On: June 6 at 12:29 PM
A red ribbon was cut outside the Bob Hope Theatre June 4 to kick off the first International San Joaquin Film Festival. What followed the ribbon cutting was a celebration both of the films that are showcased and the event itself.
Before the ribbon-cutting, festival founder Sophoan Sorn expressed his gratitude to all who had helped put the event together as well as those who had come to support all of these great films.
Inside the Hope, the pre-movie entertainment included the Ballet Folklorico Autlense with dazzling music and traditional dancing in the lobby of the Bob Hope Theatre. The film that opened the festival was a subtle Mexican drama with plenty of comedic relief called "EL Viaje de La Nonna," or "Nonna’s Trip," directed by Sebastian Silva.
was a tale about a grandmother - Nonna - who desperately wanted to visit San Todaro in Italy, the birthplace of her deceased husband. Her family, however, feels her age and her poor memory will make the trip dangerous. They refuse to let her go.
Still, Nonna is determined, and she runs away. Her family catches up with her and finally relents, taking her to Italy.
Or is it Italy?
As the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that Nonna's Italy is a movie set created by filmmaker grandson. Comedy follows as the family tries to keep Nonna from discovering that she's actually still in Mexico.
And before Nonna’s family was able to confess what they have done, Nonna died.
In her video will, Nonna reveals that she was in on the joke, and that she loved her family for bringing Italy to her.
The film was met with an ovation from the festival crowd.
