I know I never post.

2009-11-23T21:23:00.000-08:00

I know I never post. This is mostly because I think very little I have to say is worth sharing with all three of you who read this blog.

But today is not one of those days.

After a very long time, my favorite film of 2008 is being released on DVD. Since I can't seem to get hired anywhere, I am taking an extraordinary amount of joy in this event. I saw this film at the LA Film Festival in the summer of 2008. Neither of my friends liked it. I thus put it into the file of films that I like for some odd reason but no one else does. To my utter delight, Manohla Dargis agreed with me.

(Along with being interviewed by Charlie Rose, having one of my films reviewed and praised by Manohla would be considered success in my book. Yes, she and I are on first-name basis. No, she doesn't know. Does this have something to do with my love of strong women and my need for approval from my mother? It's possible.)

I only wish more people would see this film. It's just that incredible. It's one of the most contained films I've ever seen and yet, like the best films, rich and expansive. The evocation of place and relentless tone left me breathless. The performances are generous. The camera work is visceral and exciting. My friend asked me what I thought was at stake for these characters, and I said their survival. Expansive, right? It's maybe one of the bravest things in American cinema today to make a film concerned with struggles so human and yet it's also one of the most vital things I wish we could see more.

The director also took control of the release of this film and self-distributed. Given that I've been feeling like I'm waiting for someone else to let me make a movie, he's a bad ass in my book. Even if his Q&A at the LAFF made me think Bob Ross has been reincarnated.

In related news: I'm hitting up everyone I know this holiday season to finance my film about patricide. I'm not bringing my mother in tow however, because when I told her what the film was about she sat silently on the phone for a couple minutes and then said, with a heavy sigh, "I just don't know why you have to make these difficult films."

My response, a la Gus Van Sant, "so no one else has to."

Anyway, it felt necessary to share this with you all. Please buy, rent, screen, comment and tell me what you think.

I know I'm not alone here. Manohla and I would welcome you into our group. We may set up a page on Facebook.

Free Roman Polanski

2009-09-28T16:19:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, the American justice system shows an excess of formalism, like an infernal machine that advances inexorably and blindly.”
-Jack Lang

Yep. Consider mandatory sentencing. Free Roman Polanski.

student filmmaking is hazardous to your health.

2009-06-20T13:03:00.000-07:00

stuff

I know I never post.

Free Roman Polanski

student filmmaking is hazardous to your health.