Friends & Neighbors
Posted by: dalas | From: April 28, 2007
Hey youse guys! dalas here, checking in from PDXFF. I actually just watched three programs, but I didn't get to log on to the NET until now, so I will work on posting my reactions.
The first program of the day was "Friends & Neighbors," which was a showcase of experimental short films by folks from round these parts. I'll cut right to the chase and give you brief impressions of the films.
The first film was "Ring! Ring!" by Arman Bohn. In this film, a series of mysterious packages arrive on the doorstep of a musical composer. There was a very Lynchian tone to this film. Sort of an air of strange suspense. Also, watching Lost has gotten me in the habit of spotting books. The protagonist in this film was reading one called The Mysterious Island, and the chapter he was reading was "The Abandoned." LOST IS EVERYWHERE!
Up next was the first of Mack McFarland's "Kinetoscopes for the 21st Century." All of the films from this series were very entertaining. In the first one, the audience is squashed like an ant (from the ant's POV). Another features a very absurd puppet show of sorts. The one with the feather almost gave me an acid flashback. You can watch them yourself at kinetocast.com
We then watched "October of This Year," by Rob Tyler, which documented the Portland ice storm of 2003. I was not in Portland for this event, but it looks like there were some serious amounts of solidified water. This film had a very interesting aesthetic to it. I couldn't tell if it originated on on film or if it was video treated to look like film. All in all, it just reminded me of all the ice bergs melting. BUMMER.
"Invitation," by Morgan Currie was next. A very somber and meditative documentary about the impact of Hurricane Katrina. The opening shots of people working in the rubble gave me the strong impression of a wounded animal dragging itself back to its den to recuperate. Currie found some very interesting survivors to interview and their perspective was enthralling. I thought this film had the quality of a good Maysles documentary.
"Isi," by Chris Larson felt like a stochastic kaleidoscope of organic imagery. I can't explain it much beyond that.
Gordon Nickel's "Conquest Blues" lightened the mood a bit and was very well edited.
I'm hurrying now, because I need to get dinner before the 9pm show.
"Transit," by Melissa Gregory Rue was what we used to call a found footage montage, but maybe we're supposed to call it a "mash-up" now? Maybe not. An interesting spiritual journey nonetheless.
Jesse England got a big laugh with his film "Steve Winwood is Hungry for Breakfast." I've watched it several times before and I still find it funny.
UrHo homie E*Rock screened his music video "I Love Your Music." I Love Your Music Video, Eric. It helps that I really like it when computers sing in music.
"Dear Alphabet" by Marina Budovsky was like a Tool Video + The Residents' film "Vileness Flats" + an Edward Gorey book + Sesame Street. It was beautifully made.
Morgan Hobart's "Soft"? A sepia toned organic memory MICRO BLAST.
Grace Carter and Holly Anders showed their film "Nora," which was inspired by a theatrical project and the movie "Psycho." It felt like they were using a Matthew Barney-style ritual to reclaim the power that Hitchcock attempted to take away from women in his films. The film was very stylish and well produced.
OK, dinner time! I'll try to get my posts up regarding the other two programs I saw today ASAP.
Oh, and hey, there is plenty of room in this theatre, so please come down and watch these films!!
Post a comment:
Right on - Thanks for noticing the book shot in "Ring! Ring!"-
You may also note that the page of the book is 203 which is also his apartment number.
Bum ... bum ... BUUUUUUMMMM!!!! (cue scary music and lightning flash!)
Posted by: Arman Bohn at April 29, 2007 7:58 PM