April 1- 7, 2004

special x

Programming

The City That Shoves You Back

Thursday, April 15 • 9:30 • International House

Shorts Program • 85 min

Our great city, reflected in six short films that bring to light our best -- and our worst.

A Primer

(US, 2003, 15 min, Joe Kim) Both a primer for an explosive conversation and a frank observation of western pre-conceptions and narrow-minded thought, this is a film that questions -- and it's got a great soundtrack!

Beat Box Philly

(US, 2003, 5 min, Warren Bass and Liz Goldberg) A pulsing, dynamic collaboration between a filmmaker (Bass) and a graphic artist (Goldberg), this animated cityscape features the vocal stylings of human beat-box Edward Snyder.

Boy, Stop Playing With Your Package

(US, 2004, 22 min, Benni Berman) Philly post-punk mock-pop legend Atom and his Package officially retired last year. This documentary takes a look at his reasons for retiring, as well as his final performance.

Crop Circles

(US, 2003, 15 min, Elizabeth Fiend, Gretjen Clausing, Valerie Heller) Taking their message of informed, healthy living to an unsuspecting public, Big Tea Party fearlessly fights the good fight for the farmers of the Philly region, and for all of us.

Jack's Garden

(US, 2004, 13 min, Amy Olk) Part black comedy, part documentary, this revealing short allows us to share in the awkward events that follow the unexpected death of the director's father.

Space Available

(US, 2004, 15 min, Kathilynn Phillips, Dave Manzo) Social commentary and science fiction: Philadelphia in 2025 is not a society that has enough room for new citizens. An excellent directorial debut by Ms. Phillips.

The Dream Programme

Tuesday, April 13 • 9:30 • International House

Shorts Program • 100 min

An all-premiere program, these seven films convince us that dreams are -- at the very least -- as real as ghosts.

Brainwheels

(US, 2004, 17 min, Lynn Rossi) Wonderful and rare, this dialogue-free (but musically rich) short brings us into the multi-faceted characters that cohabitate in an artist's imaginative psyche.

Darren

(US, 2004, 25 min, Marc Brodzik) He creates new bands and projects without even breaking a sweat, and he dares to follow his dreams no matter what stands against him. He is a Philadelphia legend. He is Darren. A terrifically entertaining documentary.

Ezekiel's Dream

(US, 2004, 10 min, Narcel G. Reedus) A psychedelic revelation of Psalm 99, and its affirmation of divine justice.

Pissing Your Life Away

(US, 2004, 2 min, Mitchell Landsmann) A simple and eloquent (and maybe disturbing) short, examining just what we leave behind us.

Sex Machines

(US, 2004, 5 min, Robert Lyons) This time-lapse documentary gives us a sneak peek at the astonishing animation of Mike Sullivan, and frenetic filmmaking by the director.

Sleepmusings

(US, 2003, 10 min, Sergio Schaedel) An example of self-taught filmmaker Sergio Schaedel's unique stop-motion artistry, in a short that is both arcane and wildly interpretive.

Summer of the Serpent

(US, 2004, 25 min, Kimi Takesue) A dream-like film, wherein one young girl longs to connect with the mysterious visitors at her community swimming pool. This film showcases the talent and vision of its director/writer/producer.

A Holy Experiment

Friday, April 16 • 5:00 • International House

Shorts Program • 90 min

Two divine documentaries: one highlights our region's cross-cultural identity, and the other focuses on Pennsylvania's "minor nuclear accident."

Containment: Life After Three Mile Island

(US, 2003, 60 min, Chris Boebel, Nick Poppy) March 28th, 1979. "The focus of the entire planet was here on Middletown, PA." A nuclear accident. A government whitewash. A community enraged. A nation frozen with fear. Intercutting archival footage of the events as they transpired with contemporary interviews, this film allows the same residents who lived there then (and live there now) to revisit those terrifying times. There are many reasons why this fast-paced documentary works so well: its surprisingly balanced coverage (T.M.I has its own representatives speaking candidly), the frankness of its subjects (pro-and anti-nuclear power advocates all shine in their own way) and lastly, a peculiar sense of fatalistic humor that is difficult to explain. On the 25th anniversary of the nation's worst nuclear accident, this well-produced and riveting film is guaranteed to hold your attention.

Rencontrer (To Meet)

(US, 2004, 30 min, Filmon Mebrahtu) Local producer Filmon Mebrahtu explores the daily life of six African immigrants, weaving the stories of their lives into a fabric of shared community, with each subject retaining their distinct cultural identity. Remarkably brief (each segment is five minutes) but deeply revealing, the stories they openly share are a testament to their trust in the director's mission: "To express and document diverse cultural experiences, emphasizing Africa and its Diaspora communities here in the Greater Philadelphia region."

In Justice

Sunday, April 18 • 7:75 • International House

World Premiere

US 2004, 75 min

Director: Alexander Ballas

Cast: Mike Tyler, April Evans, Jonathon Hemingway, Markus Hinkle, Karl Jacob, Peter Salzer, Troy Perrin Screenwriter: Alexander Ballas Producer: Alexander Ballas Cinematographer: Alexander Ballas Editor: Alexander Ballas Print Source: Alexander Ballas

An accomplished and edgy directing debut for young Alexander Ballas, this gritty cop story is a sterling example of independent filmmaking.

Shot by 23-year-old filmmaker Alexander Ballas, this intense melodrama focuses on Frank Miller (portrayed by Philadelphia native Mike Tyler), one tough Philly cop. Nominated for Commissioner of Police, Frank discovers that terrible forces are marshalling against him, but, unfortunately, he discovers this fact much too late. After three men leave Frank for dead, he embarks on a desperate search across our sin-soaked city…for revenge. But Frank's road to vengeance leads him to a mysterious fourth man who is remaining in the shadows. Hunted and alone, Frank finds that his only ally may be on the other side of the grave -- but that ally may very well be his only hope. This film was (remarkably) made in less than two weeks, entirely through volunteer support from cast and crew. Yet its dark, gritty feel contains absolutely no evidence of production shortcomings. The director credits his cast and crew "who worked tirelessly, constantly" in completing this very effective tale of love, hate and human redemption. --Scott Johnston

Website: www.injustice.com

In Justice is Alexander Ballas's debut.

One Weird One X 10

Sunday, April 11 • 7:00 • International House

Shorts Program • 98 min

Ten short films that deal with your standard androids, zombies, cannibals and robots, but in very weird ways.

"Y did Yoda figt Count Duku?"

(US, 2003, 5 min, Sean McBride) Award-winning animator Sean McBride asked his six-year-old nephew to create the drawings for this short. The end result is a lot more entertaining than the 'actual' film was.

Baby Eat Baby

(US, 2003, 11 min, Michael S. Reich and Jeremiah Zagar) That kid looks good enough to eat. A remarkably disturbing hybrid of live-action and animation.

Dead Broke

(US, 2004, 10 min, Patrick Hasson) This nasty little thriller hits with rapid-fire gusto. Rod finds himself broke, and so desperate that even his housemate's cat food begins to look tempting. Nine lives? Maybe for the cats.

"Inhuman Creation Station"

(US, 2004, 4 min, David Deneen) Humanoids build other humanoids to build more humanoids. An excellent stop-motion work of creativity with music from local rockers CKY.

Lawrence of Zombania

(US, 2003, 18 min, Brian Muth and Andrew Laputka) There's a plot, sure, but more importantly, there are also zombies, guns and explosions, along with an adventurer known only as Eugene.

Looking for Something Special

(US, 2003, 10 min, Dmitry Torgovitsky) A dark, no-budget counter-comedy that drops us in the dysfunctional and screwed-up world of a drugged-up clique. Well-acted and horribly funny.

Rat to Whatever

(US, 2003, 3 min, Alex Strang) This hand-drawn animation piece from one of Philly's most creative animators also features an original score by the filmmaker.

Robot Boy

(US, 2004, 16 min, Ted Passon) Robot boy struggles to escape from his imprisonment, only to discover love, in this touching short.

Soccer Time

(US, 2004, 1 min, Edmond Hawkins) It was a day much like any other, until...possibly one of the funniest one-minute films ever made.

Wiley Jack-a-napes, dodges, parries unmitigated evil

(US, 2003, 23 min, Anthony Mastanduno) This short was created in under 48 hours for the National Film Challenge; a terrific example of inventive local filmmaking.

Otaku Unite!

Saturday, April 17 • 4:45 • International House

World Premiere

US 2004, 75 min

Director: Eric Bresler

Cast: Steve Bennett, Jan Scott Frazier, Kaiju Big Battel, Carl Macek, D.J. Jonny Otaku, Gilles Poitras, Sailor Jamboree Producer: Eric Bresler Cinematographer: Eric Bresler, Kelli Cain, Charles Smith, Gaeson Taylor Editor: Eric Bresler Print Source: Eric Bresler

A revealing documentary look at the world of obsessive Japanese animation fandom can be found in this often funny, always fascinating, film.

What is an Otaku? In its original Japanese, it is a term used to describe "an obsessive fan," but translated for our western ears it has come to mean "true believer" -- or at least that's how American Otakus feel. This documentary dives into the world of anime (Japanese animation) and the wild and varied fandom movement that has allowed these fans to express themselves. The filmmakers clearly have too much affection for their subjects to exploit them, but certain moments (such as a costume competition) may strike a non-Otaku audience as strangely funny (fan Jonny Otaku could be a fascinating documentary subject all to himself). Philadelphia filmmaker Eric Bresler and crew traveled the country amassing over one hundred hours of footage with the fans, creators and critics of all things anime. The director states, "I walked onto a convention floor, and discovered a world that I could barely believe existed…and nobody had ever documented before." Certainly nobody with as much admiration for the devotion of the fans. --Scott Johnston

Website: www.otakuunite.com

Otaku Unite! is Eric Bresler's debut.

Program includes the shorts:

"Y did Yoda figt Count Duku?"

(US, 2003, 5 min, Sean McBride) Award-winning animator Sean McBride asked his six-year-old nephew to create the drawings for this short. The end result is a lot more entertaining than the 'actual' film was.

Soccer Time

(US, 2004, 1 min, Edmond Hawkins) It was a day much like any other, until...possibly one of the funniest one-minute films ever made.

The Other America

Saturday, April 10 • 7:00 • International House

Monday, April 12 • 5:00 • International House

East Coast Premiere

US 2004, 83 min

Director: Eugene Martin

Cast: Irene Longshore, Tobias Segal, Vicky Wang Screenwriter: Eugene Martin Producer: Eugene Martin, Michael Yacko Cinematographer: Eugene Martin Editor: Eugene Martin Print Source: City Story Pictures

Philadelphia's own Eugene Martin delivers a triumph of independent filmmaking with this contemplative study of three introspective young people.

Produced, written, edited and directed by Philadelphian Eugene Martin, The Other America was shot with a crew of five, using only available light and a boom mike borrowed from Temple University. Yet the results are truly remarkable and an amazing testimonial to independent cinema. With a gift for naturalism and a refusal to employ clichés, Martin takes us through the introspective minds of three central characters: Carrie (promising newcomer Irene Longshore), a young student slowly trying to pull her life back together after her mother's death; Jackie (Vicky Wang), a young Chinese-American girl whose cynicism prohibits her from revealing much of herself; and Ari (a breakout performance by Tobias Segal), a virtually homeless young man, hiding from both his friends and his need for expression. Martin's camera never intrudes on his characters, nor does his editing do more than convey the emotional center of his material (the film does boast marvelous cinematography from Martin). The actors are a revelation and the director's wish to create a wholly organic production led him to cast Irene Longshore as Cassie -- a character based on Longshore herself. This quietly contemplative coming-of-age story about today's disaffected youth never exploits its subject matter, and The Other America emerges as a genuinely independent feature –- in production resources and artistic approach. --Scott Johnston

Eugene Martin's Filmography: Diary of a City Priest (2001); Edge City (1998); Two Plus One (1995)

Philly Film Fatales

Monday, April 12 • 9:30 • International House

Shorts Program • 103 min

Six women filmmakers turn their cameras on our beautiful, frightening and dangerous world.

Broad Street Line

(US, 2004, 5 min, Michele Grant) This haunting experimental work has an ominous vibe (aided by a Paul Robeson score) that is undoubtedly inspired by its subject: the Broad Street line.

Children in a Jar

(US/Central America, 2004, 50 min, Andrea Campbell) This unflinching and powerful documentary was shot in five Central American cities, and is often uncompromisingly honest. But as the director states, "even in this desperation, the uncertain future of these young addicts holds promise beyond their glue jars."

Fadi Flies a Kite

(US/Israel, 2004, 3 min, Sharon Mullally) With poetry by Sue Pierce, this film, shot in the West Bank, demonstrates one young Palestinian boy's efforts to rise above the hostilities of his time.

Fo(u)nd Memories

(US, 2003, 10 min, Barbara Kigozi) Recollections of her grandparents' early years in Uganda - and the deeper memories of their passing - prompt the filmmaker to search for her family's legacy.

La Promesa/The Vow

(US/Cuba, 2004, 25 min, Cheryl Hess) Filmed in Cuba over the course of three years, this is an absolute gem of a documentary. Saint Lazarus (El Viejo) is widely revered as the great healer, and one father - on the fifth anniversary of his son's miraculous recovery - will keep his oath to that Saint, no matter what pains he must endure.

The Breast Portrait Project

(US, 2004, 10 min, Vitamin D) This fearless short is revealing on many levels, but it primarily shows the courage of the women who give themselves to the camera and the courage of the artist Clarity Haynes.

Steve Phoenix: The Untold Story

Friday, April 9 • 9:30 • International House

Monday, April 19 • 5:00 • International House

US 2004, 95 min

Director: Bill Haley

Cast: Josh Lamon, Wayne Hamilton, Gregg Adamson, Sean Gallagher, Kevin LaBree, Brenden Gallagher, Tim Moyer, Susan Moses, Michael Walls Screenwriter: Bill Haley Producer: Bill Haley Cinematographer: Dave Schwartz Editor: Lisa Kruczek Print Source: Haley Pro

Local rock band Steve Phoenix features in this off-beat look at conspiracy theories, underground radio, public access television and Fishtown.

Jack Sparks (Josh Lamon) is a story junkie, desperate to find an amazing, untold story. In his Fishtown apartment he has collected thousands of stories by conducting live interviews with local Philly folk. Jack shares these stories with the outside world through his public access TV program, "The Untold Story." Jack's also a bit of a loner -- disconnected from any friendships, his closest connection to humanity is an underground radio network where conspiracy buffs fill the static with new theories of government manipulation. When Jack receives an anonymous tip on "the really big untold story," he jumps at the opportunity to investigate, and soon finds himself going deep undercover with a local garage rock band called Steve Phoenix (played, ironically, by local rock band Steve Phoenix). But that's not the real story. The real story? Well, it's got something to do with a mysterious organization led by a subversive mastermind known only as Steve Phoenix! Or maybe that's not the real story after all. This feature boasts accomplished performances from the talented cast (including the band itself) and a remarkable production value level that belies the film's budget. Featuring brief appearances by Philly scenesters, the film is, quite simply, unlike anything else you'll see in theaters all year. Director Bill Haley states, "It's basically a mockumentary masquerading as a buddy movie -- or maybe it's the reverse." --Scott Johnston

Steve Phoenix: The Untold Story is Bill Haley's feature film debut.

When All Else Is Lost

Wednesday, April 14 • 5:00 • International House

Shorts Program • 101 min

Seven shorts that focus on loss: its impact, its damage and ultimately the insight that it can bring.

Obsolete

(2004, 5 min, Timothy Litostansky) In the far future, robots maintain the few remaining artifacts of humanity: its art, its history and its beauty.

Mother Divine

(2004, 15 min, Jeff P. Elstone II) This surreal and atmospheric piece features a heroine with a haunted past, as well as the Divine Lorraine Hotel.

Bacon

(2004, 2 min, Hugo Marmugi) Revenge is a dish best served cold, but comedy is a dish best served with this short film.

Jack's Garden

(US, 2004, 13 min, Amy Olk) Part black comedy, part documentary, this revealing short allows us to share in the awkward events that follow the unexpected death of the director's father.

Bad Blood

(2004, 3 min, Jonathon Etkins) This poignant animated short chronicles the Tuskegee Airmen and their inexcusable betrayal at the hands of their own government.

Loneliness

(2004, 17 min, Michael Zubarev) A visionary film based on author V. Ulea's poem of isolation. This unique film imaginatively combines post-modern and traditional techniques to tell its story.

Bet Herut - The End of the Beginning

(US, Israel, 2003, 53 min, Eran Preis, K.M. Winikur) Not the documentary you would expect – and not the one that the filmmakers set out to shoot. Returning to a progressive Israeli farming commune to seek answers for the 30-year-old death of their family member, the directors discover that the commune is on the brink of collapse.