C-U Biz-en-scène: 01.13.2011
“C-U Biz-en-scène” appears every Thursday/Friday on C-U Blogfidential to give our readers a succinct snapshot of the cinema activity in and near Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, USA. Please support the artists and their work, attend screenings and events, and otherwise become active in our esoteric little world!
~~~~~
MFHQ & YOU:
We’re In It to Print It!
Alright, folks, it’s time to dig our heels in the dirt so we don’t fly away high as a kite from sucking in all those ink and toner fumes we’re bound to encounter while creating good reading for you – IN PRINT! Even though it may seem a tad anticlimactic since we’ve never quite shaken off the desire to issue self-made tangible literature (a-hem, C-U Confidential), we’ve decided to put even more paper back into Paper Opteryx and participate in “2011: The Revenge of Print!” A movement launched under the watchful eye of Baltimore’s Atomic Books, one of the lynchpins through which ‘zine culture erupted in the Nineties, “2011:RoP” encourages D.I.Y. editors and artists who published in the past to cough up at least one brand-new physical title this calendar year. Presumably, Atomic and their co-sponsors, including Microcosm Publishing, Quimby’s Bookstore in Chicago, Razorcake punk ‘zine, the Toronto Zine Library, Xerography Debt ‘zine, and Zine World ‘zine, will figure out unique ways to parlay the hoped-for critical mass of fresh material into the public consciousness, for nearly 200 voices have pledged to (intellectually) put out for the cause. Familiar movie titles seen in the hit list posted on Facebook include Cashiers du Cinemart by Mike White, Cinema Sewer by Robin Bougie, Exploitation Retrospect by Dan Taylor, Paracinema by Christine Makepeace and Dylan Santurri, and … could it be … MICRO-FILM? Yes, believers, we know we’ve been loosely promising a new MF for some time but with this extravaganza simmering before all of us we simply decided, “Eh, now’s as good a time as any!” You will most likely see the RoP “scissors” emblem on CUZine #5 in April, but this new MF will serve as our formal contribution to the movement. Soon we’ll reveal a release timetable as well as hints at contents, although we’ll probably scale it back enough from MF 7 that it will not serve as the “lost” eighth issue that should have come out in 2006. Game on!
EXHIBITION
At long last, Dreamscape Cinema of Champaign will present the World Premiere of its fourth official feature production, DISPOSABLE, later tonight, Thursday, January 13, 7 p.m., at the Canopy Club, 708 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL, two-and-a-half years after being shot in Champaign and Piatt counties. The dark drama about a seemingly paranoid foster home teenager named Riley who believes scam artists and killers are attempting to murder her stars newcomer Skye Marcia in the lead role along with Scott Dunn (TEAM SPITZ), Sierra Peters (SHEEBA), Francesca Vetrano (JUST VISITING), David Leonard (BARBERSHOP 2), and David Fine (THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS). Ticket price will cost $6, and Dreamscape equates the content to a PG-13 rating in their press release. Preceding DISPOSABLE at 5:15 p.m. will be a free show of the studio’s prior feature, ACT YOUR AGE, in a new “director’s cut.” This comedy-drama, about a struggling actor who goes undercover in a nursing home to glean tips for a role in a Broadway play, stars Michael Muhney (VERONICA MARS), Adrienne Frantz (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL), Eddie Jones (DISCONNECT, THE TERMINAL), Pat Morita (THE KARATE KID, HAPPY DAYS), Max Gail (BARNEY MILLER, D.C. CAB), Amber Benson (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER), Mark Allen Stewart (JUWANNA MANN), and Frank Nicotero (PRIME TIME IN NO TIME). Dreamscape president and both films’ director/writer, Robin Christian, will be on hand with cast and crew to introduce and celebrate; otherwise, he is currently supervising post-production on their latest effort, MY DOG THE SPACE TRAVELER, as well as developing a follow-up feature to shoot this year. And, yes, Dreamscape and C-U Blogfidential both know you want to see U.S. DVD/Blu-ray editions of all the outstanding projects not titled SHEEBA (which finally streets next week courtesy of Questar Home Video) as soon as possible. Hopefully, 2011 will be filled with further news on that front and we’ll post it when we have it!
MEETINGS
Keep in mind that on Tuesday, January 18, 7 p.m., Champaign Movie Makers will meet at Class Act Interactive, 114 S. Neil St., Champaign, to afford area filmmakers and talent an opportunity to discuss and join forces in the making of independent cinema in the area. This month’s presentation by Chris and Anne Lukeman will elaborate on production techniques used to film their new short, ONCE UPON A TIME IN 1972. Additional topics are TBA. Feel free to contact Johnny Robinson at johnny [at] johnnyrobinson [dot] com for further information!
Also don’t forget that on Thursday, January 20, 7 p.m., the Central Illinois Film Commission will meet at Lake Pointe Grill, 1386 Toronto Rd., Springfield, to discuss member activities and area opportunities. CIFC head Cameron Counts tells CUBlog that this month’s highlights are TBA; you can contact Counts at nmdcone [at] yahoo [dot] com or visit their Web site for more information.
SUBMISSIONS
Here’s fuel to the fire lit underneath the more industrious indie producers who want the world to see their movies! First, the next-to-final deadline for sending work to the Kansas City FilmFest 2011 looms this coming Saturday, January 15, while the last chance expires on Friday, February 4. The 15th annual KCFF, combining the forces of the old Kansas City Jubilee Film Festival and FilmFest KC, will feature programs of international and independent works along with a “Heartland Division” populated with Missouri/Kansas cinema and a “CinemaJAZZ” showcase filled with films inspired by jazz music.
Second, the deadline for entering the 5th annual Iowa Independent Film Festival in Clear Lake, IA, is Tuesday, May 31, and organizers are looking for “full length features, full length documentaries, documentary shorts, short subjects (art films/music videos/experimental), and student projects.” This year’s IIFF will take place July 15-17 in lakeside venues and include seminars, speaking sessions, an awards banquet, and multiple screenings of selections. Interestingly, co-founder Tanna Frederick has a prolific working relationship with indie maverick Henry Jaglom, appearing in HOLLYWOOD DREAMS, QUEEN OF THE LOT, and as the title character of IRENE IN TIME.
Finally, the Independent Film Quarterly is accepting work for their IFQ Film & New Media Festival until Friday, January 28. The full-color, Beverly Hills-based festival circuit publication aims to “discover, showcase, and celebrate the work of today’s up-and-comers and established professionals” by programming shorts, features, animations, music videos, Web content, and artistic new media in this event taking place February 24-27, presumably close to home in Los Angeles with what little we could glean from their Web site. Good luck if you decide to enter one, two, or all three!
MEDIA LINKS
Are we allowed to bah some humbug in January? We hope so, since we really haven’t found anything worth linking to this week except for tangentially related items. In a Herald & Review feature run last Saturday, January 8, Jim Vorel confirms that Decatur native Steve Latshaw, who has clawed out a two-decade-long career directing, producing, and writing B-movies in Florida and L.A., will guide to fruition a long-mooted sequel to the vintage 1959 B-movie, THE KILLER SHREWS. Coincidentally on Saturday, C-U’s B-movie expert Marty McKee posted this link to a short Q&A on FlickAttack.com with SHREWS lead actor James Best – remembered well as Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane in THE DUKES OF HAZZARD despite quality notches in his belt like SOUNDER and SHOCK CORRIDOR – who has been trying to engineer a KILLER comeback for years! Even more coincidentally on Saturday, Roger Ebert called attention to this expectedly offbeat profile of Illinois native, Illinois State University alumnus, and past “Ebertfest” guest John Malkovich … Malkovich, courtesy of The Independent in the UK. Enjoy the long and winding verbal road taken by author Arifa Akbar to describe the movie actor most likely to be wrapped in an enigma for life; we’ll let you decide if the shrews are loose in this one.
PLAYING THIS WEEK
DISPOSABLE * World Premiere: Thursday, 1/13, 7 p.m., The Canopy Club, Urbana, IL
ACT YOUR AGE* Director’s Cut: Thursday, 1/13, 5:15 p.m., The Canopy Club, Urbana, IL, Free
SHEEBA* U.S. DVD Release: Tuesday, 1/18, Nationwide via Questar Home Video, Chicago, IL
@ The Art Theater, Champaign, IL: FAIR GAME (1/14 on), SWINGERS (1/14, 1/15, 1/20, 10 p.m.), Carmen (1/15, 1/16, 12 p.m., opera)
@ The Avon Theater, Decatur, IL: “Bogart Movies – Part Two” film class 1 of 8 (1/13, 6:30 p.m.), THE FIGHTER, TRUE GRIT, BLACK SWAN (1/14 on),
@ The Normal Theater, Normal, IL: THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET’S NEST (1/13-1/16, 7 p.m.)
@ The Lorraine Theatre, Hoopeston, IL: THE GREEN HORNET, TRUE GRIT (1/14 on)
ADDED! @ Gemini Cinemas, Villa Grove, IL: TRUE GRIT, UNSTOPPABLE (1/14 on)
ADDED! @ The Onarga Theatre, Onarga, IL: LITTLE FOCKERS (1/14-1/16, 1/19, 7 p.m.)
@ That’s Rentertainment, Champaign, IL: THE SOCIAL NETWORK, PIRAHNA (2010), EDIE & THEA, ALPHA AND OMEGA, TROUBLE IN MIND, THE RICKY GERVAIS SHOW s1, more! (1/11 on)
<><><><><>
Locally produced movies and events featuring locally produced movies are marked with an asterisk (*). Go see ‘em!
COMING SOON
1/21: ROGER EBERT PRESENTS AT THE MOVIES premiere broadcast
@ WILL-TV 12, Urbana, IL, 8:30 p.m.
1/23: ROGER EBERT PRESENTS AT THE MOVIES repeat broadcast
@ WILL-TV 12, Urbana, IL, 9:30 p.m.
2/12: THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW
@ The Canopy Club, Urbana, IL, Midnight
2/18-2/27: Big Muddy Film Festival
@ Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
NEW! 2/27: PROBABILITY OF POSSIBILTIES* dance film (Premiere)
@ Krannert Art Museum, UIUC, Champaign, IL, 3 p.m.
NEW! 2/27: Central Illinois Film Commission “Red Carpet Party”
@ TBD, 5:30 p.m.
3/11: DVD release: PRESS START 2 CONTINUE*
+ Dark Maze Studios, Champaign, IL
3/22-3/27: Ann Arbor Film Festival, Ann Arbor, MI
3/30-4/1: Wisconsin Film Festival, Madison, WI
4/27-5/1: Roger Ebert’s Film Festival
@ The Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL
9/16-9/18: Route 66 International Film Festival
@ Hoogland Center for the Arts, Springfield, IL
COMMUNITY FILM SERIES
“Real Vs. Reel” Movie Series
@ Danville Public Library, Danville, IL, 6:30 p.m.
2/14: HOOSIERS; 3/14: A PLACE IN THE SUN; 4/11: THE FUGITIVE
NEW! Springfield Art Association 20th Annual Film Festival
@ AMC Parkway 8, Springfield, IL, 1 & 4 p.m. (Sun.), 7 p.m. (Tues.)
1/16, 1/18: THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES; 1/30, 2/2: LAST TRAIN HOME; 2/13, 2/15: MADEMOISELLE CHAMBON; 2/27, 3/1: UNDERTOW; 3/13, 3/15: MOTHER AND CHILD; 3/27, 3/29: MADE IN DAGENHAM; 4/10, 4/12: MY DOG TULIP
The News-Gazette Film Series 2011
@ The Virginia Theater, Champaign, IL, 1 & 7 p.m.
1/22: TOP GUN; 2/5: SOME LIKE IT HOT; 3/12: THE MATRIX; 4/23: TOY STORY; 5/14: REAR WINDOW
WILL-TV/Independent Lens “Community Cinema” series
@ Champaign Public Library, Champaign, IL, 6:30 p.m.
1/27: FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE; TBA: ME FACING LIFE, PUSHING THE ELEPHANT, BHUTTO, WELCOME TO SHELBYVILLE, TWO SPIRITS
OUTRO
Even though we’ve “pledged to print” as part of “2011: The Revenge of Print!” we can assure you that announcements concerning CUBlog, CUZine, MICRO-FILM, and all sorts of movie activity in Champaign, Urbana, and the cities beyond will be hurtling your way in the coming weeks and months through digital means. Make sure you’re prepared to keep up with us Joneses! If you haven’t already – and we’re not sure we’d admit it to ourselves if we were you – “Like” our C-U Confidential page on Facebook so you can see updates in your News feed and join our Mailing List so similar reminders will arrive in your e-mail. Also feel free to suggest to us what other methods we could use to keep you abreast of all the local indie film news fit to post! As always, thanks for reading!
~~~~~
That’s it for the “business of our scene” this week!
If you have relevant news, opportunities, dates, or promotions that you would like included in CUBiz, please forward the who, what, where, when, and how much to cuconfidential [at] gmail [dot] com.
Compiled by Jason Pankoke
~~~~~
MF FIRE SALE!
We ask that you consider purchasing back issues of MICRO-FILM and C-U Confidential to help erase our outstanding print bill before we return to the printer with files for not only CUZine no.5 but our delayed special issues, C-U Confidential ’99 and MICRO-FILM 2000. You can order by using the “Donate” PayPal button here or sending cash/check/money order/cashier’s check to: Jason Pankoke, Editor, MICRO-FILM, 401 N. Prairie, Suite 3D, Champaign, IL, 61820. Documents should be made payable to “Jason Pankoke” and personal/business checks will have to sit 4-6 weeks to clear. The sale is good for MICRO-FILM issues 1-7 (do not use the old PayPal buttons if you want sale prices) and C-U Confidential issues 1-4 until further notice. For any single order: 1st copy MF, $5 ppd; 2nd copy MF, $4 ppd, 3rd copy MF, $3 ppd; 4th+ copy MF, $2 ppd each; 1st copy CUZine, $4 ppd; 2nd copy CUZine, $3 ppd, 3rd+ copy CUZine, $1 ppd each. If you have trouble figuring out a total price, simply write us at cuconfidential [at] gmail [dot] com for help. We need to nail this by the end of February 2011 or nefarious decisions will have to be made in the bowels of the Secret MICRO-FILM Headquarters. Thanks in advance for your support!
~~~~~
~~~~~
“C-U Biz-en-scène” no. 25 © 2011 Jason Pankoke/C-U Blogfidential.