"Sister Tempest" A Full Length Genre Bending Feature Film Currently on Kickstarter!

Having recently kicked off it's Kickstarter Campaign, "Sister Tempest" is a full length Thriller, Art-house, Body Horror, Sci Fi, Surreal Dark Comedy. It describes itself as Mulholland Drive meets Holy Mountain meets Zardoz!

It's written and directed by Joe Badon who, last year, made his way through the festival circuit with his first feature film: the surreal, thriller, dark comedy "The God Inside My Ear" (which is set to be released through Gravitas Ventures on April 9th)!

Now, with his new film "Sister Tempest", Badon aims to create a strange mash up of cinematic elements from 60's B-movies to 70's Art House and 80's Body Horror!

The funding goal for the film is set at $25k. Badon's last film, The God Inside My Ear, was shot for just under $10k so it looks as if he can do a lot on a tiny budget.

Check out the kickstarter campaign here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1857321894/sister-tempest-full-length-genre-bending-feature-f

Back THE COLOR OF THE SUN a modern day update of The Little Prince Set in NYC

They are trying to get funding to make a modern day live action version of the classic THE LITTLE Prince set in NYC called THE COLOR OF THE SUN. I am intrigued. I am not quite sure how it will work but I'd like to see how it plays out.

If your curious here is the Kickstarter page with all the details. I'm curious enough to consider making a donation.

Help Alec Kubas-Meyer make REEL

Alec’s making a movie. You need to give him money.

No wait- Alec is making an action movie you need to give him money.

I’m being silly here, but Alec really is making a movie and he needs you to help get it done.

The film is called REEL and it’s an action film and based on what Alec has done before you’ll want to get in on the ground floor of what is going to be a great career in action film directing. I’m not going to wax poetic about what Alec can do in a fight scene now (that’s coming Sunday when I talk about his recent film Miranda) but I am going to say again give him some money and he’ll send you stuff. Hell some of the gimmes at Kickstarter are signed stuff and the ability to have a signature before someone was famous is a plus down the road (I mean assuming you'll want to eventually sell the stuff on Ebay).

Trust me this is something you want to be part of. I’ve seen Alec demonstrating some of the fight scenes on Hubert this past Saturday night and it looks really cool. (And painful, so if you don't want Alec to come demonstrate on you give)

If you want to see what Alec has cooked up go to the film’s Kickstarter page which is here.

If you want an explanation of why Alec is doing it you should read his piece at Flixist which is here.

And remember if give the poor boy some money in five years you can meet him at his big feature blockbuster premiere and tell him you backed his film as a means of hustling tickets to the screening...of course he'll ignore you but its worth a shot

Alec and his co-director Gerard Chamberlain-Alec is the good looking one

Help get:Catch 22: based on the unwritten story by seanie sugrue made

Earlier today I got an email from a friend of Unseen Films asking if I’d help spread the word on an upcoming new thriller called Catch 22: based on the unwritten story by seanie sugrue. The film is using Kickstarter in order to finish up it’s financing.

Here’s what the press release said:

"Five life-long, hard-lived friends come to from a debauchery-filled day of celebration alongside an unexplained dead girl. What are friends for?'"

Catch 22: based on the unwritten story by seanie sugrue ,is a feature-length thriller that explores a number of the darker sides of the human condition - betrayal of loved ones, substance abuse and addiction, rape, murder - and ultimately whether real friendship and love takes precedence over all that life throws at you. Catch 22 is heinously dark at every step of the way, just as life can be.
Talent attached to project: Al Thompson( The Royal Tenenbaums, A Walk to Remember), Phil Burke(AMC Networks’ Hell On Wheels) and (adult film star)Charmane Star.

We have an unique Kickstarter campaign where we are approaching financing and distribution in unorthodox fashion - making the extended director's cut of the film available for pre-sale beginning March 25, 2014 via Kickstarter.

For more information on Catch 22:
Kickstarter preview: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/joshfolan/1668525818?token=98d6b05f
Video lookbook (conceptual footage only, not footage for our film): https://vimeo.com/86267934
Production comany : http://www.nyehentertainment.com

I only know as much as you do, however I suggest that if you can spare a little cash you throw some of it towards this production. Why? Because Lisa, who steered this Unseen’s way has been a proven track record of being associated with some truly great films. If she’s involved then the film is worth taking a look at. I’m not being facetious here there are certain PR people who tend to be associated with good things and as such anything they send me goes to the top of my pile. Lisa is one of them.

Yes I will be kicking in, just as soon as payday comes around. Do yourself a favor and get in on the ground floor and get yourself a copy of the Director’s cut while you can….and if you have more money get yourself a walk on role.

And if you can’t do it now, not to worry I will be reminding you between now and April 30 when the campaign ends.

Come on you know you want to- there’s no catch just for looking…

There are only hours left to help ULTIMATE CHRISTIAN WRESTLING get finished

There is about 12 hours left for the Kickstarter for ULTIMATE CHRISTIAN WRESTING. Director Jae-Ho Chang asked me to try and get them over the top.Here's the email he sent me:

We have a day left and are still a little short from our goal. But our faith is strong that we will make it!

Please help us with ONE LAST PUSH by sharing our campaign. And if you will like to donate, click on the link below for more information.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/77163275/ultimate-christian-wrestling-a-feature-documentary

Thank you everyone again for all your love and support.

WE CAN DO IT!!!

Unless you want the wrestlers to come to your house and explain the errors of your ways I suggest you donate.

And if you need better reasons to give here's what we at Unseen have said about the film.

Give...and get me a t-shirt 


ADDENDUM:
YOU GOT ME MY T-SHIRT!

Help Fund Ultimate Christian Wrestling (and help get me a new t-shirt)

Okay, with just about two weeks left to their Kickstarter left directors Jae-Ho Chang and Tara Autovino need your help to help finish his film Ultimate Christian Wrestling.

This gem of a film is about a bunch of guys who travel around the south trying to spread the word of Jesus through professional wrestling. Yes, I know it sounds silly, but it’s not. It’s a great portrait of a bunch of guys trying to spread the word of God through something that they like to do. But it's not about the word of God, it's about the guys and their families. The film neither preaches to you, nor does it make fun of its subjects. Rather it’s a loving portrait of a bunch of great guys you'd actually want to hang with.

We at Unseen Films really loved the film a great deal  which is clear since we ran several pieces on the film:

Here’s my review

Mondo had a very long talk with the directors which he cut down to a manageable length. It can be found here (the unedited version is at Mondo’s Violent Eye Report)

And then Mr C chimed in with his own thoughts.

This is a special film that needs to find a wider audience.

For full details on the Kickstarter and to donate go here.

Please go. It’s a sweet little film that deserves to reach a really big audience, help make that happen...

And yes I did kick in some money myself (I'm getting a t-shirt when the film is done)- so please donate - I want my t-shirt.

Help GORE VIDAL UNITED STATES OF AMNESIA get finished

A couple weeks back I reviewed the film Gore Vidal United States of Amnesia when it played Tribeca. I thought it was super. Any reservations I had about the film were minor, since the film is a great primer to the man and his thoughts.

I had thought the film was done and ready for release, but Flixist has posted a piece saying that the film is still not complete and that they have turned to Kickstarter to get the film finished. Do yourself and the world a favor and kick out a few bucks and help this film get finished. It’s a great film and really needs to get out and about.

I’ve donated and so should you.

If you want to take a look go here to donate.

Far Out Isn't Far Enough: The Tomi Ungerer Story (2012) DOCNYC 2012

Put this dark horse film on the short list for the Academy Awards and more importantly on my list of my favorite films of the year.

The film is the wonderfully off kilter, and decidedly not for children, story of artist and author Tomi Ungerer from his boyhood in Europe on through his time writing children's books, to the discovery by the world of his erotic art to his exile in Canada  then to Ireland and finally to his return to children's books.

It is one of the most visually wonderful, magically happy portraits of an artist as a mad man that I've ever seen. If you want to know how and why some one creates see this film. If you've ever wanted to hear one hell of a great story, see this film. If you want to see a film that will make you smile and feel good see this film. If you want to know that maybe perhaps following your own way is the right way see this film.

I was twisted...er fell in love with Tomi Ungerer's art and style of writing children's books at an early age when my aunt gave me I Am Papa Snap and These Are My Favorite No-such Stories. Short snippets that begin and end nowhere and are incredibly profound I was hooked. Its a book that shaped how I write and think and feel about stories of all sorts. 

After that I went out and tried to track down Ungerer's books anywhere I could....which at a certain point became very difficult because the children's book industry blew a gasket when it discovered that Ungerer was also doing erotic art. Actually Ungerer was doing whatever the hell he wanted since he simply followed his muse. Fearing parental backlash the children's books disappeared and Ungerer went into exile. (all of this is explained in Ungerer's own words in the film)

The two things that I love about the film is that first it has Ungerer telling his own story. Sure we get people like Maurice Sendak talking about Ungerer, but mostly we get the man himself telling us everything we ever wanted to know about himself and his work. When you have such a great communicator such us Ungerer you don't need anything else...

...but you do get more, which is the second thing I love about the film which is all of Ungerer's illustrations and art work not only shown to us, but brought magically and marvelously to life. Even if every other thing in this films sucked, which it doesn't, the art work alone would be worth the price of admission, or many admissions just to see it come to life.

I love this film. It is simply put one of the best films of the year and one of my most favorite, As Chocko said to me after he saw it "This may end up battling it out for the top spot at the Unseen Films Best Film of the year list". Yes it will

If you want to know how much I love this film consider that I watched the film three times in a row when I was loaned a screener for 24 hours.

A MUST SEE film

It screens Saturday the 10th at 145PM and Tuesday the 13th at 1130AM at the IFC Center.as part of DOCNYC

Kickstarte​r Campaign: FOLLOW THE LEADER

I wouldn't normally do this but a friend of Unseen Films asked me to run a piece on a film he was connected with that was winding down on it's Kickstarter campagn. He's been a good judge of film projects so I'm happy to run something.

Since the film is still in post production I think the best thing I can do is run the information he gave me:


New York, New York July 18, 2012 – A Kickstarter campaign is entering its final week to complete post-production and launch distribution of filmmaker Jonathan Goodman Levitt’s FOLLOW THE LEADER, a real-life coming-of-age story of three traditional American boys with Presidential dreams. A journey of political and personal discovery, the film promises to spark meaningful and reflective conversations about American political realities in the months surrounding the 2012 U.S. Presidential election.

In FOLLOW THE LEADER, sixteen-years-old, high school class presidents Ben (The Loyalist from Virginia), D.J. (The Believer from Massachusetts) and Nick (The Idealist from Pennsylvania) are all conservatives who plan to continue leading their peers as President someday. Over three life-changing years, they split into Republican, Democratic and Independent camps as each reconsiders his lofty ambitions. Growing up at a critical moment for America as well, their lives also force us all to rethink our assumptions about tomorrow’s leaders, the impact of 9/11 on them, and the political views of the millennial generation – which are more complicated than most people currently believe. As shocking as “Jesus Camp,” as revealing as “American Teen,” and as funny as “Spellbound” – FOLLOW THE LEADER is the true story of what change means for three young leaders who feel destined to lead the world.

“After living abroad during 9/11 and for nearly a decade, FOLLOW THE LEADER began as a personal investigation into the politics of today’s youth, whose contradictory views confused me while teaching in the U.S. post-9/11,” said Levitt. “By sympathetically portraying its characters on their own terms, the film provokes us to reexamine both our preconceptions about youth and conservatives, as well as our own political views. But more than that, our aim is to force people to reflect on the entrenched inequalities within the American political system in a different way. The traditional methods of sparking such discussions aren't working – often because such efforts themselves are politically motivated, and because they don't even bring people of all political stripes to the table.”

Earlier in the campaign, Levitt was warmly received at high-profile gatherings of both progressive and conservative activists, a rare feat for any documentary, especially one on such political subject matter. At a sneak preview at the Roosevelt Institute's Summer Academy (a non-profit carrying forward the legacy of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, http://www.rooseveltinstitute.org/about), over 75 progressive student leaders discussed the future of political leadership and reconsidered how many of them unfairly demonize those on the “right.” The following week at Grover Norquist's famed “Wednesday Meeting” for conservative activists at the Americans for Tax Reform (http://www.atr.org/), Levitt's presentation with the trailer was met with laughter and the formation of several budding partnerships; the film was shown immediately after the Wednesday Meeting in the same space, and led to spirited discussion about how tomorrow's generation are redefining what “liberalism” and “conservatism” mean for the future.

A large focus of the film’s outreach starting this fall involves the linked transmedia project REALITY CHECK INTERACTIVE, a unique cross-platform social change initiative that combines interactive voting technology and an episodic presentation ofFOLLOW THE LEADER to spark a national conversation about American political realities. REALITY CHECK's lead facilitator is collective intelligence expert Chris Bui, who has led over 2,000 government and civic meetings since starting out running independently organized consensus-building meetings during the 1992 Ross Perot campaign. Levitt is saying “yes we can talk to all sides, and indeed each of us must engage with people who disagree with us in a fair-minded way for the good of our country.” As bitter political feuds seem to erupt everywhere in public, Levitt and his team – including activists across the political spectrum, and key figures in the transmedia and transpartisan spaces – are planning a unique national tour surrounding the 2012 Elections. College and community groups are being mandated by the outreach team to expressly co-sponsor screenings with ideologically different groups so that bridge building and discussions organized around such a non-judgmental film can be an antidote to what is already becoming a fiercely negative election season.

Through Kickstarter, Levitt is seeking help in funding the completion of post-production, insurance and some outstanding music clearances required to release the film, as well as the initial launch of REALITY CHECK INTERACTIVE. If FOLLOW THE LEADERsuccessfully reaches its goal pledges totaling $27,000 by July 26, backers will receive a multitude of perks. Pledge tiers start as little as $5 (Town Crier) and go up to $10,000 (Presidential Level). At this top level, backers receive an official credit, special recognition on the Partner Page of Official Website, and a NYC screening in your honor (with airfare from elsewhere in the US for you and a guest!)

Today and Thursday, private supporter screenings in New York, London and California are being announced. RH Gallery in Lower Manhattan (http://www.rhgallery.com/) will host a screening and discussion on August 15; London's exclusive Eight Club (http://www.eightclub.co.uk/) plans a VIP-treatment event for September; and Tom and Joy Campanaro, founders of The Total Gym (http://www.totalgym.com/) and new backers of the project, are hosting a private screening in their San Diego-area home on October 9. Access to supporter screenings is ONLY via becoming a backer on Kickstarter. Another featured reward is a copy of the new Bloomsbury release (just published July 15), “Give Me the Money and I'll Shoot” – a documentary professional trade book, which features an extended interview with Levitt and case study of FOLLOW THE LEADER; and author and funding expert Nicola Lees will also provide a 30-minute Skype consultation to anyone who backs the project at the $125 level.

Among the many prominent politicians making cameos in FOLLOW THE LEADER are the late Ted Kennedy (his last film); U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; former President Bill Clinton; U.S. Senator from Arizona John McCain, who ran against Barack Obama for President in 2008; Ken Cuccinelli, the Attorney General of Virginia, and a candidate for Governor of Virginia in 2013 who was just named one of Politico's rising stars on the verge of national prominence; Deval Patrick, current Governor of Massachusetts, and the second African-American elected Governor of any U.S. state; Michael Dukakis, the longest-serving Governor in Massachusetts history, who in 1988 was the Democratic Nominee for President; Niki Tsongas, the first woman elected to Congress from Massachusetts in 25 years who now represents the state’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House; and Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire founder of Bloomberg L.P., and current Mayor of New York City.

To make a pledge to FOLLOW THE LEADER and REALITY CHECK INTERACTIVE on Kickstarter, visit:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/followtheleader/follow-the-leader-and-reality-check-interactive

For more information on FOLLOW THE LEADER, visit:
http://www.followtheleaderfilm.com/ (Official Movie Site)
https://www.facebook.com/followtheleaderfilm (Facebook)
https://twitter.com/changeworxfilms (Twitter)

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER:
FOLLOW THE LEADER is Jonathan Goodman Levitt’s first film made back home in the United States, after a decade working as a filmmaker based in London. His past work as director and/or producer has been primarily funded and shown by European broadcasters including BBC, Channel 4, DR, NRK and SVT. Jonathan’s company Changeworx USA LLC is also currently in production on films with international partners in Pakistan and Chile that have received support from funders including Arte, TriBeCa Film Institute, Center for Asian American Media, Ford Foundation, IFP and Women Make Movies. His previous feature SUNNY INTERVALS AND SHOWERS (Director / Producer / Editor / Camera, 2006) screened at Film Festivals worldwide including Sheffield, Chicago and One World; aired as part of the BBC Storyville documentary strand; and was nominated for Grierson (British Documentary) and Mental Health Media Awards. Other credits include consulting on a Best Documentary Emmy-winner featuring Stephen Fry, and various roles on several successful short films and multi-screen art installations. Jonathan studied social psychology, political philosophy, and studio art at Stanford, and was a Fulbright Scholar studying at the UK’s National Film School (NFTS) in 1999. Since 2008, he has been based in Brooklyn, New York.

Cross Over From Spectator to Supporter: An Urge to Assist Remember O Goddess

With the rising prominence of social media in our lives, the distance between audience and artistic creation has been closing.  No longer must consumers of entertainment await passively for the next intriguing internationally based film to hit our shores, nor do we wonder when the next superhero epic will be released. Information is for there for the taking for those too enthusiastic or curious to wait for it.  But, is it enough to simply gain information earlier? After all, the increased access of information becomes part of the strategy behind promoting large productions and getting there early does not necessarily mean changing the relationship between consumer and producer of these creative works.  But, is it possible to cross over? To have more of a hand in determining the direction of the creative landscape, what gets made and what doesn’t?  Even if it’s just a little?

This brings up a Korean film project, REMEMBER O GODDESS, in need of support.  I have been intrigued of late to see word of its progress moving along the social media channels I peruse.  It promises an exploratory look at time, memory, and love through a tale that unfolds with surreal elements.  It is a premise that reminds me of a thought provoking Korean movie from a few years back, M, about the struggles of inspiration and creativity.

What is striking about the project is the amount of talent involved, some from the beginning and others having thrown in their support and commitment to the production after being won over by its potential. First there is the director and driving force behind funding the movie, Philadelphia-based Yoon Jung Lee, who worked as script supervisor on acclaimed director Kim Ji-Woon’s wildly spirited fast-paced action epic, THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE WEIRD.  It is edited by Sae Kyoung Moon who was an editor for Bong Joon-ho’s MOTHER, and the lead is played by Kim Jung-tae, a name familiar to the world of more established mainstream Korean productions (BANGABANGA, SUNFLOWER, MISS RIPLEY).

The film’s first 25 minutes have been completed and has been presented as a short film at numerous festivals and film related events, among them, the New York International Film Festival of 2011.  It is an accomplished production that shows a man suffering from memory loss, who may even be displaced temporally, as he tries to reclaim his sense of self.  An interaction with a convenience store clerk shows a sign of recognition that may or may not be genuine.  Is she going through the motions of a good employee or does she hold the key to answering questions about this mysterious figure’s past?  It becomes a point of obsession for the main character, as it presents his sole opportunity to discover his own identity.

Here is a look the opening sequence of REMEMBER O GODDESS,which stands on its own as an impressive piece of mysterious narrative.



Remember O Goddess can be supported through its Kickstarter page here, where more information is available about the project.  With enough support, its crew will be able to carry the film project through to its intended feature length.  As of this writing, the fundraising campaign is in its final week.  That makes it a critical time for potential supporters to get involved, as a little support from a significant enough number of people will make the difference in it reaching its goal.

I urge you to take a look at the project, decide for yourself, and consider taking action.  You can have a hand in bringing about the realization of promising independent cinema.


links:
REMEMBER O GODDESS Kickstarter page:  
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/21269065/remember-o-goddess-film-noir-adventure-and-love?ref=live

REMEMBER O GODDESS Official Site:
http://rememberogoddess.squarespace.com/movie/