annual community BBQ fundraiser for SLO County student scholarships is scheduled on Super Bowl Sunday, February 8 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at the SLO Elks Lodge.…
Cambria Film Fest: “Whisper My Name”
The Cambria Film Festival is excited to premiere its first-ever Iranian film: Whisper My Name. Director Rasoul Sadrameli (The Night) gives us an engaging story about a fragmented family and…
Cambria Film Fest: “Odd Fish”
Transgender narratives in popular media tend to have one trait in common: glamour. Of course, there is nothing wrong with glamorous portrayals. Shows like Pose and Euphoria represent the beauty…