Wrong Has a Theatrical Release at Alamo Drafthouse Theaters

Liz Lopez
B-
I have to admit it took a while after viewing the film Wrong before I could start to describe it, but it began to appeal to me more as I think about it and write the review. Drafthouse Films will be hosting the film in theaters this weekend, starting March 29th, so if in the mood for something totally different from the usual fare around a holiday, think about viewing writer/director Quentin Dupieux’s feature film. It is titled Wrong for a reason, but not for the ones you may think about immediately.

Dupieux has a filmography of other one title films, including his more recent, Rubber (2010),a favorite at the 2010 Fantastic Fest. Wrong screened at Sundance in 2012 where it was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema – Dramatic category, followed by last year’s Fantastic Fest, then an on to other international festivals. Wrong has been available on VOD and iTunes since last month, but I believe this film is best when viewed in the theater. From the first scene, I sat there thinking, “What?” and then as the story develops with Dolph Springer (Jack Plotnick of Comedy Central’s Reno 911!) and his search for his beloved pooch, Paul, I was able to settle in for going on the trip to find the dog.
Two of HBO’s Entourage form part of the cast of characters that Dolph meets on the journey, Alexis Dziena, the pizza employee named Emma and William Fichtner who portrays Master Chang, the guru who Dolph consults with about Paul. There is a French-Mexican gardener character (Eric Judor) who seems to be at the right place at the right time when Emma makes a generous offer to Dolph.
The film is 94 minutes long with so many twists going on, you just have to sit back and enjoy the tale that Dupieux has spun. Now who would insist on going back to a job where you are not wanted? Most of us would not, but I have no doubt there may be some real life moments thrown into the film that some of us may dismiss as absurd. Go figure this one out on your own, but just go on down to the Alamo Drafthouse this weekend and enjoy the whole experience!

Texas Folklife Presents “Border Songbirds: Alondras de la Frontera” by Gene Fowler

Texas Folklife presents “Border Songbirds: Alondras de la Frontera,” an evening of discussion about Tejana vocalists of the past and present. The free program, sponsored by Humanities Texas, of lectures and recorded musical selections takes place on Thursday, March 28, at 7:00 p.m. at the Texas Music Museum, 1009 E. 11th St.

Gene Fowler, who is currently writing a script on Tejana vocalists for Texas Folklife, will talk about artists of the past such as Lydia Mendoza, Rosa Dominguez, and Chelo Silva, in addition to veteran artists who are still performing in the quartet Los Tesoros de San Antonio, including Rita Vidaurri and Beatriz Llamas.

Based on the book Border Radio: Quacks, Yodelers, Pitchmen, Psychics and other Amazing Broadcasters of the American Airwaves, co-written by Gene Fowler and Bill Crawford, “Border Songbirds: Alondras de la Frontera” will be the third in the Border Radio Program series produced by Texas Folklife. Live theatrical productions were recorded for public radio broadcasts nationwide; “Border Radio: Big Jukebox in the Sky” was produced in 2005 and “Electronic Campfire” in 2007.

Fowler will present a sneak-preview on the research completed for the third Border Radio script. In addition, Gloria Espitia, historian with the Austin History Center, will talk about her research and documentation of contemporary female musicians in Austin.

For more information on Texas Folklife visit www.texasfolklife.org