Every week, I get several press releases, screening invitations and other notifications from a handful of studio contacts. While I won’t be sharing any information regarding my screening invites, some of the press releases might be of interest to my readers, so I thought I’d start sharing them in toto with all of you. These could include new image galleries for various films or important updates to upcoming releases from various smaller studios and art house production companies.
- Image Gallery: Don Jon (Updated)
- Image Gallery: Hotel Oldboy
- Press Release: Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley to Star in “The Imitation Game”
- Press Release: Brigade’s Lineup for New York Film Festival
- Press Release: American Film Institute Calls for Submissions for 2013 Awards
- Press Release: “Kill Me Three Times” Final Cast Announced
- Press Release: CBGB Festival Lineup Announced
Image Gallery: Don Jon (Updated)
Image Gallery: Hotel Oldboy
Press Release: Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley to Star in “The Imitation Game”
BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH AND KEIRA KNIGHTLEY LEAD A TOP-FLIGHT CAST IN “THE IMITATION GAME”
September 15th 2013 Start of Principal Photography in the UK
Announced by Black Bear Pictures
LONDON, 16 SEPTEMBER, 2013: THE IMITATION GAME, which began principal photography in the UK yesterday, is a dramatic portrayal of the life and work of one of Britain’s most extraordinary unsung heroes, Alan Turing.
The pioneer of modern-day computing, Turing is credited with cracking the German Enigma code and the film is a nail-biting race against time by Turing and his brilliant team at Britain’s top-secret code-breaking centre, Bletchley Park, during the darkest days of World War II. Turing, whose contributions and genius significantly shortened the war, saving thousands of lives, was the eventual victim of an unenlightened British Establishment, but his work and legacy live on.
Benedict Cumberbatch (“The Fifth Estate”, “Star Trek Into Darkness”, and TVโs “Sherlock”) and Keira Knightley (BAFTA nominee for โAtonementโ, Oscarยฎ nominee for “Pride and Prejudice”) will star as Alan Turing and his close friend and fellow code-breaker Joan Clarke, alongside a top-notch cast, including Matthew Goode (โStokerโ, “A Single Man”), Mark Strong (“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”), Rory Kinnear (“Skyfall”),
Charles Dance (“Gosford Park”, TV’s “Game of Thrones”), Allen Leech (โIn Fearโ, TVโs “Downton Abbey”) and Matthew Beard (“An Education”).
Norwegian filmmaker Morten Tyldum, 2012โs BAFTA nominee for “Headhunters”, is directing from a screenplay by Graham Moore, based on the book “Alan Turing: The Enigma” by Andrew Hodges.
Black Bear Picturesโ Teddy Schwarzman is producing alongside Nora Grossman and Ido Ostrowsky, with Moore as executive producer and Peter Heslop (โThe Kingโs Speechโ) as co-producer. Behind-the camera talent includes director of photography รscar Faura (โThe Impossibleโ), editor William Goldenberg (Oscarยฎ winner for โArgoโ), production designer Maria Djurkovic (โTinker Tailor Soldier Spyโ), hair and make-up designer Ivana Primorac (โAnna Kareninaโ), casting director Nina Gold (โLes Miserablesโ) and composer Clint Mansell (โBlack Swanโ).
FilmNation Entertainment is handling International Sales, with CAA representing US Domestic. STUDIOCANAL has all rights in the UK.
BLACK BEAR PICTURES
Launched in 2011, Black Bear Pictures is a New York based film production and financing company. Black Bear strives to produce original, engaging and commercial films that stand out within their genre. With two to four films slated for production each year, Black Bear focuses on developing, producing and financing wide-release films with unique points of view and specialty films with crossover potential from original voices.
FILMNATION ENTERTAINMENT
Founded in 2008 by veteran international film executive Glen Basner, FilmNation Entertainment is a new kind of film company โ global, versatile and full-service; and is a go-to destination for many of the worldโs most renowned filmmakers. FilmNation can board a project in a myriad of ways (as a producer, financier, sales agent, international distributor or marketer) and at any stage in a filmโs lifespan including development.
FilmNationโs upcoming sales line-up showcases the work of many of todayโs most exciting, established and up-and-coming filmmakers, and includes three 2013 Cannes Official Selections: Alexander Payneโs Nebraska starring Bruce Dern; Sofia Coppolaโs The Bling Ringstarring Emma Watson; and J.C. Chandorโs All Is Lost starring Robert Redford.
The upcoming sales line-up also includes: Jonathan Glazerโs Under the Skinwith Scarlett Johansson, an In Competition film at this yearโs Venice Film Festival and an Official Selection of the Toronto International Film Festival; Terrence Malickโs Knight of Cups and an untitled project; David Michรดdโs The Roverstarring Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson; Anton Corbijnโs A Most Wanted Man starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Rachel McAdams; Geniusstarring Colin Firth and Michael Fassbender; the untitled Marc Lawrence romantic comedy starring Hugh Grant and Marisa Tomei; The Rules of Inheritance starring Jennifer Lawrence; among others.
Production vet Aaron Ryder heads up FilmNationโs production arm. Previously released this year was Jeff Nicholsโ critically acclaimed Mud, a 2012 Cannes competition selection,starring Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sheridan, Michael Shannon and Reese Witherspoon; and Dan Beersโ teen sex comedy Premature. FilmNation is in development on Nic Mathieuโs Story Of Your Life.
Press Release: Brigade’s Lineup for New York Film Festival
2013 NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL
Below please find a list of the films Brigade will be handling at the 2013 New York Film Festival.
THE DOG
(Acquisition Title/Submarine)
Section: Motion Portraits
Directed by Alison Berg and Frank Kerauden
Coming of age in the 1960s, John Wojtowicz’ libido was unrestrained even by the libertine standards of the era, with multiple wives and lovers, both women and men. In August 1972, he attempted to rob a Brooklyn bank to finance his lover’s sex-reassignment surgery, resulting in a fourteen-hour hostage situation that was broadcast live on television. Three years later, John was portrayed by Al Pacino as โSonny,โ and his crime immortalized in one of the most iconic New York movies of all time, Dog Day Afternoon. The film had a profound influence on Wojtowicz (who pronounced his name “Woto-wits”), and when he emerged from a six-year prison sentence, he was known by his self-imposed nickname: “The Dog.”
Drawing upon extraordinary archival footage, the film shuffles between the 1970s and the 2000s. Touching upon the sexual revolution of the 1970s, we gain a first-hand perspective on New York’s historical gay liberation movement in which Wojtowicz played an active role. In later footage, he remains a subversive force, backed by the unconditional love and headstrong wit of his mother Terry. The hows and whys of the bank robbery are recounted in gripping detail by Wojtowicz and various eyewitnesses, and donโt necessarily always align with one another.
Directors Allison Berg & Frank Keraudren began filming The Dog in 2002, and their long-term dedication pays off in this unforgettable portrait capturing all of the subject’s complexity. John is, by turns, lovable, maniacal, heroic, and self-destructive. To call him larger than life feels like an understatement. Passionate and profane, The Dog makes no apologies for being who he is: “Live every day as if it’s your last and whoever doesn’t like it can go fuck themselves and a rubber duck.”
The Dog recently screen at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.
Allison Berg was born in New York City. She received the Special Jury Award at 2004 SXSW for her debut feature documentary Witches in Exile. The Dog is her latest film.
Frank Keraudren studied film at New York University. He co-directed The Last Cigarette in 1999 and Who Wants To Be President? in 2000, and co-produced and edited Allison Berg’s Witches in Exile. The Dog is his latest film.
TRT: 100 minutes
Country: USA
Language: English
Screenings:
Monday, September 23rd at 10:45am โ Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center โ P&I Screening #1
Tuesday, October 1st at 8:15pm – Francesca Beale Theater – Public Screening #1
Tuesday, October 8th at 6:30pm โ Howard Gilman Theater – Public Screening #2
Media Opportunities:
Directors Allison Berg and Frank Keraudren
——————————————————————————–
EMPIRE
Section: Convergence
Directed by Eline Jongsma and Kel OโNeill
Empire is making its world premiere at NYFF 2013.
A hidden synagogue in the mountains of Indonesia. A Dutch-style village in the Sri Lankan rainforest. A white separatist enclave in the South African desert. These are just a few of the communities brought to light in Empire, an immersive documentary project that examines the still-unfolding legacy of Dutch colonialism.
Shot in ten countries over four years, Empire employs a broad range of storytelling techniquesโincluding nonfiction filmmaking, multi-channel video projection, and experience designโto unearth the contemporary aftershocks of the world’s first brush with global capitalism.
By turns epic and intimate in its approach, Empire explores the ways in which the conditions of past continue to define our lives in the present.
Empire’s installations and interactive videos will be on display throughout NYFF at several venues on the Lincoln Center campus. Viewers are invited to chart their own course through the work, and to draw their own thematic connections as they go.
Eline Jongsma & Kel OโNeill are a married Dutch-American filmmaking team focused on cross-platform storytelling. They work as a two-person crew, and film, edit, research and produce all of their work by themselves. They spent 2010-2013 travelling more than 140,000 kilometers by car, boat and airplane through Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Americas while filming Empire. Before creating Empire, Eline and Kel were the US Correspondents for VPRO Televisionโs Prix Europa-winning documentary series โMetropolis.โ Their journalism work has appeared in the Huffington Post, Vice and The Creators Project. Their videos and installations have been presented by museums, galleries and festivals throughout the world, including: the Los Angeles Film Festival (LAFF); the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA); the International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (IABR); Apex Art, New York; Stevenson Gallery, Cape Town; Jogja National Museum, Yogyakarta; Khoj, New Delhi; and CBK Zuidoost/Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam (SMBA). Before they began working together, Eline worked as a fine art photographer, and Kel worked as an actor in independent film.
Country: Netherlands/USA
Exhibitions:
Videos and installations will be on display at NYFF from September 28th through 30th at several venues on the Lincoln Center campus, including the Elinor Bunin Film Center, Walter Reade Theater, and Alice Tully Hall.
Media Opportunities:
Directors Eline Jongsma and Kel OโNeill
Tech Session:
Saturday, September 28th at 4:00pm โ Elinor Bunin Monroe Film Center, with Nicholas Rapold
Press Release: American Film Institute Calls for Submissions for 2013 Awards
AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES AFI AWARDS 2013 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS AND KEY DATES OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS IN FILM AND TV CELEBRATED AT INVITATION-ONLY LUNCHEON ON JANUARY 10, 2014 HONOREES TO BE ANNOUNCED ON DECEMBER 9, 2013
LOS ANGELES, CA, September 17, 2013 โ The American Film Instituteโs โalmanacโ of the yearโs most outstanding achievements in film and television, AFI AWARDS will be held on January 10, 2014 and honorees will be announced on December 9, 2013. Submissions are now being accepted online at AFI.com until October 25 for TV and October 31 for film.
Favored by artists and entertainment executives for its intimacy and collaborative recognition, the annual gathering is the only form of national appreciation that honors the creative ensemble as a whole โ those in front of and behind the camera โ and is popular with honorees because there are no winners or losers. AFI will honor the talented teams that created the 10 most outstanding films and 10 most outstanding television programs of the year at a private luncheon in Los Angeles.
Marking the 14th chapter in the American Film Instituteโs 21st century almanac, AFI AWARDS honorees are selected by a jury process comprised of experts from across the moving image communities โ including film and television artists, scholars, critics and AFI Trustees.
Television Submission Deadline – October 25, 2013
Film Submission Deadline – October 31, 2013
Honorees Announced – December 9, 2013
AFI AWARDS 2013 – January 10, 2014
AFI Awards 2013 presenting sponsor is Verizon Digital Media Services with additional sponsorship by Stella Artois. American Airlines is the official airline of the American Film Institute.
About the American Film Institute
AFI is Americaโs promise to preserve the history of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. Visit AFI.com or connect at twitter.com/AmericanFilm, facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute and youtube.com/AFI.
Press Release: “Kill Me Three Times” Final Cast Announced
KRIV STENDERS’ ‘KILL ME THREE TIMES’ ANNOUNCES FINAL CASTING WITH SIMON PEGG, SULLIVAN STAPLETON, ALICE BRAGA, TERESA PALMER, BRYAN BROWN, CALLAN MULVEY AND LUKE HEMSWORTH SET TO START PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY BEGAN THIS WEEK
LOS ANGELES, CA (17 SEPTEMBER, 2013) – The final cast has been announced for KILL ME THREE TIMES the new crime thriller from Kriv Stenders (Red Dog, Boxing Day). Principal photography began this week in and around Perth and the southwest region of Western Australia. The film stars Simon Pegg, Sullivan Stapleton, Alice Braga, Teresa Palmer, Bryan Brown, Callan Mulvey and Luke Hemsworth. With an original screenplay by James McFarland, the film is produced by Laurence Malkin and Share Stallings (the team behind Death At A Funeral and A Few Best Men) and Tania Chambers, the former CEO of Screen New South Wales.
KILL ME THREE TIMES takes place in a sundrenched Australian surfing town, where a young singer, portrayed by Alice Braga, is the thread that binds three tales of murder, blackmail and revenge. Simon Pegg plays a mercurial assassin, who is hired by her wealthy husband (Callan Mulvey), but there is more than one person gunning for her. Sullivan Stapleton has been cast as a gambling addict that attempts to pay off his debts through a risky life insurance scam, whilst Teresa Palmer plays a small town Lady Macbeth who masterminds the scheme. Bryan Brown, a corrupt cop, also tries to get his cut and Luke Hemsworth portrays Braga’s love interest, a local surfer who hopes to rescue the young woman from Pegg’s telescopic sights.
Director Kriv Stenders said, “I am absolutely thrilled with the dream cast we’ve assembled. It’s a real gift to have so many wonderfully talented and respected actors in one movie. I can’t wait to begin collaborating with them and bring KILL ME THREE TIMES to vivid life.”
“KILL ME THREE TIMES is a great script and the chance to work with Kriv Stenders in Perth made the whole thing an opportunity I did not want to miss out on,” added Simon Pegg.
Sullivan Stapleton concluded, “I am a fan of this script and character, and look forward to coming home to Australia for this film.”
“We’ve been searching for a film like Out of Sight, where flawed but human characters manipulate, murder and make love to each other in really fun and suspenseful ways,” said Malkin. “James’ script struck just the right chord, surrounding the emotional core with action, romance and dry humor. We’re thrilled that Kriv and this impeccable cast are going to breath life into an immensely satisfying and universal story.”
Cargo Entertainment handles international sales and WME is repping KILL ME THREE TIMES in North America. The film is financed by Screen Australia, ScreenWest, Jake Film Finance, Media House Capital and the Melbourne International Film Festival’s MIFF Premiere Fund.Media House Capital’s Aaron L. Gilbert, Jake’s Joan Peters, Azurite Capital’s Jack Drewe, Jed Weintrob, Ian Gibbins, and Bryce Menzies are executive producers. Margot Hand and Patrick Murray are co-executive producers. Hopscotch Entertainment One is releasing the film in Australia and New Zealand.
Press Release: CBGB Festival Lineup Announced
THE CBGB MUSIC & FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES THE OFFICIAL 2013 FILM LINEUP
BROADWAY IDIOT Featuring Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong and The Long Awaited CBGB Film Open This Year’s Festival
New York, NY (September 18, 2013) – The CBGB Music & Film Festival has announced the 2013 official film lineup, which will feature over 60 feature films and shorts including world and US premieres mixed in with shorts, fan favorites and a wide selection of music driven movies. The fest will kick off with BROADWAY IDIOT (a documentary following Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong and the making of his Broadway bound American Idiot) and the highly anticipated US theatrical premiere of the feature film, CBGB. The announcement was made today by Film Festival Director, Joe Amodei.
“We have taken a big step into the future with this year’s unique selection of films,” states Film Festival Director, Joe Amodei. “We have secured over 25 U.S. and World Premieres in addition to including a selection of shorts for the first time. Our film selections will showcase a solid mix of music genres including rock, bluegrass, pop and folk, while also exploring the foreign music culture of countries such as Brazil, Italy, London, Australia and the underground punk scenes in Montreal and Toronto. We have also brought back some fan favorites and a host of films that have never played to NYC audiences.”
“The CBGB Music & Film Festival aims to become the largest international film festival in the world for premiering and showcasing movies and shorts that focus exclusively on music.” Said CBGB Music & Film Festival executive producer Tim Hayes. “No other major film festival in the county provides such a large platform for music based movies and there is no better place than New York City to do it.”
The CBGB Film Festival is a five-day festival/conference that will take place from Wednesday, October 9 to Sunday, October 13. The fest will premiere an estimated 60 feature films and shorts, featuring Q&A sessions with directors, producers and actors.
For the complete list of films and schedules please go to the festival website at cbgb.com
THE 2013 CBGB FILM FESTIVAL LINE UP
U.S. Theatrical Premieres
BROADWAY IDIOT
U.S. Theatrical Premiere
Director: Doug Hamilton
From punk rock mosh pits and sold-out stadiums to the Great White Way, this electrifying documentary follows Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong as he transforms his mega-hit album American Idiot into a staged Broadway musical. The film goes behind the scenes to reveal the creative choices and challenges made by Grammyยฎ winner Billie Joe and Tonyยฎ winning director Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening) to create the thrilling and one-of-a-kind musical experience. With insider access to rehearsals and more, BROADWAY IDIOT provides a unique window into the art of theater as rock stars and stage stars collide. Courtesy of FilmBuff.
CBGB
U.S. Theatrical Premiere
Director: Randall Miller
CBGB follows the story of Hilly Kristal’s New York club from its conceit as a venue for Country, Bluegrass and Blues (CBGB) to what it ultimately became: the birthplace of underground rock ‘n roll and punk. When Kristal had difficulty booking country bands in his club on the Bowery he opened his doors to other kinds of rock music. Kristal had one demand of the acts he booked; they could only play original music. No top 40’s, no covers. It was the credo he lived by, support the artist at whatever the cost. Hilly Kristal ironically became known as the godfather of punk giving a chance to such bands as Blondie, Television, Ramones, Talking Heads, Dead Boys and The Police. Cast includes Alan Rickman, Ashley Greene, Malin Akerman, Stana Katic, Rupert Grint, Johnny Galecki, Justin Bartha, Freddy Rodriquez, Ryan Hurst, Richard de Klerk, Ahna O’ Reilly, Donal Logue and Katherine DuBois.
World Premieres
EVERY EVERYTHING: THE MUSIC, LIFE & TIMES OF GRANT HART
World Premiere
Director: Gorman Bechard
A rock & roll “Fog of War” about Hรผsker Dรผ’s legendary singer/songwriter Grant Hart. Director Bechard will be on hand to show clips from this unfinished film and discuss what the factors were that made him so interested in making this movie.
GEEK USA
World Premiere
Director: Brandon Walz
Phil is a high school senior lacking in popularity. That all changes when his band wins a battle of the bands concert and turns him from an unknown geek to the most eligible bachelor for prom. At first, Phil’s newfound popularity is boost of self-esteem, but problems arise when three very attractive girls want him as their date to the prom. Filled with 90’s nostalgia and alternative rock, Geek USA is a throwback to heartfelt and hilarious teen comedies of a now very distinguished decade.
THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION SHOW
World Premiere
Director: Shaun Pettigrew
A music documentary exploring the turbulent, controversial and often unbelievable 30 year history of British post punk industrial band Killing Joke.
THE ESG STORY
World Premiere
Director: Greg Harding
The E.S.G. Story gives the real story of the legendary post-punk/funk band from their beginnings in the projects of Bronx, New York in the early 80’s as a group of 3 sisters, encouraged by their Mother to make music, to current day where their passion to create genre-bending music still drives them to make albums and tour the world as a family. E.S.G. has been exciting the world with their music for over 33 years, and show no sign of stopping. Being shown as a work in progress with director Greg Harding in attendance.
THE STARCK PROJECT
World Premiere
Director: Michael Cain
A feature documentary set in 1980s, Bible Belt Dallas at the infamous STARCK Club. This world premiere includes appearances from the late Larry Hagman, Owen Wilson and this year’s CBGB Icon Award Winner Seymour Stein.
US Premieres
AUTOLUMINESCENT
US Premiere
Director: Richard Lowenstein
This documentary traces the life of Rowland S Howard, who appeared on the early Melbourne punk scene. A beautifully gaunt and gothic aristocrat, the unique distinctive fury of his guitar style shot him directly into the imagination of a generation. Narrated by Henry Rollins.
DUTCH INFLUENCE
US Premiere
Directors: Samuel Comazzi, Hatib el Khatib
The beat starts to rise, a sea of hands fills the air and the crowd surges. Welcome to the world’s most dynamic new music scene. Buckle up for an energetic ride as Armin van Buuren, Tiรซsto, Afrojack, Laidback Luke and other leaders in the House Dance movement invite us into their lives. Recognized by few in Holland, but at Miami Music Week they’re superstars who are rapidly redefining a genre and taking over the globe’s hottest clubs.
HEART OF BRUNO WIZARD
US Premiere
Director: Elisabeth Rasmussen
Bruno Wizard is a London punk musician who became an underground legend for his original performances and ‘mystery man’ status in the mid 70’s. He performed at the Roxy club alongside The Jam, Generation X and The Wire, and was part of the ‘Blitz kids’ scene, squatting with the Warren Street mafia. His loathing of the establishment and conventional music industry made him reject record company contracts and follow his own heart and principles at any cost.
LIVIN OUT ROCK N ROLL
US Premiere
Director: Paulo Sedarazzi
Livin out Rock n Roll is about the dirty disregarded history of the London 80s rock scene, the story of the Baby Teenage Idols as told by the people who somehow manage to survive it.
LOCKED IN A GARAGE BAND
US Premiere
Director: Jennifer Westcott
The feuding members of a high school rock band get locked in their garage for a day. With loyalties divided and betrayals revealed, six teens on the brink of adulthood re-examine what they thought living the rock ‘n roll dream was all about. Starring Scott Lyster, Andrew Jenkins, Ella Simon, Katelyn Wallace, Brittney Wilson and Luke Jennings, LOCKED IN A GARAGE BAND is the first feature film from Vancouver Island’s intrepid filmmaking sisters, Jennifer Westcott and Victoria Westcott. “Move over The Breakfast Club, there’s a new teen cult comedy in town.” Views from the Edge.
PAUL KELLY, STORIES OF ME
US Premiere
Director: Ian Darling
PAUL KELLY, STORIES OF ME charts the lives, loves and losses of Paul Kelly, Australia’s most gifted contemporary singer-songwriter. Over 40 years, Paul Kelly has seen failure and success. And he has the songs to show for it.
PLEASED TO MEET ME
US Premiere
Director: Archie Borders
The lead singer of a seminal punk band reunites with his former partner to form a band for a single day. Starring Aimee Mann, John Doe, Loudon Wainwright.
ROMEO AND JULIET: A LOVE SONG
US Premiere
Director: Tim Van Dammen
A hip-hop operatic version of the Shakespeare classic comes to life in this brand new version of the timeless and tragic tale.
SVENGALI
US Premiere
Director: John Hardwick
Svengali tells the story of “Dixie” (Johnny Owen), a postman from South Wales, and a music fanatic. All his life he’s dreamed of discovering a great band and then one day, trawling through YouTube, he finds them…’The Premature Congratulations’. He hunts them down and offers them his management services. They are young, arrogant, sexy, and utterly magnificent. Co-starring Martin Freeman.
THE MONTREAL UNDERGROUND
US Premiere
Director: Giuliano Bossa
This documentary examines the life and struggles of musicians in the DIY local scene of Montreal following different musicians and bands that are and have been keeping the scene alive for more than 25 years, and through it, the evolution of the city. The rise and fall of venues, of the music industry, of different genres, and the fight to continue making music against all odds.
East Coast Premieres
BABE AND RICKY’S INN
East Coast Premiere
Director: Ramin Niami
The film chronicles the last days of one of the most unique and vibrant blues clubs in the world and based in LA.
BAD BRAINS: A BAND IN DC
East Coast Premiere
Director: Mandy Stein, Benjamin Logan
How four young men from Washington DC changed music forever.
BAYOU MAHARAJAH: THE TRAGIC GENIUS OF JAMES BOOKER
East Coast Premiere
Director: Lily Keber
Bayou Maharajah: The Tragic Genius of James Booker explores the life, times and music of piano legend James Booker, who Dr. John described as “the best black, gay, one-eyed junkie piano genius New Orleans has ever produced.”
BROTHERS HYPNOTIC
East Coast Premiere
Director: Reuben Atlas
Eight brothers, extraordinary brass musicians from Chicago’s South Side, test their brotherhood and their father’s legacy against mounting mainstream success.
CHURCHES, SALONS, AND BARS
East Coast Premiere
Director: Tyler Casey
Indie rock band Titanmoon makes an album in Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas, along with people from all over the globe.
ยกCUATRO!
East Coast Premiere
Director: Tim Wheeler
A look at how Green Day’s three-album collection – ยกUno!, ยกDos! and ยกTre! – came together as the trio went back to its roots.
DAVID BROMBERG UNSUNG TREASURE
East Coast Premiere
Director: Beth Kruvant
A look into the life of David Bromberg who is still playing his tunes in front of audiences around the world.
DON’T ASK ME QUESTIONS
East Coast Premiere
Director: Michael Gramaglia
Don’t Ask Me Questions is about the life and music career of Graham Parker and the Rumor. Featuring Bruce Springsteen, Paul Rudd, Judd Apatow and many others, the film follows the bands short career of international acclaim and their unlikely reunion 30 years after breaking up.
DON’T FOLLOW ME (I’M LOST)
East Coast Premiere
Director: William Miller
An intimate “fly on the wall” documentary about iconoclastic rocker Bobby Bare Jr., son of country music legend Bobby Bare, and his struggles dealing with the repercussions of a perpetual life on the road- the constant separation and the disconnect from loved ones back home.
FILMAGE: THE STORY OF THE DESCENDENTS/ALL
East Coast Premiere
Director: Matt Riggle, Deedee Lacour
The story of the influential punk band and their endless quest for pop, angst, love and coffee.
HOW TO GROW A BAND
East Coast Premiere
Director: Mark Matteo
Chris Thile is at a crossroads. His marriage has ended and his platinum- selling band, Nickel Creek, has gone on hiatus. But Thile, a prodigy who has defied expectations since he picked up the mandolin at age five, has a plan.
IKE AND TINA: ON THE ROAD 1971-72
East Coast Premiere
Director: Bob Gruen
In the early 70’s, legendary rock photographer Bob Gruen and his wife Nadya toured with Ike & Tina Turner and filmed them performing, on the road, and behind the scenes. Now for the first time ever this footage is unveiled. This is a look inside a hardworking band as well as an iconic couple.
JIMI HENDRIX: HEAR MY TRAIN A COMIN’
East Coast Premiere
Director: Bob Smeaton
This critically acclaimed film unveils previously unseen performance footage and home movies while sourcing an extensive archive of photographs, drawings, family letters and more to provide new insight into the musician’s personality and genius. A pioneering electric guitarist, Hendrix had only four years of mainstream exposure and recognition, but his influential music and riveting stage presence left an enduring legacy.
JUST LIKE BEING THERE
East Coast Premiere
Director: Scout Shannon
A documentary about cutting-edge poster artists like Daniel Danger and Jay Ryan who have breathed new life into the art form.
LAST FAST RIDE
East Coast Premiere
Director: Lily Scourtis Ayers
She was smart, beautiful and talented, and as lead singer of The Insaints, would-be rock star Marian Anderson reigns as one of the Bay Area’s most provocative and controversial lead singers of the ’90’s punk scene. Narrated by pop-culture icon Henry Rollins.
LOUDER THAN LOVE: THE GRANDE BALLROOM
East Coast Premiere
Director: Tony D’Annunzio
While the rest of the country was listening to the laid back sounds of the West Coast during the “Summer of Love” in 1967, Detroit was creating a sound that was “LOUDER THAN LOVE.” Featuring footage of such rock icons like Roger Daltrey, Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent, Wayne Kramer, James Williamson, Slash, Don Was, B.B King, Henry Rollins and many more tell the story of the Grande Ballroom and its effect on not only the Detroit Rock scene but on the World of Rock Music.
MY FATHER & THE MAN IN BLACK
East Coast Premiere
Director: Jonathan Holiff
Starring Johnny Cash, Saul Holiff, and June Carter, My Father and The Man In Black tells the inside story of “bad boy” Johnny Cash, his talented but troubled manager, Saul Holiff, and a son searching for his father in the shadow of a legend. Before there was Johnny and June, there was Johnny and Saul.
SACRIFICIAL YOUTH
East Coast Premiere
Director: Joe Losurdo
Sacrificial Youth is a Hardcore Punk musical that tells the story of TJ, a teenager caught at the crossroads of growing up and fight back.
STRUTTER
East Coast Premiere
Director: Allison Anders, Kurt Voss
An aspiring L.A. rocker loses both his band and his girl, but gains the friendship of his own local rock hero in this sweet and humanistic comedy.
THE LIBRARIAN & THE BANJO
East Coast Premiere
Director: Jim Carrier
The inspiring true story of a music librarian Dena Epstein who labored 25 years to document the musical contributions of African Slaves to the New World. Her work, now considered classic, shattered myths and stereotypes, proved that the banjo was a slave instrument, and sparked a remarkable revival of black string band music.
THE SCENE: AN EXPLORATION OF MUSIC IN TORONTO
East Coast Premiere
Director: Josh Jensen
A documentary film project that chronicles the lives of independent musicians as they build their careers in the Canadian music industry.
TROPICALIA
East Coast Premiere
Director: Marcelo Machado
Set Against the turbulent atmosphere of the 1960’s, Tropicalia is a feature length documentary exploring the Brazilian artistic movement known as Tropicalia, and the struggle its artists endured to protect their right to freely express revolutionary thought against the traditional Brazilian music of that time.
VIVA VIVA
East Coast Premiere
Director: Carolina Pfister
Steeped in the riotous music of urban chaos, meet two generations shaping a global culture of dissent. From the slums to the city center of San Paulo, Brazil, the punks invite us to open our eyes. Viva Viva!
NY Premieres
GREENWICH VILLAGE: THE MUSIC THAT DEFINED A GENERATION
NY Premiere
Director: Laura Archibald
A feature-length documentary about the Greenwich Village music scene and how it sparked everlasting political, social and cultural changes. For the first time, the greatest singer-songwriters, authors and performers from Greenwich Village reflect on how they collectively became the voice of a generation. Through poignant interviews, rare archival footage and new live performances, GREENWICH VILLAGE: MUSIC THAT DEFINED A GENERATION tells a story about community, courage and most importantly – music.
LED ZEPPELIN PLAYED HERE
NY Premiere
Director: Jeff Krulik
Is it just an old fable that Led Zeppelin played the Wheaton Youth Center in Wheaton MD during their first historic tour in January 1969? Or did it really happen??????
NEVER RECORDS-YOU’RE NOT LISTENING
NY Premiere
Director: Jason Wyche
A feature length documentary set in Northern Ireland by Jason Wyche about artist/musician Ted Riederer and his ongoing Never Records project. The documentary explores the power of art and music to unite, educate, and uplift a community.
WHO DO I THINK I AM
NY Premiere
Director: Nick Mead
Clarence Clemons goes on a spiritual journey across China. This production is a work in progress and part of the CBGB Film Forum series.
LAST CHANCE TO SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN: The CBGB Film Festival could very well be the last chance to see these films on the big screen before they disappear from movie theatres to a digital life forever and ever.
BIG STAR NOTHING CAN HURT ME
Director: Drew Nicola, Olivia Mori
Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me is a feature-length documentary film about the dismal commercial failure, subsequent massive critical acclaim, and enduring legacy of pop music’s greatest cult phenomenon, Big Star.
BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE: THE STORY OF CBGB
Director: Mandy Stein
An East Village performance space fought against the Bowery homeless shelter who threatened to shut them down. Some of the most iconic figures in music have performed here.
IGGY and the STOOGES RAW POWER LIVE-IN THE HANDS OF THE FANS
Director: Morgan Neville
Synopsis: Through an online contest, six fans are selected to film Iggy & the Stooges’ legendary reunion September 3, 2010 performing “”Raw Power”” to a stunned crowd at the All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival. Part concert film, part reality TV, “”In the Hands of the Fans”” brings the fans closer to the band.
PASSIONE
Director: John Turturro
A look and a love letter to the music, the culture and the beauty of Naples in all of it’s
glory and traditions.
SEARCHING FOR SUGARMAN
Director: Malik Bendsjelloul
Two South Africans set out to discover what happened to their unlikely musical hero, the mysterious 1970s rock ‘n’ roller, Rodriguez. ACADEMY AWARD BEST DOCUMENTARY WINNER 2012
STEVIE NICKS: IN YOUR DREAMS
Director: Stevie Nicks, Dave Stewart
A documentary that follows Stevie Nicks as she begins writing and recording her first solo album in nearly a decade.
THE BLANK GENERATION: Directors Cut
Director: Ivan Kral
The cream of New York new wave/punk filmed live at CBGB’s when the scene was just beginning. Includes performances by Patti Smith, Blondie, Television, the Ramones,
Talking Heads, the Heartbreakers, the Shirts, Wayne County, the Marbles, the Dolls, Miamis, Harry Toledo, and the Tuff Darts (w/Robert Gordon). With New Footage.
THE PROMISE
Director: Tom Zimny
Rare footage of Springsteen and the E Street Band in the recording studio creating the classic “Darkness on the Edge of Town” album. Premiered at a Gala showing at the Toronto Film Festival.
THE VAMPIRE LOVERS
Director: Roy Ward Baker
Seductive vampire Carmilla Karnstein and her family target the beautiful and the rich a remote area of late 18th century Gemany. This cult horror film will be presented as part of the Nitehawk Cinema’s Live+Sound+Cinema Signature Series.
TWENTY FEET FROM STARDOM
Director: Morgan Neville
Millions know their voices, but no one knows their names. In his compelling new film TWENTY FEET FROM STARDOM, award-winning director Morgan Neville shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 21st century. Triumphant and heartbreaking in equal measure, the film is both a tribute to the unsung voices who brought shape and style to popular music and a reflection on the conflicts, sacrifices and rewards of a career spent harmonizing with others.
SHORTS CENTER:
The below is a list of Short Films that will be appearing at
The CBGB Music & Film Festival.
FRANK TURNER THE WAY IT TENDS TO BE
Director: Arnay Miles
The world of Australian Interscope artist Frank Turner comes to life in this short.
GOOD TO ME
Director: Tyler Casey
Musical look at Churches, Salons and Bars and the bandTitanmoon.
LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND
Director: Zack Starikov
“For all the huge bands out there, and all the bands that will never be huge, there’s also this group in the middle — guys who have made it or almost made it, and keep going at it no matter what, because that’s just what they do.”
Leave it All Behind is a no-budget rock documentary that tells the story of a journeyman guitarist and songwriter who played stadiums, travelled in a tour bus, performed on the late-night TV circuit — then got dropped, went home and started all over again.
PUSSY RIOT PUTIN PISSED
Director: Maidibor
Animated Putin and yes he will be pissed.
SONTAAG
Director: Steve Mallorca
In the grand tradition of high concept progressive rock comes Sontaag, a genre-fusing evolutionary leap forward where cerebral science fiction meets visceral rock and roll.
SPACETIME FABRIC SOFTENER
Director: Ryan Mauskopf
A cosmonaut investigates a mysterious wormhole in this retro-scifi short by Professor Soap. It’s a psychedelically interstellar adventure!
THE BEST AND THE ANGEL
Director: Shira Piven, Adam McKay
The Beast and the Angel peers into the transformed life of Wayne Kramer, famed guitarist and founder of the influential American band The MC5. He once lived a life of rock and roll, radical politics and drug and alcohol addiction, doing prison time in his 20s, and finally getting clean at age 50.
THE JOHNNY THUNDERS STORY
Director: Johnny Black
The too short life of rock n roller Johnny Thunder is detailed in this short which features appearances by co-workers, friends and actor Michael Imperioli.
TUNNEL OF LOVE
Directors: Leo Fiorica, Roy Peterson
Relationships are difficult to get right in the best of circumstances, but they’re near impossible when your significant other is obsessed with a rock legend.
WHO SHOT ROCK & ROLL
Director: Steven Kochones
Hear the stories behind rock’s most enduring images. This film features interviews, photographs and never-before-seen footage spotlighting the work of nine acclaimed rock photographers, all backed by iconic songs from Blondie, The Doors, KISS, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Who and more.
YOU DON’T KNOW JACK
Director: Morgan Spurlock
Jack Andraka, a high school sophomore, has developed a revolutionary new test for pancreatic cancer, proving the future of science is in the hands of our youth.
About The CBGB Music & Film Festival
The CBGB Music & Film Festival – named for the legendary downtown New York club CBGB that was the birthplace of American punk rock and new wave music – will be held October 9-13, 2013. The festival will offer a mixture of music from some 700 emerging and established artists at 150 NYC venues; music business conferences; industry panel discussions; and screenings of films, many accompanied by Q&As with directors, producers and stars.
For more information about the CBGB Festival, visit: http://www.cbgb.com/festival.php
For continuous updates, follow us on twitter @cbgbfest check us out on Facebook, CBGB OMFUG.
About CBGB
An abbreviation for “Country, Bluegrass, and Blues”, CBGB holds a very important place in rock ‘n’ roll history when it began its auspicious origin as a music club on The Bowery in NYC’s East Village. Founded by the late Hilly Kristal in 1973, CBGB became a hotbed for American punk and new music with bands like Ramones, B-52s, Talking Heads, Television, Blondie, the Patti Smith Group, and The Dead Boys. The 2013 CBGB Music & Film Festival will take place on October 9-13 in New York City and will feature more than 500 artists in over 125 venues in Brooklyn and Manhattan. The event will also host more than 125 speakers and over 60 films for a total of more than 700 live events.
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