Avery tries to hold together her complicated life in OFF AND RUNNING
OFF AND RUNNING (Nicole Opper, 2009)
IFC Center
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January 29 – February 4
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Nicole Opper’s OFF AND RUNNING starts off as a heartwarming tale of a Brooklyn family that refers to itself as the United Nations — lesbian mothers Tova (from Israel) and Travis (from Illinois) and their adopted children: multiracial Rafi, African American Avery, and Korean Zay-Zay. Opper focuses on Avery, a teenage track star who has suddenly decided to contact her birth mother, beginning her descent into a troubled world that jeopardizes her relationship with her family as well as her once-promising future. Her struggles appear to stem from her insistence on developing a black identity; she takes great offense at being called an “Oreo” by some of her African American friends and soon is turning her back on her dismayed parents, who give their children remarkable freedom along with their deep love. Although OFF AND RUNNING is a moving portrait of a very modern American family, it at times feels like a carefully manipulated reality TV show, with Avery calling the shots. In fact, director Opper has been a mentor and teacher to Avery since she first encountered the youngster at a Hebrew school she was visiting for an earlier film. Opper helped Avery craft her voice-over narration and even worked with her in the editing room, calling into question her objectivity. There are times when viewers will wonder why the filmmaker and Avery’s parents don’t just scare her straight, instead sitting idly by as the confused girl makes wrong choice after wrong choice. Still, OFF AND RUNNING, featuring stirring music is by experimental violinist Daniel Bernard Romain, is a fascinating study that raises many important social and cultural issues.