FilmClick

The sometimes thought-provoking, often wacky, but always original Brainwash Bike-in Walk-in Movie Festival returns for its 15th year showing 23 unique independent short movies in Oakland at the American Steel Building on Friday, July 31 & Saturday, August 1, 2009, 9:00 pm.

“We project movies onto a tarp in West Oakland,” says festival director Shelby Toland.

See the trailer right here at FilmClick:

“These are movies that know they’re movies,” claims festival judge Jason Gohlke. “If you like the art of storytelling, if you care about the suspension of disbelief, or if you just like watching moving pictures on a screen, you don’t want to miss Brainwash this year.”

The 2009 15th Annual Brainwash Movie Festival will be held July 31st and August 1st at 9:00 p.m. at the American Steel Building at 1960 Mandela Parkway in Oakland. The fully juried festival will screen 23 original shorts in two separate programs.

Admission is $9 per person per night OR $20 for a Two-Day Pass, which gets two people into both nights of the festival Buy tickets at http://www.ticketweb.com/snl/EventListings.action?orgId=16986 OR at the gate.

For more info, see the offical site at:

http://brainwashm.com

Chris Taylor’s documentary “Food Fight” plays at the Santa Cruz Film Festival on Tuesday, May 12th, at 6:30pm at Regal Riverfront Twin Cinemas. Taylor’s film examines American agricultural policy and food culture development in the 20th century and how the California food movement has created a counter revolution against agribusiness.

This film delves in to the local-sustainable-organic food movement that grew out of the counter-culture of California in the late 1960s and 1970s and which lead to the birth of farmer’s markets.  Featuring interviews with restaurateurs Alice Waters and Suzanne Goin, writer Michael Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma),  chef Wolfgang Puck and many more.

View the trailer here:

Director’s statement:

When I started to think about the story that I wanted to tell in FOOD FIGHT, I knew that the story would have many threads. It’s a story that starts politically, in the cultural ferment of Berkeley in the 60’s, and ends in pleasure, by way of some committed chefs, restaurateurs, and food activists in California. Along the way this counter-revolution has brought American food consumers, small farmers and political activists into direct conflict with the power of big agribusiness and American government policy.
This way of eating that I portray in the film started out (or more accurately was rediscovered) in a restaurant called Chez Panisse in Berkeley. Almost by accident, Alice Waters and her chef and partner Jeremiah Tower found that they could find the best ingredients not by buying from the usual industrial food distributors, but instead by canvassing the local neighborhood backyard gardens. Fellow-counter culturists and other proto-organic farmers were growing fresh tomatoes, lettuces, micro greens, and making artisanal cheeses locally.

As Alice herself says in the film, “When I started the restaurant I wasn’t looking for the local organic farmer. I was looking for taste. But in looking for taste, I found those farmers.” Soon she was putting together a local food chain, free from long-distance shipping, and without the pesticides and fertilizers that were leaching taste from supermarket food. As she developed this food chain of small local farmers, an especially fortuitous piece of California statehouse legislation opened a new opportunity for these same farmers to meet consumers directly. This legislation, in 1975, enabled local farmers to sell produce directly to consumers, and Farmers Markets were born. The first markets developed in university towns, Berkeley, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, and later in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and San Diego. In the Bay Area, as Chez Panisse developed a national reputation for spectacular culinary results, the local farmers were named on the menu, and the spotlight of chef artistry was shown on the farmers. Savvy consumers realized that they could buy the same ingredients as Alice Waters and Wolfgang Puck (who was reprising the same paradigm in spectacular fashion at Spago), and as dedicated foodies know, 85% of cooking is getting the best ingredients.

-Chris Taylor, Director, “Food Fight”

For more information on the film visit:

http://www.foodfightthedoc.com

Check out more films and ticket information about the Santa Cruz Film Festival, which runs from May 7 to May 15, by visiting their website at:

http://www.santacruzfilmfestival.org/

The Santa Cruz Film Festival celebrates opening night at 7:30pm on May 7 at the Del Mar Theatre with Giancarlo Esposito’s (in attendance) directorial debut, “Gospel Hill”, starring Angela Bassett and Danny Glover and featuring Samuel Jackson, Julia Stiles and Adam Baldwin.

About the film
In the town of Julia, the neighborhood citizens of Gospel Hill are being forced out of their homes to make way for a multimillion-dollar development. Dr. Ron Palmer (Giancarlo Esposito, Do the Right Thing, The Usual Suspects), an influential black community leader who runs the local health clinic blindly supports the development. The good doctor’s desire for wealth and status awakens the racially divided community town. John Malcolm (Danny Glover, The Color Purple, Lethal Weapon), withdrew following his brother Peter’s (Samuel Jackson, Pulp Fiction, Eve’s Bayou) assassination thirty years ago, and is still haunted by the pain of the unsolved murder. He is detached from his wife and the society he once fought for.

John’s wife, Sarah (Angela Bassett, What’s Love Got To Do With It, How Stella Got Her Groove Back) takes it upon herself to battle Dr. Palmer and reveal his profiteering to the whole town. Meanwhile, the towns bigoted, ex-sheriff (Tom Bower, Appaloosa, North Country), who was responsible for letting the investigation of Peter’s murder go unresolved, is facing his own mortality and twisted choices.

Each of these characters’ lives intertwine to create a gripping, revealing and dramatic tale touching on issues of race, imminent domain, and the power of the human spirit to overcome the pain and hatred of division. Gospel Hill is overflowing with the deep emotions of greed, transformation, racism, redemption, forgiveness, and hope.

Check out more films playing at the Santa Cruz Film Festival from May 7 to May 15 by visiting their website at:

http://www.santacruzfilmfestival.org/

Several excellent films from the San Francisco Independent Film Festival make their way across the bay to the Shattuck Cinema in Berkeley, CA for an extended run this weekend. FilmClick recommends these films from local filmmakers which are playing this weekend in Berkeley:

“The Full Picture”

Bay Area filmmaker Jon Bowden’s feature “The Full Picture” plays on Sat. Feb 21 at 9:30 PM. The film is about unresolved family history and the lengths that people will go to keep uncomfortable secrets even in their closest relationships.  The main character, Mark, lives in San Francisco with his long-time girlfriend, Erika.  The couple is headed toward marriage, at least that’s what Erika thinks, but Mark has been keeping some secrets about his family’s sordid past.  A visit from Mark’s mother leads to some uncomfortable revelations for all involved.  This is a well-written film; I particularly enjoyed the relationship between Mark and his brother, Hal, played by Joshua Hutchinson. Hutchinson and Lizzie Ross, who plays Erika, stand out in this film for me.

“Harrison Montgomery”

Daniel Davila’s “Harrison Montgomery” plays on Fri. Feb 20, at 7:15 PM. This film follows an aspiring artist, Ricardo, played by Octavio Gómez Berríos, who lives and creates his art in San Francisco’s rough Tenderloin neighborhood. Ricardo deals drugs to get by.  He ends up in a tangle; owing money to his boss and forced to move into a room at the grimy Hotel Boyd.  At his new place, Ricardo meets single mother Margo and another Hotel Boyd tenant, Harrison Montgomery, played soulfully by Martin Landau.   Montgomery is an eccentric and aging shut-in, who may have won the lottery years before. I won’t go too much more into the story, but it’s a surprisingly inspirational film filled with solid performances.  Of note to me was the gritty production design and the beautiful cinematography of the rarely featured Tenderloin.

by Christopher Potter, FilmClick.com

Go to: www.sfindie.com for show times, more information and tickets.

The 11th annual San Francisco Independent Film Festival opened to a packed house last night at the Victoria Theatre in San Francisco’s Mission District with Shane Meadows’ film Somers Town. Meadows’ film was an atypical choice for an opening night film, but a wonderful surprise.  Thomas Turgoose, the star of Meadows’s internationally acclaimed This is England, delivers an awkward, brave and vulnerable performance as run-away teenager Tomo, who leaves the north-Midlands and ends up in the rundown North London neighborhood Somers Town.  It is a difficult role to portray and Turgoose is full of the bravado of youth, the determination not to return home, and the discomfort of adolescence.

Somers Town

Turgoose’s deadpan comic foil, Piotr Jagiello as the as shy, Polish immigrant Marek, brings another dimension to the film’s illustration of the current struggle of the many Polish immigrants finding their way in the United Kingdom since the expansion of the European Union.  The film is shot primarily in black and white and its colorless world adds to the contrast between the characters, town, and their situations.  The exception is the film’s final journey, via the London to Paris train which is a background for this film about journeys.  When the film switches to color in a grainy, high-speed stock for a final journey by the two teenagers, it is almost a coda to the film, a reminder that journeys, internal and external, can be vivid parts of life.

Opening Night at SF IndieFest

True to form for any of SF Indie’s events, which include Another Hole in the Head and the San Francisco Documentary Festival, when we left the theater after Somers Town, a motley group of Star Wars characters awaited the departing audience.  I didn’t C3PO, but R2-D2 was there, along with many storm troopers, Ben Kenobi and Luke Skywalker himself.  One of the great things about  the festivals that Jeff Ross puts on is the light whimsy that surrounds the events.  I think he realizes that films and events like these are meant to be fun and it always shows.  I’ve been to festivals with my films and usually the parties seem to be stiff, hotel ballroom mixers and the best times are usually had after hours at whatever bar you migrate to.  Not the case with SFIndie’s events.  Don’t miss the Big Lebowski costume party on Saturday, February 7.  I’m sure it will be fun.

by Christopher Potter, FilmClick.com

Go to: www.sfindie.com for show times, more information and tickets.

In a near death collision following a hit gone wrong, two former special-forces operators continue their battle, unbeknownst to them, in the realm of the unconscious. While investigating their possible involvement in a murder, a female detective becomes drawn into their conflict and must face her own demons as she uncovers the truth about a secret psychic military program, her father, and herself.

- John Nelson about Between Two Evils

Between Two Evils plays at the Reel Time Film Festival at 8pm on Thursday December 11th.  For more information go to:

http://reeltimefilmfestival.org/venue

What led you to make this film?
We made a short, condensed version of a feature film as a proof of concept. We hoped to spark interest in the story, inspire audiences, and to raise additional funds for feature production.

Why should people see it?
Between Two Evils is a lean, mean, action thriller that doesn’t waste a second of screen time. It is a story of growth and redemption and has the ability to appeal to a wide audience both male and female.

The action and martial arts will capture the male audience, especially the coveted 18-34 demographic. The two male lead characters who do most of the fighting have a military past, and in the present interact in a decrepit, decaying, frightening dream world. This will have crossover appeal for martial arts film enthusiasts, war movie fans, and horror fans.

The film also features a strong female lead, who is attractive, confident, and driven. Her ambition, discovery, and personal growth will inspire and expand the female audience.

What were some of the greatest challenges you faced in making this film?
Getting funding, acquiring permits, and locking locations were the biggest challenges we faced.

What impact do you hope this film will have?
We want the audience to see the film and want to see more. There is so much more to this story.

What are you working on now, or next?
We’re working on securing additional funding for feature production of Between Two Evils.

What are your three favorite films?
Star Wars – George Lucas
Goodfellas - Martin Scorsese
Fight Night – Derek JW Wybourn

Many of our users are just starting out; what advice do you have for aspiring filmmakers?
Work hard, don’t give up. Surround yourself with good people who are talented and who you can rely on, then go for it!

Have you placed your films online and do you think it’s a good outlet for young filmmakers to get exposure?
I have put clips and short videos online. It’s not my first choice, but online is HUGE. I know people who would rather surf for videos than watch TV. Never underestimate online resources. I think it is a great outlet for all filmmakers, especially young ones or people who are new to the industry.

Did you go to film school?  If yes, where and what did you think of the experience?
Yes, I went to SVA. It was a great experience, best of all for networking. I made some of my best friends and business partners there, my director for instance Derek JW Wybourn.

What are the other films you have made?
Fight Night

Which filmmakers have most influenced your work?
George Lucas
Martin Scorsese
Stephen Spielberg
Bruce Lee
Chia-Liang Liu

What’s you motto?
When the bell rings, come out swingin’

What format (film, video, hi-def) and camera did you use and why did you choose the format and camera?  If you had a choice, would you use that camera again? 
HD, Sony HVR-V1. We chose it because it was affordable and available. No, I would not use that camera again.

What other festivals is your film appearing in?
So far we have also appeared in the NBBC Film Festival in NYC

Trailer:
TREATMENT
Between 1969 and 1971, US intelligence sources concluded that the Soviet Union was engaged in psychotronic research and using it to train highly skilled KGB operatives. STAR GATE was one of a number of remote viewing programs conducted by the CIA in response to Soviet investigations of psychic phenomena. The effort initially focused on a few gifted individuals and empaths who were trained and taught to use their talents for psychic warfare.

Controlled Remote Viewing (CRV) is the ability of a viewer to gather information on a remote target consisting of an object, place, or person, etc., which is hidden from the physical perception of the viewer and typically separated from them by distance and/or time. The first generation of CRV’s had the ability to project images to each other over great distances, but the projections they sent and received were often convoluted, hazy, and unclear. The most talented of these CRV’s was then Second Lieutenant JAMES WAGNER.

In 1995 the program was declassified and publicly canceled. Secretly, however, the concept was being revamped to use viewers who could project crystal clear images to one another over short distances or by physical contact, Controlled Remote Viewing Close Proximity (CRV-CP), while being monitored by a first generation viewer from afar.  The program evolved from a purely intelligence gathering asset into a tactical and combative one. This next generation CRV initiative was placed under the command of Lt. Colonel James Wagner.

During a black ops mission under the leadership of Cpt. JUSTIN MARSH, the primary CRV-CP assault team was betrayed and almost completely wiped out. Wagner mistakenly identified the wrong member of the team as the culprit and ordered the egress point destroyed in retaliation. Believing all members were lost, Wagner buried the details and moved on to create another team. Unbeknownst to him, two CRV’s, Marsh and ADRIAN VOSS, survived.

Suppressing their CRV ability to avoid detection by Wagner, the two were forced underground. After living lives amongst the shadows, organized crime, drugs, deceit, and murder, the two are reunited for one final showdown. As an attempted hit goes wrong the two former special-forces operators are involved in a nearly fatal collision. As they lie on their deathbeds, they continue their battle against each other in the realm of the unconscious, continuing their damaging effect on each other and those around them.

While investigating their possible involvement in a recent murder SAMIA LEWIS, an NYPD detective with a checkered past, becomes drawn into their conflict as she accidentally uses her latent and as of yet undiscovered CRV ability. She will be forced to choose between two evils, between justice and the law, and will face her own demons as she uncovers the truth about a secret psychic military program, her father, and herself.

B2E Website: http://www.between2evils.com

Keya Lea Horiuchi talks about “Considering Democracy” and the structure of her film. This interview was shot at DocFest in San Francisco and we discuss documentary filmmaking and the political aspects and intent of her film.

This is the HD version which will play above.

See it in SD here for lower bandwidth connections.

For more info on Docfest go to: www.sfindie.com

B. Douglas Robbins talks about “Debate Team”, the characters that make up the world of college debate, and the subject of objectivity in film. This interview was shot at DocFest in San Francisco at the Roxie Theater.

See it in HD here.

See it in SD here.

For more info on Docfest go to: www.sfindie.com

Dawn Valadez talks about the making of her film “Going on 13″. We were interested in how she chose her subjects and was able to gain a level of trust between herself, the parents of her subjects, and the school districts much of the film was shot at.  This interview was shot at DocFest in San Francisco.

See it in HD here.

See it in SD here.

For more info on Docfest go to: www.sfindie.com

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An interview with director Melody Gilbert about the film “Urban Explorers” at DocFest in San Francisco.

See it in HD here.

See it in SD here.

For more info on Docfest go to: www.sfindie.com