Voices of MainStreet: April Lee

The Unenthused Movie-Goer

Feb. 14, 2011

Seattle is a film city. My first summer in Seattle I unknowingly went to two festivals. One festival is called SIFF, Seattle’s International Film Festival, and the other is called STIFF, Seattle’s True Independent Film Festival. The two are easily confused but certainly different. SIFF has been described as a “school” vibe whereas STIFF is the “recess.” These festivals go on for weeks at a time. Seattle loves its festivals.

There hasn’t been much fuss about the Oscars at all in Seattle but I am beginning to think Seattle is too focused on its own films to notice. More likely, I am too wrapped up in my own world to notice. To be honest, I don’t watch a lot of films. My time is taken up with books and writing. I won’t be paying attention to the Oscars this year just like every other year but I can say there was one film I am glad, I heard, was nominated: Black Swan. I saw it in the theaters twice and I would gladly pay to see it again. I won’t seek out the answer but I’m sure I’ll hear about whether or not Black Swan won the awards it was nominated for.

I have friends who are into that stuff.

I won’t have a party but I’m sure others will. It’s hard for me to concentrate on a movie. If it’s a good one that means I especially have a hard time paying attention because it makes me think and then my mind wanders off. If it’s a bad movie, well, of course I don’t pay attention. For movie enthusiasts, I am a lose-lose situation. Ah well.

—April is a well-traveled young woman planting her roots in sunny Seattle, or well, just Seattle. Her writing covers whatever piques her interest and curiousity. Check out her blog here.