Escapist movies
Rhode Island International Film Festival August 7-12 | film-festival.org
At this point, you would probably like to relax somewhere more down-to-earth. Some place like Providence, home of the 16th Annual Rhode Island Independent Film Festival. The fest (which also includes screenings in Barrington, Bristol, Jamestown, and elsewhere) will present some 200 features and documentaries, plus workshops, meet-and-greet events, and seminars. And check out the shorts: it's one of the few festivals accredited by the Academy as a qualifying event for the Best Short Oscar. I'm especially intrigued by Mark Gill's "The Voorman Problem," based on a chapter in David Mitchell's terrific novel number9dream, about a guy who thinks he's God. Hey, if you get a chance to attend all these festivals, you might start feeling divine, too.
