A smattering of news, reviews & awards, etc.
LIFE UNDERGROUND AWARDED AT MELBOURNE WEBFEST
A documentary film by Herve Cohen.
From Tokyo to Montreal, Paris, Santiago, Berlin or Hong Kong, Life Underground takes you on a poetic journey encountering metro travelers from all over the world.
Awards
Best International Non Fiction
Best Cinematography – Herve Cohen
https://www.melbournewebfest.com/project/2019-life-underground/
LIFE AFTER LIFE SCREENING -PRESENTED WITH
UC BERKELEY HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER
Life After Life follows the stories of Harrison, Noel, and Chris as they return home from San Quentin State Prison. After spending most of their lives incarcerated, they are forced to reconcile their perception of themselves with a reality they are unprepared for.
Each struggles to overcome personal demons and reconstruct their fractured lives. Grappling with day-to-day challenges and striving for success, they work to reconnect with family and provide for themselves for the first time in their adult lives.
Told in an unadorned verite style, we experience the truth of their heartaches and triumphs. As their stories unfold over weeks, months and years, the precarious nature of freedom after incarceration in America is revealed.
UNLUCKY STARS
Action on Film Festival Award Winner for Best Action Sequence - Feature
Action on Film Festival Award Nominee for Best Action Sequence - Martial Arts
Action on Film Festival Award Nominee for Action Film of the Year
Brian Rodvien's original score for Bert is stellar, while virtually every aspect of the film's production transcends its status as a lower-budgeted indie flick. If you get a chance, this is a film you'll want to check out.
© Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic
BERT THE EMOTION PICTURE
OWNED AT THE LATINO FILM FESTIVAL IN NYC
OWNED – World Premiere Friday, July 30 @ 10:30 PM
Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 9 (260 West 23rd Street bet. 7 & 8)
80 MIN / HD
Director: Jose Montesinos; Writer: Jose Montesinos
Cast: Kyra Gordon, Aileen Lawlor, Joe Montesinos, Miguel Padilla, Dennis Ruel, Sari Sabella. After eight years in prison, Cisco is finally free -- or so he thinks. “Owned” presents us with an all-too painful reality: we may think we are "free," but our past debts and mistakes just may own us for good.
SPRING BREAK: THE MUSICAL
Taken from an article in the SF GATE:
Rodvien's score includes references to vaudeville, hip-hop, Latin music, '90s club music, singer-songwriter angst and traditional musical theater along the lines of "A Chorus Line."
"Brian took what could have been a campy idea and infused it with all these styles and flavors," Alterman says. "I really appreciate how much he has surpassed what any of us could have expected."
Alterman, Lifton and Rodvien all have high praise for their young, exuberant and good-looking cast, and they're all hoping "Spring Break" has life beyond San Francisco's Eureka Theatre.
Says composer Rodvien: "I predict 'The Puking Song' will go to No. 1."
https://www.sfgate.com/performance/article/Spring-Break-The-Musical-Buxom-comedy-3825251.php