41st SBIFF Opens with Premiere of “A Mosquito In the Ear”
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival opened with the premiere of "A Mosquito in the Ear."
It stars actors Jake Lacy and Nazanin Boniadi who both said they have never been to Santa Barbara before.
"I might move to Santa Barbara it is pretty great, I was on Zillow last night being like 'oh I see yeah alright,'" said Lacy.
"This is my first time here and I live in California, so I was driving up and I just thought why have I never been here before," said Boniadi.
They play a young couple from the United States adopting a little girl from an orphanage in India where the film gets its name.
Producer Ali K Rizvi ,who brought his daughter Nisa to the opening night screening, explained it this way; "There is a saying especially in Hindi which translates to a mosquito in the ear which is when they are talking, there is a buzzing sound that she is getting because she doesn't understand, it is the equivalent of when a mosquito goes in your ear ,you know how sometimes in the middle of the monsoon season you get the buzz right, that is what it sounded like to her, hence the name "A Mosquito in the Ear."
Nisa Rizvi sat in and helped with the film's editing.
"A Mosquito in the Ear" is based on a true story and the Italian graphic novel entitled, "Una Zanzara nell'Orecchio," that is similar to a comic book.
The novel was written by Andrea Ferraris who is also among those credited with writing the screenplay.
Actor, writer and producer Darren Dean explained why it is considered is a drama and a comedy or a "dramedy."
"Raising children has a hijinx quality to it, you know, I know that, I have 3 children, so I think that reflects the stuff that goes along with parenting and becomes a little difficult to do when you are trying to raise a child."
Other filmmakers from "A Cowboy in London" "Holy Days" and "Sophia" also walked the red carpet.
"The festival, I have been following for a few years, so I am really happy and proud to have my film here now," said "Sophia" director Dhafer L'abidine."
Devoted SBIFF fans, including Gabe Donavan, have a game plan for the entire festival.
"Get here early, get the autographs, go inside, listen to their stories and say thank you Santa Barbara Film Festival and good night everybody and see you next year, "said Donavan.
Fans are likely to see Adam Sandler arrive between 7 and 8 p.m. on Thursday night.
It is free to watch the glamorous arrivals along State Street, outside the Arlington, but festival passes, MINIPAKS of four tickets and RUSH tickets, if they are available, can be purchased at the SBIFF Education Center at 1330 State St.
Films, tributes and panel discussions begin on Thursday and run through Feb. 14.
For more information visit https://sbiff.org
