One of the best parts of our move to Austin has been the opportunity to explore a new city. Cities are like kids, it is genuinely possible to love more than one at a time! It just so happens that the two cities I’ve lived in and love have lots of artists, musicians, and filmmakers.
Recently, we had a chance to experience a little bit of the Austin Film Festival. Some friends of ours had films that were showing. Both were fun and even thought-provoking films.
Produced and Co-written by Matt Patterson and executive produced by Steve and Karen Markham, the first film we saw was An Ordinary Family. Not wanting to reveal too much, here’s a description from the website:
“AN ORDINARY FAMILY is a humorous drama about one family, two brothers and a really big problem. Thomas Biederman is blindsided when his estranged brother, Seth, shows up unannounced to the annual family vacation… with his boyfriend.
Despite a well meaning attempt to surprise everyone, things do not go as planned, throwing Thomas and the family into an awkward weeklong vacation where everyone has problems and no one wants to talk about them.”
Debbie and I genuinely enjoyed the film. The filmmakers created a story about family conflict that felt true to life. The origins of the conflict could have been anything, and the story would have worked. The question truly becomes: what is more important – being right or having a relationship?
The filmmakers chose to tackle the issue of faith and the gay lifestyle. As a person of faith with several gay friends, I found this story to be an important one worth seeing. It doesn’t answer all of the questions that it brings up, so it doesn’t feel like it has an agenda. At the same time, the film creates a great springboard into conversations, and you find yourself identifying with the characters and laughing along the way.
The film has been included in several film festivals, check the Facebook page for details and/or contact the filmmakers if you’d like more information on how you can see the film in your town. Be sure to “like” An Ordinary Family on Facebook as well!
sorry we missed it at the festival – but hoping to catch it soon! loved the review! seen so many great comments about the film….and knowing Matt cinches the deal for us! thanks for keeping us posted Eric.
sorry we missed it at the festival – but hoping to catch it soon! loved the review! seen so many great comments about the film….and knowing Matt cinches the deal for us! thanks for keeping us posted Eric.