Coverage of the Festival by Gallup Sun
“Delicate State” will be screening at the Santa Fe Film Festival on Feb. 12. “Shoveling Pixie Dust: A Memoir” is playing on Feb. 13 with the filmmaker in attendance. Online all-screening passes are also available through the official festival website for those who cannot attend the event in person.
Attending film festivals is a great way to check out exciting independent features, as well as up-and-coming talent. This year, the Santa Fe Film Festival has a full slate of more than 150 movies for enthusiasts to take in. While it is impossible to see everything available for viewing at these events, there are always new discoveries to be made. This reviewer was sent two interesting titles from the upcoming affair ahead of time for review.
“Delicate State” is an effective spin on the “found footage” feature. The story follows Paula (Paula Rhodes), a pregnant children’s book author whose partner, Charlie (Charles Bodin), purchases a video camera in order to document the following nine months. Initially, the footage shows the two celebrating and dealing with trivial issues like picking out car seats and clothing for their upcoming arrival. However, it soon becomes clear that the country around them is teetering on the brink of a violent revolution.
The situation turns ugly and the pair must eventually contend with chaos around them. After their safety becomes compromised, they leave their home. Sadly, the couple soon finds themselves in greater danger.
The entire movie was photographed by the two stars. Lead performer, writer, and director Paula Rhodes was actually pregnant during the filming and her physical state lends a great deal of authenticity to the proceedings. Both performers are excellent in their roles, convincingly depicting the nervousness and anxiety of their impending new arrival. What initially begins as upbeat and excited interactions between the couple about the baby, shifts effectively into fear and panic as unsettling elements are added into the story.
