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Day 3 continued... Since I've decided to make this "rare film day" I figure I should go check out The Great Nickelodean Show a program that won't be duplicated anytime soon. The program I'm told is a half an hour late and some people have gathered in the line thinking it is for the next show, which starts in two hours. Since this program is far from a sell out people are encouraged to go in and watch for a while before the next screening. The nickelodeon theaters flourished a century ago in every major city in the United States and this program beautifully recreated the experience for festival-goers. It combined an engaging blend short films by Thomas Edison and Georges Mèliés along with vaudeville acts that including a lecture done by a guy with a frock coat, sing along songs led by a woman with a large hat, a humorous magic trick (that involved a guy named Mr Blockhead hammering a nail into his nose) and a few dance numbers. The program is of interest to anyone attentive to the history of film but maybe because there is no reputation yet for this type of show - as there are with the Pordenone programs -- there are few people in attendance. In fact, this might be the smallest crowd I have ever seen at my 11 years of attending this festival. It's too bad because it's a very good show and could really use an audience to enliven it a bit.

Day 4 Now that the festival is in its last day it's time to make the all important final decisions. Since I live in Los Angeles and a good number of these films will make there way there I figure it's time for another hike into the mountains. One of my favorite hikes is all the way at the east side of the valley up to Bridal Veil Falls. It starts as a switchback four-wheel drive road and leads to a spectacular set of trails that can take you into the wilderness. I start at 9:00 am and hitchhike to the end of town. I hike in the shade of the moutain for a while and see a few people in SUV's checking out the views.

The "house" at the top of the falls

I get to the bottom of the trail and hitch a ride back into town. The festival winds down with the annual Labor Day picnic. This event used to take place on top of the ski area but with the advent of the gondola it no longer seems so special to do it there. It is now held close to the camp ground in Town Park in a large grassy field that in the winter is the location of the ice rink. The picnic is a great place to talk and reflect with other viewers, that you've seen throughout the long weekend, about there favorite movies. And since this is the final hours of the festival one feels the need to talk about the experience - considering that tomorrow -- when we are back home -- nobody will understand what it all really means. Some of the celebs are there including Salmon Rushdie in sunglasses, and directors Ishmael Merchant (who's here with Mystic Masseur), Billie August (director of the well received weepie Scandinavian drama Song For Martin), Guillermo del Toro, Tom Hulce (for Amadeus 2001 a longer version of the Oscar winning film that I'm not sure we need) and Roger Ebert, to name a few.

The food is good - especially when you've been camping and with the majestic views that surround it's easy to feel both full and fufilled. What's been the most liked film? It's a mixed bag and thus far just about everything I've previously  mentioned. No suprises. Now as the afternoon approaches (and the clouds roll in) it's time to make decisions to see the last two movies of the day. All the TBA's have been announced and it's no suprise that most of them are films that are most popular. Or to be more specific; the few remaining rare films aren't being shown.

Salman Rushdie with shades and arched eyebrows along side director Ishmael Merchant.

My dad has had another great festival. As much as he enjoys the films he also likes the time off from work. He decides not to see any more films instead choosing to leave so he can make it to Durango before dark. I make plans to stay for one more film and go down with a good friend Larry. Larry has attended ten festivals with us and he is again up this year camping out in his tent. His daughter Maya is also attending along with a friend. We've only seen a couple movies together so we decide to all go and see Lantana, since it seems to be one people are talking about. Lantana involves a series of messy intertwined relationships and the way that each of the main characters is affected by the death of a woman - who happens to be a psychiatrist who deals with such relationships. Director Ray Lawrence seems to be as influenced by LA Law as he is by the great Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowski – who too dealt with inconceivable connections. Despite one false ending too many that nearly sinks the whole thing (and caused a good number of laughs among the audience) the film does have a good script and boasts a strong cast lead by Anthony LaPaglia, Judy Davis and Geoffrey Rush. We all slowly pile out of the Chuck and head for the long gondola line. Funny, it doesn't now feel like the last day. Everyone seems  just as ready to keep going. Perhaps everyone has resolved this is the last day and they have no qualms about leaving. As usual, it's been a great festival but all too short. As we leave town I look back in the crepuscular light that bathe the mountains, the theatres, the remaining long lines and wish this peerless festival farewell until next year. That's all folks. -Matt Langdon