Knowles makes good showing at AIFF
This gathering of filmmakers in Ashland yearly is, in truth, extraordinary.
These are people — directors, producers, writers and cinematographers — who are committed to using film, a magical medium, to convey a message or tell a story.
Case in point would be Michael Knowles, writer and director of a fascinating feature, "Room 314." The film grew out of a writing session with Knowles seated at a desk with no idea where to begin. "I landed on a hotel room," he said. "I tried to get in touch with who I was right then and let me tell you, I have some deep sadness which is one of the things that drives many of my scripts. That and anger, but I believe the anger is a good cover for the sadness."
Actually, "Room 314," while dark and even brooding in style and tone, is hopeful and affirmative. It is also very much an actors' film, for one of the gifts that Knowles possesses is an ear for dead-on dialogue. Not a line rings false, which is huge. Five different couples visit the same generic hotel room, each with a very different agenda. All struggle to make known their feelings while tentatively reaching out to one another. The acting is first rate, but then how could it be otherwise. This is a film about language, and those heated, mumbling, hesitant, dissembling moments that are the fulcrum of this film and so much of life. It is also about silence, for there are long moments when Knowles allows the space between the words to grow and all seems brittle and unreliable.
What adds to the palpable tension of the film is that each encounter takes place in what proves to be a very confining space. There are no distractions, there is no relief. No waiters. No interruptions. No traffic. And no escape, really, other than a door which can seem painfully faraway and tightly closed. There are only two people, taking each others' measure, sorting out the meaning of their encounter. It's actually an inspired idea — hermetic, in some ways, but never tedious, and at times, genuinely surprising. Knowles asked, when discussing the film, "What does it mean to be in a relationship and not in the cliche B.S. way, but in an authentic, deep confusion way? On further analysis, I strongly believe most relationships, unfortunately, are fear based and about control and power. And I'm not just speaking about men and women. I'm speaking about all relationships everywhere."
Knowles filmed "Room 314" without crew or benefit of lighting, other than what the room offered. He shot the entire feature using a DVX 100A camera and a Sure shotgun microphone attached to the camera. The result is remarkable, and the lack of crew and adjunct lighting actually creates a kind of personal, intimate effect that clearly enhances the film.
