The I see where Hamel is coming from. She wants festival-goers to experiment, try new things, be surprised. For some people that's fine, but I'm the type who wants to know what he's getting into. So I pressed Hamel -- the only person in town who's seen every one of these films -- to provide recommendations in different categories. It wasn't easy, given the fact that Hamel feels affection for every movie she chose for the festival. But under duress, she came up with a few suggestions in various categories. Sita Sings the Blues Nina Paley's animated film is about a San Francisco woman named Nina whose husband dumps her while he's away in India. Nina picks up the Ramayana and reads the story of the Hindu goddess Sita, whose situation is similar to her own. "It's an extraordinary film, and it's going to have wide appeal," Hamel says. "It's incredibly inventive and extremely funny. Paley uses different animation styles to tell the interwoven stories. It throws all these clever ideas into a bag and works beautifully as a whole film. It's been hugely popular at festivals." Hamel has slotted Sita Sings the Blues in a traditionally high-profile slot: the last screening of the weekend at the Orpheum Theatre. Quirky Documentary Bunnyland Brett Hanover's documentary is simply about a man who lives in Appalachia. "It's just the story of this guy," Hamel says. "Things start to unfold as he tells about what he's been up to, and it becomes a very interesting and suspenseful story. The film is very straightforward and fresh, made by a young filmmaker without any pretension behind it. The best way to experience it is to just sit back and see where it's going to go." Hamel also talks up The Rock-afire Explosion (Thursday, April 2, 11:15 p.m.; and Sunday, April 5, 5:30 p.m., Bartell Theatre), about cultists who repurpose the animatronic animal bands from Showbiz Pizza restaurants. Straight Documentary Earth Days Robert Stone's film looks at the origins of the environmental movement, profiling nine Americans who helped make it all happen in the 1960s and '70s. "It's a classic documentary," Hamel says. "It's beautifully made, and it looks terrific." Hamel also mentions Food, Inc. (Friday, April 3, Orpheum Main Theatre, 9:45 p.m.), which blows the lid off America's food industry. Wisconsin Film Fishin' for Tradition: The Lutefisk Saga Hamel thinks that, among locally made films, the shorts stand out most. "Fishin' for Tradition" is about that quintessential Wisconsin fish, lutefisk. Director Eric J. Nelson takes us to Norwegian lodges, church suppers and lutefisk-eating contests around the state. "The film is clearly made by somebody who enjoys this subject," Hamel says. "And it's a lot of fun to watch. It educates us about the heritage of this fish and how it gets made, but it also celebrates the culture of Wisconsin." Hamel also recommends Being Bucky (Saturday, April 4, Monona Terrace, 6:15 p.m., tickets available at door only), which profiles students who don the UW mascot outfit; and Tracks (Sunday, April 5, Monona Terrace, 11:15 a.m.), which follows the travails of two Milwaukee high school girls. Of Time and the City Terence Davies' film is a highly personal look at his hometown of Liverpool. "It's a nostalgic piece about the city, and what it was like growing up there, done in a poetic, artful way," Hamel says. "It's so special that it defies categorization. It would be a great choice for people who want to see something distinctive and different." English Language Narrative Film The New Year Parade This film tells the story of a working-class family's breakup, set against the backdrop of South Philadelphia's Mummery parade, which features elaborate costumes and floats. "It's a marvelously nuanced story, rooted in a sense of place," Hamel says. "It couldn't be made anywhere else but in Philadelphia." Hamel also recommends Special People (Sunday, April 5, Orpheum Theatre, 1:30 p.m.)., part of the festival series "Film*Able: Disabilities on Screen." It's about a pretentious director creating a movie with three disabled teens.
Inventive Animated Film
Sunday, April 5, 8:15 pm, Orpheum Main Theatre
Saturday, April 4, 3:30 p.m.; and Sunday, April 5, 1:15 p.m., Memorial Union Play Circle Theatre
Thursday, April 2, 9:15 p.m., Wisconsin Union Theater
Friday, April 3, 7 p.m., Monona Terrace
International Film
Friday, April 3, 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, April 5, 3:45 p.m., Orpheum Stage Door Theatre
Saturday, April 4, 3:45 p.m., Wisconsin Union Theater
Wisconsin Film Festival 2009: What to watch?
Tips for picking your movies