Where art thou, NORMAL LIFE?
I often wonder, given how cinematically prosperous Shampoo-Banana Land seems in comparison to the surrounding hamlets, if I regularly miss out on movie activity beyond our city limits. In my humble opinion, Bloomington-Normal has been most conspicuous for its lack of a geographical filmography. Of course, there is R.C. Raycraft‘s INCIDENT AT KICKAPOO CREEK (see item: 7/14/06), a pair of recent micro-budget dramas (the just-finished ARTS & SCIENCE and the on-again-off-again EL PERDIDO), and the trickle of student video projects eminating from Scott Rankin‘s classes at Illinois State University. So, wait, there’s more going on “over there,” right? No? Yes?
Well, actually … NORMAL LIFE is a feature-length production coming soon from the Chicagoland no-budget outfit CNGM Pictures, shot over a tight two-week schedule this past May and June in the downstate college town of its title. A 15-minute preview of NORMAL LIFE will debut tomorrow, Saturday, August 12, 7 p.m., during the final screening day of MicrocinemaFest at Cutting Hall, 150 East Wood St., Palatine, IL. I will not be able to attend this happenin’ little event to check out the goods, “normal” or otherwise, but hopefully more information about NORMAL LIFE and its creators will soon float down C-U Blogfidential way.
Directed by CNGM Pictures co-founder Marc Muszynski, NORMAL LIFE is slated for a sneak-preview show in Normal during April 2007 and an official World Premiere in Palatine the following June, according to the CNGM Web site. Screen captures and primary credits can be found on a second page devoted to NORMAL LIFE.
– Jason Pankoke