IndyFilmFest

Brick by Brick: A Civil Rights Story

http://www.brick-by-brick.com/

Director/Producer Bill Kavanagh and Editor Sylke Froechtiengt of the documentary Brick by Brick were enjoying a glass of wine after a viewing of Chronic Town.  Both were in from NYC for the screening of their documentary. Sylke moved to NYC from Germany to pursue her passion for film.

Their documentary takes a look at racism in contemporary society and its effects on families today in obtaining fair housing and education. The families their film follows are living in Yonkers, NY and the documentary also focuses on the struggles associated with the NY vs. Yonkers case. 

Brick by Brick has been viewed at Yale University and is currently running on WNET (PBS) in New York.

Chronic Town

www.chronictownthemovie.com   We absolutely lucked out.  After last night's showing of Chronic Town we were privileged to get the chance to meet one of the film's producers, Tim Farley (right), as well as actor Dan Butler.  You will recognize Butler as director/producer/actor/writer of another festival film, Karl Rove, I Love You, and from a bazillion other hit TV shows and movies (i.e. series Frazier). Larry and Nancy Hines, parents of producer Tom Hines and the film's writer Mike Hines, were also in attendance.

The film was phenomenal. Set and filmed in Fairbanks, Alaska the film follows the story of taxi driver Truman as he navigates through a wretched breakup, an acid trip went sour and a dozen bottles of vodka and bags of chronic.  This script and story line were startlingly original and the film was oozing with interesting characters. It was also the kind of film where you sat and thought "wait, I recognize that actor, and that actress, and this other guy too..." Producer Tim Farley attributed the impressive lineup of actors and actresses to producer Tom Hine's friendships with so many people in the industry.

During the Q & A session following the film Butler and Farley answered some questions about the filming and production of Chronic Town. It seemed Butler's character, ironically nicknamed "Blow Job" would prove a difficult role to play. When asked by an audience member if they did a lot of rehearsals, Butler stated that "I'd rather be figuring it out as the camera rolls." Luckily for Butler he only had to spend 3 days shooting in Fairbanks where temperatures reached nearly 50 below while they were filming. Outdoor scenes had to be carefully timed so that no damage was done to exposed skin.

Hines's parents Larry and Nancy gave some insight into what might have influenced the script. While the film's writer Mike was born in California, he then moved with the Hines family and lived in Fairbanks for two and a half years.  Mike later returned to Fairbanks for grad school at University of Alaska. This time spent in Fairbanks ultimately led to his writing the script.  Larry Hines speculated that it's possible his son Mike's experiences working with sexually abused children in England may have played a part in the development of Blow Job's character. Larry and Nancy spent two weeks on set in Fairbanks and had great things to say about the city and all the people who helped with filming from the university.

Again, an excellent film and great experience meeting everyone associate with Chronic Town. Hopefully we will see it played again at the screenings this Saturday.

For Those that Need a Nudge.

 People. Things are coming to a close this Friday. Don't blow it this year! If the amazing lineup of documentaries, short films, comedies, foreign films, dramas and thrillers haven't been enough to get you to the theater, please refer to the list below for added encouragement. In no particular order:

• Adjustable armrests = hanky panky.
• Parmesan/garlic popcorn salt.
• Foreign language films are much MUCH more interesting than those learn a language at home DVDs you bought from that infomercial.
• Free stickers and other free movie promo paraphernalia to hang in your cubical... ergo impressing coworkers as the "hip film festival type".
• A large soda is only $4.25. (free refills!)
• The Indy International Film Festival only happens once a year. It's like Christmas, or your birthday. Would you miss your own birthday?? I think not.
• The Indie Lounge. This means booze folks. Scientific equation: booze + films = good times.

Veteran film fanatics : Please comment with any addtional words of encouragement for potential festival attendees... hope to see you tonight at Chronic Town 7:45pm.

(click on artwork above for enlarged view... it's neato. created by Austin Warnock)

The People Make the Party.

On Monday night the festival was in full swing. Warm and ripe after a busy weekend of films we decided to chat up some attendees to see what brought them out, and what their favorites have been thus far.

Our first victim was Megan Duckworth . Megan is embarking on a film bender of sorts and plans to see an upwards of 20 films during the festival. She is on a "strict hydration and caffine regime" to keep herself alert and agile during her quest for 20. When asked what brought her out she expressed her love for independent and foreign films. Megan's favorite film of the festival so far has been The City is Beautiful because of the way the film exposed the cross cut of similar lives whose main differences were entirely class based.  She planned to see Animorph and Torn from the Flag last night, and an NPR interview stirred her interest in seeing The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo (next showing at 5:45 this evening).

International High School seniors (and self proclaimed history freaks) Jared Koch, Courtney Cox and Harry Jones saw documentary Torn from Flags Monday evening. These students have been attending the festival for an impressive two years (so young... so cultured!). We have some seriously informed young people on our hands. Documentaries are hands down what bring them out to the festival. Jared made the bold claim that "Torn from Flags was the best documentary he had ever seen" and all three highly suggest seeing it for yourself (next showtimes this Wednesday @3:45pm and Thursday @ 4:30pm). Though I'm sure they are already acing their classes, I'm wondering if their fave teacher Donald Boehm might reward these history buffs with some extra credit?

More Shorts. Some Thrills.

There was quite a buzz around this year's selection of Thrilling Shorts. Everyone I spoke to said the same thing... "my oh my, the last one totally rocks!" They were certainly right.

This buzz stirring short film they spoke of was appropriately titled Spider. Seeing this one was absolutely worth sitting through the other not-so-thrilling short films. It started out with a road trip lovers quarrel (we've all had them) and ended with paramedics. Of course there is a spider...but, I mean it's a short film. If I say too much I've given it all away. Check it out on Youtube... or get yourself down to the theater for it's last showing at 3:30pm today.  Play hookey from work.... it's sooo worth it.

Having spent some time living in LA, A Day's Work struck a nerve with me. It depicts an all too familiar scene on many street corners in Los Angeles-- dozens of immigrant workers stand waiting for someone, ANYONE, to pick them up and give them work. In this film a wealthy couple pulls up in need of 3 men to help them move furniture and belongings into a new house. The workers are embittered after facing so many hardships in America and a miscommunication leads to bloodshed.

The beauty of short films--( as well short stories), is that it's totally non-committal. It can either be a quick flash of brilliance... or a hasty ripping off of a band aid. Either way, only a few minutes of precious life devoted.

- Erin Morgan

Q&A with Turn The River and Famke Janssen

FYI: It starts out a little quite but then gets louder.

Dirty Shorts... Clean Minds.

Better stated: Dirty Shorts... Dirty Minds. We opted for this short film series because SADLY we missed Young at Heart earlier that Saturday evening. (Note to self: do not attempt to dine out in the Castleton area in the vacinity of 7:00pm on a Saturday. duh.).

I imagine they chose to show this series at 10:15pm because of the content... talking testicles and lots (LOTS!) of fecal matter.

Bitch (pardon my french) was hillarious. It was shot in crisp black and white and I think the main character would resonate with most people. I was reminded of dozens of disgrunteled coffee shop baristas... a shopping experience in Paris, and one particular classmate from my intro to women's studies class in college. There was some audience participation in getting this flick to play-- and even the dvd menu and credits were witty. (This one is up for best short!)

Teat Beat of Sex was also a good chuckle. Though, I'm not sure I feel comfortable discussing the topic matter via blog! Better done over a martini I'd say...

The Legend of the Heart Shaped Anus was, well, about a guy with a heart shaped anus. If you have a poo fetish this is the film for you. I will agree that dropping heart shaped terds off at the pool would be pretty neato.

For the Love of God was wonderfully creepy.  Creepy little wax man + sexual enfatuation with God (as in heavenly being from the Holy Bible) = laughs. Really interesting visually.   

Some entertaining insight into the brains of deviants everywhere. Kudos for skid marks.

-Erin Morgan

CANNOT GET POP SKULL OUT OF MY HEAD

I saw Adam Wingard's Pop Skull last night and still cannot get it out of my head. It's aesthetically incredible. A true "arthouse horror film" if such a genre exists- well, it does now.

You have two more chances to catch this crazy flick - tomorrow at 10:15pm and then again on Wednesday at 3:45pm. Let us know what you think!

- Chad Richards

QUESTIONS FOR MARK STOLAROFF

No Budget Film School founder and Producer of True Love, Mark Stolaroff, talks about his film, making films on no budget and hanging out in Indianapolis.

What's True Love about? It's a relationship drama that explores the difficulties of coupes in relationships. The film starts - there is a couple at the end of a relationship, a couple just coming together, and a couple in the middle of their relationship.

What's the inspiration behind the film? laughs this is not a typical project. We decided to make a movie - cast some actors, interviewed the actors, had some improvisation sessions, and the story and dialogue came out of that process.

Where has the film played?Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, Method Fest, Atlanta Film Festival, World Fest - Houston International Film Festival, Carolina Film Festival and now IIFF.

What's the greatest reward for you after making this film? This film has an ensemble of great unknown actors and I'm thrilled to showcase their talents to the public.

What was the greatest challenge shooting this film? The film has a $1.5 million budget. We shot for $50 thousand. So everything had to be begged, borrowed, or stolen to make it in LA.

What are your plans this week? I'm here for the week. I'm doing a presentation tomorrow for the IIFF - no budget film making. Its a fun and informative introduction to valuable no budget film making techniques and strategies Or you can check out the site at www.nobudgetfilmschool.com. I'm going to see some films and hang out. By the way, the presentation tomorrow is free.

What films are you going to see? I've missed Son of Rambow (again). I want to see Beautiful City, In Search of a Midnight Kiss, Mongol, and Chronic Town.

Anything else? The film is playing three times this week. I'll be doing a frank Q&A afterwards.

INTERVIEW CONDUCTED, CONDENSED AND EDITED BY DUNCAN ALNEY

1000 Journals. The story continues