The Arizona International Film Festival opens with a very big Tucson accent.
“Many Bones, One Heart,” a documentary based on Tucson’s All Souls Procession, will launch the 24th annual fest. The event will reel out over 17 days, in nine theaters, with 122 feature-length and short films from 22 countries.
“Many Bones, One Heart,” by Tucson indie filmmaker Leslie Ann Epperson, was the likely choice for opening night given its ties to Tucson culture.
“When you see this film, you’ll be grabbed by it,” says Mia Schnaible, the director of marketing and development for the festival. The opening film is normally debated by the festival’s selection committee, but this year’s decision to open with “Many Bones, One Heart” was unanimous, says Schnaible.
“Thousands of people are involved in the All Souls parade,” Epperson said. “We are able to celebrate loved ones in public form and there is a great deal of comfort in that.” The documentary is an intimate insight into the cultural honoring of those who have passed.
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Following “Many Bones, One Heart” is a marathon of films, including historical and sports documentaries, dramatic shorts, comedies and Westerns. Many of the screenings are internationally produced, such as “M Cream,” a feature drama out of India produced by Agneya Singh and Aban Raza.
“People will be experiencing incredible films from all around the world, right here in Tucson,” Schnaible says. “This year there is a lot of diversity being offered.”
The marathon will conclude with “Dropkick” by Robert Loomis, a quirky dramedy featuring a women’s rugby team that set out to fulfill the last wishes of a deceased teammate.
“With independent films, it’s not always guaranteed that the hero will win,” Schnaible says. “Producers can make the movie they want as opposed to the movie they are told to make.” According to Schnaible, the unpredictable side to independent films makes them especially intriguing.
Many producers, including Epperson, Singh, Raza and Loomis will be present for the showing of their films. Audiences will have the opportunity to ask filmmakers questions following the screenings.
More than 40 of the films will have a representative present. Some will be coming from as far as Canada, Germany and Spain.
“After you watch one, you will want to watch more,” Schnaible says. “You’re going to laugh, you’re going to cry.”
Kianna Gardner is a University of Arizona journalism student apprenticing at the Star.
