Tampa Film Fan

five questions with local film commissioner krista soroka

Tampa Film Commissioner Krista Soroka graciously agreed to answer Five Questions:

1. What’s the last movie you’ve seen?

The Da Vinci Code (in the theater); Wedding Crashers (on DVD).

2. Which movies have meant the most to you and why?

Vita è bella, La (Life is Beautiful, 1997) – I think Roberto Benigni (Guido) did an incredible job writing, directing and starring in this film that inspires you to believe that hope conquers all in the midst of some of life’s worst tragedies. Guido’s eternally-optimistic character was inspiring and humorous as he thought of new ways to keep his son’s focus away from the horrible tragedies surrounding him. In one scene where the Nazis enter the camp to inform the prisoners of the rules, Guido – who doesn’t understand a word of German – volunteers to translate to his son solely to convince him that they want to play a game where the winner gets a full-size tank. If we all had an ounce of that optimism, I really believe this world would be a better place. 

Cinderella Man (2005) – I thought R. Howard/R. Crowe developed an inspiring storyline that captured snapshots of James Braddock’s struggles to maintain his integrity as a husband-father-professional athlete while battling a hand injury AND the Great Depression. I’ll never forget the scene where Braddock swallows his pride and walks into Madison Square Garden to ask for pocket change so he can pay for electricity for his family. Not only did he struggle to keep his family alive, he carried the burden of his community and the nation, and came out on top.

Top Gun (1986) - just because I grew up during the 80’s!

3. Which movies could you watch more than once and still enjoy?

I have to categorize here if that’s OK…here are my trifectas:

History/Period Pieces: Gladiator, Braveheart, Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Drama: A Beautiful Mind, Godfather, and Shawshank Redemption (Andy Dufresne has a great quote in Shawshank: “Get busy living, or get busy dying”)

Comedy: Billy Madison, Dumb and Dumber, and Tommy Boy (I hate to admit I probably quote those movies every day!)

4. If you could meet any film character, who would you choose?

Hmmm, good question…here’s my Top 5:

Maximus Decimus Meridius (Gladiator) – great quote to Commodus when he is discovered to still be alive: My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.

James Braddock (Cinderella Man) - considering this is a true story, I truly admired his character, strength, and integrity.

John Nash (A Beautiful Mind) – Absolutely brilliant…I’d love to meet his wife as well.

William Wallace (Braveheart) – Can sum up why in one quote: Every man dies, not every man really lives.

Aragorn (Lord of the Rings) – although he’s a “middle earth” character, he’s selfless, courageous, and continuously fights battles on faith.

5. If you could meet any filmmaker (living or dead), who would you choose?

I can’t even go with a top 5 here…so here’s a few off the top of my head..Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Rob Reiner, George Lucas, Stephen King…most influential I’d say Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Wells, Stanley Kubrick…