Everett Film Festival marks its 20th year with 10 screenings

Published 1:30 am Friday, February 17, 2017

The Everett Film Festival is celebrating its 20th year.

The festival had its start with a focus on women, said festival director Teresa Henderson. And the festival continues to offer engaging and thought-provoking films, many of which still focus on women.

“Twenty years is an accomplishment for a festival that started on a shoe string, with a bunch of women throwing some money together and hoping for the best,” Henderson said.

The festival will screen films Friday evening and then again on Saturday afternoon and evening, all at the Everett Performing Arts Center.

“Along with running our lineup of films, we will have our usual opening night gala with a beautiful array of appetizers and beverages,” Henderson said. “On Saturday we will be again offering our ‘happy hour’ with several local restaurants bringing in samples from their menus.”

The highlights of opening night probably will be the screening of a short documentary by Elli Safari titled “The Noble Struggle of Amina Wadud” and the narrative feature film by Christian Vincent titled “Haute Cuisine.”

In 2005, Amina Wadud led a mixed-gender Friday prayer service in New York. The documentary is a portrait of this African-American Muslim woman, a teacher, who soon found herself the subject of much debate. In defying 1,400 years of Islamic tradition, her action caused global awareness of the struggle for women’s rights within Islam, but also brought violence and death threats against her.

The filmmaker followed Wadud around the world as she explained her analysis of Islam in classrooms, at conferences, in her home and in a hair dresser’s salon. In the film, Wadud explains how Islam, with its promise of justice, appeals to the African-American community. She also links the struggle for racial justice with the need for gender equality in Islam.

“Haute Cuisine” is a lovely film, Henderson said. It’s based on the true story (though the names are changed) of a truffle farmer and restaurateur who is recruited by French President Francois Mitterand to be his personal cook.

Mitterand, who had been served during his first term by an all-male team of chefs skilled in haute cuisine, wanted “a woman of the countryside” who would cook simple meals. So Daniele Delpeuch, on whom the film’s main character is based, abandoned her farm and moved to Paris.

“There are great comedic moments,” Henderson said. “And visuals are stunning.”

The highlight Saturday is sure to be a documentary about the loss of bees by Portland filmmakers Taggart Siegel and Jon Betz titled “Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us?”

After the screening, Sunshine Honey Co. owner Mike Miller of Snohomish plans to talk about bees and why they must be protected.

Next up will be “Deaf Jam,” a documentary by Judy Lieff, set in a New York school for deaf kids. One young woman there decides to compete in a poetry slam using American Sign Language. The Israeli-born teen ends up partnering with Palestinian spoken-word poet.

“Zelary” is the final feature movie of the evening. Set during World War II, an urban Czech woman goes underground with the resistance, marries and goes to live in a poor village.

“It’s an epic film, well done,” Henderson said.

The festival ends with a short narrative film, “Solemates,” by film actress Bryce Dallas Howard, the daughter of award-winning director Ron Howard.

“It’s about a couple, the passage of time, and a story told through the view of their shoes and feet,” Henderson said. “It’s very charming and a nice way to finish up the festival.”

If you go

The 20th annual Everett Film Festival starts with a gala opening at 6 p.m. Feb. 17 and continues all afternoon and evening Feb. 18 at the Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave.

The films to be shown Friday are “The Noble Struggle of Amina Wadud,” “Flush,” “Bob’s Birthday,” “The Curiosity of Penny Parker” and “Haute Cuisine.” Saturday’s film lineup includes “Queen of the Sun,” “Deaf Jam,” “Love is All You Need,” “Zelary” and “Solemates.”

A ticket for the full festival, including gala, is $50, or $40 for seniors, students and military. Friday only, including the gala, is $25, or $20 for seniors, students and military. Saturday only, including the happy hour, is $30, or $25 discounts for seniors, students and military. For tickets and more, go to www.everettfilmfest.org.