The 2021 SXSW Online experience was the single best virtual experience we’ve had in this current era of virtual film festivals. Comprised of five round-the-clock channels, in addition to panels, musical performances and a full slate of films to devour, the SXSW Online experience was robust, easy to use and a lot of fun to interact with. Fandango managed to watch a bunch of the films screening in the fest this year, and here are eight titles we loved that you should put on your radar.
The Fallout
Why We Love It: Directed by Megan Park (making her feature directorial debut), The Fallout won the festival’s coveted Grand Jury award for Narrative Feature, and deservedly so. Featuring a breakout performance from Jenna Ortega (Stuck in the Middle), the film is set in the aftermath of a horrific school shooting, but it’s about so much more than that tragic event. This is a film that’s ultimately about the power of friendships and family, but also tackles themes of addiction, therapy, personal responsibility, connection and the love we give to others and to ourselves.
When Can You Watch It: TBD
Lily Topples the World
Why We Love It: Winner of the Best Documentary prize at this year’s festival, Lily Topples the World is a beautiful film about conquering your dreams. Director Jeremy Workman follows Lily Havesh, dubbed the world’s greatest domino toppler, for approximately three years as she decides to leave college to pursue her dream of domino toppling on a larger, more professional scale. The popular YouTube star takes on large assignments that include assembling domino creations for The Today Show and The Tonight Show, all while working tirelessly to pitch toy companies on her own domino-themed toy set. Lily Topples the World is a terrific documentary to watch with the whole family, if only to root Lily on as she faces her greatest fears in her quest to fulfill her dreams.
When You Can Watch It: TBD
I’m Fine (Thanks For Asking)
Why We Love It: Co-directed by and starring Kelley Kali, I’m Fine (Thanks for Asking) is about single mother who spends a day roller-skating around Los Angeles trying to piece together enough money to rent an apartment so her and her daughter are no longer homeless. The film organically works circumstances of the pandemic around its story, allowing for a more natural and subtle approach versus other films that put the pandemic front and center, and this brings you closer to Kali’s Danny and her story. Directed by both Kali and Angelique Molina, the entire film definitely gives off Friday vibes, though it’s a bit more dramatic and emotionally resonant than the classic Ice Cube-starring comedy, even if its side characters maybe aren’t as memorable.
When You Can Watch It: TBD
Language Lessons
Why We Love It: There were an assortment of films playing the festival this year that were affected by the pandemic in all kinds of different ways. Some films naturally incorporated it into the plot, while others created a fresh concept that leans into being apart. Language Lessons, directed by and starring Natalie Morales, is a wonderful two-hander between Morales and co-star Mark Duplass in which a man seeks Spanish lessons for an upcoming event. After he is surprised with virtual lessons from a loved one, tragedy strikes, and the duo find themselves becoming closer than originally intended. We’re remaining vague as to not give up the story, but ultimately Language Lessons is a sweet film about unexpected friendships that tumble into our lives haphazardly, but wind up sticking around for a long time.
When You Can Watch It: TBD
Introducing, Selma Blair
Why We Love It: Actress Selma Blair decided to document her struggle with multiple sclerosis and her search for a cure in this powerful and personal documentary. The most surprising and enjoyable parts of this film lie in discovering Blair’s humor and the ways she uses that humor to get through some very hard days. This is a film about perseverance and smiling through hardship, and it’ll bring you closer to the actress than ever before.
When You Can Watch It: TBD Discovery+
Inbetween Girl
Why We Love It: On the surface, Mei Makino’s coming-of-age comedy might seem like another familiar story about a high school girl struggling to discover herself amidst the trials and tribulations of teenage life. And you’d be right… kind of. Makino’s film is so much more than that, though, utilizing a familiar framing to tackle larger issues, too, including the ways in which the divorce between two parents bleeds into the lives of children, especially when it comes to their first encounters with any sort of meaningful romantic relationship. There are some heavy topics explored here, but all of it is executed with nuance and it’s never heavy-handed. If you enjoyed films like Bo Burnham’s Eighth Grade, then you’ll find a lot to love here.
When You Can Watch It: TBD
Alone Together
Why We Love It: In this documentary, we follow singer-songwriter Charlie XCX in her attempt to create an album with help from her fans while in quarantine. The results truly capture the beauty of fandom, and how that connection to an artist and the community they’ve inspired is more important now than ever before. As Charlie bonds with her fans as everyone is stuck inside their homes, hosting dance parties and working Instagram Live sessions, we see moments of magic – thousands of people collaborating and bonding in virtual environments, all in the spirit of getting through unprecedented times together.
When Can You Watch It: TBD
Jakob’s Wife
Why We Love It: If you’re jonesing for a fun Midnight Movie selection, then Jakob’s Wife was among our favorites playing the festival this year. Directed by Travis Stevens, and starring genre vets like Barbara Crampton and Larry Fessenden, Jakob’s Wife is about a couple going through some marital issues when one of them is accidentally bitten by a vampire. That said… can becoming a vampire actually do more good to help the marriage than to harm it? Definitely a unique spin on a familiar tale as the duo use this newfound desire to drink blood to their advantage, and maybe even better themselves along the way. Expect some very amusing humor to go along with plenty of gory moments, too.
When You Can Watch It: April 16, in theaters and available on FandangoNOW and Vudu
For more on this year's SXSW Online experience, visit their official website.
