TAKEN IN is a handmade feature film about a man who must spend a weekend alone with his estranged teenage daughter at a roadside resort. It is here that Simon and Brooklyn must confront the issues that have driven them apart, and ultimately choose how they will move forward...together or alone.

TAKEN IN was written and directed by personal filmmaker, Chris White. It was made entirely with cash and in-kind contributions from friends and family. The story (co-written with his wife Emily), was inspired by Chris’ theatre work with students at a therapeutic boarding school. The film is dedicated to his own teenage daughter, Gibson.

TAKEN IN was filmed at South of the Border, Dillon SC USA in the Spring of 2011.

20 June 2011

Film Crit

Not sure how useful "film criticism" is to the filmmaker. Kinda seems more helpful for film audiences. But even so, most criticism appears to be less about offering advice and counsel than merely presenting one's thinking..."this is me...as defined by my response to the film I just saw."

Which begs the question, "Who cares what you think?"


When I was younger, I cared what people like Siskel and Ebert thought about the movies. I learned about movies as I listened to them banter back and forth. Both men were film fans, of course. Both enjoyed seeing good films. And usually, when their thumbs pointed down, it was with a degree of sadness.


Siskel and Ebert wanted to like the movies they saw.


Nowadays, most so-called film critics want you to know that they are very smart. Many don't like the cinema, and much as they "understand" the cinema. And almost all communicate their opinions snarkily. Mean and clever. Witty and withering.

Clearly, this is of little use to the filmmaker. And, perhaps, not useful to the audience either. Though there are still a few bright lights remaining. Gene Siskel has passed away, but Roger Ebert soldiers on. And there is Filmspotting, of course. That podcast is all the film criticism any of us (filmmakers and/or audience members) need.

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