Page 6 October 1, 2020 EL SEGUNDO HERALD
Surfridge from front page Entertainment
Film Review
Miranda July’s Kajillionaire Sees
Scammers Longing For Connection
Morgan Rojas for Cinemacy.com
I couldn’t believe that I was going to miss the
world premiere screening of Kajillionaire while
I was at Sundance earlier this year. I caught the
flu the night before and was physically unable
to move, bedridden and devastated to miss this
once in a lifetime event. After all, Miranda July
is one of my favorite filmmakers and I cursed
the cruel irony of skipping the only film that I
had really wanted to see at the festival. Fastforward
nine months (and a lot of unexpected
life changes later), I finally saw Kajillionaire, and
honestly, the timing couldn’t have been better.
Writer/Director Miranda July is known for her
charmingly original stories about relationships
and this one is no different. In Kajillionaire, a
family of Los Angeles-based con artists Robert
(Richard Jenkins), Theresa (Debra Winger), and
their daughter, Old Dolio (Evan Rachel Wood),
makes a life for themselves by stealing from a
society they claim is phony and foolish. During
one desperate “Get Rich Quick” scheme, the
family befriends Melanie (Gina Rodriguez),
a single woman who doesn’t hesitate to help
them with their next scam. However, the trust
between them gets tested after a couple of
shady encounters cause Old Dolio to question
her allegiance to her family and the life she
thought was predetermined for her.
A good film will always have these three
qualities: a strong directorial voice, a clear and
coherent script, and a solid cast. Kajillionaire
has all of these and then some. Miranda July’s
deeply felt and visionary style is undeniable
with its ethereal, yet down to earth charm.
July’s tender feelings seep onto the screen,
creating a universally emotional bond between
the filmmaker and her audience. For as unlikable
as their characters’ actions are, Richard
Jenkins and Debra Winger play Robert and
Theresa with a sense of compassion that makes
us pity them rather than despise them. Gina
Rodriguez gives a complex performance as
Melanie, peeling away more layers as the film
progresses. But hands down, it’s Evan Rachel
Wood who steals the show as the totally awkward,
extremely guarded Old Dolio, a young
woman who ultimately just wants to be loved.
At its core, Kajillionaire is a film about lonely
people slowly letting down their guard to accept
the gift of human connection. Now more
than ever, at a time when human connection
is met with a risk warning, this arthouse indie
comedy feels like a warm, much-needed hug.
Distributed by Focus Features, Kajillionaire
is now playing in select AMC and Landmark
theaters •
Kajillionaire, courtesy Focus Features.
Morgan Rojas
ABC Doc from page 5
from six continents have come to Da Vinci to
study their best practices since inception. They
come to study the smart and healthy culture
where students thrive. Enjoying the amazing
campus and world-class facilities is a bonus.
A Range of Educational Options
Da Vinci Schools are not one-size-fits-all
schools. There are a wide range of educational
models to serve a variety of student/family
needs and interests:
• Da Vinci Communications, Design and
Science high schools at 201 N. Douglas
Street use a hands-on learning approach via a
project-based, real-world learning curriculum.
The college prep meets career technical education
curriculum is supplemented by10 career
pathways, internships, and other real-world
learning opportunities that are supported by
industry partners such as Northrop Grumman,
Chevron, Boeing, SpaceX, Belkin, Gensler,
Children’s Hospital L.A., and many more.
Student progress is measured via masterybased
grading, oral presentations of learning,
public exhibitions, and traditional tests and
quizzes. Each school has about 525 students,
a principal, assistant principal, and three
counselors. All three schools are five-day per
week on-campus models.
• Da Vinci Connect/Extension (K-College)—
Da Vinci Connect K-8 is a home-school hybrid
model with students spending two days per
week of project-based learning on campus
and three days per week learning remotely.
Families facilitate their child’s learning on
non-classroom days. DV Connect recently
expanded to add high school grades and
merged with Da Vinci Extension. Students
are able to earn an A.A., Bachelor’s degree or
transferable college credit through Da Vinci’s
college partners, including UCLA Extension,
El Camino College or Southern New
Hampshire University, for free. DV Extension
includes on-the-job work experience through
internships, project consults, and boot camps
in the community. All three models under the
Connect umbrella are hybrid models with
students spending approximately two days
per week on campus.
• Da Vinci RISE High serves foster, homeless,
probation youth and others who are severely
credit deficient and need a personalized, flexible
educational program that is responsive to their
unique needs. RISE learning sites are embedded
within or near multiple social-service-provider
locations to provide wraparound support in
the areas of counseling, case management,
tutoring, health and wellness, legal services,
and more. RISE High was one of only ten
schools in the nation to win a prestigious
‘Super School’ grant to reimagine high school
in connection with X.Q.: The Super School
Project, funded by Laurene Powell Jobs. A
hybrid model, RISE students spend approximately
two days per week on campus, while
incorporating work experiences into their high
school diploma journey.
Unfounded Concerns
When Da Vinci opened in 2009, there was
a lot of apprehension in the El Segundo community
about whether Da Vinci would siphon
students and funding away from El Segundo
Unified. Neither has turned out to be true.
The enrollment pathway into Da Vinci is very
competitive for non-Wiseburn residents, while
the El Segundo Education Foundation has
consistently met and exceeded its fundraising
goals each year.
The demographics of the student body at
Da Vinci reflect the people of California with
numerous religions, races, ethnicities and income
levels represented. Students are highly
motivated at Da Vinci, and attendance is a
priority with truancy non-existent. Students,
including those on the world champion Robotics
Team, are “all in” and reticent to leave
campus each day.
As I shared previously, school choice is
personal and powerful. Parents know the style
of schooling that best suits their children. I
truly believe that we should help students
attain success through whatever path works
best for them. •
Any time we have a fundraiser or event, they’re
always the first to generously donate and contribute,
and they’re also the only vendor I can
call if we run low on inventory and the owner,
Steve, or Eddie will personally hand deliver
a keg within 10 minutes. They’re just such a
pleasure to work with, and overall great people.”
Chimed in Richmond Bar and Grill co-owner
Riley Montz: “Zach got it right on the nose.
They are the most giving brewery we have
worked with when it comes to charity events
and the beer speaks for itself. Great beer and
great people for a great town!” Steve, who
lives in Santa Monica with his wife and son
Gavin, said that giving back to the community
is “what it is all about.”
Local bar-owner and beverage legend Kristian
Krieger also has woven a friendship with the
owners of Surfridge Brewery. “Good guys, and
great beer,” he succinctly commented. Krieger,
who has co-owned the Tavern on Main since
2002, and Brewport Tap House for the past
three years, said that the advent of craft beer
breweries had been a game-changer in the
hospitality industry. “Craft beer has changed
things dramatically. Beer menus are almost as
important to our business as the food menu.”
Steve said he likes the El Segundo smalltown
vibe. “It is great to see that people are
embracing the local businesses and the local
craft-beer market.” He likes the fact that, in his
opinion, El Segundo is “a town that has stayed
true to its roots, never got to L.A. or Orange
County…not corporatized,” while noting events
like the Main St. Car Show and the Scouts
Soap-box derby that typically takes place on a
down-slope portion of Grand Avenue. A town
“lost in time,” he said of El Segundo.
As the interview concluded, an interview in
which Jennifer let Steve do the talking, Steve
noted that, with Surfridge Brewery being a
100% family affair, that son Gavin even chips
in to help with the work-related chores. Asked
if he was paid for his work at Brewridge, Gavin
said, “sometimes.” What are the child-labor
laws in Cali? Maybe Mr. Newsom can conjure
those up the next time he consults his Ouija
board, looking for guidance? •
Jeremy Montemagni. ( Brewmaster), Steve and Jennifer.
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