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BOOKS / FILM North Park author takes flight Film fests San Diego Downtown & Uptown News October 2020
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North Park resident and retired pilot, Robin “R. D.” Kardon’s debut novel Flygirl, soared onto the bestseller list last fall with her tale of Tris Miles, a female pilot trying to break the blue ceiling when she’s blocked by co-workers determined to see her fail. But those guys didn’t expect Tris’ fearless determination and grit. Flygirl was recently named a finalist in two categories at The 2020 International Book Awards and has been lauded as a compelling and heartfelt tale of courage and redemption. Now, Kardon is launching her latest, Angel Flight, which continues Tris’ journey. Although the novel is the second in a trilogy, readers can enjoy Angel Flight on its own or before reading Flygirl. Kardon, who was a professional pilot for 12 years, says aviation
The 14th annual SDIFF is showcasing a different film each of the five weekends in October as well as a live Q & A with the respective directors on Sundays. For instance, on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 11 a.m., Phaim Bhuiyan will
(Courtesy photos)
provided her with many story ideas. “Every time people found out I was a pilot, they’d ask dozens of questions,” Kardon says from her backyard in North Park. “People would ask if the crew had affairs while on assignment. They wanted to know if the Mile-High Club is a real thing. And often they asked what the heck is turbulence caused by,” she says with a laugh. “I found that people were especially intrigued by stories of women working in aviation.” Kardon says she kept a notebook with ideas for 25 years before
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sitting down to write Flygirl, her debut novel. The overwhelmingly positive response to that book told her that readers are interested in the behind-the-scenes lives of pilots. She understands the interest. “I flew all over the world. I flew businesspeople and vacation travelers, sometimes into up to seven cities in a day. It was exhausting and exhilarating at the same time.” In both of her novels, Kardon draws from her experiences as a female pilot. “I met many interesting people, pieces of whom found their way into certain characters. Flygirl was based on an actual job I had as a pilot, so all of the characters in that book are inspired by real people,” she says. When she finished Flygirl, Kardon felt Tris Miles had more stories to share. She immediately jumped into writing Angel Flight. “The first time I heard the term ‘angel flight’ was when I was co-pilot on a trip flying a child burn victim from Chicago to St. Jude Hospital for treatment,” Kardon recalls. “That’s when I learned that the term was shorthand for a medical transport. As a corporate pilot, I flew a woman with a severe spinal cord injury to the Mayo Clinic for treatment in a private jet. My company donated the airplane and the services of the crew. Her family couldn’t afford to hire their own plane, and if it weren’t for us, she’d have no way of getting the life-altering treatment she needed. That trip inspired Angel Flight.” Although Angel Flight is the second novel in which Kardon features Tris Miles, it is a standalone book. “I hope Angel Flight readers will want to know more about Tris and pick up a copy of Flygirl but starting with Angel Flight won’t spoil any surprises.” Tris will face more career and personal challenges as she struggles to find and fit the pieces of the life she wants together, and hopefully leave her mark along the way. Look for the final book in the Trilogy in 2022.
sdnews.com This film fest is also the cheapest, with tickets at only $10 per film whereas the lowest ticket bracket for SDIFF is $30. Find out more at gifilmfestivalsd.org.
SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
San Diego’s largest film festival is having both virtual and drivein viewings of the 114 movies on its slate. From October 15-18, viewers can watch movies online or attend a screening at Westfield UTC in La Jolla. According to Tonya Mantooth, CEO and Artistic Director of A still from the film “Bangla” (Photo courtesy San Diego International Film Festival) the San Diego International discuss his film “Bangla” about Film Festival, “Like everyone a Muslim Italian, also named else, we’ve spent the better part Phaim, who falls in love with a of this year exploring options. carefree woman who challenges We’ve landed on two platforms the rules he lives by. In addition that will serve us this year as to five feature films, the festival well as for years to come – online has a series of shorts and an film screenings in our Festival awards ceremony in November. Virtual Village and films on the The decision to have the theme big screen at our Festival Driveof “Activism” was decided in In Movies. Both are COVID aplate 2019 but Agostini said the propriate and the combination theme is more relevant than ev- allows us to present both indeer. Find out more at sandiegoital- pendent and studio films.” ianfilmfestival.com. The festival received 3,000 submissions from 68 countries. GI FILM FEST From that pool, the festival seThe GI Film Fest takes place on lected 24 narrative competition Oct. 1 and 2. The two-day online films, 15 documentaries and 75 event will feature six documen- short films. Mantooth said this tary films, including features, year’s international films and shorts and local productions. documentaries are particularly Following each film block will be strong. a post-screening discussion where viewers can hear filmmakers from around the country, film subjects and local experts explore the important topics and issues raised in the films. Like in past years, the focus of the festival is to The move “Nomadland” from director Chloé Zhao bridge the civil- is premiering at the event. (Photo courtesy San Diego ian-military di- International Film Festival) vide by sharing some of the experiences of active At this year’s opening, direcduty members of the military tor Chloé Zhao is premiering her and veterans with the general third feature film. “Nomadland” public. Closing out the festival at is already considered an Oscar 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2 is “The contender. Starring Frances Donut Dollies” about women McDormand, the film focuses on who served in the Vietnam War. modern nomads in America who work as migratory laborers. Virtual day passes are $39 with passes that include drive-in movies at UTC starting at $59. More information on the fest can be found at sdfilmfest.com. A still from the documentary about women serving in Vietnam called “Donut Dollies.” (Photo courtesy GI Film Fest)
—Kendra Sitton can be reached at kendra@sdnews.com.
