The New Roots Project

Punk 'n' Pie at BAM

Dan Angeloro — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:01:00 GMT

Oi! This Thanksgiving, after you give thanks for your health, happiness, and other stuff, finish your pie and come give thanks to those who’ve really made a difference in your life: Joe Strummer, Ian Curtis, Sid Vicious, and the UK punk / post-punk music scene that still influences our culture today.

Films that will be on display include Breaking Glass (Nov 21), Reggae In a Babylon (Nov 23), Joy Division (Nov 29), Urgh! A Music War (Nov 29), and the always popular Sid And Nancy (Nov 30). Check the BAM website for the other titles and their schedules.

Proposition 8 Runoff Includes Sundance

Dan Angeloro — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:07:00 GMT

In the wake of the passing of Proposition 8 (the bill that bans same-sex marriage in California), the all-mighty of the American born film festivals, Sundance, is finding itself in the middle of the debate. If, unwillingly so.

Apparently, Utah (the state Sundance calls its home) is home to one of the biggest "fundraisers" for supporting the bill, channeling a reported $19 million into backing the bill. That's right, the group is the Mormons. Most will grasp that Utah has a large Mormon-base, which is the group of silly geese that are notable for throwing hissy fits whenever American life is threatened by "the gay". But, because of this act that occurred in the state of Utah, many opposers of prop 8 are apparently staging boycotts of Sundance until it (hopefully) relocates from said Utah. The outrage against the bill and Utah in general is forming a rift that might spell major problems at the forthcoming installment of Sundance (January '09). IndieWire has posted an insightful look into this bewildering matter:

"There were times in my 20 years here when I felt like Sundance was one of the only places these voices were heard," Sundance Film Festival director of programming John Cooper told indieWIRE today, via email from a screening room. He emphasized his own very personal stake in the issue of marriage equality, noting that he and his partner, married earlier this month, live in California and have three daughters with a lesbian couple. Continuing, Cooper added, "Our location in Utah puts us in the heart of America which makes our mission just that much more important. Through the last 25 years this irony has not been lost on me...even though I usually don't talk about it in these terms."

A discussion thread on Facebook today included a number of comments defending the festival and discouraging the boycot talk. "Boycott Sundance because Mormons live in Utah?" asked filmmaker Allison Anders today, responding via Facebook, "How absurd -- I am showing my students "Safe" today by Todd Haynes and in my lecture will talk about how groundbreaking it was that "Poison" was at the festival even before the 'Class of '92' -- and in that class of '92 was included in the competition of 12, Greg Araki's film "The Long Weekend (O' Despair)" (one of the earliest indies to deal with AIDS) , and Tom Kalin's "Swoon". Sundance was for decades one of the tiny few hands that fed gay filmmakers, women filmmakers, browns, blacks, reds and everyone underrepresented on the screen, and it continues to be that for all of us. If people continue to misplace their rage over Prop 8 passing, they will change not one thing and none of us who supported the No on Prop 8 vote wants to see that happen."

I, for one, think it's ridiculous. That's like saying if a murder happens in an apartment complex, everyone who lives in the complex should be held responsible for letting it happen in their building. Now, I support same-sex marriage as much as the next non-Mormon, but attacking Sundance simply because it's in Utah just seems like an unecessary outlet. Hopefully this non-related controversy won't impede the festival or its organizers so much. It's still probably the best fest around in terms of seeing successful faces taking artsy detours, and one can only hope that radical viewpoints on same-sex marriage won't be the death knell it doesn't deserve.

Well, you can still check out the Sundance site for some uplifting viewpoints on what to look forward to this coming January. You can also read up on the IndieWire story here.

Christmas On Mars Still Playing...

Dan Angeloro — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:32:00 GMT

...at the KGB Complex's Kraine Theater until December 14. It's that music film featuring the crazily fun Flaming Lips. Check this one out and be merry. For tickets and other generous information, check out the Brown Paper ticket site. Here's the trailer.

Don Hertzfeldt at the IFC Tonight

Dan Angeloro — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:20:00 GMT

Via the IFC themselves:

Highlighting this rare, in-person appearance by legendary animator Don Hertzfeldt is the premiere of his latest film, I Am So Proud of You, featuring his trademark hand-drawn animation. The 90-minute program also includes a selection of his earlier films, including the Sundance winner Everything Will Be OK, and an on-stage interview and Q&A session with the audience.

Hertzfeldt's longest piece to date, I Am So Proud of You is the eagerly anticipated second chapter to Everything Will Be OK, winner of the Sundance Film Festival's Grand Jury Award in Short Filmmaking and named by many critics as one of the best films of 2007. Like all of Hertzfeldt's films, I Am So Proud of You was animated and photographed by the artist himself without the use of computers.

Tickets are 12 bucks and can be found here.

For Those Who Are Wondering...

The New Roots Project — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:45:00 GMT

We're currently making some changes and trying to get our feet back on the ground. We shall be back soon!

Keep rockin' them Roots y'all, and keep us posted!

In the meantime, check out the LimeWire music blog or the new LimeWire video blog why don't you?

- S & D

Flux's "Other Bodies" Closes Strong

Sam Dingman — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:49:00 GMT

Flux Theatre Ensemble, who you may remember from our interview a few weeks back, is also doing well at this year's Fringe Festival. Check out this rave review on nytheatre.com:

This play could have easily been defined by its own premise—the transformation from one body to another. It could have been caught within its own theoretical exploration of the human condition. Either of these paths would have resulted in losing some of its audience. However, Schulenburg's play never strays from the essential human need of its characters to be understood and to understand the world around them. By framing the story in this context, he is able to keep his audience invested, no matter how complex it gets.

Give it up for the universality of human emotions, my peoples! Have an excellent weekend.

Sandy the Dandy and Charlie McGee Getting Raves at the Fringe

Sam Dingman — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:25:00 GMT

As this year's Fringe Festival draws to a close, much of the buzz has centered on an excellent piece entitled Sandy the Dandy and Charlie McGee: A Study In Harsh Realities, a vaudevillian fable about the pitfalls of pursuing your dreams in New York City, served with a healthy dose of verfremdungseffekt.

Co-writers and actors Mat Sanders and Guerrin Gardner have been written up in such publications as the Onion and Time Out New York, thanks in part to the unique nature of the piece's origins. Sanders was a member of the cast of the controversial American Girl Revue, the labor practices of which were called into question by Actors Equity, leading to a strike in 2006 that resulted in American Girl shutting down the performance rather than allowing its actors to join the union.

Sanders and Gardner mine this as well as American Girl's questionable attitudes about race in the show, which is profiled today on psfk. Gardner's insights about the production are well worth the read, but this anecdote about the show's unique aesthetic struck me in particular:

Mat and I have been insanely meticulous about the aesthetic of the show in every facet. I work in marketing/branding at Real Simple Magazine and Mat is an incredible artist with an intense eye for detail. I think this combination has helped us keep every inch of this show on brand. From scouring for the perfect vintage-esque paper for our press kit, to a two-week hunt for Sandy’s perfect umbrella, to making sure the set accurately brought to life the whimsical story book tale we have created- we have painstakingly made sure every element of our show reflects our initial vision of curating a modern vaudeville. Our script was the bible but the press kit, tone of the website, blog, postcards, e-blasts, and verbiage had to have our personal touch of offbeat dandyism. We brought in our good friend Ryland Blackinton of the indie band, This Is Ivy League, to add music that pokes fun at classic musical theatre standards-and the final touch was adding our director, Stephen Brackett, who was fresh off of an assistant directing gig with Passing Strange on Broadway. Everyone seemed to instantly get our very specific vision.

For an idea of what she's referring to, check out she and Sanders's website, Too Muchery Productions.

This Week at NewFilmmakers

Dan Angeloro — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 06:00:00 GMT

This Wednesday the weekly NewFilmmakers series is presenting the Black Documentary Collective, a, er, collective of documentaries focusing on black issues in New York and elsewhere in the country. First up is Don DiNicola's video doc Nowhere Now from 2006. The film is about musicians who are pouring on the goodness in the local community around the Joshua Tree spot outside of Los Angeles. The movement, if you wish to call it that, is full of talented artists that are pushing the boundaries of their respective forms, as most artists generally try to do. Here's the trailer:

Nowhere Now is followed by a trio of docs; A Brush With Success, Hats By Bunn, and Director/Producer Charles Martin will round out the 7:15 group. They are followed by the feature documentaries, I Have Something to Say from 2007 and the non-Denzel piece The Frank Lucas Story. Sick of hearing about American history (shady or otherwise) filtered through the beautifully quaffed hair of Russel Crowe? Then check out this final chunk from the NewFilmmakers series for the real, truthful story of Frank Lucas' journey.

The site has more...

Feeds are Restored!

The New Roots Project — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:37:00 GMT

We fixed the glitch(es) and all was well in the lands of yore. Feel free to subscribe at your heart's content.

Innovative Theatre Award Nominees Announced

Sam Dingman — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:56:00 GMT

The New York Innovative Theatre Awards are independent theatre's equivalent to comedy's ECNY Awards; a system for recognizing outstanding work in a field where tireless toil often goes unremarked. Though the system is imperfect--awards are based on the votes of audience members who take the time to log on to the NYITA site after the play, create an account, and scroll through the various categories to vote--it's exciting to see buzz around the community as the season draws to a close. Follow the jump for the complete list of nominees--the Stolen Chair Theatre Company, who we've profiled previously, scored two nods for The Accidental Patriot.

Outstanding Ensemble

Tanya Calamoneri, Heather Harpham, Lisa Ramirez, Cassie Terman
Art of Memory, Company SoGoNo

Jessica Burr, Zenzele Cooper, Dave Edson, Jason Griffin, Anna Kepe, Eunjee Lee, Celli Pitt, Matthew Sincell, Darrell Stokes, Laura Wickens
Burn, Crave, Hold: The James Wilde Project, Blessed Unrest

Elena Chang, Noshir Dalal, Jon Hoche, Kelley Rae O'Donnell, Melissa Paladino, Maureen Sebastian, Andrea Marie Smith, Paco Tolson, Temar Underwood
Fight Girl Battle World, Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company

Michael Crane, Andrew Guilarte, Sanjiv Jhaveri, Rock Kohli, Ramiz Monsef, Gita Reddy, David Sajadi
The Leopard and The Fox, Alter Ego Productions

Danny Ashkenasi, Matt W. Cody, Paul Daily, Tatiana Gomberg, Emily Hartford, Ned Massey
The Night of Nosferatu, Rabbit Hole Ensemble

Joe Basile, Christopher Borg, Jeffrey Cranor, Kevin R. Free, Ryan Good, Eevin Hartsough, Jacquelyn Landgraf, Sarah Levy, Erica Livingston, Rob Neill, Joey Rizzolo, Justin Tolley, Jenny Williams
Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, New York Neo-Futurists

Outstanding Solo Performance

Dana Berger Washing Machine, Fist In The Pocket Theater in association with The Chocolate Factory

Andrea Caban You Got Questions? I Got Answers!, Coyote REP Theatre Company

Taylor Mac The Young Ladies Of..., HERE Arts Center

Petronia Paley On the Way to Timbuktu, Ensemble Studio Theatre

Jonathan Pereira American Cake, Prickly Pear Productions in association with the FRIGID Festival

Melle Powers Whence Came Ye Scarlett O'Hara O'Hanrahan?, 53 Hysterics in association with the FRIGID Festival

Outstanding Actor in a Featured Role

Tom Bain The Pied Pipers of the Lower East Side, The Amoralists Theatre Company

Jason Griffin Burn, Crave, Hold: The James Wilde Project, Blessed Unrest

Greg T. Parente Night of Nigro, The Strain Theatre Company

Rob Sheridan The Two Lives of Napoleon Beazley, Incumbo Theater Company

Matthew Sincell Burn, Crave, Hold: The James Wilde Project, Blessed Unrest

Paco Tolson Fight Girl Battle World, Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company

Outstanding Actress in a Featured Role

Britney Burgess Professional Skepticism, Zootopia Theatre Company

Megan Byrne No End of Blame, Potomac Theatre Project

Kaylin Lee Clinton The Round of Pleasure, New Stage Theatre Company

Catherine Correa The Round of Pleasure, New Stage Theatre Company

Tatiana Gomberg The Night of Nosferatu, Rabbit Hole Ensemble

Erica Terpening Night of Nigro, The Strain Theatre Company

Outstanding Actor in a Lead Role

Michael DiGioia Elizabeth Rex, Nicu's Spoon

Alex Draper No End of Blame, Potomac Theatre Project

Peter Judd You Can't Take It With You, T. Schreiber Studio

Cameron J. Oro The Accidental Patriot: The Lamentable Tragedy of the Pirate Desmond Connelly, Irish by Birth, English by Blood, and American by Inclination The Stolen Chair Theatre Company

Maximilian Osinski Cherry Docs, Theatre of the Expendable

Bobby Steggert Yank! A New Musical, The Gallery Players

Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role

Abby Baum Triumph of Love, Astoria Performing Arts Center

Stephanie Barton-Farcas Elizabeth Rex, Nicu's Spoon

Laura Heidinger Six Degrees of Separation, The Gallery Players

Lauren Kelston Mill Fire, Retro Productions

Kira Sternbach Gerald's Method, Gallant Arts

Kristen Vaughan Mill Fire, Retro Productions

Outstanding Choreography/Movement

Julie Atlas Muz The Round of Pleasure, New Stage Theatre Company

Barbara Charlene The Accidental Patriot: The Lamentable Tragedy of the Pirate Desmond Connelly, Irish by Birth, English by Blood, and American by Inclination The Stolen Chair Theatre Company

Kelly Hayes Burn, Crave, Hold: The James Wilde Project, Blessed Unrest

Patrick Hogan & Robert O'Neill EchoLake, Embodiment Productions

Anabella Lenzu & Qui Nguyen (RUS)H, HERE Arts Center

Qui Nguyen Fight Girl Battle World, Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company

Outstanding Director

Edward Elefterion The Night of Nosferatu, Rabbit Hole Ensemble

David Gow Cherry Docs, Theatre of the Expendable

Emma Griffin Removable Parts, HERE Arts Center

Richard Romagnoli No End of Blame, Potomac Theatre Project

Robert Ross Parker Fight Girl Battle World, Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company

Damen Scranton Burn, Crave, Hold: The James Wilde Project, Blessed Unrest

Outstanding Lighting Design

Christopher Brown (RUS)H, HERE Arts Center

Deborah Constantine Same Train, Algonquin Theater Productions

Kevin Hardy The Night of Nosferatu, Rabbit Hole Ensemble

Kerrie Lovercheck Mill Fire, Retro Productions

Philip Sandstrom EchoLake, Embodiment Productions

Benjamin C. Tevelow Burn, Crave, Hold: The James Wilde Project, Blessed Unrest

Outstanding Costume Design

Rebecca Cunningham What I Did Last Summer, Retro Productions

Leon Dobkowski The Leopard and The Fox, Alter Ego Productions

Jessica Sofia Mitrani & Ildiko Nemeth The Round of Pleasure, New Stage Theatre Company

Mioko Mochizuki Art of Memory, Company SoGoNo

Bobby Pearce The Chaos Theories, Shotgun Productions in association with The Resistance Theatre Company and MILJam Productions

Jessica Wegener Fight Girl Battle World, Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company

Outstanding Set Design

Sean Breault Art of Memory, Company SoGoNo

Jack Cunningham & Rebecca Cunningham Mill Fire, Retro Productions

Michael Kramer Proof, Astoria Performing Arts Center

Michael Kramer Triumph of Love, Astoria Performing Arts Center

Travis McHale The People vs. Mona, Ground Up Productions

Tim McMath Six Degrees of Separation, The Gallery Players

Matt Ward Mary Trilogy, Mir Productions

Outstanding Sound Design

Amy Altadonna Mill Fire, Retro Productions

Dan Bianchi The Invisible Man, Radiotheatre

Dan Bianchi The Island of Dr. Moreau, Radiotheatre

Miguel Frasconi Art of Memory, Company SoGoNo

Damen Scranton Burn, Crave, Hold: The James Wilde Project, Blessed Unrest

Patrick Shearer Fight Girl Battle World, Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company

Outstanding Original Music

Dan Bianchi The Invisible Man, Radiotheatre

Dan Bianchi The Island of Dr. Moreau, Radiotheatre

Mark Bruckner Same Train, Algonquin Theater Productions

Larry Lees The Magic of Mrs. Crowling, Royal Circus in association with Horse Trade

Pete Mills The Rockae, Prospect Theater Company

Mitun Sinha The Leopard and The Fox, Alter Ego Productions

Min Xiao-Fen On the Way to Timbuktu, Ensemble Studio Theatre

Outstanding Full-Length Script

Bekah Brunstetter You May Go Now, Babel Theatre Project

Qui Nguyen Fight Girl Battle World, Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company

Matthew Opatrny Burn, Crave, Hold: The James Wilde Project, Blessed Unrest

David Pumo Auntie Mayhem, Gato Flaco Productions and Wings Theatre Company

James Scruggs (RUS)H, HERE Arts Center

Stanton Wood The Night of Nosferatu, Rabbit Hole Ensemble

Outstanding Short Script

Andrea Caban You Got Questions? I Got Answers!, Coyote REP Theatre Company

Bronwen Denton-Davis Pealing Figs, Mind The Gap Theatre

Daniel Gallant Gerald's Method, Gallant Arts

Philip Gawthorne Modern Life is Rubbish, Mind The Gap Theatre

Nancy Harris Girl in a Bath, Mind The Gap Theatre

Aliza Shane The Three Sillies, The Looking Glass Theatre

C. Denby Swanson Potato Feast, The Drilling Company

Outstanding Performance Art Production

Art of Memory, Company SoGoNo

The Island of Dr. Moreau, Radiotheatre

Removable Parts, HERE Arts Center

Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, New York Neo-Futurists

You Got Questions? I Got Answers!, Coyote REP Theatre Company

The Young Ladies Of..., HERE Arts Center

Outstanding Production of a Musical

Conjur Woman, LaMaMa Experimental Theater Club

Honor, Prospect Theater Company

The People vs. Mona, Ground Up Productions

The Rockae, Prospect Theater Company

Triumph of Love, Astoria Performing Arts Center

Yank! A New Musical, The Gallery Players

Outstanding Production of a Play

Burn, Crave, Hold: The James Wilde Project, Blessed Unrest

The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Hipgnosis Theatre Company

Cherry Docs, Theatre of the Expendable

Fight Girl Battle World, Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company

The Night of Nosferatu, Rabbit Hole Ensemble

No End of Blame, Potomac Theatre Project

Films from 826NYC

Dan Angeloro — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:00:00 GMT

For those of you who aren't in the know (you know who you are), 826NYC is a great workshop for aspiring filmmakers/writers/film buffs by presenting their work in great forums like the BAM over in Brooklyn. Said BAM is showing shorts from the 826NYC crew on August 20 at 6:50pm. Here's the blip:

826NYC and BAM present a program of new short films by student filmmakers for 826NYC's summer workshops. 826NYC offers free writing programs designed to strengthen a student's power to express ideas as well as offering filmmaking labs, animation and radio production classes, and screenwriting workshops. This free screening will feature some of the new work that students have created. For more information visit 826NYC.org.

This Weekend at the Movie Houses...

Dan Angeloro — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Passing Poston: An American Story, Gold again, and Last Stop for Paul at Two Boots.

That French guy's movie and Baghead are on display at the Angelikas.

The Fall and The Visitor at Cinema Village.

Lindsay Anderson: Revolutionary Romantic is at the Filmlinc.

There's a Patti Smith film, some shirtless Frenchmen, and a giant spider at the Film Forum.

There's a whole lotta Arthur-ness at Anthology in the next few days.

That French guy's back on the wire, Dennis Hopper rides more motorcycles in Hell Ride, and landmark punk outfit the Germs get their due at Sunshine.

Some Azazel Jacobs films are at BAM until Saturday night, as well as a focus showcase on Elliot Gould that runs pretty much runs through the entire month of August.

Beautiful Losers

Dan Angeloro — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:01:00 GMT

Starting its run at the IFC Center this week is Beautiful Losers, a great little film by Aaron Rose and (co-director) Joshua Leonard about the sub-culture of DIY artists that emerged in the 1990s. Combining art, music, and film, these street artists tried to reverse the flow of commercial artistry and make expression as instinctive and impulsive as possible. The film focuses on said street art artists like Thomas Campbell, Mike Mills, Cheryl Dunn, Harmony Korine, and Aaron Rose himself, as well as many others from around this distinctive community. It's a great flick that is sure to set some fireworks off in your mind and make you question why you purchased all of those bastardized Warhol posters. Beautiful Losers ends its run at IFC on Thursday the 21st, so make sure you check this one out while it's still ripe and fresh in one of the best venues for film discovery in the city. Here's a blurb from the film's website, followed by the trailer:

Developing their craft with almost no influence from the "establishment" art world, this group, and the subcultures they sprang from, have now become a movement that has been transforming pop culture. Starring a selection of artists who are considered leaders within this culture, Beautiful Losers focuses on the telling of personal stories...speaking to themes of what happens when the outside becomes "in" as it explores the creative ethos connecting these artists and today's youth.

A Tribute to Anna Nicole Smith

Sam Dingman — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 07:59:00 GMT

An email today from Byron Asher of M34 Productions, who's Be Brave Anna! is currently generating buzz at the New York International Fringe Festival. As he describes it:

Presented in the 19th century French melodrama style, it is a new comedy based on the life and times of Anna Nicole Smith. But this is not your average run-of-the-mill celebrity farce that is so common in the Fringe these days. Our play is a loving and respectful, yet hilarious, account of a simple woman fallen from innocence. It follows the life of our heroine from Texas to Hollywood and on its way explores what it is to be virtuous in this society driven by celebrity culture. "Discover American virtue: trash, glitter, ambition, and your own series on E! In a world of reality television, YouTube confessionals, and celebrity worship, what's a girl from Texas to do?"

Mr. Asher portrays J. Howard Marhsall. Here's a video of the piece from it's inaugural production at Brown University last year:

I'm looking forward to checking out this one and so many others in this year's festival. If you've seen anything and want to recommend, please let us know in the comments!

Rooftop Shorts on IFC

Dan Angeloro — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 06:55:00 GMT

Now that underground movies are now both outdoors and viral, Rooftop Films has their own section on IFC.com dedicated to the short films they have/are/will present in their yearly spectacles. There's a selection of over 100 films to be had at the Rooftop/IFC fork, and it is a great way to see some of the greatness being exhumed at the Rooftop shows. They add three new films each week, so the rotation is fresh and different with each go-around. The films range from regular human to experimental to animation, so you'll definitely get some variety with your meal. If you are reading this post today and decide to check out the site, might I suggest Pumpkin Hell, A Film About Violence, The Morning Sun, and Princess. The featured one, Polvo, is pretty good too.

Also available at said fork, the Rooftop Shorts blog. Pretty insightful it can be, yes.

BREAKING HEALTH NEWS: Improv is Good For You!

Sam Dingman — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:15:00 GMT

Are you a fan of the New York City comedy scene who wishes there was a website that provided beautifully-rendered images of the most recent performances from around the scene?

If so, then Improv Is Good For You will make your dreams come true, because that is exactly what it provides. Maintained by Keith Huang, himself a skilled performer, this blog-style running photo album has pics of the previous night's shows posted almost immediately following the conclusion of the performance. It's a great way to get a feel for the wide variety of styles and personalities on display every night.

Cartoons Were All the Rave

Dan Angeloro — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:33:00 GMT

Indiewire has a featured article about the recent Animation Block Party (in conjunction with good ol' Rooftop Films) event which took place at various points in Brooklyn from July 25th to July 27th. It seems the party took in record attendance and featured great live musical performances coupled with lots of beer and sponsored after parties. I love outdoor venues for anything film related, and Mark Rosenberg, along with the others in the Rooftop crew, know exactly how to do it right. Read up on the results here.

This Weekend at the Movie Houses...

Dan Angeloro — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:32:00 GMT

Gold, Red 71, and a Late Bloomer at Two Boots.

A Madame Kawakita retrospective is occurring at the Filmlinc.

There's Altman mania and a Coney Island tribute at BAM!

A Kino International collection can be found at the collection paradise known as Anthology Film Archives!

Screw crowded bars, go In Search of A Midnight Kiss at the IFC Center. You can catch that, as well as the Animation Show, with their filmmakers in person too!

It's not really on the weekend, but Thursday is the only night you'll be able to see Days And Clouds at the Quad.

Before I Forget, go to Cinema Village.

F'Reel

Dan Angeloro — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:31:00 GMT

We here in New York have the dubious luck of having a local network (channel Thirteen) that understands the appeal and reach of the independent film market here in the boroughs. And so, the great tradition of the Reel New York Film Festival has flavored up this summer and with it comes a great lineup of some great flicks to catch for free (more or less) on the limitless creative landscape that is public access television. Known as PBS in some corners of the nation, Channel Thirteen has become a haven for those of us who wish to have their grainy, meandering political ravings mixed with a dash of independent art (there's more of us than you would think). The selections feature up-and-coming filmmakers throughout the area, and tackle subject matter that is both relevant and meaningful to those of us in the NYC jurisdiction.

From June 27th to this coming August 1st, the good people at Thirteen are supplying us with said goodness and even though the end is near (sorry for the late report), you can still catch some great films before this unique festival goes the way of the Dodo (at least until next year). The routine occurs every Friday at a little passed midnight. This week's edition will feature Sally Gross - The Pleasure of Stillness. I'm willing to bet that most people my age consider themselves masters of gaining pleasure from sitting still on their ass and watching marathons of Lost or playing GTA IV, but there's pleasure in a different kind of stillness for Ms. Gross. She's a dancer/choreographer and Sally Gross... plans to shed some light on her exploits in an "intimate portrait".

Following this week will be the August 1 (and therefore, final) edition, which will include films such as Let's Build a Fire, Miriam, and Barbara Leather. Check the programming schedule for more details.

Also, do yourself a favor and read up on the films that have been shown already (including my personal faves, Wrigley and Broadway Express). Thirteen's site has information on how to find the films and allows you see a preview of each. Expand your horizons my pretties.

Let's Make a Deal

Dan Angeloro — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:09:00 GMT

The Queen alumni Stephen Frears and Peter Morgan are at the Walter Reade Center this August 6th at 8pm for a screening of their '03 film, The Deal, courtesy of the Filmlinc. The film is about the rise of both Tony Blair (the infamous British Prime Minister) and Gordon Brown (not an infamous British Prime Minister) as they battle for leadership of the Labour Party.

They will be joined by Film Comment editor Gavin Smith for a discussion about all things Deal, and most likely other things involving non-Deal issues. I receive most of my knowledge of Britain's politics from this duo, so I'm sure they can shine some light on those of you who are checking into a career in gripping and contemporary-based filmmaking (and/or British politics).

Check the Filmlinc site for more details on tickets and scheduling.

"A Day In Dig Nation" at P.S. 122

Sam Dingman — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:26:00 GMT

Flying Carpet's A Day In Dig Nation, which we wrote about previously here, is receiving its official New York Premiere at P.S. 122!

The piece follows one man from a post-apocalyptic underground bunker in a world where he is the only survivor (or is he...?) to his life as a waiter and video-game enthusiast...all without the use of props. Instead, star and co-writer Michael McQuilken mimes all of the piece's physical objects, from a coffee-maker to a massive super-computer with numerous cranks and handles.

I saw A Day In Dig Nation two years ago in an earlier form at the 78th Street Theater Lab, and will be excited to see how far it's come.

Snagglepuss

Dan Angeloro — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:55:00 GMT

There's a new site called SnagFilms.com, which aims to bring documentary features and documentary makers alike to the front of the class. What the site does is let users browse for documentaries, in their entirety, and "snag" it as a widget to display on your site of choice (blog, social networking, etc.). Once the film is on your site, visitors can view the film, again, in its entirety, for free. Should said visitor want to find out more about the film itself, they can visit the film's page on SnagFilms.com and pick up a DVD or any other further info on the feature.

It's a great tool that is sure to make some headway for any struggling filmmaker in the documentary arena. So check it out if you yourself are looking for ways to get your work seen and/or heard, or if you just want to support the documentary arts. The site is beta at the moment, which means they are still putting it all together, but there is enough on the site already to juice the juice from the get-go.

Just a Couple of Cool Thingys

Dan Angeloro — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:24:00 GMT

The Quad Cinema house is hosting the Hola Mexico Film Festival from July 23rd to July 27th. The link includes a synopsis and schedule for each film that is being shown on those days. The Quad is usually behaves just a straight up movie theater, so when the hold a festival or two, you know it will be good. Check it out.

The Film Society at Lincoln Center, or Filmlinc, is letting site visitors take a survey about how to improve the site and is also taking suggestions for design ideas. If you do this, you will be entered in a contest that will give out 2 free tickets to the opening night of the New York Film Festival. It's one of the biggest around so do yourself a favor and check out the Filmlinc site.

This Week at...

Dan Angeloro — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:30:00 GMT

There's a celebration of that crazy little thing called love (actually, they're focusing on relationships) going on at NewFilmmakers this Wednesday, and some of the pickins look ripe. There's the usual shorts program at 7:15pm, but previous to that is a documentary called Single by Jane Scandurra which aims to examine the recent, crazy trend of people who actually aren't married (shocking, no?!). Trailer go!

The second feature of the night, Strange Girls by Rona Mark, is a great (albeit creepy) film from 2007 that tells the story of two twins who are released from a psych ward after a murder and try their hand at attaining a boyfriend. Here's a better description:

Twin sisters, unable and unwilling to talk to anyone but each other, are released from a psychiatric institution after the shocking murder of their psychiatrist. Living on their own proves liberating at first, but when one twin becomes infatuated with a boy, the other twin tries to rein her in… by any means necessary.

Check the site for schedules and more d'tales.

Another One Bites the Dust?

Dan Angeloro — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:00:00 GMT

It's always sad when news gets around that a beloved independent arts venue has to close its doors in some fashion or another. Enter The Tank on 279 Church street in Tribeca. Due to several building violations which include bad pipes and that always pesky one, an asshole owner, The Tank is being forced to move out of their current location by the end of the month.

The Tank is a non-profit venue that has been a haven for creative performing artists in the independent community around New York for three years. They pretty much host every form of performance art you can think of. As of July 31st, however, they will be relocating to a temporary space until they get their feet back on the ground for 2009 (hopefully).

From the press release:

After we lost our original home on 42nd Street, it wasn't clear if we'd survive the transition. But we've been on Church Street longer than we were on 42nd and "we not only survived, we expanded," explained Founder and Managing Director Mike Rosenthal, who has curated two of The Tank's most successful offerings: the annual Bent Festival of experimental music and Blip Festival of Game Boy generated music. "It's a shame to move so suddenly after all the work we've put into this space, but we need to feel our artists and audience are coming to a welcoming, healthy setting and we're going to make that true.
A home for theater, dance, mixed media, music, comedy, film, community events and public discussions, The Tank presents 300 events a year, welcoming over 10,000 audience members at capped, affordable ticket prices. Additionally, The Tank does not charge performers or presenters, making it a unique spot in Manhattan where artists can take risks without the prohibitive financial burden of most venues.

Now, it sounds like they're performing another one of their routine moves, but I think many of us who love venues like these are cringing just a little bit inside. Many realize that anytime a cash-strapped independent has to do something like this, there's a chance they might have to close their doors for good. It's hard for places like this to thrive, let alone survive in pricey New York (that's not even counting non-profits like The Tank). Granted, their Tribeca building was not up to snuff, but hopefully they can find a great place to set up shop soon and keep churning out the goodness (while never faking the funk).

You can go to their site and donate, or if you have any tips to provide them with so they can find a new home, they'd appreciate that as well. And wherever they might wind up, support them by showing up and having a good time. After all, They can only exist with your (our) help!

This Weekend at...

Dan Angeloro — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:12:00 GMT

Eight Miles High about Uschi and Kabluey at Cinema Village.

Polanski's sex with a minor trial goes under the microscope in the doc Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired at the Quad. But the guy made Chinatown, isn't that enough?

At the Crossroads explores the poor man's French film collective, Slovenian cinema; now at the Filmlinc.

Charles Burnett in person at the IFC Center this Friday, along with the first night of The Exiles.

Maybe the Angelika can finally convince me to actually care about Hunter S. Thompson with Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson. (Hint: not likely.)

Herzog's Encounters at the End of the World has been extended at the Forum again. Also at that same place, Full Battle Rattle with Q & A's with the filmmakers!

Who Bombed Ethel?

Dan Angeloro — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 07:24:00 GMT

Well how's about that, it seems like it's my turn again. All through the years short films have been my best friend*. And while animation was never my forte per se (see my brother for that one), I love a good animated story. Sometimes they miss and tend to be a little goofy, but with the domination of Pixar in the past few years, most have begun to understand that a good story is a good story...regardless of the development process. They can be just as moving, inspiring, and engaging as any human-starring film, so why not give in and indulge in some rendered goodness?

The BAM of all academies is celebrating animation in a big way by presenting visitors with an Animation Weekend from July 25th to July 27th. This will consist of selections from the Ottawa (International) Animation Festival and four blocks of the Animation Block Party that is so well-respected and "preeminent" in these here parts. The Animation Block Party is pretty much NYC's coolest, animated festival, and this time they will feature Sundance and Cannes selections for the BAM to showcase.

It'll be a sweet venture, so go to BAM's site for tickets, or check out the sites of the particular festivals themselves for some examples of what to expect. In the meantime, check out an Animation Block Party representative below. It's a film by Sylvia Apostol called "A Faery's Tale" and it has won awards (including last years Animation Block's best computer animation) so you know it's good...

* I really hope someone gets that reference.

"The Critical Mass For Me"--an interview with Isaiah Tanenbaum (Flux Theatre Ensemble)

Sam Dingman — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:38:00 GMT

I had the privilege of sitting down with Isaiah Tanenbaum recently to discuss his work with the Flux Theatre Ensemble. In addition to discussing the company's artistic philosophies and the opportunities it provides, he also shed some light on the company experience from an actor's perspective.

I also had the opportunity to talk to Flux Artistic Director August Schulenberg, who told me a bit about the company history, and how he manages his unique role as Artistic Director, playwright, director, and actor. He directed the recent production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, in addition to writing most of the company's productions thus far. This summer, the company will produce his Other Bodies in the New York International Fringe Festival.

One of Schulenberg's many insightful remarks during our conversation was this:

It's not a good idea for me to insert myself too strongly--no company can be about one person.

To this end, he explained that he submitted a detailed proposal to the company's core membership outlining his vision for directing Midsummer--it's vital, he believes, for the company to have a sense of ownership of each production and of the season as a whole. For each of his plays that Flux produces, the question, he says, is not simply, "Will Flux be good for my play?" but also "will my play be good for Flux?"

It is this spirit of collaboration and mutual nourishment that guides Schulenberg artistically. He says he writes less overall than he would if he weren't a member of the company, and has less opportunity for regional acting gigs, but ultimately the thrill of the company's cohesion outweighs these considerations. "You develop an artistic shorthand that opens new windows," he told me. "And I'm creating opportunities for people I love and whose work I respect."

Weekend Acting Tips

Sam Dingman — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 10:27:00 GMT

I saw August: Osage County this weekend (most original review ever: it was AMAZING!), and have become subsequently obsessed with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company blog, where I found this little gem of a post. Having recently played a corpse in Widows, I found the advice extremely insightful:

1) Acting is re-acting. It’s true. Don’t react to anything on stage. You are dead.

2) All great actors listen to their scene partners. You can listen, but you can’t hear. Once again, you are dead.

3) Pee before you take the stage.

4) Use the 3 seconds of blackout left after you get on stage to find the most comfortable position possible.

5) If you have an itch, tough. See rule number one.

Hope everyone is having an excellent holiday weekend.

This Weekend

Dan Angeloro — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:03:00 GMT

Another July Fourth is upon us, and while all of you out there go forth to your various barbeques, partays, and uncomfortable family gatherings, remember my credo: it's not a real Independence Day until your genitals have been singed and you can no longer count to six with your available fingers. So, be careful, be merry, avoid injuring yourself to get away from that annoying new New Kids On The Block song, and enjoy these various filmic alternatives to puking alcohol and shards of lead this weekend (or indulge in both simultaneously, which might be more fun actually)...

Poultrygeist and Wicked Lake are at Two Boots.

Werner Herzog's Encounters at the End of the World has been extended at the Forum until next Tuesday.

First Sundays has moved and it is now taking place at Nuyorican Poet's Cafe this, what else, Sunday (don't forget the after-party, too!).

The New York Asian Film Festival is still going on at the IFC Center, but there's also Very Young Girls, last mistresses, and Ingmar Bergman retro specials to be had as well!

Full Grown Men, Roman De Gare, and All In This Tea all end on the 3rd at Cinema Village.

The Afro-Punk Festival is sliding on through the BAM for a while (including more after-parties!).

The Wackness and War, Inc. are playing at the Angelika.

I'll also leave you with these two clips from local highlanders/friends of New Roots The Redheaded League's newest venture; the short series called The Blood Brothers. These are my two favorite episodes, so enjoy.