ARTHOUSE FILM NEWS - Cosmic Disco Detective Rene at Facets, Chicago 11/29/23

Having compared several of the available, easy to use website building and e-mail marketing programs (Squarespace, Weebly, Wix, WordPress, Shopify, Mailchimp) that a filmmaker may need in 2021 - Squarespace is the winner. Other platforms require you to combine multiple things to get the same result, also not as safe. Squarespace is kind of like Apple - everything is in one place, good design, secure. Something like WordPress may be similar to Android. Problem with WordPress is the extra work required to get the same result, design options not as robust, and safety is up to the user with WordPress, whereas with Squarespace the company takes care of safety, including each of their sites getting SSL certificates. The necessary things - good design, blogging, e-mail campaigns are all included with Squarespace - which is great for filmmakers and other artists who want to create a well designed site fast, take care of the essential marketing work, without having to get into a whole culture

 

  Interview with exciting and innovative filmmaker Maria Judice! from Sujewa Ekanayake on Vimeo .

Check out the article here - Public Access: Chicago Film Festivals In 2020 . "Chicago fall film festivals innovated, too, running their own Olympic-scaled hurdles, but the grand gesture was perseverance itself. We asked how long-running events the Black Harvest Film Festival (26 years), Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (37), Chicago International Film Festival (56), Chicago Latino Film Festival (36), Chicago Underground Film Festival (27) and the Music Box of Horrors (16) pulled off their 2020 event. These interviews have been edited and condensed." - S

 COMING SOON * AD Paul Lange Rotunda -  https://paullangerotunda.blogspot.com/ Paul Lange Rotunda 2 -  https://paullangerotunda2.blogspot.com/ About Rotunda Land & Development Group -  https://paullangerotunda.blogspot.com/2021/07/about-rotunda-land-development-group.html About Paul Lange -  https://paullangerotunda.blogspot.com/2021/07/about-paul-lange.html About Karen Lange -  https://paullangerotunda.blogspot.com/2021/07/about-karen-lange.html

  On making the NYC indie film The Secret Society For Slow Romance (2021) from Sujewa Ekanayake on Vimeo .

  See a larger version at The Secret Society For Slow Romance movie's website. - S

 MORE COMING SOON Paul Lange Rotunda -  https://paullangerotunda.blogspot.com/ What Has Rotunda Land Been Up To? -   https://paullangerotunda.blogspot.com/2021/07/what-has-rotunda-land-been-up-to.html Rotunda Land & Development - A Premier Company in the Sunbelt and Southeast -  https://paullangerotunda.blogspot.com/2021/07/rotunda-land-development-premier.html Giving Back - Paul Lange and Karen Lange -  https://paullangerotunda.blogspot.com/2021/07/giving-back-paul-lange-and-karen-lange.html About Paul Lange and Karen Lange -  https://paullangerotunda.blogspot.com/2021/07/about-paul-lange-and-karen-lange.html About Rotunda Land & Development Group -  https://paullangerotunda.blogspot.com/2021/07/about-rotunda-land-development-group.html About Paul Lange -  https://paullangerotunda.blogspot.com/2021/07/about-paul-lange.html

 

 

  "Our monthly look at the fast-paced world of Slow Cinema returns! Ian and Sujewa welcome actress Alia Lorae to discuss progress on THE SECRET SOCIETY FOR SLOW ROMANCE, a COVID-era romantic comedy about two indie filmmakers who fall in love and end world poverty. It only SOUNDS absurd, until you realize that this is coming from the creator of WEREWOLF NINJA PHILOSOPHER--meaning the premise only tells half the story (at best). Sujewa talks about writing the film and preparing to shoot and star in it; Alia shares how she came to star in WEREWOLF and SLOW ROMANCE, and how she'll channel her artistic background to add realism to her first feature leading role."

 

  An introduction written by podcast host Art Shrian Tiwari - "In the latest episode of #ArtApproved ! #podcast by myNewYorkeye : I talk a little about #ChadwickBoseman first, since the episode was pre-recorded. Special guest, filmmaker and my dear friend Sujewa Ekanayake joins me for a great chat about being an indie filmmaker, filmmaking life & some pro-tips, underground filmmakers and an intro to slow cinema. Then we talk about his film Werewolf Ninja Philosopher (starring me!) and his upcoming project Slow Romance movie . We also talk about the state of diversity/inclusion and Hollywood and finally, Kamala Harris . A great episode with lost of great information. Listen to it on the link below, or find it wherever you listen to podcasts. Don't forget to like/share/follow/subscribe."

It's good.  Check it out here -  http://nobudge.com/main/build-the-wall Title is Build The Wall - but the wall in question does not have anything to do with the Mexican border wall political issue.  It's about a wall being built at a guy's yard - as a gift for his birthday. It's like a Slow Cinema movie - unfolds at its own pace.  Enjoyable.  Takes place in rural Vermont. NoBudge has an interview with Swanberg about going back to his minimalist filmmaking roots -  http://nobudge.com/members-main/joe-swanberg

 

More NHFFF Art Movement content starting early Sept. NHFFF - a new arts movement - Non-Hollywood Fiction Feature Films :) - celebrating fiction features made and (when possible) distributed outside the Hollywood system of big budgets, stars, historical Hollywood racism, unions and guilds limitations, & other Hollywood nonsense. See a Twitter thread about it here.

Legendary indie filmmaker and author Rick Schmidt - creator of over 25 feature films , and the great indie filmmaking book Feature Filmmaking At Used Car Prices and several other books , has a new book out. On New Dark Ages, from Amazon page - "NEW DARK AGES lets the reader participate in Rick's IMPROV decision-making process as he applies his stream-of-consciousness approach to solving moviemaking problems, where the filmmaker must battle his/her movie into existence, often with little money and little time to complete the task. Readers can learn from Rick's "open universe" approach, where he dares to proceed against all odds." More on the book here, and get the book at the link -  https://www.amazon.com/AGES-How-Movie-EMERALD-CITIES-IMPROV/dp/1715001117

Two Chicago film critics have a funny discussion about Werewolf Ninja Philosopher movie from Sujewa Ekanayake on Vimeo . From July, 2019. Chicago film critics Ian Simmons from Kicking the Seat podcast and David Fowlie from Keeping It Reel website discuss Sujewa Ekanayake's film Werewolf Ninja Philosopher. The movie had a one week engagement at Facets Cinematheque in Chicago in July, 2019. In this entertaining 24 minute discussion Fowlie is uncertain about various aspects of Werewolf, but Simmons thinks he is the biggest fan of the movie. See more from Kicking the Seat podcast here -  kickseat.com/podcast/2019/7/12/ep425-running-commentary-the-running-man.html And see more from Keeping It Reel here -  keeping-it-reel.com/ For more on film work by Suewa Ekanayake, and Werewolf Ninja Philosopher, visit here -  sujewa.com Audio segment courtesy of Ian Simmons/Kicking the Seat. Video copyright 2020 NYC Fantastic/Sujewa Ekanayake

 COMING SOON * AD Paul Lange Rotunda -  https://paullangerotunda.blogspot.com/ Paul Lange Rotunda 2 -  https://paullangerotunda2.blogspot.com/ About Rotunda Land & Development Group -  https://paullangerotunda.blogspot.com/2021/07/about-rotunda-land-development-group.html About Paul Lange -  https://paullangerotunda.blogspot.com/2021/07/about-paul-lange.html About Karen Lange -  https://paullangerotunda.blogspot.com/2021/07/about-karen-lange.html

From 2014 -

A website for the film -  http://gravitasventures.com/i-used-to-go-here/

 * A discussion with Executive Director Melanie Addington from Oxford Film Festival in Oxford, Mississippi. We talk about how the film festival adjusted to Covid-19 shutdowns, bold new initiatives such as sharing revenue with filmmakers, launching a drive-in screening series, and the future of indie film and film festivals. A great discussion for anyone interested in filmmaking, film festivals, and the future of the art form. Go here to learn about Oxford Film Festival, see their movies and panel discussions -  https://www.oxfordfilmfest.com/ About Melanie Addington, from Oxford Film Festival website - "Melanie Addington - Executive Director Melanie Addington has worked with the Oxford Film Festival since 2006 in various capacities and became Executive Director in August 2015. She also directs, writes, and produces films and serves on the Mississippi Film Alliance as President. She co-founded OxFilm, the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council's program to lend equipment to Oxfo

* About Chris, from his website – “Chris Hansen is an award-winning writer and director, currently with four diverse feature films under his belt. His filmography includes Blur Circle, a powerful drama about a missing child, the poignant relationship drama Where We Started, the hilarious mockumentary The Proper Care & Feeding of an American Messiah, the touching road movie Endings, and the autobiographical short film Clean Freak.  He is also Chair of the Department of Film & Digital Media at Baylor University, teaching Directing and Screenwriting, among other courses; and what little spare time he has is spent tending to his four daughters with the help of his beautiful wife.”  Visit his website here - https://www.hansenfilms.com/ .

* On Lynn Shelton, end of early 2000s type indie film world, end of Hollywood as main filmed entertainment provider, & the current amazing web video age – Indie Film + Other Art + Positivity Vlog ep #2  See all vlog episodes on this page -  https://www.sujewa.com/vlog-posts.html More info on Lynn Shelton here -  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynn_Shelton   Copyright 2020 Sujewa Ekanayake/NYC Fantastic blog

Great camcorder - highly recommended.  Not 4K - but the camcorder has a 1" sensor, is HD, and can create an excellent image that can then be made to look cinematic in post.  See videos below.

I had a long and informative discussion with screenwriter and comic book writer Bryan Edward Hill about his exciting career. Bryan comes from a NYC indie film background – after film school in NYU – and he has found success in Hollywood. Bryan is the screenwriter of the upcoming Guy Pearce movie Zone 414. He also writes for the TV show Titans. And he has written comic books for Marvel and DC. In addition to filmed content talk we discussed his experience with diversity in Hollywood. Plus we talked about Bryan’s new indie filmmaking ambitions and plans. This is a great episode about filmmaking, building a career in entertainment, and keeping yourself going in a difficult world. See more interviews from the film world at NYC Fantastic blog -  http://nycfantastic.com/blog/ .

We had a low key, chill, but illuminating discussion with filmmaker, actor, musician Amir Motlagh on Sunday 5/10/20. Many topics were discussed - including living in the Covid19 era, layers being removed from society, his 20 films, and music work. For all things Amir Motlagh visit his website - https://www.amirmotlagh.com/ . From his website - "Amir Motlagh has written and directed 20 titles (+ -), including the feature films THREE WORLDS, MAN, WHALE & RAINBOW SEASON (also a full length LP). He is the recipient of multiple awards (art is not about competition) and is a cross-media artist who makes music under the moniker, Mirs as singer, songwriter and record producer. He frequently collaborates with other artists. He is the founder of ANIMALS. Partial List of Festival Screenings & Awards include - deadCenter Film Festival, San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival, SENE Film, Music & Arts Festival, 24fps International Sho

* A discussion with indie filmmaker Dan Mirvish - about life during Covid-19 days, and the making and distribution of his movies. Dan has directed 18 1/2, Bernard and Huey, Between Us, Omaha (the movie), Open House and other projects - more here - https://www.danmirvish.com/   From his website - "Dan Mirvish is a director, screenwriter, producer and author. He's just finished the award-winning, critically-acclaimed feature Bernard and Huey, scripted by Oscar/Pulitzer-winner Jules Feiffer, and starring Oscar-winner Jim Rash and David Koechner which screened in over 30 film festivals on 5 continents and had a 20-city theatrical release by Freestyle Releasing/Entertainment Studios in the US, and has sold to over 49 countries." Read more here - https://www.danmirvish.com/   And check out Dan's excellent book The Cheerful Subversive's Guide to Independent Filmmaking - https://www.danmirvish.com/Buy-the-Book   For all things Dan Mirvish, visit his website

* Filmmaker Brandon David Wilson interview – On Covid19, Sepulveda movie, the future, growing up in LA On 5/2/20 the guest on Sujewa’s Single Take, No Edits Interview Show! for NYC Fantastic blog was Brandon David Wilson – LA based filmmaker and film teacher. Check out Brandon’s excellent second feature Sepulveda here – https://vimeo.com/280865483 More here - http://nycfantastic.com/brandon-david-wilson-interview/

From the YouTube page - "This month, Ian and Sujewa welcome Liam Billingham of the OEUVRE BUSTERS podcast for a lively and somewhat contentious look at Nuri Bilge Ceylan's ONCE UPON A TIME IN ANATOLIA. The stark Turkish drama centers on two murder suspects leading a team of investigators to their victim's burial site. A long night of dead ends and rising tensions leads to revelations both ghoulish and deeply personal." Read more here . The discussion:

John Crye - Memento, other films from Newmarket Films, working with Christopher Nolan - NYC FANTASTIC blog interview #2 On YouTube * John Crye - Memento, other films from Newmarket Films, working with Christopher Nolan - NYC FANTASTIC blog interview #2 from Sujewa Ekanayake on Vimeo . * John Crye developed, produced or acquired for distribution films for Newmarket Films and later Wrekin Hill Entertainment. The list of films he worked on include Memento - Christopher Nolan's breakthrough Hollywood film, The Prestige, Downfall, The Passion of the Christ, Velvet Goldmine, The Mexican, American Pie, Donnie Darko, Real Women Have Curves, Whale Rider, Monster. We had a lengthy discussion about John's experience during these Covid-19 days, early days in the arts, getting started at Newmarket Films by making Memento, and many other related subjects. John has a lot of experience with indie film distribution and production - so this is a great episode for filmmakers

NYC Fantastic blog podcast #1 – RACHEL SCIACCA – from MAN movie – interview by Sujewa Ekanayake See the blog post at the new blog NYC Fantastic here - http://nycfantastic.com/rachel-sciacca-from-man-movie/ Brief intro - "In this interview Sciacca talks about studying acting in NYC, moving to LA to pursue acting, 10 lost years, working with Amir Motlagh over 10 years ago, and making MAN movie. The conversation is 1.5 hrs long – and we also discuss life during the Covid-19 crisis and developing and maintaining an art making practice, how that relates to the film industry or “the business.”" Read the rest here - http://nycfantastic.com/rachel-sciacca-from-man-movie/ Here's the interview on YouTube:

Check it out here - 2 new interviews coming by the end of April - www.nycfantastic.com .

Watch here or below: Werewolf Ninja Philosopher (FREE during Covid-19 crisis) from Sujewa Ekanayake on Vimeo . * Donate to support our future projects.  Thanks! - Sujewa

From Kicking the Seat site - "Today, The Kicking the Seat Podcast and writer/director Sujewa Ekanayake are joined once again by actor/filmmaker Amir Motlagh for a look at Amir's 2018 film, Man ! Co-written by Charles Borg, this slow cinema gem chronicles a day in the life of a computer programmer whose increasingly isolated exisence offers a warning to audiences about the dark side of technology. From another perspective, it's a first-person commercial for escaping a world packed with annoying people! The guys unpack lots of themes and theories; dig into how the movie was put together; and even get an update on Sujewa's forthcoming film, Slow Romance ! Also, Ian invites you to attend a special 30th anniversary Critics Classics screening of The Silence of the Lambs tomorrow night, hosted by F! This Movie 's Patrick Bromley! Episode 501 doesn't own a single pair of vegan Levi's!"

Will be posting at the new blog on a regular basis starting later today.  The plan was to get such a project going by 1/1/20, but we are now finally getting around to it.  Lots of SLOW ROMANCE news, other Slow Cinema news, interesting links, videos will be at the new blog soon!  Click here or on the image below to go check out the blog!

From the site - "Today, The Kicking the Seat Podcast and writer/director Sujewa Ekanayake return with another edition of "The Slowdown"! In addition to catching up on Sujewa's indie feature, Slow Romance, and Ian's "Top 19 Films of 2019" , the guys wade through the thick metaphorical jungles of Apichatpong Weerasethakul's slow cinema head-trip, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives." Read the rest here and listen to the podcast ep here.

 coming soon :: AD Paul Lange Rotunda -  https://paullangerotunda.blogspot.com/ Paul Lange Rotunda 2 -  https://paullangerotunda2.blogspot.com/ About Rotunda Land & Development Group -  https://paullangerotunda.blogspot.com/2021/07/about-rotunda-land-development-group.html About Paul Lange -  https://paullangerotunda.blogspot.com/2021/07/about-paul-lange.html About Karen Lange -  https://paullangerotunda.blogspot.com/2021/07/about-karen-lange.html