Arts & Culture Newsletter: La Mesa filmmaker solves a nautical mystery with 'Relentless'
This week, KMFDM, "Because You're Mine," Turner Classic Movies "Duel," the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Spring Arts Preview and more La Mesa-based filmmaker Thomas Lindsey Haskin's documentary "Relentless," titled "like a whodunit story," is being screened at the Blue Water Film Festival. The film, narrated by actor J.K. Simmons, is about why the population of fish in the Great Lakes was decreasing, leading to significant consequences for businesses and communities in both the U.S. and Canada. Haskins' 91-minute-long documentary, which began in 2017 and was completed in summer of 2023, explores the human and environmental connections between people and nature. The festival will also be available online.
Publicerad : 2 månader sedan förbi David L. Coddon i Entertainment
A schoolboy reads about native fish in a film still from T. Lindsey Haskin’s documentary “Relentless,” which is being screened at the Blue Water Film Festival.
“Relentless” sounds like the title of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. It’s not, but in the words of its creator, La Mesa-based Thomas Lindsey Haskin, “the film is basically like a whodunit story.”
The mystery of the documentary narrated by actor J.K. Simmons (“Whiplash”) was why the population of fish in the freshwater Great Lakes was drastically diminishing, the consequences of which were significant for businesses and entire towns and communities in both the U.S. and Canada. The “detectives” are the scientists on the case.
As with any whodunit, I’ll refrain from disclosing the answer to the mystery. You can find out for yourselves at this weekend’s fifth annual Blue Water Film Festival, presented in various venues and virtually.
Haskin’s 91-minute-long “Relentless” screens at 2 p.m. Friday at the La Jolla Riford Public Library. It also can be viewed virtually on demand. Here’s the trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhDZcK1TQ18.
“I like to explore the connections between people and nature,” said Haskin, emphasizing that “Relentless” is a story of both. “There are so many unique and fascinating people involved with it,” he said, “trying to address the devastation that this invasive species caused.”
Whoops. I gave away the villain of the piece. But you’ll have to watch “Relentless” for full details.
Production of this documentary began in 2017 and, after a pause in filming during the pandemic years, was completed in summer of 2023.
Haskin, who grew up in Michigan, knows well the passion of those who fish and how this invasion impacted their hobbies and their industries.
“Fishing is something,” he said, “that crosses political and philosophical boundaries. Those who fish love to fish.”
When German musician Sascha Konietzko launched a performance art project 40 years ago, it’s a good bet he had no idea the band that grew out of it, KMFDM, would be giving concerts to this day. Blending industrial metal with electronic music, KMFDM is a hard-working outfit that tours frequently and churns out new albums prodigiously.
Currently, the heavily political KMFDM is touring in support of its latest release, “Let Go,” and this includes a concert stop at the Observatory North Park on Saturday night. As for how KMFDM chose its name, let’s just say it’s complicated, but it helps to know your German.
Tribute acts tend to leave me cold, but when it comes to honoring the music, charisma and defiant spirit of the great Johnny Cash, I’m down with them.
Take Cash’D Out, the band that bills itself as “The Next Best Thing to Johnny Cash.” I’ve seen them multiple times, including at a memorable New Year’s Eve show years ago in Bird Rock. They’ll be at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach at 9 p.m. Friday night.
Then there’s Charles Evans Jr., whose portrayal of Johnny Cash during Lamb’s Players Theatre’s long-running production of “Million Dollar Quartet” is the best I’ve seen and heard in person. Along with his wife and musical partner Caitie Grady, who’s portraying June Carter, Evans is co-starring in “Because You’re Mine: The Music of June Carter and Johnny Cash” Friday night at UC San Diego’s beautiful Epstein Family Amphitheater.
The only thing missing is a Social Distortion gig with growling vocalist Mike Ness covering “Ring of Fire,” the Johnny Cash classic that Carter co-wrote with Merle Kilgore.
From dueling Men in Black to dueling vehicles: At 9 p.m. Friday, Turner Classic Movies will screen the action thriller “Duel,” the 1971 made-for-television film that introduced the world to the directorial genius of Steven Spielberg.
Perhaps foreshadowing what Spielberg would do later with “Jaws,” “Duel” pits a traveling salesman (Dennis Weaver) against a monstrous, stalking diesel truck with a mostly unseen driver. The screenplay was written by horror specialist Richard Matheson (“I Am Legend” among many others).
The Plymouth Valiant sedan Weaver is driving in the film may be outdated, but nothing else about this tense and often frightening movie is. I still get anxious if I see a big rig in my rear-view mirror.
I’m going to miss the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego Downtown. The MCASD space on Kettner Boulevard that opened more than 30 years ago has closed and eventually will become home to a Navy SEAL Museum.
During my longtime residency downtown, I frequently popped into the MCASD. As recently as last spring, I attended a production of the immersive “La Lucha” in one of the museum’s spaces. I recall thinking then, as I did for many years beforehand, that it was so cool to have a bold contemporary art presence downtown.
Hopefully something or someone will come along to fill the void. Downtown San Diego and that neighborhood in particular can only benefit.
READ MORE: Navy SEAL Museum to take over Museum of Contemporary Art’s downtown location
U-T arts stories you may have missed this week
SPRING ARTS PREVIEW: Every spring, our five-member arts writing team puts together their top 10 lists of what to see and do in San Diego from mid-March through June. We also have profiles on six local artists in the disciplines of music, dance, theater, visual arts and books who have new work they’re debuting this season. Read all 12 stories here.
Also new this week:
Lyle Lovett on music, fatherhood, COVID, ‘devious thoughts’ and sports: ‘I’m not man enough to play golf!’
Solana Beach files lawsuit to delay KAABOO’s return to Del Mar over environmental impacts
Find egg hunts and bunnies among these 13 Easter brunch or dinner options in San Diego
La Jolla Playhouse announces new ‘Redwood’ song and BANDALOOP performance
Review: Old Globe’s ‘King James’ a rollicking and warm story about male friendship
First Bite: A taste of Pitfire Pizza, Butcher’s Plate and Spoon House
Review: Oceanside Theatre’s funny ‘Chicken & Biscuits’ a relatable family comedy
University of California Television invites you to enjoy this special selection of programs from throughout the University of California. Descriptions courtesy of and text written by UCTV staff:
“Learning to See Again with a Bionic Eye”: Michael Beyeler, assistant professor of computer science at UC Santa Barbara and director of the Bionic Vision Lab, unveils groundbreaking progress in bionic eyes that offer hope for restoring vision to those with incurable blindness. Exploring technologies such as gene therapy, optogenetics, and micro electrode arrays, Beyeler shows how artificial vision is becoming a reality. Highlighting the lab’s advancements in smart bionic eyes enhanced by AI, he presents a vision of the future where interdisciplinary research transforms visual prosthetics. Discover how technology might soon expand your perception of the world, offering new possibilities for individuals with vision loss.
“Healthy Longevity: A Geriatrician’s Perspective”: Dr. Alison Moore, interim director of the Stein Institute for Aging Research and the Center for Healthy Aging, and chief of the Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology and Palliative Care, shares insights into the essentials of healthy aging. With over 30 years of experience as a geriatrician, she highlights the significance of physical, mental, and social activity, alongside a positive outlook and resilience, as key factors contributing to healthy longevity. Moore encourages embracing these elements in daily life to improve well-being and longevity, underscoring that healthy aging is a diverse and achievable state for everyone. Her message is a blend of professional knowledge and personal observations, aimed at inspiring a proactive approach to aging well.
“CARTA: Human Body Culturalization”: Archaeologist Francesco d’Errico explores the deep history of cultural influences on human body modification, tracing back to 500,000 years ago. He marks crucial points in time, showing us how the pace of change picked up with the birth of economies based on production. D’Errico breaks down how the complexity of body-modifying technologies and the effort to gather and transform materials have evolved alongside our brains, allowing us to understand and create complex symbols. He points out that over time, these cultural practices not only became more sophisticated in terms of technique and meaning but also relied on skilled individuals to advance and explore new cultural possibilities for the future.
The best things to do this weekend in San Diego: March 21-24