The Wrecking Crew and VIFF

This afternoon I went to see a Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) film called The Wrecking Crew. It is about approximately 20 musicians who transformed Rock 'n' Roll in the 50's, 60's and early 70's in L.A. Occasionally I found myself shaking my head at the sheer genius of some of these people. Tommy Tedesco is the inspiration for the film. His son, Denny, made the documentary to honour and remember his father. However one of the highlights of the movie is the one woman, Carol Kaye, who played some of the most incredible bass lines in history. She is quirky and brilliant. All of the musicians are inspirational. I sat in the theatre and thought, "I need to quit watching TV to practice piano and guitar and saxaphone ALL the time."

Kudos to my cousin, Alan Franey, President of VIFF. The Wrecking Crew was one of his recommendations. He organized an amazing festival this year. The theatre I was in this afternoon was chock a block full. 20 years ago the festival was practically nothing. Now it goes for 2 weeks showing films at 9 theatres. The festival is sponsored by Visa, Rogers, Telefilm Canada and The Vancouver Sun.

My cousin is many years older than me. I remember as a 6 or 7 year old being at my aunt and uncle's house and Alan would be in the basement watching films being played from an old projector onto a portable screen. I would go down there and watch some of those films with him mesmerized by the clicking sound of the projector. The most striking memory was a documentary on birth. Really, no 6 or 7 year old should watch an artsy film on birth with full on nakedness but I was not embarrassed or traumatized. I was fascinated. I think I asked him to let me watch it again. It's funny that the direction of someone's life is so clear when you look back. Alan was always meant to do what he's doing now. From watching and showing films in the basement of his parents house to watching around the world and showing in Vancouver. If you missed the festival this year, keep your eyes open for the festival next year. It is well worth it.