Film Movement's Le Grand Voyage

I saw Le Grand Voyage (an On The Road in Europe & the Arab world story, except with a family member & some family drama), distributed by Film Movement, a few months back & liked it a lot. Here is a synopsis:

"A few weeks before his college entrance exams, Reda (Nicolas Cazale), a young man who lives in the south of France, finds himself obligated to drive his father to Mecca.

From the start, the journey looks to be difficult: Reda and his father (Mohamed Majd) have nothing in common. The wide cultural and generational gap between the two is worsened by the lack of communication between the two. Reda finds it hard to accommodate his father, who demands respect for himself and his pilgrimage.

From France, through Italy, Serbia, Turkey, Syria, Jordan to Saudi Arabia- the two will embark on a road trip to Mecca that will change their lives."

Le Grand Voyage was directed by Ismael Ferroukhi.

Find out more about the movie & Film Movement here. Movie is available on DVD.

- Sujewa

Paisan sounds interesting

I have not seen it yet, but this 1948 New York Times review of the movie Paisan makes it sound very interesting, kind of like some contemporary indie dramas & comedies I've seen. Here is a little bit from the review:

"It is useless to attempt an explanation, in familiar and concrete terms, of its basic theme and nature, for it is not an ordinary film—neither in form nor dramatic construction nor in the things it has to say. In some ways, it is the antithesis of the classic "story film," and certainly it throws off glints of meaning which are strangely unfamiliar on the screen. Possibly for some persons who are accustomed to the routine sort of film, it will be completely bewildering and leave a sad sense of emptiness. But at least it cannot fail to rattle the windowpanes of your eyes. And for many it will crash into the consciousness and leave the emotions limp."

Read the rest of the review here.

- Sujewa

This guy is a rock star in Pakistan

Have not seen Man Push Cart yet, but am looking forward to checking it out. Here is the trailer:



- Sujewa

Ramin "Chop Shop" Bahrani interview :: Chop Shop description

Here is a little bit from the Pop Syndicate interview with director Bahrani re: movie Chop Shop:

" Q: It was a very gritty, New York film but it could have been filmed anywhere. Although we usually think of kids who fall between the cracks living in a 3rd world environment. Why New York?

A: Because the location really is in New York. Also to help erase ideas of entitlement and the brainwashing of colonialism that spur on false classifications such as “3rd world.” Categories like 3rd and 1st world, or East and West, or the “Orient” were shrewdly created in order for one to exploit the other, economically, mentally, and imaginatively."

Read the rest of the interview here.

And an intro to Chop Shop (i believe this came from the AFI Fest):

"Chop Shop

USA, 2007, 84 min, 35 MM

DIR: Ramin Bahrani
SCR: Ramin Bahrani, Bahareh Azimi
PROD: Jeb Brody, Marc Turtletaub, Lisa Muskat
DP: Michael Simmonds
ED: Ramin Bahrani
PROD DES: Richard Wright
EXEC PROD: Peter Saraf
MUS: M. Lo
CAST: Alejandro Polanco, Isamar Gonzales, Rob Sowulski, Carlos Zapata, Ahmad Razvi

Combining the powers of observance and understatement, director Ramin Bahrani is able to render an emotional tale of two siblings who struggle to stay together and get their own little piece of the American dream.

Small in stature but huge in ambition, 12-year-old Dominican orphan Alejandro works every angle in his struggle to support himself and his older sister. He lives and works in an auto-body repair shop in a sprawling junkyard on the outskirts of Queens, New York. CHOP SHOP is a portrait of a young boy navigating his way through a chaotic adult world. Set in a stunning and unique location, it is subtle and simple, but tells a profound story about the people who live, work, and dream there.

With its terrific performances from both Alejandro Polanco (a first-time actor found in a public school in Manhattan) and Isamar Gonzales, CHOP SHOP is a thoughtful, evocative portrayal of family, longing and the chaotic nature of life. Bahrani firmly establishes himself as a bright light in cinema and a passionately inventive filmmaker."

Find out more about Chop Shop & Bahrani at this Noruz Films website.

- Sujewa

Galaxy Quest deleted scenes from YouTube

Saw Galaxy Quest again, still very funny. Some deleted scenes, found on YouTube:



- Sujewa

Alex "Midnight Kiss" Holdridge interview at Film Threat

From the interview:

" What was the inspiration for your film "In Search of a Midnight Kiss"?

I was dumped, flat broke, at a career low after watching my life fall apart in three months and working at a video store on New Year's Eve when I started to consider, "In Search of a Midnight Kiss." I wanted to watch a really funny and cynical movie about how ridiculous New Year's Eve was when you were dateless and depressed. So that led to thinking about that nether zone of the year between New Year's and Christmas when all the lonely people are hanging around their families going crazy and thinking about the next year and what they will do differently. So Sara Simmonds (Vivian in "ISOAMK") and I walked the streets of downtown talking about this movie and discovered all of these amazing locations. We could not believe that no one had captured the beautiful and post-apocalyptic downtown. That set the wheels in motion, but it took getting the axe with my studio project and a phone call from my friend Robert Murphy (cinematographer of "ISOAMK") saying that he had just bought an HD camera and was coming to L.A. for a week to finally put pen to paper. It was Dec. 26th a year later. I then wrote the 130 page script by Jan. 8th when we began shooting. Robert didn't even know we were shooting a feature. He figured it was a short since we only had 8 days at the time. On the first day he looked over and saw the 130 page script. He didn’t want to ask me such a question, so he whispered to Scoot, 'Is that the script we are shooting?' thinking there was no way we could film that many pages. But we were so desperate and motivated having the chance to shoot again, that we made it happen."

Read the rest at Film Threat.

Thanks GreenCine Daily for the link!

- Sujewa

Humanists to honor Golden Compass author

And I thought it was just a kids movie. From the press release:

"The American Humanist Association announced today that Philip Pullman, esteemed author of the controversial book, "The Golden Compass"--which has been made into a movie scheduled for release December 7--will be honored with the International Humanist Award in Washington DC in June. The award decision comes near the end of a two-month protest by the Catholic League, which has charged that the book and film are "anti-Catholic" and that the film, by being less confrontational, is part of a deceitful "stealth campaign" to promote an "anti-religious" book series.

"We didn't hear complaints about a pro-evangelical stealth campaign when C.S. Lewis' ‘The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe’ was made into a film," noted Fred Edwords, American Humanist Association director of communications. "No humanists organized protests nor did the Catholic League complain of evangelical Protestant deceit. So why must we hear this nonsense now? Philip Pullman has provided humanistic fantasy stories that cut across religious barriers and can be enjoyed by most everyone." "

Read the rest here.

- Sujewa

Flip Video camera: $180, YouTube friendly

As I was checking out a DVD at my local Blockbuster Video store earlier today, I saw a small video camera called Flip Video for sale there. Price: $180, stores 1 hour worth of video, looks like it is very easy to use & the best part is that it has a USB arm that plugs into the computer; no cable needed. Looks like it is a cheap & easy to use YouTube machine - a device created pretty much for people interested in easily capturing home/amature/non-professional quality video & getting it up on YouTube & other similar sites. I guess this camera has been around for a few months now, but the first time I found out about it was today. Might make a nice gift for someone who is interested in getting some stuff up on YouTube but is not interested in doing the post-production stuff that comes with shooting on tape. Some Flip Video links:

Official website

CNN Money article on the camera

geeksugar article

- sujewa

Purple Violets trailer :: flick available from iTunes now

Check out the trailer for Ed Burns's new movie Purple Violets here. Violets in now available for download/purchase from iTunes.

Here is a synopsis of Violets (from Apple's site):

"Set in lower Manhattan, PURPLE VIOLETS is a relationship comedy about four friends from college ready for change. PATTI PETERSON (Selma Blair) is a promising writer, but her marriage and conventional job keep her from her dream. She longs to return to her writing, especially after running into her first love BRIAN CAHILL (Patrick Wilson), a successful crime novelist. KATE (Debra Messing) is Patti’s best friend since college. She’s a tough-talking schoolteacher who plays therapist to all Patti’s problems, while she’s got a few of her own. Despite Brian Cahill’s gorgeous Tribeca loft and perfect house in the Hamptons, he longs to write works of greater literary value. MURPHY (Ed Burns), his lawyer and best friend from college still carries a flame for his former girlfriend Kate, even though their relationship ended badly years ago, and she still holds a major grudge. When Patti sells Murphy a new apartment, and Brian publishes his personal novel, these old friends reconnect in unexpected ways with surprising results. PURPLE VIOLETS is a funny, yet touching story of four friends finding what they need to change their lives."

- Sujewa

Ed Burns interview re: Purple Violets/iTunes at MovieMaker

check out the interview at MovieMaker.

here is a segement:

"MM: Since you are the first person to premiere a feature on iTunes, you get that added press, too.

EB: There is that, yeah. We never really factored that in or gave that much thought cause the press, it still may very well prove to be not necessarily positive. I think it was more about… none of my films have played theatrically in St. Louis since 1996. There are plenty of people there who like my stuff, so maybe now they can see it on the day it opens.

MM: Exactly. Is there any thing you can see though as a threat to the success of this experiment?

EB: I don’t, you know. You’re a filmmaker, and especially as a kid in film school, you dream of sitting in the movie theater and seeing yourself projected on a big screen. I mean, that’s why I think people become filmmakers and actors. You fall in love with the environment and the feeling you get sitting in a theater with an audience. That being said, my movies to date haven’t been cinematic experiences. My movies are small, talky films about people wrestling with human issues. It isn’t about great set pieces or action or special effects. Do I really want people to watch my film on their iPhone? No. But I feel like I can’t stay in love with the old model in the same way that… an audiophile [will] talk to me about an MP3 that’s lacking in quality [and you] can only listen to that record on vinyl. That may be true--maybe it sounds better on vinyl--but that is not our current reality. Sounds fine on my iPod."

read the rest here.

check out the Purple Violets trailer here, looks good.

- sujewa

thanksgiving day indigent film clip

happy thanksgiving day everyone :)

- sujewa

Hollywood actors to appear in Speechless web video campaign to support the WGA

From Deadline Hollywood Daily:

"On Thanksgiving Day (November 22), a group of Writers Guild Of America members will begin posting Public Service Announcements featuring A-list Screen Actors Guild talent as part of an independent WGA membership's "Speechless" campaign conceived by director/writer George Hickenlooper and writer Alan Sereboff. For the first time in the TV and movie industry, high-profile SAG actors will be taking their talents directly and exclusively to the Internet -- the very medium which is at the center of the current WGA labor strike against the Alliance Of Motion Picture & Television Producers.

The spots will begin appearing on Thursday morning which will begin posting Thanksgiving Day and run exclusively on DeadlineHollywood.com through Sunday night. Beginning Monday, they can be found on SpeechlessWithoutWriters.com with links on UnitedHollywood.com and every day thereafter during the duration of the strike.

Included are SAG talent such as Sean Penn, Holly Hunter, Laura Linney, Alan Cumming, Jay Leno, Harvey Keitel, Kate Beckinsale, Tina Fey, Tim Robbins, Gary Marshall, David Schwimmer, Patricia Clarkson, James Franco, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Martin Sheen, Josh Brolin, Susan Sarandon, Andre 3000, Chazz Palminteri, Jason Bateman, Christine Lahti, Patricia Arquette, Jenna Elfman, Olivia Wilde, Richard Benjamin, Paula Prentiss, Eva Longoria, Justine Bateman, Joshua Jackson, Rosanna Arquette, Diane Ladd, Rebecca Romjin, Minnie Driver, Nicollette Sheridan, Robert Patrick, Matthew Perry, Ed Asner, and America Ferrera and the cast of Ugly Betty. Arrangements have been made to also shoot Woody Allen, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jane Fonda, Marisa Tomei, Ethan Hawke, Jason Alexander, Charlize Therone, Minnie Driver, Philip Seymour Hoffman. Many, many more are also in the works."

Read the rest here.

The "stars" are comin' to the web on Thanksgiving Day to support the WGA; pretty exciting stuff.

- Sujewa

Bamboo Laptop

Coming in '08, read about it here.

Now, in a somewhat unrelated note, this might tie in with one of my "wacky" theories about ancient civilizations having computers; what if we eventually make all computers completely (& relatively quickly) bio-degradable, then, in a couple of hundred years after a city is abandoned, there may not be any trace of that city having computers left for future civilizations to discover. This kind of thing could have happened in the past. I think that it is possible that flight, nuclear weapons, computers, etc. could have been invented & used at some earlier points in the 200,000 year long human past; or that as our modern age discovers them, this may not be the first time that those high tech gadgets have made an appearance on Earth. Perhaps that's a theory best left to a sci-fi movie script :) But, the drive to create both high-tech & eco-friendly products does make me wonder.

- Sujewa

go DIY young screenwriter, sayz one media professional

(well, to be entirely accurate, what Wagner James Au said was "Screenwriters, DIY!", i just couldn't resist using a version of go west... :)

In the article "Screenwriters, DIY!" (thanks to Thompson On Hollywood for the link), we find the following:

"In the mid 90s, during a strike against The San Francisco Examiner, a bunch of staff writers and editors abandoned the newspaper to start up their own “web magazine.” Though it seemed like a weird idea at the time, the web mag eventually became Salon.com, now a site with more readers than most newspapers — including The Examiner itself.

As the WGA strike moves into its second week, it’s hard not to see a similar opportunity: What’s to stop WGA writers (especially those associated with well-known TV shows and movies) from doing a similar thing with YouTube? Create new, low-budget shorts à la Lonely Girl, then leverage them as spinoffs for new TV series/movies when the strike ends? Or perhaps even better, come up with a Net-driven revenue model and leave the dinosaur conglomerates of Hollywood behind?"

For more, go here.

- Sujewa

A Sundance, Cannes, Toronto, SXSW selected mainstream accessible comedy by an acclaimed indie director opens in ONLY 1 THEATER...(WTF!???)

According to a little known & rarely active indie film blogger named Matt Dentler, Greg Araki's stoner comedy SMILEY FACE was selected by Sundance (that's THE SUNDANCE f*ing FILM FESTIVAL - "#1" in America), Cannes (that's THE CANNES INT'L f*ing FILM FESTIVAL - "#1" in the world), Toronto & SXSW film festivals (all together that's four of the most important film festivals in the western world & Austin!!!) YET the film is only being released in 1 theater!!!!!!

The mind boggles.

It is actually still boggling.

OK, boggling over, let me list other ticket sales friendly qualities of this movie (granted, i have not seen it, but, given these ingredients, i am sure TONS of kids will want to see this movie):

- directed by Greg Araki; yes, not a household name across America, but, a well respected indie director with a solid following. Didn't his last "properly released" film (MYSTERIOUS SKIN) earn several million dollars?

- starring Anna Farris; an actress who is no doubt at least a little familiar to the tons of people who've seen or heard about the SCARY MOVIE movies.

- also, for us Office nerds, featuring John Krasinski from The Office. Now would be a good time to give the synopsis & the cast info (from the listing at NuArt -THE ONLY THEATER THAT THIS MOVIE IS SCHEDULED TO PLAY AT THE MOMENT as far as I (and Matt Dentler, judging by this post) knows):

"SMILEY FACE

Jane (Anna Faris, who plays Cindy in the Scary Movie series) is an unsuccessful slacker actress who's having a bad day. And it's getting more outrageous and comically surreal by the minute. Her misadventures begin when she ignores the warning of her psycho roommate (Danny Masterson, That '70s Show) and treats herself to a batch of cupcakes made with marijuana. Soon, she is on a pot-fuelled Los Angeles odyssey, trying to repay an unforgiving drug dealer (Adam Brody, The O.C.), attend an audition, and somehow replace the precious cupcakes. Co-starring John Krasinski (The Office). Directed by Gregg Araki (Mysterious Skin, The Doom Generation).

Director:
Gregg Araki

Cast:
Anna Faris, John Krasinski, Adam Brody, Danny Masterson, John Cho, Matthew J. Evans, David Goldman, Michael Hitchcock, Rick Hoffman, Jane Lynch, Jayma Mays, Chad Mountain, Marion Ross, Danny Trejo, Michael Shamus Wiles, Natashia Williams"

Now I was never a full on believer in the "get your film into a major film festival & you are all set for the future" path, but it is sad to see a film that screened at 4 incredibly well known festivals being released in only 1 theater.

Specially since the movie sounds like a mainstream accessible comedy, and since it features a relatively well known lead.

Now, there are important things to get upset about (wars, no 'net residuals for writers, wars, the Burmese junta, etc.), however, I do believe that those of us who may be foolishly moved to do so must contact distributor First Look and ask them: "dude, what's up with releasing Smiley Face in only 1 theater!!!????"

Also, blog about Smiley Face, tell all your friends & emenies, & try to raise the profile of this movie (because, 1- we are/may be bored, and 2 - let's see if we can get a quite possibly deserving ('cause it might be a lot of fun) movie more attention, exposure & ticket sales).

Oh Kay, my indie film loving & quite possibly stoner movie loving friends, you have your mission :)

Smiley Face across America! :)

(and if this post fails to launch a mass movement that results in Smiley Face getting wider theatrical distribution, 1: I tried, and 2: see the flick on DVD)

And as an outro, a little bit from Cinematical's SMILEY FACE review:

"These days, most dumb comedies aren't too concerned with reality, but Smiley Face reminds us that you don't need aliens or other weirdness to make a dumb movie fun. You just need a balance between the stupid and the smart. Araki's comedy gives us the best of many comedic worlds in an incessantly funny, easily-quotable serving. From discussions of Marxism to love of lasagna, Smiley Face serves it all -- with some weed and a very, very stoned smile."

Read more here.

- Sujewa

Why'd you bury "Smiley Face" First Look? :: Director Greg Araki interview at indieWIRE

Greg Araki's stoner comedy Smiley Face might have been a lot of fun to check out at the theater. However, the pic's distributor First Look is only going to show it on one screen in LA (as far as I know at the moment. First Look's website didn't have any information on Smiley). I guess I'll have to wait for the DVD :(

indieWIRE's got an interview with Greg Araki re: Smiley Face.

- Sujewa

WGA responds to the AMPTP newspaper ad

A segment of the response from WGA West's website:

"WGA Statement in Response to AMPTP Newspaper Ad

LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK -- The Writers Guild of America (Writers Guild of America, East and Writers Guild of America, West) issued this statement today in response to the AMPTP's misleading newspaper ads:

Nice try, AMPTP. In the words of the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but not their own facts. The AMPTP's paid and patronizing advertisement in today's New York Times and Los Angeles Times is guilty of what most charitably could be called sins of omission.

The AMPTP maintains, “It is important to make clear that writers currently do receive residuals for digital downloading (regardless of whether the download is temporary or permanent)... The Guild is seeking at least a 700 percent increase over what writers currently receive, and more than a 200 percent increase over what they receive for Internet 'pay per view.'”

FACT: In our abandoned negotiations, the AMPTP insisted that the residual rate for digital downloading be pegged to the current rate for DVDs, a penurious third of one cent on the dollar. Let's repeat that: A THIRD OF A PENNY!!

The 700 percent increase they refer to roughly translates as 2.1 cents, the 200 percent as 2.5 cents. The AMPTP, as the saying goes, uses numbers the way a drunk uses a lamppost - more for support than illumination. Do the math and you'll see what we're asking for is nothing more than a small, fair respectful share of revenues."

Read a lot more here.

- Sujewa

Clip-O-Rama: Day For Night, Irma Vep, Living In Oblivion, Bowfinger

Have not seen Francois Truffaut's movie Day For Night yet. This YouTube clip/video makes it look interesting:



And, from another French movie about making movies; some Irma Vep clips:



Now a clip from everyone's favorite indie movie about indie moviemaking; a tiny bit of Living In Oblivion:



I think the rain is fat because there are aliens in it. A Bowfinger clip (with subtitles from an unknown land):



Any other good movies about making movies?

- Sujewa

A scene from Casablanca, if there were no writers

From Late Show Writers On Strike:

"CLASSIC MOVIE SCENES IF THERE WERE NO WRITERS

It's time for...CLASSIC MOVIE SCENES IF THERE WERE NO WRITERS by Lee Ellenberg

"Casablanca"

INT./EXT. AIRPORT HANGAR - NIGHT


RICK


ILSA


RICK


ILSA


Ilsa's eyes fill with tears. Rick puts his hand to her chin and raises her face to meet his own.


RICK


Ilsa boards the plane.


OUT."

Visit Late Show Writers On Strike for more.

- Sujewa

Mark Andreessen says long guild strikes & current web developments could lead to Hollywood being rebuilt in the shape of Silicon Valley

Check out the article here, very interesting.

Here is a lil' bit of it:

"This is not a difficult thing to envision. And in fact, it's already happening. Will Ferrell's Funny Or Die, in which I am a minority investor, is one early existence proof of this model. And there are a ton of other such new companies either already underway, or currently being incubated, or currently being negotiated."

Read the rest here.

Hollywood labor & owners/studios issues aside, the article has some ideas that can apply to the independent film world RIGHT NOW, specially those of us who are slanted towards the DIY/real indie side of things; those of us interested in owning our creations, having final say on how our movies are made at each stage of production & controling the distribution of same.

- Sujewa

Perhaps a quick way to explain to the general public why residuals are an essential part of screenwriter compensation?

To put it relatively briefly, is it accurate to say:

Screenwriters get residual payments because the total value of a script cannot be determined at the time the script is sold to the production company.

(by total value i mean what a movie based on a given script makes upon release, year after year. and that value cannot be known at the time of sale of the script because no one knows how a given movie will perform in the market place until they actually release it; they may have rough ideas at the moment the script is purchased, but those estimates can be way off)

So, people who know a lot about this issue, what do you think?

::

[Some background:
I posted the above in a couple of discussion threads at a couple of WGA strike related blogs (Artful Writer, John August - check those sites out for even more background on this issue). They are having long (or at least very involved) discussions re: residuals - as in; do screenwriters deserve them?, how to best explain to the general public why residual payments exist for screenwriters, etc. check it out.]

- Sujewa

Variety's WGA Strike Blog

check it out here.

- sujewa

Why the striking writers are right

Article at Entertainment Weekly.

- Sujewa

Strike Swag

check 'em out here. bracelets & t-shirts. site says profits go to "WGA's union solidarity fund".

- sujewa

funny even when they are striking: The Office team

i am sure all Office fans have seen this by now, if not, here it is:



hope the Office writers & the rest of WGA get what they want.

RELATED: check out the United Hollywood blog.

- sujewa

Not A Word ad from WGA

Check it out here; a whole bunch of screenwriters expressing their commitment to the WGA strike. Got the link from John August's blog.

- Sujewa

Update on my film projects

here

- sujewa

New Indie Film Movements waiting to happen?

As some commentators believe at the moment, the Mumblecore film movement is over. So what's next, American indie film movements wise ('cause it's fun - at times - to read about low budget indie film movements)? Here are some possibilities - possible ways to organize new indie films, makers, & market them as film movements:

1. The Elderly In Indie Film film movement; lots of new indies are made by people in their 20's - 30's, featuring actors/friends in the same age group, so how about a group of low budget indie films that deal with the comedy & drama of being older - like about being in your 50's, 60's, 70's or so?

2. Hip Multi-Ethnic Suburban Non-Creative People film movement; I live in the suburbs and there is a lot of ethnic diversity out here (at least in the DC suburbs), and a lot of these people are not creative professionals or aspiring creatives but rather hold more traditional jobs (attorneys, bankers, teachers, etc.), and are pretty much fully on the getting married, having (or adopting) kids, buying houses, investing/building wealth path of American life. And they are also interested in music & movies & art & political activism & history, etc. How about a bunch of new indie movies about these kind of people?

3. Military Families indie film movement; There's a global war on, and a lot of people are directly affected by it - specially military families. How about a group of indie films exploring the various dimensions of the military family experience?

4. Disillusioned Democrats/Disillusioned Republicans - Political Rebirth indie film movement; young people get old and must deal with new realities & also old people are forced to re-evaluate their political stances as they encounter unexpected events in their lives or in the life of the nation. I think, specially right now, a group of indie films can be made about people having to re-evaluate their usual political leanings & affiliations. A sub-genre of this type of film could be about there not being enough serious choices when it comes to political parties.

So that's just 4 ideas, I am sure there are hundreds of interesting topics that could serve as the organizing ideas for new indie film movements. Something new indie filmmakers should look into.

- Sujewa

A Thousand Years of Good Prayers & The Princess of Nebraska reviews at Variety

Didn't know Wayne Wang recently completed two new movies. Here are the Variety reviews of A Thousand Years of Good Prayers and The Princess of Nebraska. Of the two Nebraska sounds more interesting to me, so here is a little bit from the review:

"Whereas “Prayers” is anchored by formal, quiet compositions, “Princess,” which was shot and co-directed by Richard Wong (“Colma: The Musical”), goes wild with hand-held, off-the-cuff-style shooting. Approach is mannered in the way it apes current fashion, and yet pic builds a certain interest via the shorthand fashion in which it presents its protag. Sasha (Ling Li), a student from China who’s recently started college in Omaha, arrives in San Francisco with the idea of aborting the fetus conceived on a one-night stand back in Beijing. Her text messages to the man responsible go unanswered, however, and she’s got to deal locally with a gay Yank, Boshen (Brian Danforth), who was also her lover’s lover."

Read the rest here.

- Sujewa

lots of WGA strike photos at Flickr

check them out here.

got the link from this blog entry at John August's blog; lots of notes on the strike there.

thanks Filmmaker Magazine blog for the August link.

- sujewa

Notes from a DIY filmmaking class taught by Jon Moritsugu

Read them here; one student's impressions.

- Sujewa

Superman lectures Ghostrider about his smoking addiction

That scene was described in an article found through this link.

- Sujewa

Bigger than Texas & California combined, only about 11 million people, peaceful, got gold, uranium & oil (& giraffes :): NIGER

Took a cab from Silver Spring to Kensington tonight & learned about a country in Africa that sounds like a great candidate for some kind of a development project (mostly due to its low population, peacefulness, gigantic land area, etc.). The name of the country is Niger (wikipedia).
I hear it is one of the poorest countries in the world, yet it has uranium, gold & oil. I think the place needs a new management team or something. Anyway, it is nice to hear that there is still a lot of uninhabited land in this world. The cab driver Ibrahim said that Niger has a lot of desert, but that it is arable. Also the people there are said to be very friendly. Maybe eventually I can make a movie there or buy a bunch of cheap land & start Sujewaland there :)

Read more about Niger here.

- Sujewa

awesome, a new Jim Jarmusch movie! :)

regardless of how it turns out, a new movie by Jim Jarmusch is a recent to celebrate ('cause his Stranger Than Paradise got the ball rolling in a big way on this current US indie film wave & 'cause he made my favorite American movie: Mystery Train), get all the info. at Movie City Indie.

- sujewa