South Valley man enjoyed hosting movie people from the U.S. and elsewhere
Published onbline on April 23, 2024
Filmmakers Krushan Naik (left) and Jayson Smith show a tile of poppy jasper gemstone. The two were hosted by Phill Laursen in his Gilroy home during the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival. Photo courtesy Phill Laursen
By Phill Laursen
Phill Laursen
If you haven’t attended screenings of the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival, you have missed mind-expanding, heart-warming opportunities. Even though the PJIFF Director, Mattie Scariot, grew up across the street from our family and played with our daughters, I’d attended just a few screenings of festival films. But through a simple question (“Would you like to host a filmmaker for a few days ?”), Mattie brought me into a new and vibrant world.
I wound up hosting several filmmakers. Some were actors, some directors or editors. I had guests from the state of Georgia, the Republic of Georgia, from India, and from California. I also provided transportation for people from Japan, Canada and Britain. This truly is an international festival.
Seeing several films and post-screening interviews, listening in on discussions and critiques, I developed a profound respect for the inspiration, the artistry, the knowledge, and the dedication they bring to their work. I found their work day doesn’t end when they are on set; much time is spent on the phone, on computers, and in meetings.
Humor was frequently deployed, but there were emotionally moving moments — here are examples from two of my guests. Jayson Smith, who screened “Chipper”(see a preview at https://vimeo.com/771290161), played a man dealing with siblings who were at odds and whose father was dying. His acting was as powerful as any I’ve seen on the big screen, and in an evening discussion of the likely outcome to his character I was deeply impressed how thoroughly he’d considered the morality of the situation. Krushan Naik screened “Resurgence”, the story of a young canyon explorer who fell from a cliff and sustained a terrible injury to his arm that led to deep psychological anguish he struggled to overcome. As if that wasn’t emotional enough, in the after-screening interview on stage Krushan confided he had a parallel emotional journey at about the same time.
I feel very enriched by my experience and the friendships that formed because of the Poppy Jasper Festival. I hope you consider hosting a filmmaker, but at the least to see several of the films and open yourself to their wonders.
Phill Laursen is a Gilroy resident and supporter of the PJIFF.
