SHREIKFEST DAY 1

In three days Shreikfest screened 44 films. With 7 World Premieres, 4 US Premieres and 15 LA Premieres, Shriekfest proves to be cutting edge film in the horror and sci-fi world. Most of the films are made completely independently. There were 35 short films and 9 Features, making Shriekfest a true leader in the Horror and sci-fi genre. Because there are so many films in only three days there were no Q&A's. I would have loved to hear the directors talk about creating some of these pieces. But there was no time. The films kept coming and so did the chills!

The films were screened at Hollywood's oldest continually operating movie studio, Raleigh Studios located across the street from the renowned Paramount Studios. Parking was easily found on the street, and/or provided in the studio lot for $5 a day. Nothing to complain about. The staff at Shreikfest, including the charming Denise Gossett were friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. My biggest regret is I did not buy one of the cool t-shirts and I had tomiss a few of the films. Alas the problems of going alone.

The films were shown in the wonderful Chaplin Theatre on the lot. The space was fantastic for a one theatre festival and had pleanty of room (and leg room) for all the festival goers. Definitely a place to be seen for all indie film makers and genre lovers! Now to the films.....

A LITTLE NIGHT FRIGHT
Directed By Mischa Livingstone

This is a beautiful film that I instantly fell in love with. The children were perfectly cast and the surprise at the end was perfect. A complete gem of a film in three minutes! It definitely answers the question "What do you do with an older brother that torments you?" Well in this film, you know what is lurking in the darkest of places!

THE KILLER
Directed By David Nelson

A fantastic black comedy that sends small shivers up your spine, The Killer is a well crafted film. As soon as I saw Michael Learned's name I was excited. You will also recognize Miguel Sandoval from Medium and tons of other stuff. An extremely well acted film, with a nice little twist at the end. A contract killer tracks his prey to a sweet innkeepers house who has secrets of her own.

NO SANCTUARY
Directed By Dan Lovallo

This is a film that has alot to say. I thought it was extremely relevant in today's world. War sometimes seems like it is conducted from behind computer screens and this film puts faces to the people on the street during the battle and the consequences. This Sci-Fi short was well made and acted. A government group conducts real assassinations with a group of young kids who believe they are playing video games. A great theory.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 2 YOU
Directed By David Alcalde

What a twisted film! And So real. This is a small horror masterpiece. One that I would love to be expanded into a feature. For every image burned onto the screen there were many questions that came out of it. I expect to see alot more from Mr. Alcalde in the horror genre. A school social worker fears that a student is the victim of abuse. She is seeing the face of her own son or brother, (a little unclear). When she tracks him down she brings him a birthday gift. But to her surprise she is also a gift. The last images are a big reveal as we see that she is just as twisted as they are.

LUMP
Directed By Faye Jackson

This is truly a sick little film. I am terrified of hospitals and Dr's anyway, but this film made me squirm all the way through. This film is so well acted it plays like a Drama. Every time she gets a lump removed form her breast she mysteriously finds another one and has to go back under the knife. Does the DR truly have her best interests at heart? Of course not! This film also got the hospital, lack of any information, down to a tee. Why can you never get a straight answer in a hospital? Watch this film. (Ominous laughter)

ELI
Directed By Josh Lee Kwai

WOW! What can you say about a film that you did not want to end? Make this a feature film! This was a superbly crafted sci-fi thriller that kept you on the edge of your seat! A man wakes up knowing almost nothing except some strange beach memory of a girl. He sees that the name ELI has been tattooed onto his hand and the ride is off...... This stars David Anders, from Alias and more recently on Heroes as Kensei! He is so great in this film. Run and see it as soon as you can.

http://www.elimovie.com/ for more info!

A.W.O.L.
Directed By Jack Swanstrom

I saw this at Hollyshorts and again at Cinema City. It is definitely making the rounds at all the festivals. Once again, let me say that I really like this film. It is a well made Sci-Fi thriller that knows how to deliver. It is quirky and a new take on an old theory. Well acted and written, you should make sure you see it if possible (And it should be since it seems to be playing everywhere!)

THE CHAIR
Directed By Brett Sullivan

This horror feature was directed by the man who brought us Ginger Snaps. I kinda liked that film and was not sure how I was going to feel about this one. Well, I loved it! I laughed in all the right places and I got all ooey in the right places too. Written by Michael Capellupo this script was a tight thriller that was well acted and well made.

A college age girl (Aren't they all) with some mental problems moves into an old Victorian house to start her life again. She is watched over by her kinda controlling sister and old boyfriend (sometimes). When she moves in strange things start happening around and to her inside the house. Once again (It's the horror movie thing) She stays in the house instead of leaving. Lets say it together shall we.... "When the house says get out, YOU GET OUT!" Instead she delves into the mystery and becomes possessed by the spirit of a man who like to kill children in his torture chair.

Believe it or not. The film is well paced and tightly shot and kept the chills coming. Though I never screamed aloud, I looked over my shoulder when I got in the car.

KRISTOFFER

REEL SISTER'S FILM FESTIVAL 1

Saturday, September 28, 2007
10th Annual Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival
Brooklyn New York
By Tiffany Cooper


Where do I begin? First of all, we have to honor and recognize black women in film such as Diahann Carroll (Claudine), Tamara Dobson (Cleopatra Jones) and Pam Grier (Foxy Brown). These women paved the way for us to bring rich, vibrant characters to the big screen that transcend racial and ethnic stereotypes.

This was absolutely the best film festival I’ve attended even without the carpet treatment. I was completely blown away by all the talent, fierce intelligence and vulnerability. There were sixteen films shown. I loved all, but only 4 moved me to tears and laughter in less than 10 minutes. Now, that’s some good writing and acting!

STICKS AND STONES


The first film to disturb and penetrate my heart was Sticks and Stones by Rehema Imani Trimiew based on a true story. An engaging narrator guides the audience through a powerful 9 minute drama that takes place during a parent teacher conference late one afternoon. Darryl and Dolores confront their daughter’s maligned teacher, Mrs. Martin. Mrs. Marin refuses to accept that their daughter, Rhemea, is literate. Mrs. Martin’s misperceptions overshadow this obvious reality. Rhemea is challenged to either fight back or internalize the racial stereotypes.

This film spoke to me personally. I remembered being in second grade and having several teachers who were discouraging because of their own misperceptions. They were just like the teacher (Mrs. Martin). Unthinking teachers can sometimes do much more harm than good.

Produced for only $150, this film is brilliant and a must see!
This film will definitely spark intense dialogue.

Sticks and Stones is the winner of the Best International Student Short Film 2006, Audience Choice Best Short Film 2006, Best Student Film Mediamakers Film Festival 2006, and Best Social Commentary Poppy Jasper Film Festival 2006

Go to http://www.stickesandstonesthemovie.com/

LIFTED
Directed by Randall Dottin

This is the story of a struggling artist. A young mother dancer meets her spiritual guardian on a subway station platform after she abandons her child. This is the story that every artist can relate to on some level. A part of me could relate to the characters inner struggles.



AMERICAN RED & BLACK


The insightful documentary that I identified with the most was American Red and Black by Alicia Woods. The film follows six Afro-Natives from around the U.S. as they Reflect upon the personal and complex issues of African and Native heritage, ethnic identity and racism within communities. This film struck a cord with me because I’m part Cherokee Indian and its part of my heritage.

MONSIEUR ETIENNE
Directed By Yann Chayia

This film moved me to tears and outright laughter! It is set off the coast of France, with breath-taking views of the sunset. The romantic cinematography alone will draw you in. Monsieur Etienne is a story about an old man who spends his life arbitrating the arguments of his two best friends. On the way to their funerals, he finds himself incapable of choosing between the two processions. He undertakes a long and contemplative walk, during which he realizes that it might not be just about accompanying them, but about joining them. This film was moving on several levels … how many times in our own lives have we thought about joining the ones we love instead of living each day to its fullest. Very powerful!

I felt empowered as I left the theatre. I had been moved and was very grateful that I witnessed 16 intelligent, heart felt, witty and passionate films that sparked dialogue within me and my community. But most of all, I’m proud that these films show women of color empowering a generation of young girls with images of strong, smart, proud and confident women.

Tiffany Cooper

SF DOCFEST 2

Tale of Two Bondage Models
Directed By Brian Lilla
A brief documentary about two women working in the BDSM pornographic industry. Lorelei Lee and Princess Donna have known each other since college and are each others' favorite actresses to work with, and it shows! The women speak candidly about pushing the boundaries of pain and pleasure and how cathartic it can be.

Flesh and Blood
Directed By Larry Silverman

Steve Haworth grew up in family that owned a medical equipment production company that devised surgical tools still used in operations today. Knowing this, it's not too shocking the trajectory his life has taken. Known as the pioneer of 3D Body Art, Steve started his career in body piercing. Growing up in a house of inventors, he eventually took the trade to the next level designing superior piercing tools and techniques, creating new styles of body jewelry, designing shaped dermal punches and jewelry, and perfecting surface to surface piercing. But that wasn't enough. Over the course of 15 years as an underground cult artist, he changed the world of body modification from belly button rings and tongue studs to 3D Implants, Transdermals and Electro Cauterary Branding. Director Larry Silverman follows Haworth for 5 years of his life in Phoenix AZ where he owns world renowned piercing salons and has partnered with several of his clientele to begin a flesh hook suspension group called Life Suspended. Flesh and Blood is a fascinating look into the world of body modification, the people who champion the movement, their motivations for participating and Steve Haworth's integral place in its evolution. Oh, and it IS NOT for the squeamish, faint of heart, or easily grossed out!

Krimpdaddy

Cowboys and Communists
Directed By Jessica Feast

Cowboys and Communists is a story about two conflicting societies trying to keep their ideals alive. The spotlight is on a noisy, debacherous, late-night restaurant in East Berlin, White Trash Fast Food, where film-maker Jess Feast is also a waitress. Wally Potts, the American owner of White Trash sets up shop in an established apartment building that has poor insulation and tenants who have lived there since Communism. Frustrated with the oppressive regime in the States, Potts fled to East Berlin to live his version of the American Dream in East Berlin. Horst Woitalla, a tenant and former journalist for East Germany, believed in the Communist way of life and in an instant, had everything he knew taken away. Woitalla is determined to restore silence to the apartment building by trying to get White Trash evicted. I couldn't help but side with the articulate, sincere and interesting Woitalla; crossing my fingers that he would successfully have White Trash thrown out on its pretentious wanna-be artsy ass. The trannies, bands and burger eating contest were really not that impressive or original. Ultimately, Potts screws himself by not doing his homework. White Trash is ordered to close down due to zoning laws and noise ordinances. But what I want to know is: Who opens a business in an old, East Berlin apartment building with aging tenants from the Communist Era and neglects to do any kind of research?


Mary Margaret

Cinema City International

ROLLING
Directed By Billy Samoa Saleebey

This is the first year of the Cinema City International FIlm Festival. There were many Red Carpet events, stars in attendance and many people being seen at the Universal Citiwalk AMC Theatres. This is just an excellent space for a film festival. My only annoyance at coming to Citiwalk is having to pay to park and dealing with all the crowds on the thoroughfare. I wish CCIFF all the best and welcome to the Festival landscape.

Rolling was the only film I saw at the festival. Regretfully so, since there were quite a few films that captured my imagination. I have heard wonderful things about Finding Kraftland, and we have reviewed both A.W.O.L. and Available Men before. Now rolling right along onto.... well... Rolling...

Rollings tag line is "The Feel Good Movie Of The Year", I suppose this is because the drug Ecstasy is supposed to make you "Feel Good". This film definitely did not shy away from showing you what E can actually do to you, making this film not a "feel good" movie but a stark look at the landscape and realities of the drug culture of the young, pretty and hip.

The film follows the lives of a group of people that are only connected through the fact that they do drugs. They meet at parties and have a good time together. But, it seems that the real connection ends there. One of the characters even vocalizes the fact that most of their friends that matter to them are people they knew before their drug use. It is shot in a faux documentary form at times with intimate interviews with the characters recalling their drug use and this one night that happened. The interviews are interspersed with a narrative story taking place the day and night of the party.

This is where the film lost me a little. Is it a faux documentary or a narrative feature? It felt like it was unsure itself. Which makes the ending of the film a little less impactful. Now saying that, you may be surprised to learn that there were many things about this film I liked. The writer has a great ear for dialogue and characters. The performances were fantastic. And Mr. Saleeley has a fantastic eye. I just wanted to care a little bit more. I felt like I was missing something important about each of them.

The film makes some bold statements about E and drug use without ever being preachy. It does not give an opinion about either side. But to its credit it walks the line and lets you make the choice for yourself. It shows the fun and good times of being 'high' and then shows you the darkness that drug users go into, ie... depression, overdose, fear, money problems, emotional problems, etc.

This movie hits on alot of truths. There were many people who I spoke to afterwards who absolutely loved this film. It was a packed theatre and I know this film sold out 2 screening at Dances With Films.

This film, like all movies, will not be for everyone. But, it has something to say. And I expect that this is an Indie that will get it's chance. Rightfully so.

Check it out at http://www.rollingmovie.com/

Here is the trailer for the film.

Kristoffer

SF DOCFEST 1

Off the Grid: Life on the Mesa
Directed By Jeremy Stulberg


On a 16 square mile patch of near uninhabitable New Mexico desert, 25 miles from the closest town, a group of veterans, teenage runaways, the mentally ill, and the socially disenchanted make up the last bastion of wild west anarchy and true democracy. With no electricity, running water, little food, less water, and no police, this group of radicals lives by only two rules: Don't steal from your neighbor and don't shoot your neighbor. One might think the latter rule goes without saying, but with the rampant drug and alcohol use, the amount of arms readily available on the compound and the Mesa-ites predilection for popping off a few rounds, it probably doesn't hurt to say this rule out loud, and often. Through breathtaking cinematography and harsh reality, Jeremy and Randy Stulberg have created a compelling and insightful documentary about this emerging counter culture and its model of sustainable living.



http://www.myspace.com/offthegridmovie

Manufacturing Dissent
Directed by Debbie Melnyk and Rick Caine


Many documentaries have been made criticizing Michael Moore for his divisive tactics as a documentarian. This one is unique in that it was not made by any right wing political affiliation. Two progressive liberal Canadian filmmakers, Debbie Melnyk and Rick Caine, first set out to make a biography of Moore after viewing Fahrenheit 9/11. Through the course of gathering material and hunting down Moore for interviews, their admiration for the man who brought the documentary genre to the forefront of American entertainment began to wane and their project took on a whole new theme. Melnyk and Caine depict Moore as a lying, manipulative, self-serving, egomaniacal, greedy, backstabbing lobbyist who has done more harm for the liberal left than good. A must-see examination of Michael Moore and his place in documentary history and American politics.


http://www.manufacturingdissentmovie.com/

The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil
Directed by Faith Morgan


This fascinating documentary depicts Cuba's movement in the last 20 years from an industrial society to a more agricultural one. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990, Cuba's economy went into a tailspin: imports of fuel were cut in half and food importation was cut by 80 percent. Out of this desperation, Cubans began to raise their own food without the aid of pesticides, farm machinery or fossil fuel. The film opens with a short history of Peak Oil, a term for the time when world oil production will reach its all time peak and begin to decline forever. Cuba, the only country that has faced this crisis, is an example of environmentally conscious sustainability and hope for the future.




http://www.communitysolution.org/cuba.html

FANTASTIC FEST

2007 Fantastic Fest
9/22/07
by Krista Anderson

The crowds were large, and the theaters were full throughout the day. Film enthusiasts, filmmakers, and everyday Austinites were present to screen independent films at 2007’s Fantastic Fest. Alamo Drafthouse (South Lamar), located in Austin, Texas, hosted the film festival, which is the quintessential venue to experience and enjoy these types of films. Alamo Drafthouse offers a variety of beers, wines, appetizers, meals, and desserts that satisfy any palette. Sensitive to the diverse community of Austin, Alamo Drafthouse provides an assortment of options for vegetarians, and others with specific dietary needs. The staff is friendly and helpful, and always enhances the relaxed and pleasant atmosphere of the theater.

The Dark Hour aka La Hora Fria (Spanish)
Director: Elio Quiroga
www.lahorafria.com

In their present day, a group of individuals live together in a locked fortress, with diminishing living supplies, and no contact with the outside world. Implied causes to their circumstances include a devastating world war and chemical and viral weapons. Now, these survivors live with fears of being infected by the remaining diseased or mutilated by the cold insects roaming outside of their corridors.

The Cold Hour applies to a multitude of genres: horror, thriller, action, drama, post-apocalyptic, and science fiction. While I viewed the film more as a thriller with great suspense, there were frightening elements: (a) The Strangers, infected individuals hosting a chronic, zombie-like virus, and (b) The Invisibles, cold insect creatures searching for humans to feed on. Other themes the film incorporated include pro-female leadership, anti-government, anti-war, lost innocence, and no sense of trust. The strong and accepted female leadership of the group was a refreshing element of the film. Because of the abundance of messages in the film though, it was difficult to concentrate on the plot and action. However, the story moved very easily and the suspenseful moments were well timed. Overall, The Cold Hour was enjoyable, with insightful yet pessimistic messages. In the future, is there any hope?

Princess (French)
Director: Anders Morgenthaler
www.princessmovie.com

A controversial mixed-media feature, Princess presents both live-action video and animation to tell the story of a brother and his five-year-old niece, who are reintroduced after their sister/mother’s unexpected death. The sister was a porn star. The brother discovers that his niece was abused and neglected under the care of others, and does everything in his power to protect and amend the cruelty that his niece experienced.

Princess incorporates various genres, including action, drama, and animation. Violence and sex are the dominant elements of the animated feature, with family values interestingly as the major theme behind the story. The brother, on leave from his missionary work, battles his sister’s bosses in the porn industry and his niece’s father. While on his scavenger hunt, the brother is forced to reflect and accept his sister’s path to the porn industry. The live-action video elements capture the sexual nature and experimentation of his sister. In the end, the brother fails his mission and loses his niece forever. Princess has very compelling and striking messages: promoting the sanctity of family and the power of faith, while also dispelling the loss of innocence. While the film at times produces disturbing and titillating imagery, in the end, it suggests that faith connects you to family, and family values must be cherished to survive. Princess’s approach to such a message is fascinating, since most pro-family values films don’t normally incorporate three-way and anal sex, at least the ones I’ve seen anyways.

Shut-eye Hotel (Short animation)
www.plymptoons.com
Director: Bill Plympton

Shut-eye Hotel screened just before Princess. Directed by the infamous Bill Plympton (The Fan and the Flower, Guard Dog), is a gruesome animated tale where cops who are investigating murders at a mysterious hotel become the victims themselves. As always, Plympton shorts never let you down.

Miss Krista Anderson

VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL 2

So back to the very cool Valley Film Festival.....

11 MINUTES AGO
Written/Directed by Bob Gebert

I have heard about this film at various festivals in the last couple of months. At Dances With Films, a director in her own Q&A took a minute to tell us all that the best film she has seen on the circuit is 11 Minutes Ago. I admit my curiousity was peaked. Especially since I loved her own film, "I am Through With White Girls". Unfortanutely, the time slot it showed in did not allow me to see it. So I was thruilled when I heard it was playing in the Valley Film Fest!

And let me tell you, this film is worth all the buzz it has been generating. This is a beautiful story about time travel, the power of love and the moments most people just pass over. This is a film that will hold up to the test of time itself. Beautifully crafted from begining to end, this semi-non-linear film was a joy to watch unfold, all the way to the end of the credits.

The performances in this film are top notch! Pack (Ian Michaels) and Cynthia (Christina Mauro) are the pair of unlikely lovers that meet and fall in love in non-linear 11 minute increments. Ian time travels 48 years into the past for a sample of air to save Earth in the future. He leaves his house and lands in the same house in the past. A wedding reception is happening and within the first eleven minutes he meets the woman that will change his life forever. The camera crew that is there to film the wedding and reception get sucked in to Pack's story and Jeffrey (Bob Gebert) the crews director begins to keep the cameras on Pack instead of the bride (Taryn Reneau) and groom (Jeremy Juuso). Every person at the party is important and the conversations, if you piece them together throughout tell you the ending of this wonderful love story!

So for people who freak out about time travel films. I know, once they try to explain the hows and whys (Flux capacitors, time continuum, etc...) they never really hold up. The joy of this film is it just accepts that this is the reality... Pack is from the future. It doesn't try to get all sci-fi and explain and/or show it. It is a love story that just happens to be about a time traveller. And because of the way the story lays itself out, you find this fact exactly that. Pack is from the future.

If you get a chance to see this film you should. In the Q&A afterwards, I was shocked to learn that this film was shot in one day. There were multiple cameras filming the film, because of the film crew actually seen in the movie. Mr. Gebert, knew how to shoot this and the end result is an incredible film! It is a beautiful indie that deserves a wide release. Run to see this film.

Look for my interview with Bob on the mutimedia pages soon.

MY WALLET
Directed By Richard Gonzales

In front of 11 Minutes Age, VFF played the short film My Wallet. This is a Laurel and Hardy/Three Stooges inspired film about a robbery going awry. It is an over the top chase of the victim going after the Robber. Like most slapstick you have to completely get out of reality for this film. People get shot in the head and are not hurt. People run as fast as cars. It is a cute film that you know this cast and crew had a wonderful time making.

Kristoffer