Philadelphia Independent Film Festival / Underground Film Forum
Documentary Feature: The Brian Dennis Project
Posted:
Amy Leonard
freeRADlab
Chronicling the creation, installation, and exhibition of an original piece of art, Joe'l Ludovich and Katherine Sender's documentary The Brian Dennis Project relates the ups and downs experienced by an independent artist. When invited to create artwork for the Philadelphia Art Alliance, Brian Dennis begins a year-long undertaking - he designs an enormous structural piece that is meant to lean on the Art Alliance's staircase. However, creating a concept model proves to be merely the first step in a long process. Dennis must weather uncertainty, frustration, confrontation, and a good deal of elbow grease. But to Dennis, who dedicates his life to art, all of the stress is worth it when the piece is complete and opening night rolls around.
The Brian Dennis Project features simple documentary style shooting and editing, capturing the impromptu essence of Dennis's artistic process. Because of the minimalist style of the film, the raw emotions that surface at each stage of Dennis's journey shine through, allowing viewers to vicariously experience the art making process. Though the process is frequently hampered by a number of setbacks, the excitement and sense of accomplishment at the creation of the piece can be thoroughly felt.
A simple yet heartfelt documentary, The Brian Dennis Project offers a holistic glimpse at the struggles and joys of being an artist.
Thank you to the Philadelphia Art Alliance.
End.
Showing posts with label #PUFF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #PUFF. Show all posts
Monday, August 16, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Philadelphia Film Maker Michael Ryan Lawrence - Jack in the Box
Philadelphia Independent Film Festival / Underground Film Forum
Philadelphia Film Maker Michael Ryan Lawrence - Jack in the Box
Short (30 mins)
END
Philadelphia Film Maker Michael Ryan Lawrence - Jack in the Box
Short (30 mins)
END
Monday, August 2, 2010
Wheedle's Groove by Jennifer Maas (Documentary). Philadelphia Independent Film Festival review.
Posted: Underground Film Forum / Philadelphia Independent Film festival
Blogger
freeRADlab
Amy Leonard
Screening -
Title: Wheedle's Groove (Feature)
Director: Jennifer Mass
Movie (IMDB) Site: Wheedle's Groove
With interviews, footage, and recordings chronicling the music scene in Seattle from the 1960's through today, Jennifer Maas's documentary Wheedle's Groove provides and in-depth look at black music in the Pacific Northwest. The documentary discusses the scene as a whole, but focuses on groups such as The Black and White Affair, Cookin' Bag, and several others. Despite the obvious talent and drive found in these groups, none of them made it big due to a number of factors - race, politics, location, and luck. However, their records live on, and many of the former members continue to perform and make music today.
Heavily influenced and intertwined with politics, segregation, and race, much of the 60's and 70's black music was rife with political and social commentary. Due to a lack of radio outlets and venues for black musical groups, their music stayed relatively hidden beneath more prominent white bands. White clubs refused to allow black bands to play at their establishments, and white radio stations turned many black artists away - all while hiring similar-sounding white groups. However, several commercial success stories from Seattle (such as Quincy Jones) fueled the ambitions of black groups. Despite their inability to break into a larger market, these bands hold a valuable place in musical history - and in the record collections of music enthusiasts.
Wheedle's Groove sheds light on a musical movement that took place while the world had their eyes and ears elsewhere. What this soulful music lacks in popularity and prominence, it makes up for in attitude and spirit.
RT: 82:00 min
Language: English
Blogger
freeRADlab
Amy Leonard
Screening -
Title: Wheedle's Groove (Feature)
Director: Jennifer Mass
Movie (IMDB) Site: Wheedle's Groove
With interviews, footage, and recordings chronicling the music scene in Seattle from the 1960's through today, Jennifer Maas's documentary Wheedle's Groove provides and in-depth look at black music in the Pacific Northwest. The documentary discusses the scene as a whole, but focuses on groups such as The Black and White Affair, Cookin' Bag, and several others. Despite the obvious talent and drive found in these groups, none of them made it big due to a number of factors - race, politics, location, and luck. However, their records live on, and many of the former members continue to perform and make music today.
Heavily influenced and intertwined with politics, segregation, and race, much of the 60's and 70's black music was rife with political and social commentary. Due to a lack of radio outlets and venues for black musical groups, their music stayed relatively hidden beneath more prominent white bands. White clubs refused to allow black bands to play at their establishments, and white radio stations turned many black artists away - all while hiring similar-sounding white groups. However, several commercial success stories from Seattle (such as Quincy Jones) fueled the ambitions of black groups. Despite their inability to break into a larger market, these bands hold a valuable place in musical history - and in the record collections of music enthusiasts.
Wheedle's Groove sheds light on a musical movement that took place while the world had their eyes and ears elsewhere. What this soulful music lacks in popularity and prominence, it makes up for in attitude and spirit.
RT: 82:00 min
Language: English
Friday, July 23, 2010
Predilection by Mario Garcia. A Bank Robbery for the ages... Philadelphia Independent Film Festival
Philadelphia Independent Film festival - Philadelphia Premier...
Short: Predilection
TR:
Review: Amy Leonard for the Media Bureau.
Predilection, a fast-paced action short directed by Marcio Garcia, delivers stunning visual effects and production value rarely found in the realm of independent short films. In Rio de Janeiro, a team is assembled to execute a large-scale bank robbery. A carefully implemented operation plays out, but not without its share of action, excitement, and suspense. The team consists of a range of personalities and backgrounds, all which show their true colors and talents under pressure.
Packed with gunshots, car chases, and Matrix-like slow motion shots, Predilection delivers an exciting plot complete with interesting characters and top-notch direction. Featuring the city of Rio de Janeiro as the scenic backdrop, constant action and anticipation keep the narrative moving forward. The tension lasts from the opening sequence to the last moments of the film, where one final revelation is in store.
Garcia’s high-energy action Predilection provides a short but thrilling ride chronicling a large-scale, expertly executed bank robbery. Or is it?
Origin: Brazil
TR: 15:00
Short: Predilection
TR:
Review: Amy Leonard for the Media Bureau.
Predilection, a fast-paced action short directed by Marcio Garcia, delivers stunning visual effects and production value rarely found in the realm of independent short films. In Rio de Janeiro, a team is assembled to execute a large-scale bank robbery. A carefully implemented operation plays out, but not without its share of action, excitement, and suspense. The team consists of a range of personalities and backgrounds, all which show their true colors and talents under pressure.
Packed with gunshots, car chases, and Matrix-like slow motion shots, Predilection delivers an exciting plot complete with interesting characters and top-notch direction. Featuring the city of Rio de Janeiro as the scenic backdrop, constant action and anticipation keep the narrative moving forward. The tension lasts from the opening sequence to the last moments of the film, where one final revelation is in store.
Garcia’s high-energy action Predilection provides a short but thrilling ride chronicling a large-scale, expertly executed bank robbery. Or is it?
Origin: Brazil
TR: 15:00
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Philadelphia Independent Film festival North American Premier... Feature: Kandahar Break
Philadelphia Independent Film festival North American Premier...
Feature: Kandahar Break
TR:
Review: Amy Leonard for the Media Bureau.
David Whitney's Kandahar Break weaves politics, love, and betrayal into an action-packed thriller set in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Amid the breathtaking landscape surrounding Kandahar, British engineer Richard Lee is hired by the Taliban to clear mine fields in conflict-ridden Afghanistan. Following the death of his wife, Richard falls in love with his interpreter, Jamilah, despite strict Taliban law forbidding extramarital relations. When the affair is discovered by a local police chief, Richard must escape to Pakistan before the Taliban kills him. As he makes the perilous and harrowing trek to the border and searches for safety, Richard gains a deeper understanding of himself while learning who he can and cannot trust.
A revealing portrait of a country in crisis, Kandahar Break delves into conflicts and issues that plague Afghanistan. David Whitney exposes the oppression of the Afghan people by the Taliban, whose rule is characterized by violence, oppression, and ruthlessness. Under Taliban law, women are viewed as little more than objects, and rights such as fair trial do not exist. After working with the Taliban, Richard is forced to face the brutal consequences of their rule firsthand. He must confront guilt and regret as he takes a physical and emotional journey across the desert.
Kandahar Break encapsulates the beauty and tragedy of Afghanistan's people. Amidst a corrupt government and violent surroundings, glimpses of friendship, humanity, and love are offered and a small but definite shred of justice can be grasped.
Language: English (British)
Feature: Kandahar Break
TR:
Review: Amy Leonard for the Media Bureau.
David Whitney's Kandahar Break weaves politics, love, and betrayal into an action-packed thriller set in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Amid the breathtaking landscape surrounding Kandahar, British engineer Richard Lee is hired by the Taliban to clear mine fields in conflict-ridden Afghanistan. Following the death of his wife, Richard falls in love with his interpreter, Jamilah, despite strict Taliban law forbidding extramarital relations. When the affair is discovered by a local police chief, Richard must escape to Pakistan before the Taliban kills him. As he makes the perilous and harrowing trek to the border and searches for safety, Richard gains a deeper understanding of himself while learning who he can and cannot trust.
A revealing portrait of a country in crisis, Kandahar Break delves into conflicts and issues that plague Afghanistan. David Whitney exposes the oppression of the Afghan people by the Taliban, whose rule is characterized by violence, oppression, and ruthlessness. Under Taliban law, women are viewed as little more than objects, and rights such as fair trial do not exist. After working with the Taliban, Richard is forced to face the brutal consequences of their rule firsthand. He must confront guilt and regret as he takes a physical and emotional journey across the desert.
Kandahar Break encapsulates the beauty and tragedy of Afghanistan's people. Amidst a corrupt government and violent surroundings, glimpses of friendship, humanity, and love are offered and a small but definite shred of justice can be grasped.
Language: English (British)
Monday, June 14, 2010
Madsen Minax's documentary Riot Acts: Flaunting Gender Deviance in Music Performance #PUFF #uff #piff2010 #PhilaIndie
/ Philadelphia Underground Film Forum.
Screening: Cafe Treece 6:00pm (338 Brown St.)
Amy Leonard
freeRADlab
Title: Riot Acts: Flaunting Gender Deviance in Music Performance
Madsen Minax's documentary Riot Acts: Flaunting Gender Deviance in Music Performance features transgender musicians and performance artists discussing their music, art, and identities. Highlighting acts from across the
In a society where gender norms implicitly dictate most social interactions, transgender people find themselves occupying an unconventional, and often unaccepted, social space. The manner in which trans artists utilize this non-normative space varies from simply acknowledging it as an essential part of themselves to deliberately riffing on traditional gender norms. Some artists define themselves in terms of a specific gender, while others choose not to classify themselves in those terms. However, all the artists interviewed in Riot Acts are first and foremost human beings, artists, and individuals. Though their gender identity is a part of who they are, it does not define them or their art.
Though Riot Acts: Flaunting Gender Deviance in Music Performance follows transgender musicians, it speaks to a larger questions about identity that all people can relate to. What is gender, and how does it define who we are? How does gender affect our relationships to ourselves and others? How does gender oppress the expression of our true selves?
Movie site: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1527721/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RiotActsthemovie
Twitter:
TRT: 76min
Language: English
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Finalizing 2010 Philadelphia Independent Film festival entries ... We'll be on time!
We are about ready.
We're going to rest for awhile and come back in the AM to finalize the details.
It's been some run for sure. We've been watching movies since last October and have had many, many conversations with you all. We've talked about almost everything since then and have now just about swirled it all into an engaging programming schedule.
Like we have been saying for the past few years, this time is in some ways the best part of the festival. Or you can believe, as we do, that the film festival is ongoing. The conversations about the movies are nothing short of fascinating. We loved watching scenes and discussing why they happened with #PUFF or the film makers themselves, what was suggested in a certain dialogue, why that location was used, or did the effects work, what was that actor thinking at that time, and much more.
So, for now, we'll be in touch via email tomorrow (24th). We will of course field email and phone calls for those who just need to know! We'll of course send you your official notification as well.
See http://PhiladelphiaIndependentFilmFesival.com and http://Twitter.com/PhilaIndie for ongoing updates and announcements. We update our pages frequently so please check on them or sign up for our news feeds.
From the entire fest team, thanks so much for your interest.
See you at the festival.
Benjamin Barnett
Festival Director
Philadelphia Independent Film festival
June 23 - 27, 2010
We're going to rest for awhile and come back in the AM to finalize the details.
It's been some run for sure. We've been watching movies since last October and have had many, many conversations with you all. We've talked about almost everything since then and have now just about swirled it all into an engaging programming schedule.
Like we have been saying for the past few years, this time is in some ways the best part of the festival. Or you can believe, as we do, that the film festival is ongoing. The conversations about the movies are nothing short of fascinating. We loved watching scenes and discussing why they happened with #PUFF or the film makers themselves, what was suggested in a certain dialogue, why that location was used, or did the effects work, what was that actor thinking at that time, and much more.
So, for now, we'll be in touch via email tomorrow (24th). We will of course field email and phone calls for those who just need to know! We'll of course send you your official notification as well.
See http://PhiladelphiaIndependentFilmFesival.com and http://Twitter.com/PhilaIndie for ongoing updates and announcements. We update our pages frequently so please check on them or sign up for our news feeds.
From the entire fest team, thanks so much for your interest.
See you at the festival.
Benjamin Barnett
Festival Director
Philadelphia Independent Film festival
June 23 - 27, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Official selection weekend has commenced! Stop by the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival studio!
Of course we'll be mailing the considerations this Monday as planned but of course we have begun the selection process. If you want to stop by the studio for some insight, please do so at:
Philadelphia Independent Film festival
725 N 4th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
Please note: By being posted for discussion / review on this blog does not mean a film have been accepted. Our film forum, PUFF, has had regular discussions and we post them as is. It certainly means we screened your movie ;)
We do plan to post as many reviewes of movies that will screen during the fest!
As usual, we are shocked by the overall style, craftsmanship, and story telling, of the submissions. The range of submissions in our opinion shows people are experimenting with film and that Actors all over the world are going for it. We have experienced a large amount of fantastic use of cinematography. Overall, our thought is that with the proliferation of affordable camera equipment, we are seeing better film making, not worse.
We have a fantastic festival in the works which includes a healthy use of roundtables, discussions, demonstrations, and more.
Check the website and the blog for ongoing discussions!
Thank you ... more soon.
Benjamin Barnett
Festival director
Philadelphia Independent Film Festival
June 23 - 27, 2010
Philadelphia Independent Film festival
725 N 4th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
Please note: By being posted for discussion / review on this blog does not mean a film have been accepted. Our film forum, PUFF, has had regular discussions and we post them as is. It certainly means we screened your movie ;)
We do plan to post as many reviewes of movies that will screen during the fest!
As usual, we are shocked by the overall style, craftsmanship, and story telling, of the submissions. The range of submissions in our opinion shows people are experimenting with film and that Actors all over the world are going for it. We have experienced a large amount of fantastic use of cinematography. Overall, our thought is that with the proliferation of affordable camera equipment, we are seeing better film making, not worse.
We have a fantastic festival in the works which includes a healthy use of roundtables, discussions, demonstrations, and more.
Check the website and the blog for ongoing discussions!
Thank you ... more soon.
Benjamin Barnett
Festival director
Philadelphia Independent Film Festival
June 23 - 27, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
#PUFF Screenings ... NIGHTMARE- Fri 15th & Sat. 16th
Horror! for your delight .. this friday and Saturday night!
This coming Friday and Saturday #PUFF is screening NIGHTMARE. Fangoria calls this movie: A Surreal Shocker! ~ Fangoria. See the Bloody Blog review of this psychosexual thriller here: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Dylan Bank and Morgan Pehme talk about the surreal horrors of NIGHTMARE on IMDB and Fangoria!
Here's the Nightmare - 4 out of 5 Skull review ...
See you at the Forum.
Benjamin Barnett
Philadelphia Independent Film festival
Festival Director
This coming Friday and Saturday #PUFF is screening NIGHTMARE. Fangoria calls this movie: A Surreal Shocker! ~ Fangoria. See the Bloody Blog review of this psychosexual thriller here: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Dylan Bank and Morgan Pehme talk about the surreal horrors of NIGHTMARE on IMDB and Fangoria!
Here's the Nightmare - 4 out of 5 Skull review ...
See you at the Forum.
Benjamin Barnett
Philadelphia Independent Film festival
Festival Director
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