❤️Films We LOVE at the Woodstock Film Festival❤️
At the Woodstock Film Festival, our full-time staff share a passion for great cinema. The films we enjoy most move us, spark a fire within us, and inspire us to connect with our community. This Valentine’s Day, enjoy this list of our recommended favorites.
FIRE OF LOVE
When I think of a recent film I have seen that exemplifies love –passion, joy, adventure, dedication, and togetherness– the first thing that comes to mind is FIRE OF LOVE, an amazing documentary that is currently an Oscar nominee. You can watch it on Hulu and Disney+, and after you have viewed it and have taken in the fire that is within it, think also about the beautiful director and producer who fell in love with each other during its production. What can be more perfect for Valentine’s Day? And just announced - One-Night-Only Valentine’s Day Theatrical re-release!
– Meira Blaustein, Executive Director
HANNAH HA HA
HANNAH HA HA gives me everything I want in an indie film– touching performances by a perfect cast, creativity in every shot, and a great amount of heart in a small-town, coming-of-age story. It’s a slice-of-life film that’s not about big romantic love, but rather about the
smaller moments of unassuming, complicated, everyday love we carry for simple passions and pleasures and within paradoxical relationships with family and community. The film screened at the Woodstock Film Festival in 2022 and was one that I recommended to every person that attended. It received the Ultra Indie Award at the 23rd Maverick Award ceremony and is currently screening in NYC at Alamo Manhattan and AMC Empire 25. Don’t miss it!
– Casey O, Communications Manager
500 DAYS OF SUMMER
Admittedly, I am the typical hopeless romantic yet a realist with a healthy side of sass. Therefore my go-to Valentine's Day flick would be the off-beat rom com 500 DAYS OF SUMMER starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Tom Hansen and Zooey Deschanel as Summer. Tom recounts various events of their 500-day courtship, trying to analyze where he went wrong. I identify with Summer's free spirit and Tom's determination to figure out how he could have messed it all up. I am also a big fan of the soundtrack featuring fitting tunes like "Vagabond" by Australian rock band Wolfmother, The Smith's "Let me Get What I Want", Hall and Oates' classic "You Make my Dreams Come True." Spoiler alert, Tom and Summer don't wind up together, but Tom still finds love in unexpected places - which, to me, is the best way to find it. If I've learned anything about romance, once you stop looking, that is when it will rear its quirky little head.
- Teressa DelCampo, Office and Community Relations Manager
MARGARET
Usually, the “best movie I’ve ever seen” changes every couple of months, but since seeing MARGARET (first on a laptop, then in a theater) a few years ago, it’s been the best movie I’ve ever seen. Anna Paquin plays an entitled, confused, and strident teenager dealing with the aftermath of a bus accident she feels responsible for, as well as all of the turbulence and interpersonal drama people typically experience at that age. The 3+ hour extended version allows the viewer to be totally immersed in the characters' lives, to the point that it’s almost uncomfortable. Despite the very long runtime, I was totally stunned (and cried!) when it ended - it’s a perfect movie that’s at least partially about managing one’s expectations of the world and the people in it, including when it comes to love.
- Trevor Roberts, Digital Content Manager
The extended version is currently available on Amazon Prime Video
return to me
One of my favorite romantic movies is Return to Me. It is poignant and sweet and full of adorable people. It deals with grief and healing in very real ways, while still remaining whimsical. Plus, you get a view of love stories at all different stages: new, enduring, lost searching and undiscovered. It is a definition of true romance.
- Erin Cass, Operations and Administrative Director