Nothing Stays The Same

NOTHING STAYS THE SAME

The Story Of the Saxon Pub

coming to VOD, EST, and DVD on July 14^TH

 

Winner! Best Music Doc - 2019 SXSW

PRE-ORDER HERE

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For songwriters, Nashville has The Bluebird Cafe, Los Angeles has the Troubadour, and Austin has The Saxon Pub... A home for the likes of Wille Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt, Jerry Jeff Walker, Rodney Crowell,  Ray Wylie Hubbard, Stephen Bruton and many more.

Nothing Stays the Same celebrates the last 30 years of live music in Austin, Texas, while also examining the challenges faced by musicians and music venues in one of the fastest-growing and most popular cities in the country, all through the lens of the legendary Saxon Pub. With iconic venues closing each year due to rising rents and property taxes in the Live Music Capital of the World, the writing is on the wall for the Saxon Pub, a mainstay in live music since 1990. Soon being forced to a new space - akin to closure for most clubs - its owner, its regulars and staff and its beloved musicians such as local luminaries Joe Ely, Bobby Whitlock, Bob Schneider, Patrice Pike, Guy Forsyth, Hector Ward, Carolyn Wonderland, The Resentments, Johnny Nicholas, W.C. Clark, Robynn Shayne and others, turn to face the music until they learn their fate might not be sealed after all. Call it divine intervention or a stroke of good luck, the Saxon could live to see another day if it plays its cards right... "...a really beautifully done doc...an outstanding film" - Louis Black, SXSW Co-Founder Universal in its appeal...as noted in the Austin Chronicle, "There is still something universal about the challenges facing (Saxon) owner/manager Joe Ables and all the regulars - onstage and in the audience", mirroring a  situation found in cities across America (Seattle, San Francisco, Denver, Brooklyn, etc) rising rents, property taxes and gentrification of arts districts and the downtown result in clubs closing and artists and musicians being forced to move out of town. In 2019, Nothing Stays the Same made its world premiere at SXSW and was the "Audience Award Winner" in the 24 Beats Per Second categories. It also won "Best Texas Film" at the 2019 Hill Country Film Festival. That same year the film was nominated for "Best Texas Independent Film" by the Houston Film Critics Society and was an official selection of the Dallas International Film Festival and the Lost River Film Festival. "...both an exceptional document of a unique Austin venue, anchored by remarkable live footage and artist interviews, and a treatise on maintaining a city's values and priorities amid rapid growth." - Doug Freeman, Austin Chronicle "Jeff Sandmann's SXSW 2019 Audience Award-winning documentary is just as much a tribute to Austin's musicians as it is to the legendary live music venue established almost 30 years ago in the state capital of Texas." - Joe Friar, Houston Film Critics Society

What She Said: The Art Of Pauline Kael

What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael

coming to DVD and digital on June 16th via Juno Films

Critically-Acclaimed Film Explores the Controversial Critic's Life and Legacy 

Voiced by Sarah Jessica Parker and interviews with Quentin Tarantino, Camille Paglia, David O. Russell, Molly Haskell, Francis Ford Coppola, and more

Juno Films will release Rob Garver's What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael on June 16th via MVD Entertainment Group. The film had its world premiere at Telluride and premiered theatrically at Film Forum in January 2020.

Tagged by Roger Ebert as the most influential film critic of the late twentieth century, the film tells the story of Pauline's turbulent life and work, through never-seen archival footage, her published writing and personal letters, and interviews with both friends and foes of her pen. Pauline is voiced by Sarah Jessica Parker, and participants include Quentin Tarantino, Camille Paglia, David O. Russell, Molly Haskell, Francis Ford Coppola, and daughter Gina James.

Pauline Kael (1919-2001) was likely the most powerful, and personal, movie critic of the 20th century. Writing for The New Yorker and publishing a dozen best-selling books, she ruthlessly pursued what made a movie or an actor's performance work, or not, and why. Her passion made her both admired and despised amongst her readers and her subjects. Pauline's own story is one of struggle and obsession: the fight to establish her voice and have it heard, and to raise a daughter on her own in a time when the obstacles were high.  The latter golden age of movies of the 1960s and 1970s are the focus of this film that pursues the question of what made Pauline Kael's work so individual, so controversial - and so damned good.

New York-based director and editor Garver also produced for 29Pictures LLC, alongside Glen Zipper, producer of the Academy-Award winning documentary Undefeated,  and co-producer Doug Blush (20 Feet From Stardom).  Composer Rick Baitz (The Vagina Monologues) wrote original music for the film, and visual effects were created by Minbomb/LA.    

The deal was negotiated between Elizabeth Sheldon, Juno's CEO and co-founder, and Eric Sloss of Cinetic. "Pauline Kael was a badass female film critic at a time when women were fighting for equality and respect," says Sheldon. "She remains an icon and iconoclast for film lovers today. We are thrilled to be working with Rob Garver to bring the film to American audiences."

Garver adds, "I think Pauline would be amused (and maybe worried) that a movie had been made about her.  And she'd get a kick out of it being distributed by another woman.  I am very excited to work with Elizabeth and Juno Films on a 5-year labor of love."

Juno Films distributes an eclectic and critically-acclaimed mix of films. Recent releases include the BFI's 2K restoration of Shiraz and Barbara Rubin and The Exploding New York Underground.

DVD bonus features:

- Never before released interview of Pauline Kael with Alfred Hitchcock

- Quentin Tarantino Interview Excerpts
- Paul Schrader Interview Excerpts
- Deleted Scenes

Info: https://mvdb2b.com/s/WhatSheSaidTheArtOfPaulineKael/MVD3012D

Pre-Order: https://mvdshop.com/products/what-she-said-the-art-of-pauline-kael-dvd  

The Vinyl Revival

THE VINYL REVIVAL

Fascinating documentary from the makers of Last Shop Standing exploring the renaissance in all things vinyl 

Arriving on DVD on April 10th via Wienerworld (UK)

Includes interviews from Nick Mason (Pink Floyd), Philip Selway (Radiohead), Ade Utley (Portishead), Joel Gion (The Brian Jonestown Massacre), The Orielles, CASSIA and many more

From the makers of the acclaimed Last Shop Standing, this new film, The Vinyl Revival, charts the amazing revival of vinyl over the past several years. The film explores the whys and hows with industry pundits, artists, record shop owners, vinyl fans and many more.

Directed and produced by Pip Piper, we hear from passionate new record shop owners as well the established die-hards still going and thriving. The film discusses the importance of the record shop and vinyl as a whole. We answer the why's of vinyl's revival, the human need for belonging, the love of history and the stories of how the humble little record shop has shaped so many lives.

Record collecting has lost its image as a hobby for middle-aged men and become instead a pursuit of the most fashion-conscious consumer. Will it last? What is the future for record shops when vinyl becomes less fashionable? Why are we in danger of another record shop decline? Why must we support these bastions of culture?

Features an 8 page booklet chronicling the making of the film, with contributions from director Pip Piper (Last Shop Standing) and author Graham Jones.

"The vinyl record is the equivalent of whether you have the tea bag or the Japanese tea ceremony; the tea ceremony is the right way to approach music." 

- Nick Mason, Pink Floyd

"It's a Lazarus moment." 

- Phil Barton of Sister Ray and ERA

Film Buff Friday: Betty - They Say I'm Different

Betty: They Say I'm Different

Before Beyoncé, Madonna and Prince - there was Betty Davis

"Astonishing and tantalising" - The Wire

Arriving on DVD on January 17th via MVD Entertainment Group

Funk Queen Betty Davis changed the landscape for female artists in America. She "was the first..." as former husband Miles Davis said. "Madonna before Madonna, Prince before Prince". 

An aspiring songwriter from a small steel town, Betty arrived on the 70's scene to break boundaries for women with her daring personality, iconic fashion and outrageous funk music. She befriended Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone, wrote songs for the Chambers Brothers and the Commodores, and married Miles - startlingly turning him from jazz to funk on the album she named "Bitches Brew". 

She then, despite being banned and boycotted, went on to become the first black woman to perform, write and manage herself. Betty was a feminist pioneer, inspiring and intimidating in a manner like no woman before. Then suddenly - she vanished. 

Creatively blending documentary and animation, Betty - They Say I'm Different traces the path of Betty's life, how she grew from humble upbringings to become a fully self-realized black female pioneer the world failed to understand or appreciate. 

After years of trying, the elusive Betty, forever the free-spirited Black Power Goddess, finally allowed the filmmakers to creatively tell her story based on their conversations.

Bonus Materials

- Director Interview: Phil Cox on the making of Betty - They Say I'm Different

- Interview Extract with Betty Davis  

Saturday Sinema: Come On Feel The Noize

Come On Feel The Noize: The Story Of How Rock Became Metal features exclusive, long-lost live material from rock's most iconic bands and artists, as well as all-new original interviews with the living legends themselves. This film is an access-all-areas backstage pass to Heavy Metal and Hard Rock history. Delve into the rich history of Heavy Metal: from its scandalous origins in the 1960's to its heyday in the 1980's, from its glam phase in the 1970's to its indestructible present in 2017. A backstage pass into the history of how Rock became Heavy Metal.

Order Here:
https://mvdb2b.com/s/CLO1501

I'll Never Forget You: The Last 72 Hours of Lynyrd Skynyrd

I'll Never Forget You: The Last 72 Hours Of Lynyrd Skynyrd

coming to DVD on December 13th

Survivors' firsthand accounts of the wild times, the 72 hours leading to the crash, the crash itself and its aftermath

At the height of their fame in 1977, southern rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, was struck with tragedy -- a plane crash that killed the band's founder and lead singer Ronnie Van Zant along with Steve Gaines, backup singer Cassie Gaines, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary and co-pilot William Gray. I'll Never Forget You: The Last 72 Hours of Lynyrd Skynyrd chronicles the story of three survivors: security guard Gene Odom, lead backup singer Leslie Hawkins, and guitar tech Craig Reed. These survivors give their firsthand accounts of the wild times of the band, the 72 hours leading to the crash, the harrowing crash itself and its aftermath. 

The documentary features original behind-the-scenes film footage of life with the band before the crash, dramatic reenactments illustrating key dramatic scenes, and high-end CG animations--including a simulation of the plane crash that matches the NTSB report. Rare interviews with four first responders were also captured, filmed on location at the crash site in Gillsburg, Mississippi. Based on Gene's book, I'll Never Forget You, this documentary offers the fond remembrance of one man's journey with this legendary band, but more importantly, the loss of his dearest friend. Gene's unique perspective and down-to-earth sensibility grants unique access to the behind-the-scenes story, the celebration and the tragedy. 

The film weaves the three survivors' stories together to paint a picture of what might have been and the web of tragic decisions leading to the plane crash that forever altered their lives -- and Lynyrd Skynyrd's place in history.

http://www.72hoursdoc.clpictures.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/72HoursDoc/ 

https://twitter.com/72hoursdoc 

https://www.instagram.com/72hoursdoc/ 

Saturday Sinema: Desolation Center

Desolation Center Hits Theaters Nationwide starting Friday, September 13^th

^{I remember when punk was young...}

Desolation Center, the indie music festival documentary which has played numerous film festivals worldwide, is set to begin a national theatrical rollout starting on September 13th in Los Angeles. The film is the untold story of a series of guerrilla music and art performance happenings in the 80s which inspired the birth of contemporary festival culture including Burning Man, Lollapalooza and Coachella. The film combines interviews of punk and post-punk luminaries with rare performance footage of Sonic Youth, Minutemen, Meat Puppets, Perry Farrell, Redd Kross, Einstürzende Neubauten, Survival Research Laboratories, Savage Republic and more, giving viewers unprecedented access to a time when pushing the boundaries of music, art, and performance was like an unspoken obligation. Directed by the creator and organizer of the original events, Stuart Swezey, Desolation Center tells the true story of how the risky, and at times even reckless, actions of a few outsiders were able to incite seismic cultural shifts.

The new theatrical cut of Desolation Center includes an interview with Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction and co-founder of Lollapalooza who was a participant in all of the Desolation Center events. The film will be having its New York City premiere as part of the Rooftop Films series with an outdoor screening in the historic Green-Wood Cemetery on Thursday, August 15th followed by a 50+ city run across North America in the following weeks. 

White Punks On Dope?

The story of the guerrilla music and performance events of the Desolation Center is inextricably linked with the director's own story as a young adult in the punk and post-punk music scene in the early 1980s. Desolation Center is more than just the story of a series of wild and unorthodox happenings. The film is also true to the spirit of freedom and possibility that punk and its clarion call of creative deconstruction embodied. 

The timeless power of DIY-do-it-yourself culture is an ongoing theme in the film. Director Stuart Swezey told the New York Times, "D.I.Y. is now a shorthand for a lot of things," he said. "But the idea that you can have a wacky idea and get a bunch of people to go along with it, and make it happen even with very limited resources - that was life-affirming."

The film explores an almost lost subcultural story that will also be a catalyst to future generations to question assumptions and carve out new possibilities to express themselves. As Thurston Moore also described to the New York Times, the mood was "one of complete joy and wonder at being together in a place that might as well have been another planet." He said the most radical attribute of Desolation Center was that "it asked no permission," and he called the show "one of the great moments" in the history of Sonic Youth. 

Sonic Youth

Desolation Center has screened across the globe including the prestigious European CPH:DOX Film Festival in Denmark, Sheffield Doc/Fest in the UK and its US premiere at Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. More recently, it brought home Audience Awards at SF Indiefest and Chicago Underground Film Festival and was a selection of the Detroit Free Press Freep Festival screening at the Third Man Records store. 

Who Do You Think I Am?

 

Clarence Clemons: Who Do I Think I Am?

coming to Blu-ray / DVD and VOD on August 13th

New documentary about "The Big Man" Clarence Clemons of E Street Band fame features interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Nils Lofgren, Narada Michael Walden and more

From Virgil Films & Entertainment comes Clarence Clemons: Who Do I Think I Am? - an intimate portrait of one of the most famous saxophone players in the world. After a theatrical run in select cities in July, the film will be released on August 13th as a Blu-ray / DVD package (MVD Entertainment Group) as well as Digital HD (Virgil Films). A TV or SVOD release is planned for first quarter of 2020.

After Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's marathon "Rising Tour" came to an end in 2003, saxophonist Clarence Clemons felt like he needed a break. Though the world knew him as The Big Man and a lifetime member of the E Street Band, there was also a deeply spiritual side to Clemons. So he packed up his saxophone and journeyed to China, where he could be more or less a nameless traveler in a foreign land. Following him was director, friend and photographer Nick Mead, who documented Clarence's transcendent awakening overseas. Once Clarence had returned to the States, Mead decided to keep the cameras rolling, which is when tragedy struck: while in Florida, Clarence suffered a stroke and passed away.

With the help of producer Joe Amodei, the film became more than just a document of Clarence's spiritual journey - it became a biography for his life and a love letter and farewell from those that knew him best.

"It was an honor and a privilege to work with Nick Mead on this project. Clarence was a true Big Man! His spirituality rose to the top of every interview we conducted." says producer Joe Amodei.

Featuring interviews with President Bill Clinton, Joe Walsh, Nils Lofgren, Jake Clemons, and former band mates, friends, and close family members, Who Do I Think I Am? highlights Clarence's life as musician and member of the E Street band while also presenting another side of the man not many knew when he was away from bright stage lights. It's an intimate portrait of Clarence's quest for enlightenment and meaning in what would sadly be the final years of his life.

The film was one of the spotlight premieres at the recent Asbury Park Music and Film Festival in April and will show in June at the NJ International Film Festival as well as the Woods Hole Film Festival in Cape Cod this summer.

If You Don't Know Me

Teddy Pendergrass - If You Don't Know Me  coming to Blu-ray, DVD, and VOD on August 23rd New feature-length documentary details his extraordinary triumph over adversity

"A comprehensive and engrossing documentary that adds dimension  to the life of the late singing star." - Philadelphia Inquirer "Considerably superior to Bohemian Rhapsody." - Philadelphia Weekly "Lichtenstein's terrific documentary reveals the so-incredible-it's-amazing-it's-not-a-Hollywood-movie story of 'the black Elvis'. - Metro "Lichtenstein does a brilliant job of explaining what a vital figure Pendergrass was  for US black culture in the 1970s...The archive footage she presents is captivating and  beautifully emphasizes the utterly irresistible pull of the man." - Record Collector  If You Don't Know Me is the powerful and moving story of R&B star Teddy Pendergrass (Theodore DeReese Pendergrass), who was on the brink of global super-stardom when tragedy struck. A compelling tale with surprising twists and turns, the film is an intimate portrait of one of the greatest singers of his generation. It also tells how Teddy fought for the rights of African-American artists in a 1970s music industry prejudiced against black performers and reveals how, aged just 31, Pendergrass overcame terrible tragedy to get back on stage against all the odds.   The film's triumphant world premiere at the Philadelphia Film Festival (Teddy's home city), resulted in an Audience Award and a nomination for the Pinkenson Award. The film also had successful screenings at DOC NYC, Minneapolis Sound Unseen Film Festival and San Francisco Black Film Festival. Earlier this year, If You Don't Know Me was shown to sold-out cinemas in the UK, on Sky Arts and also aired on Showtime in the US.   Director and BAFTA award-winner, Olivia Lichtenstein conceived, researched and directed the film, which reveals Teddy's meteoric rise from his tough childhood in Philadelphia to become the lead singer of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. His was the voice of worldwide hits, "Don't Leave Me This Way" and "If You Don't Know Me by Now."   Olivia recalls: "I grew up listening to soul music and I'd just started listening to Teddy again when I saw a documentary about Shep Gordon, the legendary artist manager who worked with everyone from Blondie to Alice Cooper - and Teddy. It included a little bit about him working with Teddy Pendergrass and it made me realize that I didn't know what had happened to him. I had a really strong sense that I had to make a film to tell his story."   Olivia contacted Shep Gordon, who agreed to join the project as an executive producer, along with Michael and Katherina Saunders. A short trailer was enough to sell the idea to BBC Films, who stepped in to co-finance the production with Wasted Talent. The 106-minute documentary features revealing interviews with his family, including Teddy's ex-wife Karen, mother Ida - now 101-years-old, as well as friends and industry legends, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. The film also boasts rarely seen archive footage and a super soulful soundtrack.    Lichtenstein added: "This is an extraordinary, human story that feels almost Shakespearian - it's much more than just a music biopic, it's an intimate portrait both of Teddy and of the extraordinary times in which he lived. We really get to know him because we hear from so many people who were close to him. It almost feels as if he comes back to life to let the world hear him sing again."   Producer Ian Flooks of Wasted Talent said: "We were committed to this film and extraordinary story from the start, especially given our roots and unique experience in the music industry before expanding into film, theater and digital media, so it was the perfect fit for us." Producer Piers Tempest of Tempo Productions adds: "Teddy's story is an important and ultimately inspiring one and we are delighted to help shine a light on the man and his music".

Sunday Sinema: Bachman

"Bachman: Special Edition" coming to Blu-ray and DVD on May 10th The story of Randy Bachman from his early days in The Guess Who  to Bachman-Turner Overdrive to present day As a member of The Guess Who, Bachman was part of the first ever No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 by a Canadian band with "American Woman / No Sugar Tonight," and then topped the Hot 100 again in 1974 with another band, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, with "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet." "That's a pretty rare thing for a recording artist who gets two No. 1s with two different bands," notes John Einarson," biographer and music historian, at the start of the new documentary, Bachman, chronicling the life of this 74 year old who is still regularly making music and performing. The film follows Bachman as he looks to the past for inspiration from rarely seen footage, pictures and documents that have been stored at the National Archives in Ottawa for decades. Among the other hits Bachman has written or co-written are "These Eyes," "No Time," "New Mother Nature," "Takin' Care of Business," "Let It Ride," and "Roll On Down The Highway." "He was like my biggest influence when I was a kid," says Neil Young in the film. "Watching him play guitar, he had an amazing sense about the way he played. And the feeling that you got when you listened to him. It was more than just chops." Young, who has known Bachman for about 55 years, added, "I hear Randy - when I see him, I hear him, and I feel him." The documentary made its world premiere in Toronto at Hot Docs 2018 before a festival run, and eventual airing in Canada on CBC's Documentary Channel. Incorporating numerous present-day interviews with family, management, and fellow musicians, director John Barnard (2012's The Sheepdogs Have At It) touches on everything from Bachman's childhood to his various rock bands -- The Guess Who, Brave Belt, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Bachman-Turner -- and solo work. Trailer: https://youtu.be/Fv4v5EZA_ns  Pre-order: https://mvdshop.com/search?q=bachman Bonus Materials Neil Young on Winnipeg Randy's Crazy Horse Building a Reprise 'Here Comes the Sun' On Chords Songwriting 'When No One Knows' Theatrical Trailer 5.1 Surround, Stereo English subtitles for the deaf and hearing-impaired

At The Drive-In

I remember Drive-Ins... From sleeping in the concession stand to working entirely for free, the quirky film fanatics at the struggling Mahoning Drive-in face uncertainty when Hollywood announces it will switch to digital projection for all new movies. Unable to purchase an expensive digital projector, the Mahoning gang pin their hopes of survival on showing only vintage 35mm film prints on their original 1949 projectors. Relive their underdog story to save film, the Mahoning Drive-in, and drive-in theaters everywhere.  "Technology moves so fast today, faster than ever before. As technology distracts us from one another and segments us further into smaller audiences, it was just magical to see a bunch of people gather together in rural Pennsylvania to watch film flicker through a projector from 1948," Alexander Monelli, director. "That's ultimately what this documentary is about." At The Drive-in won "Best Local Feature" at the 26th annual Philadelphia Film Festival. It has also screened at multiple Alamo Drafthouses and at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood as an official selection of Dances With Films. Bonus Materials Over 17 Minutes of Deleted Scenes Three Separate Feature Length Commentary Tracks (two with cast and one with director) 30-minute Q&A from Alamo Drafthouse Screening Trailer

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/170783179  Pre-order: https://mvdshop.com/products/at-the-drive-in-dvd  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AtTheDrivein/

Film Buff Friday - New Wave: Dare To Be Different

This is my kind of jam...!!!

NEW WAVE: DARE TO BE DIFFERENT 

Coming to DVD and Digital Formats on December 7th

The Story of the Most Influential Radio Station in America

Featuring Joan Jett, Debbie Harry, Billy Idol, Nick Rhodes, Denis McNamara, Jim Kerr, Vince Clarke, Curt Smith, Fred Schneider, Thomas Dolby, Midge Ure, Gary "Baba Booey" Dell' Abate, Seymour Stein, Paul McGuinness, Dave Wakeling, Annabella Lwin, Miles Copeland, Joel Peresman, Larry Dunn, Donna Donna, Max Leinwand, "Malibu Sue" McCann, Michael Pagnotta and Steve Thompson

In August, 1982, a small group of radio visionaries at WLIR Long Island knew they couldn't compete with the mega radio stations in New York City. With one brave decision, they changed the sound of radio forever. Program Director Denis McNamara, the crew at the station and the biggest artists of the era tell the story of how they battled the FCC, the record labels, mega-radio and all the conventional rules to create a musical movement that brought the New Wave to America - including bands like U2, Talking Heads, Depeche Mode and Blondie.

Pre-order: https://mvdshop.com/products/new-wave-dare-to-be-different-dvd 

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Ellen Goldfarb is the Creator, Director and Producer of New Wave: Dare To Be Different. Ellen grew up listening to radio station WLIR, which greatly impacted her life. She has produced and directed many projects including 2 concerts, but this is her first feature film. She studied in New York and took screenwriting classes through UCLA's extension program.

Ellen is a major music buff and grew up listening to radio station WLIR. She experienced the format change in 1982 to "New Music" and was an avid listener and fan of the station. After the format change, like many in the greater New York area, Ellen remembers New Music WLIR becoming a central part of her life. Ellen created Dare To Be Different to document the history and energy of the amazing WLIR at its heyday in the 1980's when it introduced New York and America to New Music and launched groups like U2, The Police and many others to greatness.

Ellen started Jomyra Productions to house New Wave: Dare To Be Different and other entertainment projects.

Ellen is a born producer and director who is excellent at organizing, networking, creating and getting the job done. She is currently residing in Los Angeles with her husband and 2 children. Ellen comes from a family of entertainment industry folk.  

Film Buff Friday - "Bloodlines"

I was made aware of Vincent via Margaret Cho, fascinating stuff...

"A morbid, fascinating, and remarkably inspiring new documentary about one of the most acclaimed artists of our time." - Metal Injection

Award winning Filmmaker / Author John Borowski's (H.H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer) fifith feature documentary film, Bloodlines: The Art and Life of Vincent Castiglia, will be released in North America on November 13th. The film focuses on artist Castiglia's painful life of abuse, addiction, and recovery while also exploring the reasons why the world renowned artist paints exclusively in human blood.

Vincent Castiglia paints surreal images exclusively in human blood. He began doing so as form of self-healing following a troubled childhood and painful existence. From darkness, however, came light, and Castiglia's story is one of inspiration and hope, providing proof that art can heal and serve to inspire others.

 

Margaret Cho, who commissioned Vincent to paint her portrait in her blood, is interviewed in the film as well as celebrities Gregg Allman, Damien Echols, Kerry King and Gary Holt of the heavy metal band Slayer, record executive Michael Alago, and numerous others including filming in the studio and museum of legendary artist H.R. Giger, who designed the iconic creature for the Alien movies.

After a successful Kickstarter fundraising campaign, production of the film spanned from 2014 to 2018, filming on location in the United States: New York City, Los Angeles, Louisiana, Chicago, Oregon, and internationally: Singapore and Switzerland.

Official Film Website: https://bloodlinesdocumentary.com/

Pre-order at MVDshop.com 

I Wanna Be Your Dog

What's wrong with the world going to the dogs??? Dogs Of Democracy coming to DVD on June 12th via EPF Media A film about the stray dogs of Athens and the people who take care of them... A universal story about love and loyalty. "A powerful film narrative, the stray dogs of central Athens are transformed from mere symbols of a peculiar freedom to witnesses of a heart-wrenching human crisis."  - Yanis Varoufakis, Greek economist, academic and politician

Dogs of Democracy is a documentary about the stray dogs of Athens and the people who take care of them. Filmmaker Mary Zournazi explores life on the streets through the eyes of the dogs and peoples' experience. Shot on location in Athens, the birthplace of democracy, the documentary is about how Greece has become the 'stray dogs of Europe', and how the dogs have become a symbol of hope for the people and for the anti-austerity movement. A universal story about love and loyalty and what we might learn from animals. AWARDS Best Documentary - 2017 Imagine This Women's International Film Festival, Brooklyn NY Spirit of Activism Award, Nevada Women's Film Festival Impact Documentary Award Spotlight Documentary Award Shortlisted Telling Tales International Film and Audio Festival ABOUT THE FILMMAKER Mary Zournazi is an Australian author, philosopher, and filmmaker. She wrote, directed and filmed Dogs of Democracy (2016), which is an essay style documentary about the stray dogs of Athens and the people who take care of them. She is the author of several books including Hope - New Philosophies for Change and Inventing Peace with the German filmmaker Wim Wenders. She teaches in the sociology program at the University of New South Wales, Australia. For press images, study guides, etc, go HERE Pre-order at the MVD Shop

A Fanatic Heart

Geldof + Yeats = A Fanatic Heart 

A Fanatic Heart: Bob Geldof On W. B. Yeats

2 DVD / CD set coming February 9th

Includes Bonus Tracks from Bono and Elvis Costello

"Geldof speaks with such intelligence that he brings out the strength of the great poet's verbal music. This was the perfect tribute." - Clive James, The Guardian

"One of the best literary docs I've seen." - James Walton, The Spectator

Musician and advocate Bob Geldof examines the life and work of one of the 20th century's greatest poets, William Butler Yeats. A Fanatic Heart is the extraordinary story of revolution, nation-birth, mythology and disillusion and how one poetic genius dreamed and sang an entire country into being from the ravages of poverty and famine and into the raw dawn of a modern state.

With over 30 unique performances of W. B. Yeats' epic poetry by leading Irish and British cultural figures, Geldof argues why Yeats and his circle built the cultural scaffolding of a modern, pluralist Ireland but was pushed aside by the narrow-minded Catholic elite of the new Free State - the "Banana Republic" that Geldof in turn rebelled against half a century later.

Written by Geldof and biographer Roy Foster, this incisive and moving documentary features readings by celebrity contributors Sting, Noel Gallagher, Elvis Costello, Edna O'Brien, Bono, Van Morrison, Shane MacGowan, Olivia O'Leary, Liam Neeson, Stephen Fry, Dominic West, Richard E. Grant, Bill Nighy, Anne Enright, Colin Farrell, Ardal O'Hanlon and many others.

EXTRAS:

* Over two hours of additional commentaries and readings by dozens of celebrities 

* Two songs based on Yeats' poems by:

-    Bono "Mad as the Mist and Snow" *previously unreleased

-    Elvis Costello "A Drunken Man's Praise of Sobriety"

* Yeats Remembered soundtrack by Pete Briquette [30 mins]

* 73 poetry readings and 23 discussion pieces

Pre-order HERE