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

* * Had some fun putting this together today. Some tweaking is gonna happen before it gets hung up all over Silver Spring (let's hope), but more or less this is it. The final, larger & higher resolution version, of this design (with more visible borders) will be up on the web in a couple of days. - Sujewa

Saw James Spooner's new movie White Lies, Black Sheep ; good stuff, lots to talk about there. Perhaps this weekend I can type out at least a mini-review & also get an interview going with Mr. Spooner. In the meantime, go here for more info. on Black Sheep ; and catch it at a festival if you can/if it sounds interesting to you (I think for some people the movie will be extremely interesting - like people who think about ethnic or "race" based identity and the intersection of such with sub/alternative/whatever cultures/scenes. And for others, it might be an interesting diversion. Regardless, the movie can provide an entry point for discussing several important issues such as assimilation, individual identity, choices in life, etc., more on that stuff later this week). - Sujewa

Since some indie film bloggers are stopping or thinking about stopping their web journal writing activity, I thought for a minute about why I blog; and here are 10 reasons: 1. Blogging is a way to promote my filmmaking work 2. Blogging is writing, and writing on a regular basis generates new ideas - ideas that are useful for my films 3. Blogs are an important part of the real indie filmmaking & distribution community, and I like participating in & being a part of that community through my blog & other means 4. I get free passes to screenings at film festivals because I blog 5. I get to meet; interview, etc., other filmmakers & others who are a part of the indie film world, thus increasing my list of contacts, making it easier for me to make & distribute movies 6. I can promote movies, people, causes, and things I like through my blog 7. I can speak against things I do not like through my blog 8. Once I received a $25 donation from a fan of this blog 9. I make new fr

Looks like so far I posted 18 times about this past weekend's Maryland Film Festival, check 'em out through here . - Sujewa

If you've got some MFF '08 photos up on the web, post the link in comments please. Here are some I found: - At Kevin's album at Picasa - Sujewa

Saw 4, count 'em, f-o-u-r, great features today at the Maryland Film Festival ; Woodpecker , La Americana , Yeast , Confessionsofa Ex-Dufus-Itchyfooted Mutha . Enjoyed each of them for different reasons (will go into them in greater detail in the coming week, after I get some sleep). All four hopefully will be seen widely in the coming months. In this brief post-MFF post, Mary Bronstein's debut feature Yeast has to be singled out as the most interesting and creatively invigorating real indie feature I've seen in a long time. First, mega diversity points - there aren't that many female real indie, indie (or H-wood for that matter) fiction feature directors around (even though women make up probably more than half of consumers - that's millions and millions of people and billions of dollars) - so Yeast has that going in. Next, the movie is not dull - you don't know what's going to happen and a lot of messy stuff could happen. And bold (some might say rec

Maybe not all, but links to a half a dozen or so blog posts re: Matt Zoller Seitz quitting print review work to focus on filmmaking, at House Next Door . - Sujewa

If "breaking into Hollywood" is your thing, check out all the competitions & awards & related stuff going on at Filmaka . From the intro to the site : "Filmaka pledges to reward your creativity. Our monthly competitions provide exciting challenges where you can win prizes, showcase your work, develop your skills and find an audience. Filmaka encourages debate and feedback between all members, whether you’re a famous filmmaker or a first time novice. Most of all, we give you the opportunity to express your unique take on life and the world around you. We hope you’ll take part and share your creative vision with us and our community." More here . - Sujewa

Of course just to get a movie made is victory itself - however, for those mortals interested in additional layers of victory or winners of the Tribeca Film Festival '08, go check out this post at Filmmaker Magazine blog . - Sujewa

While I've been stuck in the other side of Maryland w/ work (Fri), & not feeling well (Sat), Anne Heddad has been blogging away about the MFF at her Live at the Maryland Film Festival w/ Anne Haddad . Check it out. I should be at the festival later today, Sun - for perhaps Woodpecker & Yeast & whatever else - maybe even Confessionsofa. And now, check out some videos from the festival: - Sujewa

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * posted here not to be reproduced for actual publicity purposes, but to just check out the neat weirdness. the weird colors are interesting. if you need some show info. printed out, get it from this page . will post a better version of flier above in a few days. - sujewa

Or nontroversy as The Mobtown Shank puts it. One film critic ( Michael Sragow, Baltimore Sun ) sees a variation of a hated WWII era political symbol, others see an indie rock inspired image. Most graphic designers who have weighed in on the subject like the design. I like it, nice film festival poster; film strips, roman numeral ten for the 10th edition of the fest, etc. More here at The Mobtown Shank . - Sujewa

Check out the notes from the event at Film Panel Notetaker . And, Notetaker Brian Geldin likes Peebles's new movie a lot: "Confessionsofa has been my favorite film I've seen so far at Tribeca. It's hard to put a finger on exactly how to describe this film. It's sort of an epic low-budget experimental comedy musical filled with Van Peebles's trademark charm and bravado, but with less of a political message than previous works." More here . Confessionsofa Ex-Doofus-Itchyfooted Mutha screens at the Maryland Film Festival on Sun night. May 4, 7:30 PM Charles Theater 1 Buy Tickets * - Sujewa