12 minute read
GET OUT
QueenCreekTribune.com | @QCTribune @QCTribune For more Get Out News visit QueenCreekTribune.com
Chandler Film Festival offers a feast for the eyes
BY KEN SAIN GetOut Staff
Chandler filmmaker Mitesh Patel says there has been a noticeable change when he attends film festivals around the world.
“When I go to see some, like AFM American film market, or any other like Berlin, or Cannes, whenever I go somewhere for my movie work, I meet with people and they talk about the festival,” said Patel, who is president and the director of the Chandler International Film Festival. “And what’s surprising to me is they all know, mostly I would say they know about the Chandler Film Festival.”
Patel said he and his team once had to work hard to get the word out about the annual festival. Now, they don’t.
The seventh annual Chandler International Film Festival is scheduled for Jan. 21-29 at the LOOK Dine-In Cinema in downtown. Patel is extending it to nine days this year so they don’t have as many matinee showings. Films will start at 6 p.m. most days, with some matinees on the weekends.
“You know a lot of people work, so it’s kind of a struggle, but it was good for the people who are coming from out of town so they can just stay for an entire weekend,” Patel said.
He said he wanted more Chandler residents to be able to attend, and that was the reason for pushing back start times and extending the festival.
Patel said the number of films will be the same, about 125 or so. He said they had more than 500 submitted to be considered. That’s still down considerably from pre-pandemic when they would get about 1,000.
Former Chandler resident Rob Smat directed “Walkout.” It’s the story of his friend Thomas Marshall (in photo) leading employees to try and force change at Walmart after the tragic
mass shooting at its El Paso location. (Courtesy of Chandler International Film Festival);
see FILM FESTIVAL page 23
‘Disney on Ice’ takes on a road trip expedition
BY SUMMER AGUIRRE
GetOut Staff
To ring in the new year strong, “Disney on Ice” is making a pitstop in the Valley to take families on a magical getaway visiting some of their most beloved characters.
Produced by Feld Entertainment, “Disney on Ice presents Road Trip Adventures” embarks on an immersive excursion of exciting twists and turns through some of Disney’s most popular and classic tales. The tour will be in Phoenix for seven shows from Jan.1215 at the Footprint Center.
“This show, in particular, come in with an open mind — it truly is an amazing show. We’ve all worked so hard and we’re so excited to share this show with you and everyone that comes into the magic,” said Kiera Clifford, 22, a first-year skater in the cast. “It’s a big road trip adventure for everybody.”
During an enchanting and athletic performance, spectators will go on a safari to see Simba, Timon and Pumbaa in the Pride Lands and help Woody and Bo Peep search for their new friend, Forky, at a wacky carnival.
“We’ll start with Mary Poppins going through the town. We’ll see some Incredibles, we might run into Moana and her tribe or we might even run into Olaf with his little ‘In Summer’ song,” said Clifford.
In comparison to other “Disney on Ice” shows, the skater said that “Road Trip Adventures” is by far the most interactive with audience members.
“There’s not just one thing you’re looking at, there are a bunch of things,” she said. “One of my favorite numbers is Aladdin’s (Prince) Ali Parade. You have a lot of things in the air, you have things on the ground, there’s a lot of props – you won’t be unsatisfied with our show.”
To further immerse the audience in the performance, Clifford hinted at a surprise launch into the crowd during the “Toy Story” segment and noted cast members who escort families onto bus stops to watch the show close
‘Disney On Ice’ offers a colorfully costumed cast whose signing, storytelling and ice skating abilities will delight young and old alike. (Courtesy Disney on Ice)
Dana Beth Kippel stars in “Reflect,” a film she directed and wrote about friends participating in a spiritual obstacle course. Parts of the film were shot in Arizona. (Courtesy of Chandler
International Film Festival)
FILM FESTIVAL from page 22
“I think the pandemic is still going on,” Patel said about the lower number of submissions. He added that they no longer advertise and push hard to get the word out about the festival, relying on the fact that many in the business are already aware.
The films will be shown at LOOK Dine-In Cinemas for the second time. Patel said they were great hosts a year ago, and complimented their food. After-hours parties will be staged around the downtown area.
There will be no online viewing of the films for the first time in two years.
In 2021, the festival was all digital because of the pandemic. Last year people had the option to watch them online if they didn’t want to sit in a crowded theater.
Patel said many directors are concerned about piracy if they put their films online, so they would rather not.
The lineup of films is still being determined in late December with an announcement expected in early January. Patel said he had not decided on which film to open the festival with, but he does have one that he would love to open it with.
The festival is adopting a theme for the first time, and it will be a celebration of Indian filmmaking. The country is celebrating 110 years of filmmaking in 2023 so Patel thought that was an easy choice.
“Last Film Show” was chosen by India to be its submission for the best international film Oscar at the Academy Awards. It has won top honors at some of the film festivals where it has been shown.
It’s the story of a 9-year-old boy in rural India who loves films so much, he bribes the projectionist of a run-down theater with homemade food so that he can watch and learn about films and filmmaking from the best seat in the house. It’s a semi-autobiographical story of director Pan Nalin.
One of the keys to being the opening night film, Patel said, is that the filmmaker needs to be in attendance. He said Nalin said he’s willing if his film is not nominated for the Academy Award. However, if it is he will be far too busy promoting it and won’t be able to attend.
“I noticed that whoever attends the Chandler Film Festival, they get very excited when someone from the movie, they’re coming and attending,” Patel said. He added a couple of films in this year’s festival will be by directors with Chandler ties. Former resident Rob Smat made a documentary called “Walkout.” It’s about Walmart’s reaction to having 23 people shot and killed in its El Paso store in 2019.
After the tragedy, the company took no action to stop selling firearms at its stores. Its employees decided to do something about that and forced the company to change.
India will not be the only country getting a focus at this year’s festival. Patel said they plan to have special nights throughout the nine days.
“We’re adding a Japanese day, a Spanish day, a Korean day, a Chinese day,” Patel said, pointing out the Chinese New Year will happen during the festival (Jan. 22).
One of the reasons the Chandler International Film Festival has gotten such notice is because of the success it has had in matching filmmakers with distributors. Patel said all of their feature-length films last year got distribution deals.
“It’s been a couple of years now,” Patel said of the 100% distribution. “I’ve been doing this for 15 years, I know so many companies. And I created this festival to help the filmmaker to showcase their work and put it out.”
Carlos (Juan Francisco Villa) takes the lead in a wheelchair race at a holding facility a woman goes to after a suicide attempt. “Eyes Upon Waking” was directed by Timothy Zwica, a
Tucson resident. (Courtesy of Chandler International Film Festival) Chandler filmmaker Mitesh Patel founded the Chandler Film Festival, which has been growing in influence and audiences since its
launch in 2016. (Special to GetOut)
Festival Films with Arizona ties
Walkout: Directed by former Chandler resident Rob Smat ID: Directed by Chandler resident Kiran Kondamadugula The Monster Inside Me: Directed by Phoenix resident Tony C. Silva Reflect: Parts filmed in Sedona Eyes Upon Waking: Directed by Tucson resident Timothy Zwica
If You Go...
What: Chandler International Film Festival Where: LOOK Dine-In Cinema, 1 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler When: Jan. 21-29 Info: chandlerfilmfestival.com
GOT GETOUT NEWS?
With JAN D’ATRI
GetOut Columnist
Greek stew is goodness in a pot
What a shame that it only gets attention during Greek festivals. This stew called Manéstra should be enjoyed all year long.
It’s that lovely Greek word meaning to celebrate with exuberance, but the ingredients and flavors in Manéstra are pure soul-food/comfort food in any nationality. It starts with braised and slowcooked short ribs that create a fantastic red sauce where you’ll eventually let orzo pasta soak up all the goodness in the pot. It’s absolutely mouthwatering.
For this delectable discovery, I thank popular Valley musicians and recording artists Thano and Demitri Sahnas, known in Arizona as The Sahnas Brothers and Turning Point.
Their mom Kathy Sahnas had a hidden treasure that had been passed down from generation to generation that is so simple and welcoming, I couldn’t wait to dish it up and then get it into your hands. Enjoy the great flavor of this Sahnas family favorite.
Ingredients:
• 1/8 cup olive oil • 2 packages short ribs, bone-in (approximately 8-10 pieces or 3-3 ½ lbs) • Salt and Pepper • 4 heaping tablespoons fresh mint (finely chopped fine, stems removed) • 1 large sweet yellow onion (chopped fine) • 48 ounces tomato sauce (6 small 8 ounce cans) • 1 inch piece of cinnamon stick (approximately 1 inch long) • 4 whole cloves • 1 package Orzo pasta (approximately 1 lb) • 1 medium lemon (squeezed) • 1/2 cube butter (browned) • 1 quart chicken broth for thinning mixture
Directions: For Dutch oven:
Generously sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of short ribs. In a hot skillet with olive oil, brown ribs. When browned, add mint and onion cooking until onions are tender. Add tomato sauce, cinnamon and cloves. Simmer until meat is tender, about 3 hours.
When done, remove meat and cut up or shred into bite-sized pieces. Remove and discard cinnamon stick and cloves. Add Orzo to sauce, stirring often to avoid sticking. Cook for about 25 minutes. Add lemon juice. Return meat to pot. In a small saucepan, cook butter until browned. Stir butter into orzo and meat mixture. If sauce is too thick, add chicken broth for desired texture. Serve immediately. (6-8 servings.)
Crock pot method:
In a skillet brown the seasoned short ribs in olive oil. Add onions and mint, cooking until onions are tender. Transfer ribs and onions to crock-pot. Cover meat with tomato sauce, cloves and cinnamon.
Cook on high for about 6 hours or until ribs are tender. Remove meat. Cut or shred into bite-sized pieces. Remove cinnamon stick and cloves. Add Orzo to the sauce. Cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the meat back to the cooked Orzo. Add the melted butter and lemon. Stir and serve.
to the ice.
“I feel like our cast members blend very well, the show pulls together,” she said.
Seeing “Disney on Ice” is a memorable experience that Clifford thinks every kid needs.
“I grew up a Disney kid, and I’m so grateful that my mom brought me to the shows and to Disney World, just because it’s something special that you’ll look back on and remember for a long time,” she said. “And seeing your favorite characters come off the screen onto the ice is something that was super exciting to me, so I’m sure for every child out there, it would be exciting for them, too.”
The children’s enthusiasm is something that the skater believes is exciting for parents to witness. She recalls seeing videos online under the hashtag “#disneyonice,” taken by parents capturing their young ones’ happiness as their dreams come to life.
Likewise, Clifford said interacting with the children and bringing their heroes to life on the ice is the most fulfilling part of her role as a performer.
“I graduated with a teaching degree in music,” said Clifford, who attended Penn State University. “I’m missing that a little bit right now, so seeing the kids interact and their faces light up is probably the most appealing part of the show for me.”
“Disney on Ice” was launched in 1981. Its traveling team consists of 90 to 100 people, including Clifford and nearly 50 other performers, several coordinators, a sales team and crewmembers.
“As performers, we always go out and try to put on our best show for everybody,” she adds. “Whether it’s waving at kids as a princess, getting picked to go into the magic-mobile with The Incredibles on the ice, or it could be tossing balls into the audience, or even going out into the audience as a cast.”
If You Go...
What: “Disney on Ice presents Road Trip Adventures” When: Various times Jan. 12-15. Where: Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix Cost: Tickets start at $20 Info: Disneyonice.Com, Ticketmaster.Com
Now in our 38th year! ARIZONA’S LONGEST-RUNNING EXPO IS HERE!
Healthcare | Retirement Living Financial|Leisure | Home Repair Education and More... Wednesday, January 25th 9am - 1pm Mesa Convention Center 201 N. Center Street, Mesa, AZ 85201 Bag Sponsor
MS. SENIOR ARIZONA Entertainment by
Entertainment Sponsor FREE PARKING! Gold Sponsor Lots of Prizes and Giveaways INCLUDING a $100 CASH DRAWING Every Hour! FREE ENTRY!
