It gets better and better...

Living in Phoenix is a mixed blessing. As it becomes more populated and the traffic becomes almost unbearable, the city planners are paying more attention to the downtown area and improving public transportation and the city's cultural center. But for its size, it's always been a bit of a cow town.

You can find things to do if you know where to look, and that has always been true, but it's getting easier and easier, and the quality is improving. There is even vibrancy downtown now; well, around events like First Fridays, but at least it's getting better.

But this week there's a Krzysztof Zanussi film festival - a seemingly random event for this town. Prior to this, the area was only known for its art - Scottsdale is a pretty big art center. Now we have 2 very decent film festivals that are becoming players on the national festival circuit - Phoenix and Scottsdale - and edgier ones like the Jewish and the Gay/Lesbian film festivals. But a Zanussi film festival? He's even going to be here in person.

Zanussi heavily influenced Krzysztof Kieslowski, a fellow Pole who also began his career under communist rule. Kieslowski's Blue, White, Red (Colors Trilogy), is one of my favorites of all time, and I just happen to be re-watching it this month with Kevin... but I'm unfamiliar with Zanussi's work... So it's great timing to have this seemingly random event drop in our laps...

So yay Phoenix. I'm still gonna leave though. :-)