SXSW Film Festival – Texas Shorts

This year’s SXSW Film Festival “Texas Shorts” selections featured local filmmakers showcasing their work for viewers. While the stories varied from travelling halfway around the world, men on a mysterious mission, the revival of country swing music to life changing decisions stemming from a haircut there were two films that stood out, for me, amongst the group: Folk Frontera and Music Builds the Movement. From the difficulties of border life to reminiscing to entertainment life during segregation, both films focus on issues that still impact our country to this day. 

Folk Frontera: 

Directed and produced by Sam Osborn and Alejandra Vasquez, the short film Folk Frontera focuses on the lives of those who reside on the border and how the dynamic has changed since 9/11. The film itself talks about the lives of radio DJ Gabriella Carballo and Mariachi and Folklórico Dancer Molly Rodriguez. Gabriella is a Juarez native who works for Marfa Public Radio and broadcasts her show “Border, Beats and Babes.” Meanwhile, Rodriguez grew up in Presidio, Texas but travels between the border to be with her husband, Miguel, who is an engineer. As both women navigate trying to keep their work/life balance in harmony, the film discusses the stigma that comes with border life.  

Osborn and Vasquez delve into life on the Texas/Mexico border with no restraint, focusing on how both Gabriella and Molly try to make their lives work while residing on the border. For Gabriella, it’s all about doing her best to remain in Texas and keep her radio show going from there. And for Molly, bringing her husband Miguel over the border is something that both her and her husband believe should be normalized…especially as they prepare to bring a new life into the world.   

Folk Frontera shows that while there is turmoil over immigration within the United States, we know very little as to how it affects those along the border. While many believe in a hard border, it is a different story in places along the Texas/Mexico line. And it’s how those lines are drawn that could literally make or break lives.  

Memory Builds The Monument: 

Directed by Isaac Yowman, the short film Memory Builds The Monument is a tribute to Houston’s Club Matinee, located in 5th Ward. More importantly, it focuses on how Club Matinee was a place that managed to bring everyone together during times of segregation.  Told through accounts of those who remember Club Matinee well, such as music recording artist Archie Bell (Archie Bell & The Drells) and community humanitarian Algenita Davis, Esq., viewers are taken through the rich history of the club and its famous acts….namely B.B. King, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke and James Brown to name a few.  

Known as the “Cotton Club of The South,” Club Matinee opened in 1936 and gave those who resided in or near 5th Ward a place to enjoy and unwind for a while. Always packed and patrons dressed to impress, Club Matinee provided art and music when Greenbooks were common and segregation was all those citizens knew. It also allowed the black community a stage where they could show off their talents.  Through Memory Builds The Monument we see how Yowman found a way to pay the most respectful of tributes to Club Matinee, showing that the venue itself is a monument to music history and the time it reflected.

For more information about Memory Builds The Monument, please visit https://www.memorybuildsthemonument.com/.