15th Annual Cucalorus Film Festival in Wilmington Nov 11-15

One of our favorite film festivals, the annual Cucalorus, takes place this week in Wilmington, one of our favorite North Carolina cities.

Cucalorus is especially filmmaker-friendly with lots of events and opportunities to socialize. Watch our filmstrip to see scenes from several of the fun parties, not to mention the way-cool green room at Thalian Hall where filmmakers congregate before, during, and after screenings.

One of this festival's unusual features is the lack of awards. The films aren't in competition, creating a more friendly, laid back atmosphere among attending filmmakers.

Another unique feature of Cucalorus is its location in an important working film community. EUE/Screen Gems Studios keeps many film professionals employed and provides a stimulating environment for film students and start up production companies.

While filmmakers come to Cucalorus from around the world, several of the showcased films each year are produced locally. This year, features produced in Wilmington include: “Port City” (Andy Brown/director); and
“Half Empty” (Troy Carlton & Marcus Mizelle/directors).

Other full length films with North Carolina connections include:
“Mississippi Damned” (Morgan R. Stiff/producer, a Charlotte native who grew up in Raleigh; filmed in Hertford County);
“The Good Soldier” (featuring NC Vietnam veteran Perry Parks);
“In/Significant Others (John Schwert/director, Charlotte);
“FBI KKK” (Micheal Frierson/director, Greensboro);
and “Divorcing God” (work-in-progress by Luis Gurgitano & Maggie Sargent/directors, Charlotte).

Shorts with Wilmington ties include: “Two Hours in the Dark” (Chip Hackler/director); “The Late Mr. Mokun Williams” (Kenneth Price, UNCG grad student/director); “Roller Girls” (Dylan Linehan); and “The Wilmington Ten: Justice Denied... Lives Interrupted...” (work-in-progress by Francine DeCoursey/director).

Besides the films themselves, the festival also sponsors several other interesting events, including the annual Dance-a-lorus, an experimental event combining live dance with film; and Kid-a-lorus, a Saturday morning event with short films by filmmakers under 18, a Super Hero breakfast, and a filmmaking workshop especially for kids.

We are far from alone in our appreciation of Cucalorus. MovieMaker Magazine, long a fan, recently included it among its “Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals.” This comes after a MovieMaker nod as one of the “25 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” in 2008. Time Magazine also took note of Cucalorus as a "Film Festival for the Rest of Us" describing it as "a ruggedly independent event" celebrating "the pure love of filmmaking."

Beaufort (SC) International Film Festival accepting entries

The 4th annual Beaufort International Film Festival is accepting entries in the following categories: Animation, Documentary, Features, Short Film, Student Film, and Screenplays. Submit through Withoutabox. Deadline for entries is Nov. 15. The festival, scheduled for February 18-21, 2010, will award Pat Conroy (left) with a writing award, and actress Blythe Danner, who starred in two films adapted from Conroy's novels, The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini, will receive an acting award. Both Conroy movies filmed in Beaufort, SC.

For more info visit the festival website

Matthew Broderick Headlines Virginia Film Festival Lineup

The 22nd annual Viriginia Film Festival in Charlottesville Nov. 5-8 this year themed "Funny Business" features 80 new and classic films exploring the world of comedy.

Among the 100 guests scheduled to attend, Matthew Broderick is the biggest name among average movie goers. He'll come to Charlottesville to present his new film "Wonderful World," the festival's closing night film, along with the famed 1999 dark comedy "Election."

Other guests this year include:

• Tony and Emmy award-winning actress Cherry Jones joining director Rodrigo Garcia and producer Julie Lynn (a U.Va. alumna), presenting a sneak preview of their acclaimed new film "Mother and Child."
• Cult film pioneer John Waters on Nov. 6, presenting his acclaimed one-man multimedia lecture "This Filthy World" and his films "Pink Flamingos" and "Hairspray"
• Academy Award-winning director Norman Jewison presenting a 30th anniversary screening of "… And Justice for All," and "The Russians are Coming! The Russians are Coming!"
• Alan Ball, presenting a 10th anniversary screening of "American Beauty," which he wrote, and a special discussion of the runaway HBO hit he created, "True Blood."

Visit VAfilm.com for further information

Sneak peaks of Michael Moore's new film; other world premieres, at Charlotte Film Fest

Filmgoers at the Charlotte Film Festival will get a sneak peak at Michael Moore's latest film "Capitalism: A Love Story" due for nationwide release next week.
The film screens Friday, 9/25, at 9:15 pm in the EpiCentre Theater downtown.



The festival will also host the world premiere of "Warrior Champions: From Baghdad to Beijing" about a group of US soldiers wounded in Iraq, who try out for the 2008 Paralympics team.
Renowned filmmakers Brent and Craig Renaud are flying in from NYC for the world premiere screening to be held at Queens University at 1 p.m Saturday 9/26. Also attending will be cast member Scott Winkler as well as numerous area soldiers and children and adults from Carolinas Medical Center Adaptive Sports program. The film will screen again at 1 pm on Sunday at the EpiCentre Theater.



Another world premiere at the festival is the first screening of "9500 Liberty" Sunday, September 27 at 3:30 PM at Queens University's Sykes Auditorium (1900 Selwyn Avenue). Concerning a law enacted in Prince William County, Virginia, requiring police officers to question anyone they have "probable cause" to suspect is an undocumented immigrant, the film takes a close up look at anti-immigration forces at work. The film received the festival's award for "Best Documentary."

Restored Metropolis showing at Durham's Carolina

Fritz Lang's silent "Metropolis," from 1927 is one of the first elaborate science fiction dramas. It has long been noted for its special effects and operatic plot and score, and a fully restored version will play for a short run at Durham's legendary Carolina Theatre this week (starting Friday, Sept. 25).

Available only in a truncated version until the missing parts were discovered last year, Metropolis nevertheless impressed film fans for decades in various incarnations, including one with an unfortunate rock score.

The original score fits the film perfectly.

Metropolis was the favorite movie of the late Forest J. Ackerman, editor of "Famous Monsters of Filmland," a publication that shaped many adolescent minds from the mid-1950s through the 1970s. Fans included Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, John Landis, and many, many, many other top people in the horror, science fiction, fantasy and film worlds.

Lang said he got the idea for the still impressive futuristic skyscraper skyline of Metropolis from a visit to New York City. Lang, of course, went on to direct many films in the U.S., helping establish the German Expressionist look of film noir, a style so visually compelling it crops up in current films in several genres.

The film's robot "Maria," really an android, although the term wasn't common then, is still a beautiful sight. It also includes one of the earliest of what Ackerman used to call "Mad Lab" scenes in which she is created.

Showing starting tonight: www.carolinatheatre.org/onscreen it will only be around for a week locally.

It's a chance to catch it on a big screen and you won't get many such.

Charlotte Film Festival announces awards

The Charlotte Film Festival announced this year's award winners at packed reception at the EpiCentre's Whiskey River on Thursday night.

The Wild Cats Blues Band entertained the crowd.

Johnny King

Alf Ward

And the winners are....

Indie Truth Award for Best Documentary:

“9500 Liberty” Annabel Park and Eric Byler
screening Sunday, 9/27, 3:30 pm at Queens University

Indie Film Force Award for Best Narrative Feature:

“In/Significant Others” John Schwert
special screening, Saturday, 9/26, 6:30 at the EpiCentre Theater

Indie Spirit Award for Best Short Film:

“Surprise!” Fabrice Maruca
screening Sat, 9/26, 3:30 pm at Queens University in the Short Picks 2 program

Indie Spirit Award for Best Documentary Short Film:

“I Am A Man: From Memphis A Lesson in Life” John Hubbell
screening Sunday 9/27, 3:30 at Queens University

Indie Hope Award for Best Student Film:

“stereolife” Benjamin Epps
screens Sunday 9/27, 3:30 pm at the Park Terrace in the Student Films block

Best Music in a narrative film:


Jaroslaw Bester and Carlos Bica "Goodnight Irene"
screening Sat, 9/26. 8:30 pm at Queens University

Best Music in a Documentary:

Matt Morris, Producer "Pickin' n Trimmin'"
screening Sun., 9/27. 1 pm at the EpiCentre Theater with "Warrior Champions"

Best Cinematography:

Bill Burton "My Sweet Misery"


Best Cinematography In a Documentary:

David Schmidt "Pickin' n Trimmin'"
screening Sun., 9/27, 1 pm at the EpiCentre Theater with "Warrior Champions"

Best Screenplay:

Wes Edwards "Falling to the Top"
screening Sat, 9/26, 3:30 pm at Queens University in the Short Picks 2 program

Best Actor:

Andrew Jenner "Altar"
screening Sat, 9/26, 3:30 pm at Queens University in the Short Picks 2 program

Partygoers enjoyed sushi and Yakitori from Enso (below)

and lavish spreads from Black Finn and Jason's Deli (below), all restaurants in Charlotte's EpiCentre complex.

Barefoot Wines (http://www.blogger.com/www.barefootwine.com) provided free wine for the event.

Charlotte Film Festival expands, adds venues

The Charlotte Film Festival, now in its 4th year, expands from three days to six and presents more than 65 films at venues across the city.

The festival kicks off at the Park Terrace Stadium 6 (4289 Park Rd), the recently renovated landmark in Park Road Shopping Center, this year celebrating its 45 year of screening films.

The new EpiCentre Theater (210 E Trade St.) hosts films Thursday through Sunday.

Additional films will screen in Queens University's Sykes Auditorium (1900 Selwyn Ave.) on Saturday and Sunday.

Carolina Theatre showing Lawrence of Arabia in 35mm

The legendary Carolina Theatre will be screening LAWRENCE OF ARABIA for 5 days only beginning on Sunday, September 20 with a matinee screening at 2 pm and nightly screenings at 7 pm from Sunday through Thursday, September 24.

It will hold the screenings in the 1,000+ seat Fletcher Hall on glorious 35mm.

Lawrence of Arabia is often cited as one of the best uses of widescreen cinematography and remains impressive even on small screens, at least when letterboxed.

But an opportunity to see it slashed across Fletcher's big screen is a treat that won't come your way again, probably. Not to mention, the Carolina Theatre itself is a treat that always reminds me of an earlier time when movie-going meant a visit to one of these palatial theatres.

Durham Cinematheque presents Nicotine Cinema Friday, July 17

As part of the Third Friday festivities, Durham Cinematheque presents a unique film program on tobacco and smoking through the ages, Nicotine Cinema. Short films include "Princess Nicotine" (J. Stuart Blackton, 1909), "Who Do You Think You Are" (Mary Filippo, 1987), "Cigarette Blues" (Les Blank, 1986) and television commercials for cigars and cigarettes, banned from the airwaves since 1971.

Presented outdoors in 16mm film, bring your own blanket or lawn chair.

Admission is free, the hat will be passed.

At this outdoor location smoking is permitted, just please don't bother your neighbors.
Venue
Durham Central Park
Date
07/17/2009
Time
9:00pm - 10:30pm


Third Friday Durham - Events

"Some Like It Hot" outdoor screening in Charlotte Thurs. July 16

The Light Factory's Starlight Screening series presents director Billy Wilder's classic comedy
"Some Like It Hot"
starring Marilyn Monroe
Free
Thursday, July 16th
8:30PM on the lawn at Transamerica Square
401 N. Tryon St.

Bring your coolers and lawn chairs.

The Light Factory

Light Factory presents 3 Robert Frank short films Thurs. May 21

In association with its The Photographer as Filmmaker exhibition (on display through June 28), Charlotte's Light Factory present three of Robert Frank's short films: Pull My Daisy, Conversations in Vermont, and About Me: A Musical.

Frank, renowned for his photographic series The Americans, is also an important avant garde cinematographer.

Pull My Daisy, recognized as one of the most important works in avant-garde cinema, made with writers Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, and painters Alfred Leslie, Larry Rivers, and Alice Neel, looks at the soul of the beat generation.

Conversations in Vermont, Frank's first autobiographical film, explores his relationship with his children Pablo and Andrea.

About Me: A Musical, originally planned as a cinematic study of indigenous American music, turned into a more personal story for Frank.

FRANK CONVERSATION: An evening of film, entertainment and discussion of Robert Frank's work

Thursday, May 21 7pm
TLF's Knight Gallery
Free and open to the public.

For more information:
The Light Factory

Short vid of Colin Firth talking to fans in uptown Durham

Colin Firth talking to onlookers after shooting a scene on Orange Street in uptown Durham. He saw me and waved Hi just after I stopped shooting (vid clips eat up your battery power and I was already low).

Acrtress cleans her windshield

 

I won't guarntee it, but I do believe this is Ellen Burstyn cleaning her windshield on the location shoot of "Main Street" in Durham earlier this week.

 

 

 

Now this is Ellen Burstyn shooting her scene off West Corporation Street in Durham earlier this week. Later, she was relaxing on the set a her small dog.

RiverRun Film Festival underway in Winston-Salem

Featuring 107 films in a variety of genres, RiverRun has a lot to offer. Here's some insider tips on don't miss films, plus a strategy to help you avoid those "sold out" blues.

Tonight's film - A dark comedy starring Robin Williams.

WORLD'S GREATEST DAD (Directed by Bob Goldthwait) In World's Greatest Dad, Robin Williams plays even-tempered and mild-mannered Lance Clayton, a single father and high school poetry instructor who has grand dreams of one day being published. He has a teenage son – who responds to all the fatherly love and attention with little more than a steady stream of verbal abuse.
April 23 / 7:00 PM / Stevens Center

Don't miss Doc - Takes you inside a world of the imagination

ROCATERRANIA (Directed by Brett Ingram) Renaldo Kuhler is a 76-year-old illustrator who works for the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. He hangs out in bars and designs his own clothes. He's an original. But he's also the rare personality who is clearly and visibly the sum total of his life's experiences.

Specials Guests: Director Brett Ingram will attend RiverRun.

April 23 / 9:15pm / UNCSA- Main

April 25 / 9:30pm / Reynolda House

April 26 / 12:00pm / UNCSA - Main

New Animated Feature from Bill Plympton

IDIOTS AND ANGELS (Directed by Bill Plympton) Things are bad enough when an unlikable man wakes up to discover that he's grown a pair of wings. But when the wings begin to make him act wholesome and decent, well, clearly they've got to go! The latest animated feature by prolific animator Bill Plympton (who also directed the short film Hot Dog in this year's Animated Shorts program), utilizes his familiar gritty style and dark humor.

April 23 / 9:00pm / UNCSA - Babcock

April 25 / 8:45pm / UNCSA - Babcock

INSIDER TIP:

What 'Sold out' really means

If there are films you want to see that are already sold out, you can buy an All-Access Pass yourself to try and get a seat. Although pass holders are not guaranteed a seat, a percentage of tickets are held out of the boxoffice for them until 15 minutes before a screening.

Another option is to simply arrive an hour before a sold out show and get in the wait list line. Approximately 15 minutes before each show, any remaining tickets that haven't been distributed to pass holders will be turned back over to the on-site box office and sold to patrons in the wait list on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Above all: GET THERE EARLY.

For a full schedule, ticket info, and trailers of many of the films being shown, visit:

RiverRun Film Festival

FOUR CHILDREN OF TANDER WELCH tonight at The Light Factory

A new film, made in South Carolina and featuring mother/son acting team Patty Duke and Mackenzie Astin, screens tonight (April 23rd) at Charlotte's Light Factory. This is the first time the Academy Award winning actress has appeared in a feature film with her son.

Nicholas Pryor (Risky Business, Port Charles) plays the part of Tander Welch, an eccentric writer. Mackenzie Astin plays William Dane, a hospice worker who becomes suddenly unemployed. William is faced with the challenge of providing for his emotionally fragile mother, Susan Metler (Patty Duke).

Writer/Director Ashlon Langley and cinematographer, Stewart Grinton, will attend the screening.

Thurs, April 23 7:00pm

TLF Knight Gallery
Admission:$5 members, $7 non-members

The Light Factory

Colin Firth on Main Street set, uptown Durham, NC

Nice thing about digital cams, you can shoot and shoot and shoot. So here's another set of Colin Firth on the location set of "Main Street" in uptown Durham, NC.

All photos copyright Allan Maurer 2009

It takes a city to make a movie

 

 

What a load of equipment they need to make a movie. Watching them shoot simple scenes repeatedly, a half dozen times or more, shot after shot, with a small army on site, you get a real sense of why movies cost so much to make. It's like the music we buy today, I think, we have no tolerance for less than perfect, at least not as a mass audience.

all photos copyright 2009 by Allan Maurer

Colin Firth between scenes shooting Main Street

 

 

 

Just a few more shots of Colin Firth with actress Patricia Clarkson between scenes from "Main Street" shooting in uptown Durham, NC. And hey, that's Orlando Bloom about one-quarter visible in the top two shots.?

All photos copyright 2009 by Allan Maurer

Long hours, lots of equipment in Main Street shoot

 

 

 

 

You never saw people work harder or longer hours than this film crew (and likely most film crews). I knew I was on the right track uptown because I passed a Screen Gems power generator and police cars were strategically parked.

So what do I know, anyway?

 

 

The crew member I thought was Orlando Bloom (they kept us back so far that even with zoom I couldn't tell from a distance. But he was doing crew chores in Uptown Durham.

 

 

 

Colin Firth on the set of the movie "Main Street" in updown Durham, NC.

All photos copyright by Allan Maurer 2009

Colin Firth chatting with fans on location shoot of Main Street

 

 

 

What a nice guy Colin Firth is. After shooting a scene in "Main Street," a drama set in uptown Durham ( today on Orange Street, adjacent to the historic Blackwell Street, over the last weekend on West Corporation Street and elsewhere througout town) he stopped to chat with onlookers, have his photo shot with them and shake hands. He even saw me shooting and waved and said "Hi."

All photos copyright 2009 by Allan Maurer

Orlando Bloom in Main Street

 

Ok scouts, I do believe this is Orlando Bloom on the set of "Main Street" in Uptown Durham, NC. I got to the Orange Street set after his shots, but he was there all day I understand.

Photo copyright 2009 by Allan Maurer

Main Street on West Corporation

 

Whoever this is, that wig is electric...

Shooting Main Street in Durham

 

It's amazing how much equipment is needed to make a movie. Cranes, cameras, boom mikes, tracks for dollies, and a truckload of other stuff.

Main Street again

 

A shot of whoever the heck this is in "Main Street." I just liked this shot.

I was told this is Orlando Bloom but it's not. It's a standin or crew member.

Bloom has been spotted at the Marriott Civic Center bar in Durham, which is apparently where the stars have been staying.

Setting up a scene in Main Street

 

Planning a shot in "Main Street." That's Ellen Burstyn in the white wig. It took a chunk of the day to film a very short scene of her at the gate across West Corporation Street.

You can see why movies cost so much watching these crews work. There is so much to do to set up the simplest scene, from moving the camera and sound and power equipment around, keeping onlookers at bay, checking out angles and the light, and lots of standing around waiting.

Tough job. But I'm glad somebody does it...

Relaxing on set of Main Street

 

Not sure who this is, but he was on the location shoot on Orange Street in Uptown Durham (bordering historic Blackwell Street, once the black financial capital of the city).

We were mistaken in saying this was Orlando Bloom (but we finally did get a shot of him uptown).r film festival fest nc hemingway movies, Durham

Photos copyright by Allan Maurer 2009 ARR

Main Street again

 

The film crew did a good job of keeping us out of the way, so I had to shoot a lot on high zoom, which makes good shap pix difficult. This is one of the better shots I got of an actor we were told was Bloom, although I believe that was mistaken. The actor does resemble Bloom in the role but looks too thin.

Shooting Main Street on West Corporation Street

 

 

 

 

Scenes from shooting "Main Street."

We were told this is Orlando Bloom, but I don't believe any of them are, though I'm not sure about what's going on with the costume change (different color jacket, different t-shirts).

The movie is filming in Durham this week. Monday they will be filming on Main Street (Durham). The producer told a group of onlookers that Horton Foote, the author, fell in love with Durham. This is the scriptwriter's last work.

John Doyle directing Main Street

 

"Main Street" director John Doyle planning out the day's shots on a makeshift desk of metal equipment cases just outside the renovated Bulington warehouse off North Duke Street and West Corporation in Durham.

Photo copyright 2009 by Allan Maurer ARR

More shots of Main Street

 

Someone says this isn't Ellen Burstyn, but someone in that wig was shooting a scene the previous day for "Main Street." on West Corporation Street.

The film is scripted by Horton Foote, his last work according to the producer.

According to IMBD, the story is something like this:

"From the once thriving tobacco warehouses, to the current run-down and closed shops of Five Points, a diverse group of residents and their respective life changes when outsider Gus Leroy brings something new and potentially dangerous into their quiet town."

Shooting a movie in Durham

 

The crew was working long days shooting "Main Street," a drama set in Durham decades ago. That white wig really caught the sun. It almost glowed in the shade.

All photos copyright 2009 by Allan Maurer ARR

More shots of Colin Firth in Main Street

 

 

 

More shots of Colin Firth, who you may remember from the BBC version of "Pride & Prejudice," filming a scene in "Main Street," a film set in Durham. The producer says it's a slice of life drama. I had to use high zoom, so only the third shot is sharp.

Colin Firth in Main Street, Durham

 

The crew filing "Main Street," the first film directed by well known John Doyle, known for his stage work, and starring Orlando Bloom, Colin Firth and Ellen Burstyn, is shooting in Durham this week.

For the last two days they were shooting off West Corporation, only a block from where "Bull Durham" was made at the old Durham Bulls ball park.

Here's a shot of Firth discussing a brief scene he just did.

Interview with George Romero - video

Here's a short clip of our interview with George Romero at the Light Factory event in Charlotte this weekend:

Video by Renee Wright, interview by Allan Maurer, copyright 2009

George Romero at Heroes

George Romero had fans wrapped around the block at Heroes Aren't Hard to Find, the best comic shop in North Carolina in Charlotte, Friday Afternoon. "What's going on a passing motorist asked us."

"Zombies," we said.

"ZOMBIES!" she said, rolling up her window as fast as she could...

Photos by Renee Wright, copyright 2009

For more on Heroes Aren't Hard To Find, visit http://www.heroesonline.com/

George A. Romero In Charlotte

I saw George Romero's DAWN OF THE DEAD the year it came out and still remember how it affected me. Not just the copious gore, which retains it ability to shock, but the underlying commentary on modern consumerism and the way our individual agendas can scuttle the best of intentions.

Romero has always had something to say in his films and that has always made them standout above the general run of low budget independent efforts in every genre, but certainly in horror and fantasy filmmaking.

In an interview with us in Charlotte, NC at the LIGHT FACTORY's celebration of his work, Romero said that one reason his Zombie films have come ten years apart (until recently) is that he waits until he has something to say, whether it's 70s consumerism and shopping mall addiction in DAWN, the opposing forces of a military group and scientists in DAY OF THE DEAD, or the media-consumed society in DIARY OF THE DEAD.

His non-zombie films, particularly KNIGHTRIDERS, MARTIN, and the too little known BRUISER, reveal even more of Romero. "KNIGHTRIDERS" is one of my favorites," Romero told us. "It's the one that is the most me."

It's about a utopian group of people who act out Medieval fantasies such as jousting on motorcycles. Staring Ed Harris, someone Romero notes he enjoyed working with, the film shares a theme of so many Romero stories, individuals who let their egos thwart a common good. It also includes snatches of the poetry of life I think infuses so much of his work, irony, wistfulness, imagination and a sadness at what reality does to fantasy....or is it what fantasy does to reality?

Romero also noted that the too-seldom seen "BRUISER," is another of his own favorites of his films.

Romero told us the film he's working on now, untitled, but known online as "Island of the Dead," is the first of three final installments he's like to do, introducing some new rules for his now classic zombies, the slow-moving kind that manage to chomp on the living mainly by sheer force of numbers or occasionally, surprise.

Romero admitted he didn't like Hollywood much, despite making a good deal of money there developing projects that never came to fruition. He's also a gracious man who gave very freely of his time at the Charlotte event, posing with fans (us included), signing posters, dvds, photographs and even a skateboard (he charged a nominal amount for signing items that I can tell you would likely bring that on eBay or other movie memorabilia auctions).



Thanks for coming to Charlotte, George. We're looking forward to seeing all three of the coming DEAD films and whatever else you lens.

American Zombie -- George A. Romero's Film Revolution ... Events

Photos by Renee Wright, Text by Allan Maurer, copyright 2009 ARR.