Tango in Japan

I must warn you, this post is going to get completely irrational. But first, the shameless self-promotion.

My film, Tango Octogenario will be embarking on a three city tour of Japan, Fukuoka (Oct. 11), Matsuoka (Dec. 18), and Beppu (Mar. 13, 2010). Tango is big in Japan; this is the third consecutive year it's playing at a film festival there. Unfortunately, I won't be touring Japan with the film. Closer to home, last I heard it's still showing on WNYC about once a month or so, but when exactly I'm not sure.

Now the irrational bit. 

Look, I'm not complaining, this short film has more legs than any short film has a right to have. I know many filmmakers that would love to have their work invited to festivals five years after it premiered. Its success pleases me.

But it also peeves me a little.

Tango gets a lot of love because it's a proven success. It has shown at dozens of film festivals and shown on PBS and cable TV stations across the country. The film I'm working on now, A Life's Work, gets very little love because it's a work in progress. People acknowledge my effort, but since it doesn't have a track record  people aren't quite ready to put their money down on it yet. And friends, ALW needs some love. One hopes that one's previous successes encourages others to get behind one's current work, but that ain't necessarily so. As Tango continues to flourish, it puts ALW's lack of love in high relief. At least that's how my irrational self sees it. I understand, I do. It's like those investment disclaimers: past performance does not guarantee future success, or what ever the fine print says. Uncertainty is scary and everyone loves a winner. But... 

Am I whining? Probably. But at least I'm not alone. Hitchcock claimed that of all his films his favorite was Shadow of a Doubt, a fine film, a very good film in fact, but one that gets overlooked all the time when his oeuvre is discussed. I kind of suspect he had these paternal feelings for that film. This here film is my baby, too. It's as beautiful as this other one you love so much, and if you take the time to consider it, you'll get behind it.

Enough with the complaining already. If you're in Japan, stop in and watch my film.