The Sundance Institute has 13 independent films available through a variety of platforms to rent, download or stream via the Institute’s Artist Services program. Titles include 2012 Sundance Film Festival films Detropia, I Am Not a Hipster, The Atomic States of America, and We’re Not Broke. For full details on where to access these films, please visit sundance.org/nowplaying. (The complete list of new titles available follows below.)
“With the proliferation of new digital outlets these days, Sundance Institute saw a real need to help filmmakers and producers easily access these platforms and to provide information on how best to navigate and take advantage of independent distribution,” said Keri Putnam, Executive Director, Sundance Institute. “ It's exciting to see these filmmakers charting their own path towards finding audiences.”
In addition, to making it easier for audiences to find Sundance Institute and Film Festival films all year long, this year’s online film guide and mobile app for the 2013 Sundance Film Festival includes a new feature from GoWatchIt.com which creates a universal ‘queue’ so fans can be notified as soon as films they are interested in become available in the marketplace. Sundance Institute has also installed GoWatchIt on the Now Playing page (www.sundance.org/nowplaying) for the titles accessing distribution through its Artist Services.
Look for the Artist Services films on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu, Microsoft Xbox, Netflix, SnagFilms, Sony Entertainment Network, SundanceNOW, Vudu and YouTube. Special bonus video content from the Institute’s archives is available for select titles. The Artist Services program provides Institute artists with exclusive opportunities for creative self-distribution, marketing and financing solutions for their work. New Video, a Cinedigm company, is the exclusive aggregation partner for distribution across all portals in the program. The Artist Services initiative is made possible by The Bertha Foundation. These deals were brokered via pro bono legal services generously provided by law firm O’Melveny & Myers, which has built the legal framework for the Artist Services program and participating filmmakers since its inception.
Titles That Are Available:
The American Astronaut (Director and Screenwriter: Cory McAbee) — Sundance Institute Screenwriter’s Lab Fellow Cory McAbee stars in his sci-fi feature film as an interplanetary trader. The film also stars 2012 Independent Spirit Award nominee James Ransone (Starlet, HBO’s Treme and The Wire) as Bodysuit. (2001 Sundance Film Festival)
The Atomic States of America (Directors: Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce) — Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce’s provocative documentary takes viewers on a journey to nuclear reactor communities across the country. (2012 Sundance Film Festival)
Budrus (Director: Julia Bachas) — Documentary filmmaker Julia Bacha’s award-winning 2009 documentary follows a Palestinian community organizer who unites local Fatah and Hamas members along with Israeli supporters in an unarmed movement to save the village of Budrus from destruction by Israel's Separation Barrier. Budrus was produced by Just Vision, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing the power and legitimacy of Palestinians and Israelis working nonviolently to end the occupation and resolve the conflict. (2009 Sundance Documentary Film Grant)
Detropia (Directors: Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady) — Winner of the Best Documentary Editing Award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival and nominated for Gotham and Cinema Eye awards, Detropiachronicles the lives of several Detroiters trying to survive and make sense of what is happening to their city – once an industrial utopia, now on the brink of bankruptcy. (2012 Sundance Documentary Film Grant, 2012 Sundance Film Festival)
High School Record (Director and Screenwriter: Ben Wolfinsohn) — In Ben Wolfinsohn’s semi-improvised 2005 “mock doc,” four exceptionally awkward 17-year-olds struggle through their senior year as moments of humiliation and triumph are caught on tape in a documentary shot by fellow classmates at a performing arts high school. (2005 Sundance Film Festival)
I Am Not A Hipster (Director and Screenwriter: Destin Daniel Cretton) — Featuring music by indie electronic band, Canines, and a break-out performance by Dominic Bogart (Flash Forward), Cretton’s music-focused drama premiered at sold-out screenings at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. (2011 and 2012 Cinereach Project at Sundance Institute Grant, 2012 Sundance Film Festival)
Primer (Director and Screenwriter: Shane Carruth) — Shane Carruth’s cult classic won the Grand Jury Prize and Alfred P. Sloan Prize at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. Timed to the premiere of the director’s much-anticipated follow-up film, Upstream Color, at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. (2004 Sundance Film Festival)
Pursuit of Loneliness (Director and Screenwriter: Laurence Thrush) — Award-winning director Laurence Thrush’s (Left Handed) 2012 Sundance Film Festival premiere stars a cast of non-professional actors depicted in their own workplace roles. (2012 Sundance Film Festival)
The Slaughter Rule (Directors: Alex Smith and Andrew Smith) — David Morse (Treme) and Ryan Gosling (Drive) star in Alex and Andrew Smith’s feature writing-directorial debut about a fatherless high-school quarterback. Nominated for the Independent Spirit Awards’ John Cassavetes Award.. (2002 Sundance Film Festival)
Stingray Sam (Director and screenwriter: Cory McAbee) — Cory McAbee’s 2009 follow up to The American Astronaut features writer-director McAbee as Stingray Sam and “Crugie” as The Quasar Kid, two space convicts in a series of episodic adventures narrated by David Hyde Pierce (Frasier). (2009 Sundance Film Festival)
to.get.her (Director and screenwriter: Erica Dunton) — Five teenage girls with a shared secret get together for a weekend of “no consequences” in this 2011 Sundance Film Festival premiere that won the Best of Next <=> Audience Award. Actress-model Jazzy De Lisser stars in a “mystery” written and directed by Erica Dunton (The 27 Club). (2011 Sundance Film Festival)
Wave Twisters (Directors: Eric Henry and Syd Garon) — Animators Syd Garon (Superheroes, Last Call at the Oasis) and Eric Henry’s “turntablism-based musical” won the 2001 Midnight Films Audience Award at the 2001 SXSW Film Festival. Scripted to a recording by “scratch” artist DJ Qbert, Wave Twisters follows a group of heroes traveling through inner-space on a quest to save the lost art of Hip Hop. (2001 Sundance Film Festival)
We're Not Broke (Directors: Karin Hayes and Victoria Bruce) — A timely exposé on how the government has allowed U.S. corporations to avoid paying taxes, and the growing wave of discontent that is has fostered. A 2012 Sundance Film Festival premiere from the filmmakers of The Kidnapping of Ingrid Betancourt. (2012 Sundance Film Festival)
Sundance Institute
Sundance Institute is a global nonprofit organization founded by Robert Redford in 1981. Through its artistic development programs for directors, screenwriters, producers, composers and playwrights, the Institute seeks to discover and support independent film and theatre artists from the United States and around the world, and to introduce audiences to their new work. The Institute promotes independent storytelling to inform, inspire, and unite diverse populations around the globe. Internationally recognized for its annual Sundance Film Festival, Sundance Institute has nurtured such projects as Born into Brothels, Trouble the Water, Son of Babylon, Amreeka, An Inconvenient Truth, Spring Awakening, I Am My Own Wife, Light in the Piazza and Angels in America. Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
“With the proliferation of new digital outlets these days, Sundance Institute saw a real need to help filmmakers and producers easily access these platforms and to provide information on how best to navigate and take advantage of independent distribution,” said Keri Putnam, Executive Director, Sundance Institute. “ It's exciting to see these filmmakers charting their own path towards finding audiences.”
In addition, to making it easier for audiences to find Sundance Institute and Film Festival films all year long, this year’s online film guide and mobile app for the 2013 Sundance Film Festival includes a new feature from GoWatchIt.com which creates a universal ‘queue’ so fans can be notified as soon as films they are interested in become available in the marketplace. Sundance Institute has also installed GoWatchIt on the Now Playing page (www.sundance.org/nowplaying) for the titles accessing distribution through its Artist Services.
Look for the Artist Services films on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu, Microsoft Xbox, Netflix, SnagFilms, Sony Entertainment Network, SundanceNOW, Vudu and YouTube. Special bonus video content from the Institute’s archives is available for select titles. The Artist Services program provides Institute artists with exclusive opportunities for creative self-distribution, marketing and financing solutions for their work. New Video, a Cinedigm company, is the exclusive aggregation partner for distribution across all portals in the program. The Artist Services initiative is made possible by The Bertha Foundation. These deals were brokered via pro bono legal services generously provided by law firm O’Melveny & Myers, which has built the legal framework for the Artist Services program and participating filmmakers since its inception.
Titles That Are Available:
The American Astronaut (Director and Screenwriter: Cory McAbee) — Sundance Institute Screenwriter’s Lab Fellow Cory McAbee stars in his sci-fi feature film as an interplanetary trader. The film also stars 2012 Independent Spirit Award nominee James Ransone (Starlet, HBO’s Treme and The Wire) as Bodysuit. (2001 Sundance Film Festival)
The Atomic States of America (Directors: Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce) — Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce’s provocative documentary takes viewers on a journey to nuclear reactor communities across the country. (2012 Sundance Film Festival)
Budrus (Director: Julia Bachas) — Documentary filmmaker Julia Bacha’s award-winning 2009 documentary follows a Palestinian community organizer who unites local Fatah and Hamas members along with Israeli supporters in an unarmed movement to save the village of Budrus from destruction by Israel's Separation Barrier. Budrus was produced by Just Vision, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing the power and legitimacy of Palestinians and Israelis working nonviolently to end the occupation and resolve the conflict. (2009 Sundance Documentary Film Grant)
Detropia (Directors: Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady) — Winner of the Best Documentary Editing Award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival and nominated for Gotham and Cinema Eye awards, Detropiachronicles the lives of several Detroiters trying to survive and make sense of what is happening to their city – once an industrial utopia, now on the brink of bankruptcy. (2012 Sundance Documentary Film Grant, 2012 Sundance Film Festival)
High School Record (Director and Screenwriter: Ben Wolfinsohn) — In Ben Wolfinsohn’s semi-improvised 2005 “mock doc,” four exceptionally awkward 17-year-olds struggle through their senior year as moments of humiliation and triumph are caught on tape in a documentary shot by fellow classmates at a performing arts high school. (2005 Sundance Film Festival)
I Am Not A Hipster (Director and Screenwriter: Destin Daniel Cretton) — Featuring music by indie electronic band, Canines, and a break-out performance by Dominic Bogart (Flash Forward), Cretton’s music-focused drama premiered at sold-out screenings at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. (2011 and 2012 Cinereach Project at Sundance Institute Grant, 2012 Sundance Film Festival)
Primer (Director and Screenwriter: Shane Carruth) — Shane Carruth’s cult classic won the Grand Jury Prize and Alfred P. Sloan Prize at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. Timed to the premiere of the director’s much-anticipated follow-up film, Upstream Color, at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. (2004 Sundance Film Festival)
Pursuit of Loneliness (Director and Screenwriter: Laurence Thrush) — Award-winning director Laurence Thrush’s (Left Handed) 2012 Sundance Film Festival premiere stars a cast of non-professional actors depicted in their own workplace roles. (2012 Sundance Film Festival)
The Slaughter Rule (Directors: Alex Smith and Andrew Smith) — David Morse (Treme) and Ryan Gosling (Drive) star in Alex and Andrew Smith’s feature writing-directorial debut about a fatherless high-school quarterback. Nominated for the Independent Spirit Awards’ John Cassavetes Award.. (2002 Sundance Film Festival)
Stingray Sam (Director and screenwriter: Cory McAbee) — Cory McAbee’s 2009 follow up to The American Astronaut features writer-director McAbee as Stingray Sam and “Crugie” as The Quasar Kid, two space convicts in a series of episodic adventures narrated by David Hyde Pierce (Frasier). (2009 Sundance Film Festival)
to.get.her (Director and screenwriter: Erica Dunton) — Five teenage girls with a shared secret get together for a weekend of “no consequences” in this 2011 Sundance Film Festival premiere that won the Best of Next <=> Audience Award. Actress-model Jazzy De Lisser stars in a “mystery” written and directed by Erica Dunton (The 27 Club). (2011 Sundance Film Festival)
Wave Twisters (Directors: Eric Henry and Syd Garon) — Animators Syd Garon (Superheroes, Last Call at the Oasis) and Eric Henry’s “turntablism-based musical” won the 2001 Midnight Films Audience Award at the 2001 SXSW Film Festival. Scripted to a recording by “scratch” artist DJ Qbert, Wave Twisters follows a group of heroes traveling through inner-space on a quest to save the lost art of Hip Hop. (2001 Sundance Film Festival)
We're Not Broke (Directors: Karin Hayes and Victoria Bruce) — A timely exposé on how the government has allowed U.S. corporations to avoid paying taxes, and the growing wave of discontent that is has fostered. A 2012 Sundance Film Festival premiere from the filmmakers of The Kidnapping of Ingrid Betancourt. (2012 Sundance Film Festival)
Sundance Institute
Sundance Institute is a global nonprofit organization founded by Robert Redford in 1981. Through its artistic development programs for directors, screenwriters, producers, composers and playwrights, the Institute seeks to discover and support independent film and theatre artists from the United States and around the world, and to introduce audiences to their new work. The Institute promotes independent storytelling to inform, inspire, and unite diverse populations around the globe. Internationally recognized for its annual Sundance Film Festival, Sundance Institute has nurtured such projects as Born into Brothels, Trouble the Water, Son of Babylon, Amreeka, An Inconvenient Truth, Spring Awakening, I Am My Own Wife, Light in the Piazza and Angels in America. Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
- 1/18/2013
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Melbourne’s Crown Casino has launched a new campaign promoting its program of events, Carnivale.
The kaleidoscopic animated piece directed by Curious Film’s Syd Garon by agency Clemenger Bbdo is reminiscent of 1930′s Busby Berkeley films.
Garon teamed up with Carlos Florez, a La-based director and animator for the 30-second spot.
Garon said: “The ’Crown Carnivale’ spot was a challenge and a joy to work on. That being said, compositing thirty separate 5K Red Epic files in one continuous take is an experience I’m in no hurry to repeat.”
Garon was last week nominated for an Emmy Award in the category Outstanding Individual Achievement in a Craft: Graphic Design & Art Direction for his work on the HBO documentary about real-life superheroes, directed by Michael Barnett simply titled Superheroes.
The kaleidoscopic animated piece directed by Curious Film’s Syd Garon by agency Clemenger Bbdo is reminiscent of 1930′s Busby Berkeley films.
Garon teamed up with Carlos Florez, a La-based director and animator for the 30-second spot.
Garon said: “The ’Crown Carnivale’ spot was a challenge and a joy to work on. That being said, compositing thirty separate 5K Red Epic files in one continuous take is an experience I’m in no hurry to repeat.”
Garon was last week nominated for an Emmy Award in the category Outstanding Individual Achievement in a Craft: Graphic Design & Art Direction for his work on the HBO documentary about real-life superheroes, directed by Michael Barnett simply titled Superheroes.
- 7/23/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Comic books have been with us for decades, but no doubt it took the power of Hollywood and movies to convince people to dress up in a costume and go out to “fight crime”. For better or worst, Hollywood has a major impact on how we view ourselves and our lives and the world around us. When anti-American individuals cite our “cultural imperialism”, let’s face it, they have a point. Hollywood, and the entertainment industry as a whole, is that influential in the world. I have no doubt that if you were to ask the participants of Michael Barnett’s documentary “Superheroes”, 9 out of 10 (if not the entire 10) would tell you they decided to become superheroes because Hollywood made it acceptable. I could be wrong, of course, but I’d be willing to put money on this. “Superheroes” is a documentary that spotlights real-life superheroes. In essence, guys and...
- 5/2/2012
- by Nix
- Beyond Hollywood
Superheroes
Features: Mr. Xtreme, Zimmer, Super Hero, T.S.A.F., Apocalypse Meow, Master Legend and more | Produced by Theodore James | Directed by Mike Barnett
A journey inside the world of real-life caped crusaders from all over America, Superheroes follows a handful of (extra)ordinary citizens who use homemade costumes and elaborate utility belts in an attempt to bring justice to evildoers everywhere.
Ever wondered what would happen if the events seen in Kick-Ass occurred in real life? Look no further than Superheroes, the Slamdance Award wining documentary from director Mike Barnett which introduces us to several of America’s most famous masked heroes, including Mr. Xtreme, a security guard by day and superhero by night who defends the streets of Orlando, and the New York initiative – a fearless foursome who live together and protect together, the streets of Brooklyn.
Whilst many will watch Superheroes and laugh at the expense of those represented within,...
Features: Mr. Xtreme, Zimmer, Super Hero, T.S.A.F., Apocalypse Meow, Master Legend and more | Produced by Theodore James | Directed by Mike Barnett
A journey inside the world of real-life caped crusaders from all over America, Superheroes follows a handful of (extra)ordinary citizens who use homemade costumes and elaborate utility belts in an attempt to bring justice to evildoers everywhere.
Ever wondered what would happen if the events seen in Kick-Ass occurred in real life? Look no further than Superheroes, the Slamdance Award wining documentary from director Mike Barnett which introduces us to several of America’s most famous masked heroes, including Mr. Xtreme, a security guard by day and superhero by night who defends the streets of Orlando, and the New York initiative – a fearless foursome who live together and protect together, the streets of Brooklyn.
Whilst many will watch Superheroes and laugh at the expense of those represented within,...
- 4/15/2012
- by Phil
- Nerdly
1 more shopping week until Christmas!
Robert Maier wrote a book about working for John Waters and now he’s got a blog with a ton more stories. This article about how Hairspray became a PG-rated movie is extremely fascinating, but go ahead and read through the entire site, too.Michael Varrati has a wonderful interview up with Lewis Jackson, director of the Christmas cult classic You Better Watch Out aka Christmas Evil. Jackson is very candid about all the horrible things that went wrong making the film and with its distribution. Yet, he still managed to make a masterpiece.Film Comment posted up their list of the Best Unreleased Movies in 2011 and, of course, they have some underground films on there, like Alex Ross Perry’s The Color Wheel, which screened at this year’s Chicago Underground Film Festival; and experimental features like Nathaniel Dorsky’s The Return, Ken Jacobs’ Seeking the Monkey King,...
Robert Maier wrote a book about working for John Waters and now he’s got a blog with a ton more stories. This article about how Hairspray became a PG-rated movie is extremely fascinating, but go ahead and read through the entire site, too.Michael Varrati has a wonderful interview up with Lewis Jackson, director of the Christmas cult classic You Better Watch Out aka Christmas Evil. Jackson is very candid about all the horrible things that went wrong making the film and with its distribution. Yet, he still managed to make a masterpiece.Film Comment posted up their list of the Best Unreleased Movies in 2011 and, of course, they have some underground films on there, like Alex Ross Perry’s The Color Wheel, which screened at this year’s Chicago Underground Film Festival; and experimental features like Nathaniel Dorsky’s The Return, Ken Jacobs’ Seeking the Monkey King,...
- 12/18/2011
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
A hit at Slamdance and Hotdocs, Superheroes tells the story of, well, superheroes. By which I mean real life men and women who dress up in costumes and take on hero identities in real life.Touching and inspirational, Superheroes shows that the potential for greatness lies in all of us. Director Michael Barnett travels the country capturing ordinary people committing extraordinary acts of bravery and kindness. They are teachers, security guards and stay-at-home dads who don homemade comic-book costumes and fight for justice with names like Mr. Xtreme, Dark Guardian and Vigilante-Spider. Superheroes is an unvarnished tale of courage and compassion where fantasy and reality collide on some of the meanest streets in North America. This awe-inspiring documentary unmasks the true-life stories behind these costumed...
- 11/18/2011
- Screen Anarchy
In the 2010 fiction film Kick-Ass the titular character comments, following his defense of an unarmed man being beaten up outside a diner, “…three assholes, laying into one guy while everybody else watches? And you wanna know what’s wrong with me?”. This apathetic attitude and the desire to do something tangible about it is really at the heart of Superheroes, Mike Barnett’s documentary about real world versions of characters like Kick-Ass.
This is clear early in the documentary when the incredibly tragic story of Kitty Genovese is introduced. Kitty Genovese (real name Catherine Susan Genovese) was a woman murdered in 1964, stabbed to death, reportedly in plain view of many people who did nothing or even closed their windows and ignored the attack and cries for help. Whilst reports of this event vary, the mere suggestion that bystanders stood by and let a woman be stabbed to death without interfering...
This is clear early in the documentary when the incredibly tragic story of Kitty Genovese is introduced. Kitty Genovese (real name Catherine Susan Genovese) was a woman murdered in 1964, stabbed to death, reportedly in plain view of many people who did nothing or even closed their windows and ignored the attack and cries for help. Whilst reports of this event vary, the mere suggestion that bystanders stood by and let a woman be stabbed to death without interfering...
- 10/29/2011
- by Craig Skinner
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The programme for the 55th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express launched today by Artistic Director Sandra Hebron, celebrates the imagination and excellence of international filmmaking from both established and emerging talent. Over 16 days the Festival will screen a total of 204 fiction and documentary features, including 13 World Premieres, 18 International Premieres and 22 European Premieres . There will also be screenings of 110 live action and animated shorts. Many of the films will be presented by their directors, cast members and crew, some of whom will also take part in career interviews, masterclasses, and other special events. The 55th BFI London Film Festival will run from 12-27 October.
Special Screenings
Opening the festival is Fernando Meirelles’ 360, written by Peter Morgan, and starring Sir Anthony Hopkins, Jude Law and Rachel Weisz. Weisz is also the star of Terence Davies’ closing night film, The Deep Blue Sea, alongside a cast which includes Simon Russell Beale and Tom Hiddleston.
Special Screenings
Opening the festival is Fernando Meirelles’ 360, written by Peter Morgan, and starring Sir Anthony Hopkins, Jude Law and Rachel Weisz. Weisz is also the star of Terence Davies’ closing night film, The Deep Blue Sea, alongside a cast which includes Simon Russell Beale and Tom Hiddleston.
- 9/7/2011
- by John
- SoundOnSight
From the 12th to the 27th of October the 55th BFI London Film Festival brings its annual box of delights to the capital. Earlier today the full programme was announced, and it look like being another fine year.
We already know that Fernando Meirelles’ latest 360 will open proceedings on the 12th and fifteen days later Terence Davies’ The Deep Blue Sea will bring the festival to a close but there are many more great films to come and see in London this October.
There was a familiar feeling creeping across the audience this morning that a lot of the films had, like last year, already played elsewhere but this is only a small consideration when you consider the scope of the festival’s remit. To bring a vital, fresh and horizon-expanding series of features, shorts and documentaries is no easy task, and while the more well known films have played...
We already know that Fernando Meirelles’ latest 360 will open proceedings on the 12th and fifteen days later Terence Davies’ The Deep Blue Sea will bring the festival to a close but there are many more great films to come and see in London this October.
There was a familiar feeling creeping across the audience this morning that a lot of the films had, like last year, already played elsewhere but this is only a small consideration when you consider the scope of the festival’s remit. To bring a vital, fresh and horizon-expanding series of features, shorts and documentaries is no easy task, and while the more well known films have played...
- 9/7/2011
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Artistic director Sandra Hebron has announced the line-up for the 55th BFI London Film Festival this morning where they will screen “a total of 204 fiction and documentary features, including 13 World Premieres, 18 International Premieres and 22 European Premieres” plus “110 live action and animated shorts”.
We are already knew Fernando Meirelles’ adaptation of Arthur Schnitzler’s erotic drama play 360 written by Peter Morgan and starring Anthony Hopkins, Jude Law and Rachel Weisz would open the festival and that The Deep Blue Sea, which incidentally is another adaptation of a play (Terence Rattigan’s) and also stars Rachel Weisz, will close it. Of Time and City’s Terrence Davies directed that movie which also stars Tom Hiddleston and Simon Russell Beale.
Now we know the in-between stuff from the Gala & Special Screenings and there’s a wide selection of extremely interesting films;
George Clooney is bringing his political thriller The Ides of March that...
We are already knew Fernando Meirelles’ adaptation of Arthur Schnitzler’s erotic drama play 360 written by Peter Morgan and starring Anthony Hopkins, Jude Law and Rachel Weisz would open the festival and that The Deep Blue Sea, which incidentally is another adaptation of a play (Terence Rattigan’s) and also stars Rachel Weisz, will close it. Of Time and City’s Terrence Davies directed that movie which also stars Tom Hiddleston and Simon Russell Beale.
Now we know the in-between stuff from the Gala & Special Screenings and there’s a wide selection of extremely interesting films;
George Clooney is bringing his political thriller The Ides of March that...
- 9/7/2011
- by Matt Holmes
- Obsessed with Film
What did Anne Hathaway have to say about the fan's response to the above photo of her in The Dark Knight Rises? What did someone in that suit destroy on the set of the film? Which Avengers actors does Joss Whedon have a man crush on? How much will it cost you to get an original piece of Amazing Spider-Man art? Which Marvel movies could fill the two just announced 2014 release dates? Read about all of this and more in today's Superhero Bits. MTV News [1] spoke to Anne Hathaway about the reveal of the Catwoman photo from The Dark Knight Rises and not only does she call them out on their reaction but tells fans they haven't seen anything yet. Speaking of Catwoman, TMZ has [2] a video of a stunt woman on the Batpod crushing a (possibly IMAX) camera on the set of The Dark Knight Rises. Really funny stuff.
- 8/9/2011
- by Germain Lussier
- Slash Film
Michael Barnett's documentary Superheroes, airing on HBO tonight, is essentially a nonfiction version of Matthew Vaughn's vivid, uber-violent nerd-pleaser, Kick-Ass. Both films ask the question, "Why don't more people dress up as/become superheroes?" While Kick-Ass imagines (and quite graphicly so) that said people would get their ass kicked, Superheroes depicts the stark reality, and it involves a lot of tedious, fruitless midnight patrols. These crime-fighting cats would love to cross paths with a rapist. You don't know any, do you?
read more...
read more...
- 8/9/2011
- by Benny Gammerman
- Filmology
Title: Superheroes Directors: Michael Barnett and Theodore James There’s an odd and easygoing charm to Superheroes, a colorful new documentary which enjoys its world broadcast premiere on HBO on Monday, August 8. While in the narrative realm James Gunn’s “Super”, Peter Stebbings’ “Defendor” and Matthew Vaughn’s ultra-stylized Kick-Ass, among others, have examined the worlds and worldviews of those who take on a superhero guise without any particular special powers, “Superheroes” is a nonfiction look at those who don self-made spandex costumes along with alter egos, patrolling city streets at night to stop evildoers and protect the innocent. An engaging if ultimately intellectually lightweight sub-cultural safari, the movie offers up something for...
- 8/6/2011
- by bsimon
- ShockYa
Zimmer, Z, Tsaf and Lucid (Photo Credit: Courtesy of HBO) Premiering on HBO on Monday, August, 8, Superheroes chronicles the lives of dedicated real people as they protect and support their own communities from New York to Seattle to San Diego to Orlando. They patrol the dark and dangerous streets of their cities, seeking out criminals, evildoers and villains while helping the homeless and the downtrodden. Superheroes goes deep inside the world of real-life caped crusaders. From all over America, these everyday citizens don masks, homemade costumes and elaborate utility belts in an attempt to bring justice to evildoers everywhere. We asked director Michael Barnett to tell us a little more... Theodore James, Mr. Extreme, and Michael Barnett (Photo Credit: Courtesy of HBO) My documentary film Superheroes, a look into the world of the ever-growing Real Life Super Hero community, will be airing on August 8 on HBO. I would like to...
- 8/3/2011
- TribecaFilm.com
One of the buzzworthy titles at Slamdance 2011 was the real life superhero (that's Rlsh for the uninitiated) documentary Superheroes. Docurama Films/Newvideo/Flatiron has just announced they will be releasing the film on DVD November 15 after its HBO premiere August 8 and a Slamdance sponsored theatrical run. Michael Barnett's documentary explores the Rlsh phenomena of citizens who don superhero costumes and patrol their streets looking to dole out vigilante, errr, community justice. It's kind of like Kick-Ass with less Nic Cage. Docurama Films is probably best known for their DVD release of Michael Stephenson's incredible 2009 film Best Worst Movie. Upcoming releases include The Swell Season and Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey. In other news, judging by the wardrobe choices of Sdcc attendees, it...
- 7/21/2011
- Screen Anarchy
San Diego’s annual Comic-Con is mostly known for its major media spectacles, displays and panel discussions by major mainstream Hollywood studios and distributors. Lesser known is the Independent Film Festival that is hosted by and runs concurrently with the larger convention on July 21-24.
The film festival runs in a large meeting room at the Marriott Marquis Hotel and Marina, located right next door to the convention center. Each day kicks off with a “Film School” panel discussion at 10:00 a.m., then packs the late morning, all afternoon and night with independent films from all over the world.
Screenings are blocked by genre, such as Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi, Horror, Animation and Documentary. There’s also an awards presentation on the 24th, with repeat screenings of the winning films.
One of the highlights of this year’s Cci-iff is the screening of Waylon Bacon‘s fantastic and disturbing short film Help Wanted,...
The film festival runs in a large meeting room at the Marriott Marquis Hotel and Marina, located right next door to the convention center. Each day kicks off with a “Film School” panel discussion at 10:00 a.m., then packs the late morning, all afternoon and night with independent films from all over the world.
Screenings are blocked by genre, such as Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi, Horror, Animation and Documentary. There’s also an awards presentation on the 24th, with repeat screenings of the winning films.
One of the highlights of this year’s Cci-iff is the screening of Waylon Bacon‘s fantastic and disturbing short film Help Wanted,...
- 6/28/2011
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Add one more superhero blockbuster to your summer movie schedule. I had heard a whisper of this a while ago, but now it's confirmed: HBO Documentary Films bought the TV rights to Michael Barnett's Slamdance hit "Superheroes," a doc about those real-life costumed crusaders who are often likened to characters in the films "Kick-Ass" and "Super." The funny thing is I didn't realize it was official until I saw a magazine ad today for HBO's summer doc series, which features a new premiere every Monday from June 6 through August 15. Other titles include such festival hits as "Bobby Fischer…...
- 6/1/2011
- Spout
Bruce Wayne may not have laser vision or super speed, but he does have a force much more potent than any cackling villain can handle. Suspension of belief. In a real world, with accountable gravity, lack of paranormally enriched radiation and the existential crisis of life without a structural narrative, superheroes and vigilantes are far less common than in the realm of comic books. Then again, so are the problems they are typically forced to deal with. In Superheroes, Michael Barnett introduces to a gallery of men and women in North America who take it upon themselves to don masks and capes, lurking the streets for criminals to thwart, or, perhaps just tourists to pose for. But in a subculture that is so much more showmanship than substance, Barnett’s film begins to stumble on almost identical faults.
Displaying a wide range of results and an even wider range of delusion,...
Displaying a wide range of results and an even wider range of delusion,...
- 5/11/2011
- by Zack Kotzer
- DorkShelf.com
Toronto's 2011 Hot Docs Film Festival is now officially underway, having kicked off the proceedings last night with a screening of Morgan Spurlock's The Greatest Movie Ever Sold. Over the next week we will be catching some of the many great documentaries playing this year, so you can expect some reviews to turn up on Film Junk and The Documentary Blog in the near future. However, if you're interested in attending some screenings yourself, I thought it might be worthwhile to offer up a quick preview of what's playing so you can try and order some tickets [1] before it's too late. Check out our top picks of the fest, complete with trailers or video clips where possible, listed after the jump! Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey Directed by: Constance Marks Synopsis: The film traces Kevin Clash's rise from his modest beginnings in Baltimore to his current success as the...
- 4/29/2011
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
I have no intro for this piece. You see, the Hot Docs Film Festival, showcasing the best in the world of documentary filmmaking, is bigger than ever this year with over 200 movies being screened of the course of 11 days. I have seen about 60 of them in the past three weeks and reviewed most of them for another site. I understand that the choices are overwhelming this year, but here I am to briefly give all you fine Dork Shelf readers my top five picks of the festival and five other films that are in smaller categories of competition that you shouldn’t overlook.
Top Picks:
Wiebo’s War (Canadian Spectrum) – A stunningly stark portrait of what could make a man turn to terrorism, Weibo’s War follows accused Alberta oil pipeline bomber and Christian evangelical Wiebo Ludwig in his deeply personal fights against what really are injustices that have been committed against his family.
Top Picks:
Wiebo’s War (Canadian Spectrum) – A stunningly stark portrait of what could make a man turn to terrorism, Weibo’s War follows accused Alberta oil pipeline bomber and Christian evangelical Wiebo Ludwig in his deeply personal fights against what really are injustices that have been committed against his family.
- 4/27/2011
- by Andrew Parker
- DorkShelf.com
The Independent Film Festival of Boston (IFFBoston) kicks off this Wednesday, and has a number of impressive films in its line-up. The festival will take place at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square, the Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square, the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, and the Stuart Street Playhouse in downtown Boston. The festival, complete with over 110 film screenings, filmmaker Q&A sessions, panel discussions, visiting filmmakers, parties and events will showcase the best in current American and International cinema.
The opening night film of the festival is Being Elmo directed by Constance Marks will open the 9th annual festival on April 27th at the Somerville Theatre. This marks the first time the festival will open with a documentary. The film follows Kevin Clash, from humble upbringings as he follows his dream to become a puppeteer and one day work with his idol, Jim Henson, to the present day...
The opening night film of the festival is Being Elmo directed by Constance Marks will open the 9th annual festival on April 27th at the Somerville Theatre. This marks the first time the festival will open with a documentary. The film follows Kevin Clash, from humble upbringings as he follows his dream to become a puppeteer and one day work with his idol, Jim Henson, to the present day...
- 4/26/2011
- by Kristen Coates
- The Film Stage
The 8th annual Calgary Underground Film Festival is set to run on April 11-17 at The Plaza Theater with 18 feature films and documentaries, several live performances, a classic cartoon extravaganza and Cuff’s legendary 48-hour Movie Making Challenge.
Sentient car tires. Wrongly accused hillbillies. Post-apocalyptic vampire hunters. Rage-filled neighbors. Real-life superheroes. Angry Star Wars fans. Those are just a few of the oddball characters you’ll find in the Cuff lineup below that includes festival hits such as Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil, The Woman, Superheroes, A Horrible Way to Die, Shut Up Little Man!, Rubber and more.
Some of the special events include: Not only a screening of Chris Metzler and Lev Anderson’s documentary Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone, but a live concert by the band after the screening. Plus, there will be a wild live burlesque show being held as a fundraiser for the upcoming film...
Sentient car tires. Wrongly accused hillbillies. Post-apocalyptic vampire hunters. Rage-filled neighbors. Real-life superheroes. Angry Star Wars fans. Those are just a few of the oddball characters you’ll find in the Cuff lineup below that includes festival hits such as Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil, The Woman, Superheroes, A Horrible Way to Die, Shut Up Little Man!, Rubber and more.
Some of the special events include: Not only a screening of Chris Metzler and Lev Anderson’s documentary Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone, but a live concert by the band after the screening. Plus, there will be a wild live burlesque show being held as a fundraiser for the upcoming film...
- 4/6/2011
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
The Independent Film Festival of Boston [1] recently released their full line-up and it's a doozy. Sundance favorites such as The Future [2] and Submarine [3] will be there, along with awesome documentaries like Being Elmo [4] (With Elmo In Attendance!!!) and Page One: A Year Inside the New York Times [5]. I'm looking forward to films I wasn't able to catch at Sundance and SXSW, such as the legal documentary Hot Coffee, the heartbreaking How to Die in Oregon, and the new fascinating Conan O'Brien film. Takashi Miike's 13 Assassins [6] also looks like it will rock the house. The full line-up is below. The festival is April 27th through May 4th, and it's one of my favorite movie events of the year. If you live anywhere in New England, I invite you to come and check it out. You can follow IFFBoston on Facebook for updates [7] or buy your passes now [8]! Narrative Features 13 Assassins...
- 3/25/2011
- by David Chen
- Slash Film
The 17th annual Slamdance Film Festival has handed out awards to 10 films out of the 83 movies that screened this year. A few films received multiple awards in different categories and several of the winners will be given a limited theatrical release sponsored by Slamdance later this year.
Awards were organized in the sections: Grand Jury Awards, Audience Awards and Sponsored Awards. The documentary Bhopali, directed by Van Maximillian Carlson about the effects of the horrific 1984 Union Carbide gas disaster, won both a Grand Jury and an Audience award. Another documentary, Shunka by Cj Gardella, won both an Audience and a Sponsored award.
Also, in addition to several winners, the Slamdance jury made several mentions to runners-up deserving special recognition. Those special jury notes are included in the full list of winners below.
Two films — the short Hello Caller by Andrew Putschoegl and the feature Superheroes by Michael Barnett — have been...
Awards were organized in the sections: Grand Jury Awards, Audience Awards and Sponsored Awards. The documentary Bhopali, directed by Van Maximillian Carlson about the effects of the horrific 1984 Union Carbide gas disaster, won both a Grand Jury and an Audience award. Another documentary, Shunka by Cj Gardella, won both an Audience and a Sponsored award.
Also, in addition to several winners, the Slamdance jury made several mentions to runners-up deserving special recognition. Those special jury notes are included in the full list of winners below.
Two films — the short Hello Caller by Andrew Putschoegl and the feature Superheroes by Michael Barnett — have been...
- 1/28/2011
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Filed under: Documentaries, Reviews, Comic-Con, Cinematical, Festivals
There are a few John C. Reilly movies in Park City this year, but I'm certain the best is the Slamdance documentary 'Superheroes,' a humorous and well-rounded look at the current national phenomenon of real life superheroes. Technically, Reilly is not actually in the film, but there is a hilarious Orlando-based crime fighter named "Master Legend" who I wouldn't be surprised to learn is actually just the actor doing one of his oddball characters. The guy, a self-proclaimed superhero since the age of 7, is like Steve Brule in an armored costume who seems to spend more time hitting on young ladies and drinking beer out of his van than actually fighting crime.
As you can imagine, many of the real life superheroes (Rlsh) are totally ridiculous and potentially insane, but they are all apparently very nice guys and girls -- even...
There are a few John C. Reilly movies in Park City this year, but I'm certain the best is the Slamdance documentary 'Superheroes,' a humorous and well-rounded look at the current national phenomenon of real life superheroes. Technically, Reilly is not actually in the film, but there is a hilarious Orlando-based crime fighter named "Master Legend" who I wouldn't be surprised to learn is actually just the actor doing one of his oddball characters. The guy, a self-proclaimed superhero since the age of 7, is like Steve Brule in an armored costume who seems to spend more time hitting on young ladies and drinking beer out of his van than actually fighting crime.
As you can imagine, many of the real life superheroes (Rlsh) are totally ridiculous and potentially insane, but they are all apparently very nice guys and girls -- even...
- 1/22/2011
- by Christopher Campbell
- Moviefone
Filed under: Documentaries, Reviews, Comic-Con, Cinematical, Festivals
There are a few John C. Reilly movies in Park City this year, but I'm certain the best is the Slamdance documentary 'Superheroes,' a humorous and well-rounded look at the current national phenomenon of real life superheroes. Technically, Reilly is not actually in the film, but there is a hilarious Orlando-based crime fighter named "Master Legend" who I wouldn't be surprised to learn is actually just the actor doing one of his oddball characters. The guy, a self-proclaimed superhero since the age of 7, is like Steve Brule in an armored costume who seems to spend more time hitting on young ladies and drinking beer out of his van than actually fighting crime.
As you can imagine, many of the real life superheroes (Rlsh) are totally ridiculous and potentially insane, but they are all apparently very nice guys and girls -- even...
There are a few John C. Reilly movies in Park City this year, but I'm certain the best is the Slamdance documentary 'Superheroes,' a humorous and well-rounded look at the current national phenomenon of real life superheroes. Technically, Reilly is not actually in the film, but there is a hilarious Orlando-based crime fighter named "Master Legend" who I wouldn't be surprised to learn is actually just the actor doing one of his oddball characters. The guy, a self-proclaimed superhero since the age of 7, is like Steve Brule in an armored costume who seems to spend more time hitting on young ladies and drinking beer out of his van than actually fighting crime.
As you can imagine, many of the real life superheroes (Rlsh) are totally ridiculous and potentially insane, but they are all apparently very nice guys and girls -- even...
- 1/22/2011
- by Christopher Campbell
- Cinematical
If you think the premise of "Kick-Ass" -- a normal teenager suiting up to fight crime as a masked vigilante -- sounds preposterous, perhaps you'd be interested to know that there are currently 300 registered superheroes living in the United States. That's right, there are no fewer than 300 (who knows how many aren't registered?) actual human beings who don masks and elaborate utility belts, wield clubs, crossbows and other weapons, and roam the streets looking to put the hurt on any criminals that cross their path. Below, check out an exclusive clip from the documentary "Superheroes," which is currently showing at the Sundance sister festival Slamdance and which follows the exploits of some of our country's most famous (and badass) true-life superheroes.
The clip introduces a crime-fighting quartet known as the New York Initiative, a group of four Brooklyn-based vigilantes who live and kick bad-guy ass together. The group -- kind...
The clip introduces a crime-fighting quartet known as the New York Initiative, a group of four Brooklyn-based vigilantes who live and kick bad-guy ass together. The group -- kind...
- 1/21/2011
- by Tom DiChiara
- MTV Movies Blog
First-time filmmaker Michael Barnett has put together a documentary which follows a group of real-life superheroes and explores what drives them to suit up and protect the innocent and uphold the law. They patrol the dark and dangerous streets, seeking out criminals, evildoers and villains, veiled in secret identities... They call themselves Real-Life Superheroes, and they are out to save humanity. Superheroes is a journey inside the world of real-life caped crusaders. From all over America, these everyday citizens don mask, homemade costumes and elaborate utility belts in an attempt to bring justice to evildoers everywhere. It seems that superheroes have been popping up all over the nation lately, as if taking inspiration from the film Kick-Ass, which followed a teenager who dressed up...
- 1/21/2011
- by Kimberly Houston
- The Daily BLAM!
The 17th annual Slamdance Film Festival is all set to run for eight days and nights Jan. 21-27. The festival is featuring a bold theme this year of “All Is Not Lost” where — due to the current devastating economic climate — Slamdance will donate 10% of ticket proceeds back to the filmmakers.
The fest is screening 14 feature films — 10 of which are in competition — and 8 feature documentaries, all of which are in competition. In addition, there will be 56 short films screening.
Plus, there are a couple of special screenings, including the Straight 8 event where anybody can register to receive a single roll of Super-8 film that they can use to direct their own in-camera edited mini-masterpiece. Also, on the 26th, there will be a special retrospective of the works of renegade ’60s filmmaker J.X. Williams.
The full film lineup is below, but for more information on the site please visit the official Slamdance website.
The fest is screening 14 feature films — 10 of which are in competition — and 8 feature documentaries, all of which are in competition. In addition, there will be 56 short films screening.
Plus, there are a couple of special screenings, including the Straight 8 event where anybody can register to receive a single roll of Super-8 film that they can use to direct their own in-camera edited mini-masterpiece. Also, on the 26th, there will be a special retrospective of the works of renegade ’60s filmmaker J.X. Williams.
The full film lineup is below, but for more information on the site please visit the official Slamdance website.
- 12/23/2010
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
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