Phil attends Cinequest 28: Day 11 - March 9, 2018

This is it! The final weekend of the 28th Annual Cinequest Film Festival! So after not attending any screenings yesterday, I was planning to make up for it today by seeing four films. But I had to drive out to Santa Rosa for work, where there was a meeting I had to attend. So I didn't get back to San Jose in time for my afternoon screening. Then my girlfriend and I couldn't find parking at the 2nd Street Garage above the 3 Below Theaters, so we missed the silent film at 7pm. Once we did find parking, ate dinner at the Blue Chip on First Street, then made out way back to the California Theatre.

YOU & ME stars Hillary Baack as Ella, a sweet and beautiful book author, who falls in love with a recently blinded man named Tony, played by Paul Guyet. They soon realize that it's not all sunshine and rainbows, as they come across many obstacles that could tear them apart if they don't stick together.

The film was written and directed by Alexander Baack, along with his wife and lead actress Hillary. Together, they've produced a film that shines a spotlight on not just the deaf community, but also the blind community. Hillary Baack is deaf in real life, but Alexander is hearing, and the film reminds us that people in these communities can function just fine in the real world and shouldn't be ridiculed or put down just because they can't hear or see. We shouldn't feel sorry for them, instead, we should just treat them as just people. 

After the screening, Alexander Baack participated in a Q&A session. He mentioned that Hillary was supposed to be there at the screening, but was ill and couldn't attend. Also, they had just moved to their new home and the timing wasn't there, but hopes to come back to Cinequest with Hillary and maybe a new film as well.

Another day of moving watching here at Cinequest 28 is done. To view the festival's film schedule and purchase tickets and passes, visit their website at www.cinequest.org.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!