Hi all,

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week and staying safe!

As you know, PBS Film Festival 2021 started this Monday, and all I can say is A-MAZING! This year’s submissions certainly top the last two years, and it makes me excited to see what PBS releases next year.

So, to start the PBS Film Festival 2021 review series, I decided to go with You And The Thing You Love.

If you have not had the chance yet, you should watch this film.

It is about a young man who loses his eyesight, but he also makes an effort never to lose his passion for life and skateboarding. I have absolutely nothing wrong to say about this film; it is surprisingly playful and lighthearted. There are some painful moments, but there is also a profound lesson about enjoying life regardless of your physical state—a message we all need to hear sometimes.

This year, you can tell the lineup has more experienced filmmakers in it because the films seem very polished and straightforward. The overall theme is more focused on the artistic value of storytelling rather than simply shocking the audience like in previous years. Each film I have watched so far has been not only intriguing but emotive.

The PBS Film Festival can be streamed now for free at PBS.org/FilmFestival.