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

Hmmm, how did this happen? How is a filmmaker/blogger who writes mostly about no-budget, no star movies & self-distribution getting invited to attend a special screening of a THINKFilm distributed movie starring Nick Nolte? I guess it is part of the magic of bloggin'. Anyway, Off The Black sounds very interesting, and I am looking forward to seeing it & talking with the pic's director James Ponsoldt afterwards (he's supposed to be there tomorrow for a Q & A session). Ponsoldt is young & so far he sounds like a very cool dude (we've exchanged a couple of e-mails, and I read up on him on the web). Will have a review & notes on the whole going-to-see-a-movie-at-10 -AMish-on-Sunday-at-a-special-screening experience. Off The Black opens in LA & NYC on Fri 12/8. Here's my previous post about the movie, with links . Maybe they'll have free coffee there. If not, there is a cafe near the theater, I think. Anyway, I am going to bed early tonight.

Intel, ClickStar & THINKFilm, along with Landmark Theaters, are getting this small film (a small film with a big star & a director & a decent budget by indiewood standards, but looks like a primarily one location, whole-story-in-one-day film; which are low budget indie staples) out to theaters & on to broadband download & DVD (DVD 2 weeks after theatrical). It's day & date release version 2.0 people (or, this is no Bubble, content wise). Also, due to stars Freeman & Paz Vega, this film could appeal slightly more to minority audiences; slightly more than most of the US indies or indiewood projects that do not have minority actors in lead roles (this is one of my on-going concerns, lack of ethnic diversity in US indie film, which also means less dollars for indie film related businesses 'cause the movies are not appealing to many of the segments of the US & world population - exactly the groups that could be served well from indie films). Check ou

Hey indie & DIY filmmakers, Indie-Pictures sounds interesting; a filmmaker founded distribution company with the ability to get DVDs into stores nationwide (through Ryko's distribution network, which I believe is now owned by Warner). Also, the company says their approach to indie film distribution is based on releasing the DVD first, building up a fan base for the title, and then taking a look at theatrical. They also share sales $s from DVDs with the filmmakers very fairly (50/50 usually, as far as I know). Go visit their site here , and e-mail them with your questions to find out more about possibly working with them on getting your film or DVD out.

Lally With Fugazi in 2001: From left, Brendan Canty, Guy Picciotto, Ian MacKaye(Photograph by Shawn Scallen) The City Paper cover story this week, and it is a very long article, is about the post- Fugazi life of Joe Lally. Fugazi are DIY rock giants, one of the best things to come out of Washington, DC. Check it out here . Also, inside CP, there is a review of the new album by ex-Fugazi member Ian MacKaye's new band The Evens. I was driving around DC tonight listning to In On The Kill Taker (one of the best albums of all time). Fugazi is on a very long break (& is perhaps finished, who knows), but Fugazi lives on CD & in memory. - Sujewa

Indie film publicity consultant Reid Rosefelt recalls working with Werner Herzog in this new post . I love reading specialty film history recollections - specially ones such as Rosefelt's that looks beyond just the biz facts & figures.

For all you NYC indie film fans who have not seen Four Eyed Monsters, this is you chance. After about 2 years of promoting & doing some screenings & podcasts, Arin & Susan are showing their movie at a week long run at Cinema Village . Here's the movie's website , it's got all kinds of neat stuff & info. Go join in on the excellent real indie festivities. - Sujewa

Fin-n-nally getting caught up on things; just uploaded my first real YouTube clip - a less than 2 minutes long segment from Date Number One 's Story 3: Start Over (it may be labeled wrong on the clip). In the clip a guy is trying to start all over with an ex-girlfriend. More & better quality YouTube clips are on the way, no doubt, as I figure out all the nifty details of making great web video files. In the meantime, here is the link to the clip , enjoy!