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posted by Anna on May 16th, 2012
If I were forced to choose just three words to describe our highlighted short this week, it would be stunning, meaningful, and moving. And if I could add a fourth word, it would be awesome. Winning the 2011 BAFTA for Best Animated Short, along with a host of other accolades handed down from the many film festivals where it screened, this amazing little short is about to worm its way into your heart and demand your love (which I predict you will give freely and copiously)!
The Eagleman Stag (MFF 2011) is an amazing 9-minute animation by Mikey Please, who displays an impressive command of his chosen medium. The actual material used to form each animated figure may be the most striking feature of the film (look for the "making of" hopefully launching Thursday) but honestly there isn't a single part of this short that dissapoints. The lighting is ah-maz-ing. Seriously. Even if you're not into that sort of thing, watch the lighting in this film. You might learn something. The narration used throughout (performed by the fabulous David Cann) has enough authority so as to completely suck in the viewer. The music (by the director's equally talented brother, Benedict Please) complements the visuals and elicits the proper emotion at just the right time. The editing is quick and unforgiving in its pace, but then again, it has nothing to apologize for. The transitions between scenes and movement within are incredibly fluid. The viewer is hyper-aware of the animation because of its unique style, and yet I found it easy to forget I was watching an animation due to the sophistication of the story and masterfully smooth direction from start to finish.
Are you excited yet? Well, dive in.
Stop over at the director's Facebook and Twitter to send your electronic goodwill.
But most importantly, HELP FUND HIS NEXT SHORT FILM. Because if there's one thing I know we can all agree on, it's that we need more Mikey Please. Am I right?
comments...posted by Angela on May 15th, 2012
The festival is only 4 months away (What?! When did that happen?), so we’re starting the hunt for seasonal staff. First up on our hiring list is the Hospitality Coordinator, our festival guest guru. We’re looking for the most organized, charming, crazy-passionate-about-Milwaukee person out there to provide our festival guests with the best possible experience during their stay in Milwaukee. Our Hospitality Coordinator will book and manage all aspects of our guests’ travel, as well as hang out with them and show them how unique and fun Milwaukee is. This is definitely a hands-on, active position that requires excellent multi-tasking and meticulous organization skills, so if you are well-organized and love to show people a good time, we want you to apply.
True story: I started my career at Milwaukee Film as the Hospitality Coordinator for the 2009 and 2010 film festivals. I realize it’ll be tough to out-charm me, but I know there are plenty of you out there who are willing to try.
Read the full job description here.
Please send your cover letter and resume to Programming Manager Angela Catalano: angela@milwaukee-film.org. No calls, please.
comments...posted by Susan on May 14th, 2012
Calling all film lovers ages 6 to 9! We need you to be part of the Children’s Film Selection Committee! You will help decide what short films will be shown this year at the Milwaukee Children’s Film Festival (MCFF), which occurs during the Milwaukee Film Festival (Sept 27 – Oct 11).
Youth committee members will attend two pre-screening sessions (June 18 and June 25 from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.) at the Betty Brinn Children's Museum. During these hours, you will view and discuss a variety of short films that we are considering for the 2012 MCFF shorts programs. Your opinions will help us shape what we show at the film festival! Participants also will receive four vouchers to attend the 2012 MCFF and free admission to the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum each day of the committee meetings.
Space is VERY limited and participants must register in advance by contacting Susan Kerns, Education Director for Milwaukee Film, at susan@milwaukee-film.org. We want your opinions, young film critics!
comments...posted by Blyth on May 10th, 2012
BIG SCREEN
The Kid With a Bike @ Oriental (Opens Fri, May 11)
(dirs. Jean-Pierre Dardenne & Luc Dardenne, Belgium/France/Italy, 2011)
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at last year’s Cannes Film Festival and a Golden Globe nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, the deeply moving new film by the Dardenne brothers (L’enfant, Rosetta) delves into the emotional life of troubled 11-year-old Cyril. When his father abandons him, Cyril obsessively searches for his bicycle - placing his last bit of hope in this symbol of their relationship. The New York Times calls it "A quietly rapturous film about love and redemption," and the NY Film Festival gives you a run-down of why you should see this award-winning film. Watch the trailer for The Kid With a Bike.
More picks:
Third Annual Zen Film Festival @ UWM Union Theater (Tonight! Thurs, May 10 @ 7pm)
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel @ Downer (Opens Fri, May 11)
Beneath Contempt @ UWM Union Theatre (Sat-Sun, May 12-13)
HOME SCREEN
Kinyarwanda on OnDemand and DVD
(dir. Alrick Brown, USA/France, 2011)
Winner of Sundance's World Cinema Audience Award in 2011, this film interweaves six different tales that together form one grand narrative, providing the most complex and real depiction yet presented of human resilience and life during the Rwandan genocide. No less than Robert Ebert named it to his top 20 films of the year and invited it to screen at his very own Ebertfest this year: "I was moved by Hotel Rwanda, but not really shaken this deeply. After seeing Kinyarwanda, I have a different kind of feeling about the genocide that took place in Rwanda in 1994." Watch the trailer for Kinyarwanda.
More picks:
Silence of the Lambs on Bravo (Fri, May 12 at 6:45p)
Blue Velvet on Sundance Channel (Sat, May 12 at 8p)
Mildred Pierce on TCM (Sun, May 13 at 9p)
Moneyball on Starz Edge (Mon, May 14 at 6:45p)
Thirteen on HBO Zone (Tues, May 15 at 6:40p)
The Prince and the Showgirl on Retroplex (Weds, May 16 at 8:50p)
LOCAL SCREEN
Student Film and Video Festival @ UWM Union Theatre (Fri, May 11 @ 7p)
You fancy yourself a discerning cinephile, no? Yes, yes, you do. And part of that discernment is not only having good taste in films, but also finding up-and-coming directors before the next gal on the block. Yes, indeedy. So you absolutely must be at the UWM Film Department's Student Film and Video Festival on Friday to scope out the new Milwaukee filmmaking talent coming down the pike. You never know which of these people will show up on our stage next. Place your bets, people.
More picks:
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posted by Kristopher on May 9th, 2012
Milwaukee Film's May Members Screening is the critically acclaimed documentary Indie Game: The Movie.
Premiering at Sundance and ultimately winning the festival's World Cinema Documentary Editing Award, Indie Game: The Movie has collected an impressive amount of positive reviews. The film follows four indie video game developers who put everything they have into launching their own games. This documentary speaks to the incredible self-discipline and creativity that this new breed of interactive artists must employ in order to compete with major game development companies.
First-time filmmaking duo Lisanne Pajot and James Swirsky championed the same DIY spirit as the game developers they profile in their film by securing part of Indie Game's funding with two incredibly successful Kickstarter campaigns (see here and here). An emotional display of hard work, heartbreak, perseverance and triumph, Indie Game: The Movie will have you cheering for your (soon-to-be) favorite indie gamers.
The screening takes place on Wednesday, May 30 at 7 pm at the Landmark Oriental Theatre.
The RSVP list is now open for members only. Please RSVP to Kristopher Pollard at membership@milwaukee-film.org by Monday, May 28.
Don't let this be your last Members Screening! Renew today to keep the movie magic going for another year! (Remember, you can also upgrade your membership at a 15% discount!)
And, finally, a quick reminder that the month of May is your last chance to buy a 2012 Festival pass at a savings of $150 or a 6-pack of vouchers at a savings of $24 off the retail price, our cheapest prices ever! Prices go up on May 29th, so make the most of your membership, head on over to our website and buy a little piece of the Festival today!
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