Attending South by Southwest is a little like entering IKEA for the first time. The sheer size of it is enough to make anyone sweat, and ask themselves nervously: "So, where do I go first?"
If you're driving, the first thing to be aware of is downtown street closures. Fortunately, Capital Metro will have increased service beginning today. But as far as SXSW destinations? Several narrative and documentary films made by Texas filmmakers will premiere at SXSW Film, so here's five screenings worth checking out:
- Richard Linklater's Bernie, set in Bastrop, about friendly funeral director turned alleged murderer Bernie Tiede.
- UT Austin grad Ya'ke Smith's Wolf, about a boy's molestation and his complicated relationship with his abuser.
- Mark Jarrett's Taiwan Oyster, about two American teachers abroad who steal the corpse of a fellow ex-pat in attempts to find the perfect burial ground.
- Johnny Mars' American Parking Lot, about the Dallas Cowboys' move to a new billion-dollar stadium.
- UT Austin professor Andrew Garrison's documentary, Trash Dance, which portrays Austin's very own Austin Resource Recovery (formerly Solid Waste Services) as its garbage trucks practice and perform a choreographed dance.
KUT's Terrence Henry spoke with film festival director Janet Pierson about what's new this year.
