Viewing:

Café 1996 (2004, directed by Jess Fulton)

Production stills (click any thumbnail to view full size):

(Paramount Theater in downtown Oakland)

(Joseph and Joshua)

(Lollipop)

(Liquor store)

(Construction in West Oakland)

(Speed bump)

(Twins)


Director Statement:

There is a long legacy of films which, for one reason or another, by design or through necessity, are imperfect. That is, they are rough around the edges. Their technical imperfections remind us that a film is a film. In this instance, with a production budget of next to nothing, imperfection was just about inevitable. Yet imperfection, and what the Cuban Julio-Garcia Espinosa described as "Imperfect Cinema", is also an aesthetic of choice, in its connotations of directness, of being connected to and dealing with the real world, something other than a Hollywood illusion.

In the spirit of "Imperfect Cinema", Café 1996 is an attempt to document the changing landscape of an Oakland neighborhood. The film is structured in two parts. The first half of the film reflects a traditional documentary style, following the reflections of the subject, Paul Jones. The second half of the film illustrates the polemics of urban renewal. This structure allows at least two distinct modes of conceptualizing a complex issue and seeks to encourage the viewer to imagine new possibilities.

Café 1996 introduces Paul Jones, a professional saxophone player who was part of Oakland's vibrant music scene. The film presents downtown landmarks as Paul guides us through his life, a story inextricably bound up in the changing face of his native city. Now retired and suffering from blindness, Paul plays saxophone in his home. Outside in the neighborhood young people and children contend with urban stereotypes. "I always wanted my music to let you see the scene rather than hear it," Paul explains. Café 1996 likewise attempts to reveal the character of contemporary Oakland as its cultural identity is threatened by accelerated development.

Anecdotal Accounts:

"How I Met Paul Jones"

"I was introduced to Paul Jones through a roommate who was working for ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform). Paul Jones was very involved in the fight against environmental contamination from freeway construction that bordered his neighborhood. After months of neighborhood community meetings Paul revealed that he had been a professional saxophone player."

"Darkness Inside Paul's House"

"When we entered Paul's home to film him, we realized that he was pretty much blind. A single lamp illuminated the inside--the windows were covered. It became clear that in order to film Paul in his environment we would have to navigate this darkness as he did."

Text:

"Noe Valley Plays a Small Role in S.F. Film Festival"
Noe Valley Voice (May 01, 2004)

"Café 1996"
Rencontres Internationales Paris and Berlin Program (October 31, 2004)