ONE - ARTHOUSE FILM NEWS - Cosmic Disco Detective Rene at Film Noir Cinema, NYC starting 7/12/24

Received the 2 missing issues of Filmmaker Mag & the John Sayles DVD from IFP today.  Thanks a lot IFP! - Sujewa

Read about it here .

With the help of a couple of other folks - check out the video at Spike .

At one time my dad built film projectors out of wood & plastic at home, as a hobby & maybe a source of secondary income too (for projecting I believe 35 MM film - maybe 16 MM film too, some projectors were mostly wood, some were mostly plastic). This was back in Sri Lanka, I think he built his last projector in the early 80's. So, some D.I.Y. (do-it-yourself) activity there, film related too. Found an interesting passage in the autobiography of a relative a few minutes ago while shelving some books; the relative is an uncle (or grand uncle, as we call him, my grandmother's brother - one of them - on my dad's side) who is a Buddhist monk named Bhante Henepola Gunaratana . He writes about the house he was born in & receiving his birth name (this was about 80+ years ago in Sri Lanka, then Ceylon, & people who join the order of Buddhist monks receive a new name); from Journey to Mindfulness: The Autobiography of Bhante G.: "Two weeks after my birth, when...

The entire DIY filmmaking & self-distribution project is, in a way, very broadly speaking, as I see it, kind of like (symbolically speaking, see end of post) creating an elite warrior* or an elite warrior culture (like those dudes in Black Hawk Down - Deltas - able to do alone or in small groups many of the things that require a large number of regular soldiers to do but only better & with less stuff (sometimes) & under more difficult circumstances) or turning yourself into an artist/entrepreneur who can not only make an interesting/unusual/out-of-the-norm movie well but also is able to make it well using fewer people & resources & also market it well, & deliver the product to an audience member who paid for it & also balance the books at the end of the day/end up in the black. If an individual artist is going to break through the many walls (external & internal) that separate him/her from the goal of making & distributing well a feature length fil...

Great read , I give it 4 stars out of 4.

In an earlier post I asked myself " what exactly does IFP do?". I found one answer, in broad & inspiring terms, at the IFP site. Here's that info ( from this page ): "What IFP does IFP knows where independent film is coming from, helped it get to where it is today, and has the experience and programs to advance its future. IFP fosters the development of 200 feature and documentary films a year through Independent Film Week™, the Independent Filmmaker Labs™ and other activities. IFP offers education in the art, technology and business of independent filmmaking through workshops, seminars, conferences, mentorships and Filmmaker Magazine™, the premier publication in the field. IFP builds the audience for independent films by showcasing them in collaboration with other cultural institutions and celebrating them with the Gotham Awards™, the first honors of the film awards season. IFP champions the work and advocates the interests of a network of 10,000 members in New ...

Read about the job opening at Women Make Movies . I learned about this opportunity at IFP site's Job Listings page .

At first (assuming I had registered months ago) I tried entering my e-mail & member ID # to sign in to IFP's site , did not work. Then I read info. on joining the site & learned that joining the site is free & that once joined I could link my IFP membership to it (for updating info, printing out membership card, etc.). So, with that info on hand I joined the site (created a new password for it, etc.), & now my IFP membership account is linked to my IFP website account - all seems fine. There was a little bit of confusion (in my mind) re: the free site account & the paid membership account - but it only took me a minute or so to figure out why I could not sign in to the site. I think, generally, the IFP website could be simplified, or the design could be improved. I like bank websites (they handle a lot of important information, but interacting with the sites - the ones I've seen - are relatively easy & simple), also I like Apple's website (Amazon...

After complaining about IFP a little last night ( here ), I heard back from several IFP'ers (Thanks Scott, Danielle, Rupert) this morning & received lots of info. about what IFP does for their members, how to find out more & get more involved, etc. Also found out that I've been a member since April '09 & that IFP had an old mailing address for me (which explains the missing Filmmaker Mag issues & probably the missing John Sayles DVD). Anyway, since I have over 3-4 months left on my current membership, I am going to use it as much as possible & explore all that IFP has to offer to their members, & also figure out how (if necessary) IFP can be improved (I'm mostly concerned at this point about there being an org that could assist ultra-low budget filmmakers who self-distribute, also an indie filmmakers union & maybe even a credit union for indie filmmakers would not be bad ideas/nice things to have in the US - along with health insurance for i...

This looks interesting, check out all the info at the IFP site .

Battlestar Breakup - watch more funny videos

UPDATE 12/14, 12:25 PM: Looks like, according to IFP, I joined as a member in April '09. I moved in June (from one part of Brooklyn to another) and IFP had my old address (all other mail has been forwarded - I think - perhaps magazines do not automatically get forwarded - will have to check into that (that could be a reason why I did not get the Filmmaker issues). But, more importantly, I am getting my John Sayles DVD! IFP said they will send me one to my new address (also I updated my address with IFP, so I should get IFP mail from now on) - most excellent. Working on getting a membership # & card at the moment - the # is required to access some parts of the IFP site, and the card is required for events. :: UPDATE 12/14, 11:32 PM: Received a list of helpful links from Danielle DiGiacomo (IFP Community Manager) - will be useful to have all those links in one place (i'll post those in comments [some require being signed in to Facebook, IFP, etc., so I just left a link t...

According to this inspiring video:

Read all about it at Filmmaker Magazine blog .

Dear Mr. Woods (so that this letter will be slightly less weird, since we are both around the same age - within 10 years I think - I'll just call you Tiger from this point on, hope that's OK), You've got both a personal & media problem at the moment, but, you probably should not quit golf, in fact, it is probably a good idea to get back into the game as soon as possible. Since your infidelity issue is probably not directly related to your work/golf, there is no good reason to let your work & the game suffer because of the other problem. About the whole cheating on your wife thing: serious problem, but ultimately a matter to be resolved between you & your wife & kids. And beyond that, to be resolved by/within yourself, since ultimately you are the only one who can make radical changes to your behavior (and as shown by your mastery of a very difficult sport, I am sure you are more than capable of getting unwanted habits under control - after much work). In fac...

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Started a new film blog - for all kinds of interesting movies from around the world (not just DIY or ultra-indie, broadening the horizons a bit), check it out . :: ADVERTISING Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 2 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco2.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 3 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco3.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 4 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco4.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 5 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco5.blogspot.com ::

Click on the pic for an update on Amir Motlagh's film Whale . I very much like the craftsmanship on that movie - shot well, scored well, edited well - and done mostly by a one person crew (Motlagh himself), I'd like my next movie - fiction feature (Brooklyn Fantastic) - to be that well made - tech wise. - S :: ADVERTISING Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 2 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco2.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 3 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco3.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 4 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco4.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 5 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco5.blogspot.com ::

Due to low attendance for the first week of screenings (2 screenings last week) & the large amount of time that would be required to do additional publicity work to increase the attendance level, I've decided to cancel the remaining 6 December screenings of DNO at Aeon Logic. On the bright side, DNO DVDs will be available this month. So, anyone who wants to check out DNO will be able to do so on DVD. Thanks! - Sujewa ADVERTISING Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 2 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco2.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 3 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco3.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 4 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco4.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 5 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco5.blogspot.com ::

Date Number One screenings are happening this month in Brooklyn & the DVD will be out this month. After that, I will make the film I shot & edited (mostly) as a 2 Week Film Project - Unlimited Dreamtime - available on DVD (January 2010). That same month will see Indie Film Blogger Road Trip - my '09 feature doc about blogging - on DVD. Following that, Brooklyn Fantastic will be completed & made available on DVD on or by May 2010 (still need to shoot 1/2 of that film & edit it). Those are the release plans for the next six months; December 2009 - May 2010. ADVERTISING Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 2 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco2.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 3 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco3.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 4 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco4.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tob...

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New blog project - a list of indie film screenings at alternative venues (not movie theaters) in NYC. Check it out , submit info. on any relevant screenings that you know about. http://alternascreeningsnyc.blogspot.com/ :: ADVERTISING Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 2 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco2.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 3 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco3.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 4 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco4.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 5 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco5.blogspot.com ::

* 12/8 Update: Dec 9 - 30 screenings cancelled :: DATE NUMBER ONE a comedy about several first dates a film by sujewa ekanayake December 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 30 Every Wed & Fri of December (except Fri 12/25) 7 PM (doors at 6, opening act at 6:30) * Aeon Logic Art Gallery 4 Malcolm X Boulevard (Malcolm X & Broadway, Bed-Stuy, nearest subway: Kosciuzko Street on the J line, map ) Brooklyn, New York 11221 347.787.4626 * $5 * Event website: http://dnonyc1209.blogspot.com/ * About Date Number One : A writer, A ninja, A woman who is working on saving the world, and a guy who works at a bookstore searching for love in DATE NUMBER ONE http://datenumberone08.blogspot.com/ A movie by Sujewa Ekanayake Date Number One, a comedy about several first dates, is made up of 4 different stories: Story 1 - Start Over, about a writer who tries to get back together with his ex-girlfriend, Story 2 - Just Another Ninja Searching For Love, about a ninja who goes on...

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Saw the HBO miniseries Generation Kill yesterday, enjoyed it (1/2 road trip movie & 1/2 war movie), here's a NY Times review & the making of video: :: ADVERTISING Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 2 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco2.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 3 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco3.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 4 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco4.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 5 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco5.blogspot.com ::

Get all the info on the NYC indie film Carter & its screening on Tue 11/24 at Anthology Film Archives (& after party) here . A Carter trailer: CARTER Festival Trailer from Ryan Balas on Vimeo . :: ADVERTISING Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 2 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco2.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 3 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco3.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 4 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco4.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 5 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco5.blogspot.com ::

While searching for stuff on Machan found this blog - Sri Lankan Film Critics - check it out. :: ADVERTISING Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 2 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco2.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 3 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco3.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 4 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco4.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 5 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco5.blogspot.com :: :: ADVERTISING Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 2 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco2.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 3 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco3.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 4 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco4.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco ...

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Just saw the Italian/German/Sri Lankan illegal immigration & sports adventure comedy-drama Machan (not in the best possible viewing formats, and it has not been made available in the US yet, so, will post US release info when I find it) - liked the movie a lot; flick's got a lot of surprisingly funny & achingly sad moments that come out of nowhere (anyone who knows a bit about recent events in Sri Lanka will feel some pain in one unexpected scene in act 3) - altogether an excellent story of the modern times. Anyone who wonders about illegal immigration should see this movie (also, the question not discussed in the movie is why people will try anything to get out of some countries & perhaps some ways those countries can improve life for their citizens so that they won't vote with their feet - but that is another story for another movie). Anyway, check out Machan when you get a chance, here is a review quote from View , a UK site: "The Good Pasolini'...

Here's the site that seems to be the official website for Machan (being released in Europe & Asia, but I do not see any US release plans there yet). :: ADVERTISING Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 2 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco2.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 3 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco3.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 4 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco4.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 5 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco5.blogspot.com :: :: ADVERTISING Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 2 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco2.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 3 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco3.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 4 http://farzadrostamidel...

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About a new flick about a group of people from Sri Lanka who impersonated a handball team to slip into Germany illegally - sounds very interesting, looking forward to checking it out - here's the link to the Guardian review of the flick . :: ADVERTISING Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 2 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco2.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 3 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco3.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 4 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco4.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 5 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco5.blogspot.com :: :: ADVERTISING Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 2 http://farzadrostamidelawaretobacco2.blogspot.com Farzad Rostami Delaware Tobacco 3 http://farzadrostamid...