Last night we had a test screening of my new film, Melvin.
Test screenings, by their very nature, are really tricky beasts to tangle with emotionally and intellectually. But I really have to say, there is a MONUMENTAL difference between seeing the film all by your lonesome in a dark room — and sitting in a room watching the film, presented as a film, with other people watching it with you. I felt hyper-aware and I felt like I could literally feel when the energy of the room was up or down or in between. It’s an all together mind-bending sort of experience… and as I do them more and more in my filmmaking life, the feeling of hyper-awareness hasn’t gone away at all.
That all said, the feedback and comments were thought-provoking and helped solidify the what’s working and what needs a little more love kind of choices. I’m reminded of an article in Filmmaker Magazine awhile back that said, “Don’t make your festival premiere your first test screening.” I feel like we haven’t with Melvin — and as a result, we’re going to have a better film.
Many, many thanks to the folks who shared a couple of hours in a dark room watching Melvin and I on our journey.
THE HAPPY POET will play 3 times in Venice in the coming month — and Writer/Director/Lead Actor Paul Gordon and Producer David Hartstein will be in attendance. This is the film’s INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE and a very, very exciting time for all the folks in our poet camp.
Screening Dates/Times:
Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 (Press Screening)
15:00 hours at Sala Volpi
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
18:15 hours at Sala Darsena
Tuesday, September 7th, 2010
22:00 hours at Sala Volpi
SCREAMING will screen as part of the closing night program, The Texas Show, at the 23rd Annual Dallas Videofest in Dallas, Texas on Sunday, September 26th. Bart Weiss, the director of festival, has been gracious to enough to screen a lot of my work over the years. And honestly, I am always excited to see what makes up The Texas Show, as Bart programs and sheds light on works from in and around Texas that I sometimes don’t hear about or stumble across on my own.
Here’s the official blurb about the Texas Show showcase: Its been the closing night program for 23 years. We take all the shorts submitted that were made, directed or produced by Texans and have an independent jury select the best of Texas shorts. Usually a collection of dramas, comedies, documentaries, and experimental work it offers the diversity as big as… well you know.
And the official blurb about Videofest: SEPT 23-26, 2010 Angelika Film Center, Mockingbird Station, Dallas
For twenty-three years The VideoFest been a celebration of vision and technology. VideoFest has a long history of exhibiting work from outsiders. Some of them have become more familiar then others over the years. VideoFest special guests have been stars such as: Terry Gilliam(12 Monkeys), Paul Ruebens (Pee Wee), Robert Smigel (TV Fun House), Steve Allen (TV Host), Albert Maysles (Grey Gardens), just to name a few.
THE HAPPY POET will be playing in Austin, TX at the Alamo Drafthouse on Monday, August 30th at 7:00PM. This is one of my all-time favorite places to see a film — and Fandango recently called the Alamo Drafthouse their “Best Overall Theatrical Experience” of 2010. What else do you need to convince you?
Details on the Venue:
Alamo Drafthouse – The Ritz
320 East 6th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-1320
I wanted to share some great news about Gregory Collins and his new film THOKOZANI.
Some quick backstory… Gregory and I have been friends for years — and collaborators nearly the entire time. We’ve helped out on each other’s short films, talked constantly about new projects, and sketched out a handful of upcoming feature scripts together. Gregory is also one of the reasons that MELVIN was created — he helped kick it all off. (and hell, we debated having him the play the lead character in MELVIN, for awhile)
So, I am incredibly happy to share, that his first feature film, THOKOZANI, will be the Opening Night Film of the 2nd Annual Malawi International Film Festival. THOKOZANI will kickoff a 4-day event that describes itself as “Beyond Imagination.”
Gregory shot THOKOZANI in Malawi, literally pulling together a cast and crew from the community he was living among. The film is truly ‘A Love Story From Malawi’ — and I couldn’t be happier that Gregory’s film will have its World Premiere in the country of its creation. If you’d like to keep up with the film, jump on over to its facebook page.
THE HAPPY POET has got its International Premiere set — in Venice! We’re incredibly excited to be able to screen the film for the very first time outside of the US. The film will screen as part of Venice Days, which runs from September 1st through September 11th.
From the Official Press Release: The Venice Film Festival’s independently run Venice Days section has unveiled its 12-title largely European lineup comprising nine world preems. Modelled on the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, the Lido’s Venice Days splinter section, now at its seventh edition, will feature works by name auteurs, including Oscar-winning Bosnian helmer Danis Tanovic, Gaul’s Bertrand Blier and Belgium’s Marion Hansel, alongside works by lesser known filmmakers, including four first works. The only U.S. entry unspooling is ultra-indie comedy “The Happy Poet” by Austin helmer Paul Gordon.
And if you’ve got access to the Variety site — you can read the announcement here as well.
I realize there are literally hundreds of film related Kickstarter Campaigns going right now — but I have to throw my arms — and support — around the campaign that Rooftop Films has launched. Mark Rosenberg and Dan Nuxoll run an amazing summer series program (that EXPECTING, LOVERS OF HATE and THE HAPPY POET all played in last 12 months) and above all, at the end of the day, they’re great guys.
If you can give anything, in these tricky economic times, this is an organization incredibly worthy of every dollar you can give. Follow the widget below (or this link) to help out Rooftop.
About Rooftop Films:
Rooftop Films is a New York based non-profit whose mission is to engage diverse communities by showing independent movies in outdoor locations, producing new films, coordinating youth media education, and renting equipment at low cost to artists.
Well, we’ve got a handful of screenings coming up in the next month… THE HAPPY POET is finding his way out there, for sure. If you would, please forward this on to anyone you might know in these different cities… we’re covering a lot of ground in less than a month’s time, so we need all the help we can get in drumming up interest for the Poet!
Traverse City, MI — Friday, July 30th, 2010 at 12:00PM Traverse City Film Festival – Programmed by Michael Moore
July 27th-August 1st, 2010
tickets and more info HERE
Flagstaff, AZ — Opening Night Film, Monday, August 14th, 2010 Flagstaff Film Festival
August 9th-16th, 2010
tickets and more info HERE
Salt Lake City, UT — (our screening time is still TBD) Salt Lake City Film Festival
August 12th-15th, 2010
tickets and more info HERE
On Friday, July 30th, THE HAPPY POET will be playing as part of the 2010 Traverse City Film Festival. The film plays at the Lars Hockstad Auditorium at 301 W. Seventh Street in Traverse City, Michigan on Friday, 7/30 at 12:00PM. Both the writer/director/lead actor Paul Gordon and producer David Hartstein will be in attendance.
To visit the festival’s box office, follow this link.
About Traverse City:
The Traverse City Film Festival is a charitable and educational non-profit organization that holds an annual event in one of the most beautiful areas of the country — Traverse City, Michigan. The festival is committed to showing “Just Great Movies” and helping to save one of America’s few indigenous art forms — the cinema. The sixth annual Traverse City Film Festival will be held July 27 through August 1, 2010.
I’m late getting this out, as the date/time of the screening has shifted around a little bit…
But, I am happy to report that THE OVERBROOK BROTHERS is playing in San Francisco as part of LOL-SF: A Celebration of Comedy On Screen on Friday, July 9th at 9:30pm at the Vogue Theater (3290 Sacramento Street).
From the LOL-SF Press Release: LOL-SF: A CELEBRATION OF COMEDY ON-SCREEN — July 8-15 at the Vogue Theatre!
A weeklong festival of funny films introduced and discussed by stand-up comedians. If it doesn’t make you “laugh out loud”, it doesn’t belong in this festival! Featuring comedians Will Durst, Bob Sarlatte, Father Guido Sarducci and more!
Check out www.sfntf.org for more information or download the flyer below.
LOVERS OF HATE keeps on tearing it up out there in the world… and now, the film’s got a busy July ahead. If you’re in 1 of these 4 cities, you owe it to yourself to get out and see the film that the New York Times calls, “Viciously Amusing.”
I am so very, very happy that the movie keeps finding its way to people/audiences — it’s been the ‘little movie that could’ from the get-go and I really think that that’s a testament to making a great film from what started as something great on the page. It was a very well-written script by Mr. Bryan Poyser — that morphed into a very, very well made film.
Check out these screenings dates/venues and see if you can’t find your way to one of them:
San Francisco, CA — June 28th thru July 1st @ 9:30PM Roxie Theater
tickets and more info HERE
By all accounts, the screening this past Friday Night of THE HAPPY POET at Rooftop Films in NYC was an outstanding success. (note – due to a very much last minute family emergency in Maine, where I am typing this entry from, I was not able to attend the screening at Rooftop, but was getting text updates throughout).
The total number in attendance for the screening of THE HAPPY POET was somewhere between 600 and 700 people. Many, many thanks go out to Mark Rosenberg, Dan Nuxoll, and the whole Rooftop Films Team — as they continually and consistently have packed-house event-style screenings. I give them a hell of a lot of credit, as it’s really difficult to get people to go out and see a small movie in a theatrical setting these days. So again, many thanks have to be given to both Mark and Dan for all that they do…
And I might add that LOVERS OF HATE also had an amazing screening last weekend as part of the Rooftop Films Summer Series, on June 19th.
Keeping up with writer/director Bryan Poyser’s blog for the most up to date sort of info on LOVERS OF HATE — is a really, really good idea… the film just keeps on truckin’ and he’s doing a much better job (than I am, for instance) of sharing upcoming screening and venue information. So get on over there and get your fill of LOH info!
We’re incredibly excited to be a part of Rooftop’s programming this year – and this is our FIRST public screening outside of Austin, Texas. During the 2010 SXSW Film Festival, the film premiered to rave reviews and had 3 standing room only, sold-out screenings. The event kicks off with Live Music by Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez – followed by a screening of THE HAPPY POET (85 minutes) – and will continue with a open-bar/afterparty at Fontana’s. Writer/Director/Editor/Lead Actor Paul Gordon (aka the Poet) will be in attendance (and I’ll be there as well).
Event Info: Friday, June 25, 2010 / $10 at the door (or online)
Open Road Rooftop: LOWER EAST SIDE / 350 GRAND ST., NEW YORK, NY 10002
8:00PM – Doors Open / 8:30PM – Live music by Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez 9:00PM – Film begins / 11:30PM – After-party: Open Bar at Fontana’s (105 Eldridge St.) Courtesy of Radeberger Pilsner
And if you still need convincing — this what a few folks have to say about the film:
“My favorite movie so far at this year’s SXSW is a little comedy, at once wistful and wonderfully dry-witted, called The Happy Poet. Shot here in Austin the film tells the story of one debt-ridden man who attempts to change his lousy fortunes by opening up a vegetarian food stand. It sounds modest. It is modest! But damned if my heart didn’t swell during the film’s great climax to say nothing of the last shot that left me touched to the point of tears. Austin filmmaker Paul Gordon, who wrote, directed, edited and starred in the movie ought to be mighty pleased with himself.” -Karen Valby, Entertainment Weekly
“The Happy Poet, a deadpan charmer directed by Austin filmmaker Paul Gordon, moves along at the brisk pace of a light romantic comedy. Gordon stars as a loner hoping to turn his organic food cart into a success, but the finances never come together. (There’s probably a helpful metaphor here for the state of the independent film itself – trimmed down and in business against all odds…) Everything about The Happy Poet is cheerily conventional, save for Gordon’s hilariously monotonous delivery, an ironic performance that incessantly contradicts the movie’s title.” -Eric Kohn, IndieWIRE
“Admittedly, the film’s muted rhythms take a little getting used to, but once you’re acclimated to Gordon’s long takes and just-short-of-painful pauses between reactions, it’s easy to understand and sympathize with Bill’s ambition…Even better, the film’s dry sense of humor belies sincerity, rather than the kind of ironic detachment that seems to pop up frequently in independent films…The Happy Poet is a modest, funny little charmer – a textbook ‘independent film’ in many ways – but it’s got the romantic heart of a mainstream movie, which is why you want to see its dreams become reality, and after watching it, you feel like yours can, too.” -Todd Gilchrist, Cinematical
“Director/star Paul Gordon’s film is right up my alley, which is to say that I tend to revel in the awkward…The Happy Poet is nothing but awkward, a slice-of-life tale about a weird guy who feels that he should sell organic, mostly vegetarian food out of a hot dog cart…I really, truly dug it.” -Mark Bell, Film Threat
“If Slacker defined the shaggy eccentricities of Austin life circa the early ’90s, then Gordon’s similarly low-key comedy is a delightful, deadpan reappraisal of the town’s prototypical charm some two decades later. …What makes the film so winsome, beyond a lively supporting cast of believable kooks, is Gordon’s sincerity, both as a performer and filmmaker.” -Aaron Hillis, Greencine Daily
We’ve got a great FREE SCREENING of THE OVERBROOK BROTHERS on Wednesday, June 16th @ 7:00PM. Presented by The UT Documentary Center and Screen Door Film, the screening kicks off at 7:00PM and will be followed by a panel with writer/director John Bryant, the lead actors Nathan Harlan and Mark Reeb — and yours truly.
Should be exciting — and I haven’t seen the film end to end in about 6 months, so I’m excited to see it (with a crowd) again — and on the big screen! And if you haven’t seen the film, here’s our trailer to wet your appetite…
Come on out for the screening… it’s the right price. FREE!
On Thursday, June 3rd, we’re throwing a big event/fundraiser for THE HAPPY POET. 2 Screenings of the film (7:30pm and 9:30pm) will take place at the Marchesa in Austin, TX. We’ll have DVDs, tee shirts, buttons and all sorts of other goodies available — many of the cast and crew will be in attendance. Should be a helluva good time! Come on out and support the poet!
LOVERS OF HATE has two upcoming screenings in New York City during the month of June. New Yorkers, here’s your chance to see the film if you haven’t already!
BAMcinemaFEST BAM – (Brooklyn Academy of Music)
30 Lafayette Avenue
Brooklyn, NY June 17th, 2010 @ 6:50PM
read the indieWIRE press release
Rooftop Films
Open Road Rooftop above New Design High School
Lower East Side
350 Grand Street, New York, NY June 19th, 2010 at 8:00PM
purchase tickets here
And of course, if you can’t make it to NYC… you can watch the film via IFC Films On Demand — and you may ask, how do I find IFC Films On Demand?
Enter your zip code and cable provider here — and they’ll do the rest.
(FYI – Time Warner and Cox cable customers – April 16th was the last day to order LOVERS OF HATE on On Demand. Comcast & Cablevision customers, you have until June 15th)
If you are in, or anywhere near, Rochester, New York on Friday, May 7th – you owe it to yourself to get over to the GEORGE EASTMAN HOUSE. There’s a triple feature playing that night, by 3 very different, very talented filmmakers (and yes, I consider them all friends – but can honestly say that they’ve all made quite good films).
ST NICK (directed by David Lowery)
Friday, May 7, 2010 5:15 PM
LOVERS OF HATE (directed by Bryan Poyser)
Friday, May 7, 2010 7:30 PM
Playing as part of ROOFTOP FILMS wonderful summer series, THE HAPPY POET will be playing in New York City on Friday, June 25th at 8:00pm. Many of the cast/crew will be in attendance, including writer/director/lead actor Paul Gordon, producer David Hartstein, actor/co-producer Jonny Mars, and yours truly.
My short film, EXPECTING, played at Rooftop in 2009 — and I had an absolute blast attending the screening and seeing the film with a standing-room-only crowd. Mark Rosenberg and Dan Nuxoll run a great screening series — and they’re able to program great works, from all over the world.
Tickets are available for the June 25th screening of THE HAPPY POET via Rooftop’s Ticket Page.
For more information, check out THE HAPPY POET page on Rooftop Films’ site.
**UPDATE — The Screening is now on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16th at 7PM. (same venue)
The good folks at Screen Door Film, with the help of the UT Documentary Center, are having a screening of THE OVERBROOK BROTHERS on Friday, June 18th at the University of Texas.
The Details: When: Friday, June 18th, 2010 – film begins at 7:00 PM, with a panel to follow Where: Studio 4D in the CMB Building, UT Campus, 2501 Whitis Avenue, Austin, TX How much? FREE
If you’re a fan of THE OVERBROOK BROTHERS — and haven’t yet had a chance to see the film On Demand — you don’t have much time left. What are you waiting for?
April 27th, 2010 is the last day if you’re a Comcast Customer
May 11th, 2010 is the last day on ALL OTHER Cable Providers
See the film that the Seattle Weekly said: “As indie road comedies go, John Bryant’s The Overbrook Brothers is about perfect. Centered on a bombshell familial revelation that forces two quarreling adult brothers into a used Lincoln and on the long road from Colorado to Texas, virtually every scene belongs to Mark Reeb, who plays Todd, the chief egger-on of the sibling pair. Reeb so nails his hilarious character that the movie’s only real shortcoming is that it isn’t 20 minutes longer, to give Reeb more room to run. That’s not to take anything away from Nathan Harlan, the more subdued, artsy brother, Jason, who can’t help but stoop to Todd’s level time and again. In both looks and deadpan demeanor, Harlan is reminiscent of Jason Bateman, the ultimate comedic straight man (who’s usually funnier than his not-so-straight collaborators). If there’s any justice in the cinematic world, Reeb and Harlan’s pairing will go down as one of the greatest of its genre.”
and Ain’t It Cool News had this to say about the film: “The performances in the film are outstanding. Nathan Harlan plays the more sensitive yet immature Jason in such a way that his surrender to his brother’s ridiculous challenges seem totally realistic even if they are completely childish. As Todd, Mark Reeb gets to portray the quintessential big brother bully with gusto. He bravely dives into a most unlikeable character that shows glimmers of humanity, but always turns out to be a dick and is never fully allowed to win over the audience. Some many times I’ve seen films like this get boring and overindulgent with deep meaning, but THE OVERBROOK BROTHERS never falls victim to this indie film pitfall at all. It is a smart and funny film that I definitely recommend checking out if you ever get the chance.”
And if that’s not enough to get you to watch the film, check out our trailer!
LOVERS OF HATE will be a part of the 2010 Maryland Film Festival in Baltimore, Maryland (the festival runs from May 6th-9th). The film screens on May 8th at 10:00pm — and if you have a chance to see the film in any one place, make it the wonderful Maryland Film Festival.
I attended in 2009 with a bunch of the guys from our film, The Overbrook Brothers, and Maryland was one of the best stops on the festival circuit. The staff is wonderful, and the screenings are intimate and well-attended. I highly recommend seeing LOVERS OF HATE in Baltimore, if you’re in the area.
LOVERS OF HATE will be screening as part of the 8th Annual Independent Film Festival of Boston (April 21st thru the 28th) on Saturday, April 24th at 7PM. More info about the screening/venue can be found here.
Saturday, April 24th, 7:00 p.m. – Somerville Theatre Screen 5
And if you can’t get to Boston, you can always watch the film On-Demand via IFC Films!
From the LA WEEKLY, “…the most exciting American indie I’ve seen in a while.”
From MOVIE CITY NEWS, “…the kind of tiny brilliant gem that low-budget indie films ought to be and so seldom are.”
From GreenCine Daily, “…cleverly structured and cringe-inducingly honest.”
And if you can’t catch the film in either of these places… you can always watch it in the comfort of your own home via IFC Films On Demand programming.
Well, I posted our first round of reviews during our SXSW run of THE HAPPY POET. Here’s the second round of what folks had to say about the movie.
Hollywood Elsewhere “Writer/director/star Paul Gordon plays Bill, a man with uncommon intellect who can’t bring himself to submit to an “ordinary” life. He decides to open up an organic food cart called “The Happy Poet” to compete against the flood of indistinguishable hot dog stands littered across Austin. He picks up a following and a couple of assistants, and things hum along nicely. He meets an attractive young woman who digs poetry and what he’s trying to do with his food cart. Going further than that would spoil the movie. The thing I like most about Poet is that it’s about something. It puts forward a forceful argument about the power of an individual to affect change in the world. Few films try to do this anymore, and even fewer do so effectively. In a way, the various people and institutions that surround him with doubt and pessimism awaken a sleeping, mostly-vegetarian and organic giant.”
Smells Like Screen Spirit “I think The Happy Poet is currently enjoying its position as my favorite film of SXSW 2010 (though Cyrus, Putty Hill and Lovers of Hate are not far behind). I think part of the reason that I enjoyed The Happy Poet so much was because I actually related to the lead character, Bill (Paul Gordon), and that character was so perfectly written for Gordon by Gordon. The Happy Poet is a perfect example of a writer and director knowing their own strengths and range as an actor.”
indieWIRE “The Happy Poet,” a deadpan charmer directed by Austin filmmaker Paul Gordon, moves along at the brisk pace of a light romantic comedy. Gordon stars as a loner hoping to turn his organic food cart into a success, but the finances never come together. (There’s probably a helpful metaphor here for the state of independent film itself—trimmed down and in business against all odds—but that’s probably taking things too far.) Everything about “The Happy Poet” is cheerily conventional, save for Gordon’s hilariously monotonous delivery, an ironic performance that incessantly contradicts the movie’s title.”
Well, after two wonderful, sold out screenings of THE HAPPY POET, we’re starting to generate a lot of great press — as well as serious interest in the film. Here are a few of our first press breaks, with many, many more to come! You’ve got one more chance to see the film at SXSW — Thursday, March 18th at the Alamo Ritz at 6:15PM.
EntertainmentWeekly.Com “My favorite movie so far of this year’s SXSW is a little comedy, at once wistful and wonderfully dry-witted, called the Happy Poet. Shot here in Austin the film tells the story of one debt-ridden man who attempts to change his lousy fortunes by opening up a vegetarian food stand. It sounds modest. It is modest! But damned if my heart didn’t swell during the film’s great climax—to say nothing of the last shot that left me touched to the point of tears.”
Slackerwood (review #2) “I have to say that The Happy Poet is my favorite film so far at SXSW. Writer/director/star Paul Gordon’s delivery are very deadpan yet reflect the earnest wish of a man with little resources and no food service experience to open up an organic food stand. The cast is a charming ensemble, all portraying characters rooting for Bill (Gordon) as he struggles to start a business and find his voice.”
Film Threat “Director/star Paul Gordon’s film is right up my alley, which is to say that I tend to revel in the awkward. I like the type of films that have characters that are so embarrassingly awkward that most normal people can’t watch out of a sympathy for the feelings of the characters… which usually means I’m laughing and enjoying the fuck out of myself at the same expense of said characters. “The Happy Poet” is nothing but awkward, a slice-of-life tale about a weird guy who feels that he should sell organic, mostly vegetarian health food out of a hot dog cart on the outskirts of an Austin, TX park, His severe lack of social skills, coupled with such a random dream of healthy convenience food, make for tons of awkward moments and… I really, truly dug it.”
Slackerwood “The Happy Poet is the kind of indie film that puts Hollywood to shame — a low-key comedy with a simple story that leaves you with a smile. The comedy isn’t outrageously insulting, and the protagonist isn’t hamming it up to force laughs. Instead, it’s a genuine story that people can relate to, carnivores and vegetarians alike. With the food-stand renaissance Austin is enjoying these days, Bill’s dream of micro-entrepreneurship is particularly topical. But it’s not about the food, it’s about the dream, the perserverance to realize it, and the people who matter along the way. The Happy Poet is a contemporary American Dream with a Keep Austin Weird twist that will make you wish there was a Happy Poet food cart near you. So far it’s my favorite of SXSW 2010.”
FlickSided.com “…Austinite Paul Gordon has served up my favorite of SXSW in this comedy about an organic food stand that feels, well, organic. Gordon stars as Bill, the Happy Poet, an insecure dude with a graduate degree in creative writing trying to find his way. Gordon’s dry personality and natural acting style carry the film. But it’s his co-star Jonny Mars — as Donnie, a delivery boy who delivers at least a laugh a minute — who steals the show…”
The Scorecard Review “This is the little gem I was looking for. Big fan of this film. The humor comes from the non-humor of Paul Gordon. Incredibly dry, yet you cheer for him to succeed.”
Wonderful news for LOVERS OF HATE as it’s been picked up by IFC Films!
(and it also happens to be good news for a little movie called THE OVERBROOK BROTHERS).
from one of the press releases: New York, NY – March 4th, 2010 – IFC Films, the leading foreign and independent film distributor and an innovator in the movies-on-demand alternative film distribution movement, announced today its second annual partnership with Austin’s South By Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival, one of America’s most vibrant and exciting film festivals, in which three films screening at SXSW will simultaneously be available nationwide via the movies-on-demand platform of major national cable systems. Following last year’s partnership, which helped bring Joe Swanberg’s ALEXANDER THE LAST significant national attention, this year’s program offers simultaneous festival and on demand premieres of three new films: Bryan Poyser’s LOVERS OF HATE, Shane Meadows’ LE DONK & SCOR-ZAY-ZEE and Emmett Malloy’s THE WHITE STRIPES: UNDER GREAT WHITE NORTHERN LIGHTS. Also available exclusively on demand are two acclaimed films from SXSW 2009: Daryl Wein’s BREAKING UPWARDS and John Bryant’s THE OVERBROOK BROTHERS. Beginning March 12th, the films featured in the “Direct From SXSW” partnership will be available for 30 days in a special branded “SXSW” section on the movies-on-demand page the same day each premieres at SXSW, and will be available in approximately 40 million homes on most major cable systems, including Comcast, Cablevision, and Cox.
And to watch an interview (courtesy of Sundance) with Bryan Poyser:
I’ve been working with THE HAPPY POET team as we get ready for the World Premiere — 2 weeks from tomorrow. We’re in that time period that is the amazing onslaught of finalizing everything pretty quickly, but working with Paul, Dave, Jonny, Jason — and now publicist Matt Johnstone — has been a treat and I am really and truly excited to see how the film plays when it’s unleashed to the world. Paul Gordon (as actor/writer/director/producer/editor) has such an amazing/unique comedic film ‘voice’ — that getting to see his film with a crowd — will be really, really intriguing. And the tagline is pretty stellar… MAKE A STAND.
More info coming real soon, but here are some screening times for our 3 screenings at SXSW.
In anticipation of THE OVERBROOK BROTHERS February 17th on-demand world premiere via IFC In Theatres — here’s the trailer that IFC Films created. Very excited for this to go live and help promote our big day — less that 2 weeks away. Also, check out the press release that Cinematical sent out with the film’s trailer debut.
I’m very, very excited for the LOVERS OF HATE team and the Zellner Brothers’ FIDDLESTIXX screenings at Sundance. I’ll be at most of these, so please come out and support the films. Check out the festival schedule for more information. We hope to see you there.
LOVERS OF HATE
Sunday, January 24th, 5:15 p.m. – Racquet Club, Park City
Tuesday, January 26th, 2:30 p.m. – Library Center Theatre, Park City
Wednesday, January 27th, 10:30 p.m. – Broadway Centre Cinemas IV, Salt Lake City
Thursday, January 28th, 12:15 p.m. – Eccles Theatre, Park City
Saturday, January 30th, 8:30 a.m. – Library Center Theatre, Park City
FIDDLESTIXX
*screens with All My Friends Are Funeral Singers
Tuesday, January 26th, 9:00 p.m. – NEW FRONTIER on Main, Park City
Wednesday, January 27th, 9:00 p.m. – Egyptian Theatre, Park City
Thursday, January 28th, 2:00 p.m. – Holiday Village Cinema II, Park City
Friday, January 29th, 7:30 p.m. – Broadway Centre Cinemas IV, Salt Lake City
Saturday, January 30th, 3:00 p.m. – Yarrow Hotel Theatre, Park City
Paul Gordon’s new film has an upcoming Narratives-in-Progress on January 27th. (sadly, I won’t be in Austin to attend). Register at austinfilm.org to check it out. Attendance is free, but seating is limited.
The details (from the AFS website)
Wednesday, Jan 27 @ 7 PM
Austin Studios Screening Room (1901 E. 51st St.)
About the film:
THE HAPPY POET follows a one-time poet’s attempt to run a successful vegetarian foodstand despite pressure to sell something easier—hot dogs. Complications with the foodstand jeopardize budding friendships as well as Bill’s sense of self-worth and faith in humanity.
About the Narratives-in-Progress series
Filmmakers screen their “rough cuts” (or “near-fine-cuts”) for a filmmaker-member audience, and receive constructive comments and feedback. The meetings are moderated by experienced Austin film professionals. Participants will be expected to agree to confidentiality regarding the film and the comments received, as the films to be screened have not been finalized. Read more here>>
So… THE OVERBROOK BROTHERS Video On Demand Premiere is one month from today, February 17th, 2010. To check availability with your cable provider, check out IFCFILMS.COM and look half way down the right hand-side for the “Watch IFC Films On Demand” box and enter your zip code.
We’ll have more info very soon, including a NEW TRAILER and dates/times for some UPCOMING SCREENINGS.
I’ll be updating, when I can, from the festival. So stay tuned here for more news. And just this week, the LOVERS OF HATE poster landed. Check it out! Another great design from the incredibly talented Yen Tan.
Some long-in-the-works news that Mr. John Bryant and I can now finally officially share; IFC has acquired THE OVERBROOK BROTHERS. We’ll be premiering on Video On Demand platforms nationwide in February of 2010. We’re very, very excited to get the film out to a whole new audience. I’ll continue to share information as our page on the IFC website goes live, as well as where and when you can see the film on VOD.
Check out the official press release on indieWIRE.
When I stop and think about the last two-plus years of actually getting the film made and seen, it feels like a lifetime. Some interesting dates in the film’s evolution (and you can see our ever-changing potential title).
The 1st Draft of the Script (”Hearts on Fire”) that John sent me to read: Sunday, August 5th, 2007
The 1st Meeting with our future Production Company/Partner, Sixth Street Films: Monday, November 18th, 2007
The 1st Day of Official Pre-Production (with a production office open in Austin, Texas): Monday, January 28th, 2008
The 1st Day of Principal Photography (”Brotherly Love”) in Fort Collins, Colorado: Monday, March 17th, 2008
The 1st Public Screening/World Premiere (”The Overbrook Brothers”) at SXSW 2009: Sunday, March 15th, 2009
The 1st International Screening at the 17th Raindance Film Festival 2009 (UK): Monday, October 5th, 2009
The 1st Available Video-On-Demand Date: Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
From the release: THE OVERBROOK BROTHERS will be released via IFC Films’ movies-on-demand platform, available nationwide in 50 million homes on virtually all major cable systems, including Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, Cablevision and Brighthouse. Slated to premiere on February 17th, THE OVERBROOK BROTHERS will be available on VOD for three months.
There are 5 chances to see LOVERS OF HATE at Sundance in January, with one of the screenings at the enormous (1000-plus capacity) Eccles Theater on January 28th.
Sunday, January 24th, 5:15 p.m. – Racquet Club, Park City
Tuesday, January 26th, 2:30 p.m. – Library Center Theatre, Park City
Wednesday, January 27th, 10:30 p.m. – Broadway Centre Cinemas IV, Salt Lake City
Thursday, January 28th, 12:15 p.m. – Eccles Theatre, Park City
Saturday, January 30th, 8:30 a.m. – Library Center Theatre, Park City
Fiddlestixx will screen as 1 of 35 short films in the U.S. Dramatic Shorts category.
Fiddlestixx also tweets from time to time… if you’re interested, check him out on twitter.
Enough said.
Very, very exciting news that we’ve had to sit on for a bit. But now that the cat is (officially) out of the bag, LOVERS OF HATE will be World Premiering at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival! The film will be playing in competition alongside a handful of other films in January. Check out the official press release over at indieWIRE. Lots more info to come, and please check back regularly for all sorts of news about screenings and the goings-on in Park City. Congrats to the whole LOVERS OF HATE team!!!
Last week in Bend, Oregon, THE OVERBROOK BROTHERS had a huge weekend, winning 3 different awards at the 2009 BendFilm Festival. They include:
Best Actor – (Mark Reeb) The Overbrook Brothers
Best Screenplay – (John Bryant & Jason Foxworth) The Overbrook Brothers
Best of Show – The Overbrook Brothers
The Overbrook Brothers (Directed by John Bryant) This movie swept up three completely deserved awards: Best of Show, Best Screenplay and Best Actor (Mark Reeb). A hilarious and realistic comedy, it features the road trip of two brothers on a mission to discover their heritage and their escalating rivalry. Reeb delivers a performance that is a cross between Josh Brolin and John Malkovich.
The Overbrook Brothers will be screening in Philadelphia as part of the 18 1/2 Philadelphia Film Festival: 5 Days of World Class Cinema. We’re not sure that anyone from Team Overbrook can be there, but please, if you’re in Philadelphia, come out and see the film!
Philadelphia Film Festival – October 15th thru October 19th, 2009 Screening Date/Time: Friday, October 16th at 9:45 pm – Ritz Bourse A Screening Date/Time: Saturday, October 17th at 2:45 pm – Ritz Bourse C
The Overbrook Brothers will be screening in Bend, Oregon as part of the 6th Annual BendFilm: A Celebration of Independent Cinema.
BendFilm – October 8th thru October 11th, 2009 Screening Date/Time: Friday, October 9th at 8:00 pm – Regal 5 Screening Date/Time: Saturday, October 10th at 10:00 am – Sisters Movie House Screening Date/Time: Saturday, October 10th at 8:00 pm – McMenamins 1
And on a very different note – a blog/information free-for-all/website that I’ve found absolutely wonderful and thought provoking in these tumultuous indie film times is Truly Free Film – written by producer Ted Hope. It’s not as much a call to action as it a bevy of ideas, information and solutions to nurturing and expanding our film culture. In my opinion, it’s a must read if you’re a media-maker.
The Overbrook Brothers will be screening in London, England as part of the 17th Raindance Film Festival. The lineup is a great one, including Steven Soderbergh’s The Girlfriend Experience, Ry Russo-Young’s You Won’t Miss Me – and many, many more. If you happen to be in London on Monday, October 5th – please come out and support the film! It’s one that I am incredibly proud of and it’s great to see in an audience setting (because it’s damn funny).
17th Annual Raindance Film Festival (London) – September 30th thru October 11th, 2009 Screening Date/Time: Monday, October 5th at 7:30PM – Apollo Cinema
The film I produced this past year, THE OVERBROOK BROTHERS, has a handful of upcoming screenings in the next two months. We’ve had a pretty good festival run in 2009 so far and I’m excited we’re going to continue on with many, many more screenings over the course of the fall. Here are some of our screenings in September and October:
2009 Woodstock Film Festival (Woodstock, NY) – September 30th thru October 4th, 2009 Screening Date/Time: Friday, October 2nd at 1PM – Upstate Film I Screening Date/Time: Sunday, October 4th at 1:30PM – Tinker Street Cinema
(director John Bryant and lead actor Nathan Harlan in attendance)
17th Annual Raindance Film Festival (London) – September 30th thru October 11th, 2009 Screening Date/Time: Monday, October 5th at 7:30PM – Apollo Cinema
2009 Chesapeake Film Festival (Chesapeake, MD) – September 18th thru September 20th, 2009 Screening Date/Time: Saturday, September 19th at 8:30PM – The Avalon Theatre
(director John Bryant in attendance)
My short film, EXPECTING (2007, 17 mins), will screen in NYC on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th, as part of ROOFTOP FILMS 2009 SUMMER SERIES. The event will take place on the amazing roof at Open Road Rooftop, at Grand and Essex on the Lower East Side. Doors open at 8:00 PM, live music at 8:30, and films start at 9:00 PM. There’s an open bar after-party after the film’s screening.
About THE ROOFTOP FILMS 2009 SUMMER SERIES:
The festival started May 15th and runs until September 20th, in a variety of outdoor venues (mostly rooftops, but also parks and piers) throughout New York City.
This summer, Rooftop Films is partnering with Cinereach, New York Magazine, IndieWire, IndiePix and others, and is expecting 25,000 people in attendance overall.
RT @creativecap: this is your friendly late-afternoon reminder to set your DVRs for TROUBLE THE WATER tomorrow night at 9 on Nat Geo htt ... 2010/08/27
