October 20, 2005

by R.J. Beaumia

Behind the Reel

A sampling of this year's film fest offerings

Left Lane: On the Road with Folk Poet Alix Olson: I must say upfront that I'm no fan of performance poetry, but this documentary won me over simply because of its subject, Alix Olson. She's the synthesis of a Pentecostal preacher, Jack Kerouac, Gloria Steinem, and Rosa Luxemburg.

"Left Lane" follows Olson on a cross-country tour. Like a guerilla-dyke Mary Poppins, she seems to leave magic and genuine good feelings wherever she goes. With unaffected candor and a lot of talent, we see Olson tearing up the stage with poetic jeremiads concerning everything from vaginas, to the evilness of Wal-Mart, to falling in love. She's intelligent but not pretentious, and her energy is infectious. Good show.

"Left Lane: On the Road with Folk Poet Alix Olson" closes this year's festival on Friday, Oct. 28 at 8 p.m.