This one might fall a little flat with some of you out there - he's not exactly a household name (though he should be) - but maybe the most humbling, disorienting, yet rewarding experience I've had in recent months was getting to sit and drink coffee with documentarian Albert Maysles on the morning of Monday, September the 17th.
One of the wonderful aspects of the Atlantic Film Festival (and maybe this is all film festivals) was that it put all of the filmmakers - regardless of the breadth of their respective careers - and let them talk shop.
This was how I found myself sitting across from a cinema legend.
Albert Maysles and his late brother David were responsible for inarguably three of the greatest documentaries ever crafted: Gimme Shelter, Salesman, and Grey Gardens. Each wildly different than the next, they took documentary to a level not yet attained, and their influence can easily be seen in every corner of contemporary film. All three are in the Criterion Collection, and together they average to a %100 on the tomatometer. yeah. he's the real deal.
So what the fuck was I doing talking to him? good question.
We got up early that morning. It was the day of our screening and a general un-rest was the real reason for the early rise, though we tried to pass it off to each other as a desire to scope-out Halifax. Nerves were pretty shaky. After all, this was to be our first screening in front of a room full of strangers.
We had breakfast.
We headed back up to the media room where they gave us ten comp-tickets to hand out as we saw fit throughout the day. For reasons I'm hazy on, we started making our way to the hospitality suite and it was there - to my surprise - that Albert Maysles was enjoying a cup of coffee and conversation about film with only a handful of other filmmakers/enthusiasts. He was there showing Gimme Shelter immediately before our screening. When we realized what was happening, Jeremy was already pretty far into his nervous coffee detour. John and I froze. We sheepishly edged our way into the room, approaching the round table where he sat with about 7 others.
A man sitting next to an empty chair looked at me warmly and said he was about to leave, then offered his chair. I turned to look at John, who had bolted to the coffee pot.
I accepted the seat.
I had to play catch-up on the conversation. I could tell there was a fair amount of flattery being lobbed at him, but also some frank and enlightening talk about where film and documentary is planted today. Coffee in hand, Jeremy started toward me and filled the vacant seat next to me. Our executive producer brought me a cup of coffee and I sipped it nervously.
The man's brilliant. 80 years old, and sharp as a tack. He doesn't just say interesting things, but he listens intently. You wouldn't know you were talking to a man as fabled as he. In words more eloquent than I own, he mused about digital technology vs film, making documentary "features" and not just nature-shows, and the extent of Michael Moore's cock-and-bull stories.
"What I find most upsetting is that today's filmmakers don't feel they can tell the truth."
amen.
I was content not to speak. In fact, I wished for it. Why spend time with my blathering, when he could fill the conversation instead?
"So what do you do?"
Jeremy and I froze again. Does not compute. Did he just ask us about our movie?
Literally trembling (eye-witnesses reports), I started to explain a little about our process, and how we used an extremely small crew, digital film, and what about the current state of moviemaking led us to do things the way we did, both thematically and technically. Jeremy jumps in as well.
He sat and listened with a sweet little smile on his face. He asked follow-up questions. It sparked a whole new conversational direction amongst all the filmmakers. Which was good, because I don't think we could muster any more insight on our movie. Insight tapped-out.
The time rolled on, and soon we'd been talking for near an hour. It was beyond impressive to see that a man like him is still so full of vitality. That he still has ideas for documentaries he want's to see through. That he believes in truth, and the truth that can be expressed through filmmaking.
Time to leave.
He says he has to wrap things up, because he has a lecture to give later that day. We all stand, shake hands with our fellow conversationalists and wish each other the best in our ensuing screenings.
I shook his hand and told him what a joy it had been.
It was a joy.
Currently
listening
:
The Trumpet Child
By
Over the Rhine
Release date: 21 August, 2007
I haven't done one of these in a while, and unlucky for you, it's just a bout of shameless self-promotion.
Some of you have been nice enough to show your support for our little movie since it got started, so I thought you might want us to keep you posted.
We recently got back from screening Common as part of the 27th Annual Atlantic Film Festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia and here's what one reviewer had to say:
*******
Common: The state of here and now by Ron Foley Macdonald
One of the most powerful - but neatly restrained - indie flicks I've seen for the 2007 AFF is Kansas director Jeremy Fiest's Common. A road movie that deconstructs the friendships of three twentysomething men on the cusp of adult careers, Common is a playfully formal, mesmerizingly shot and beautifully written film that firmly examines the state of here and now.
Using the dusty landscapes of middle America and shooting through a fluid video lens that plays up the yellows, browns and greens of the US heartland, Common combines a curious compassion for its characters with a love for the healing balm of wide open spaces.
And while the film's visuals and structure reference great American road stories like The Grapes Of Wrath, On The Road and even Easy Rider, the actual narrative is strangely calm and understated. As two of the characters drive to the west coast to meet up with a third friend who is newly married, the travelling duo attempt to repair a friendship that has gone rather badly off the rails as adulthood slowly eats away at their boyish inclinations.
There's far too much wit, plot development and concentrated action for Common to be considered part of the latest trend in American indie filmmaking, Mumblecore. And yet the film could be considered the movement's heartland cousin, reflecting the muted ambitions and over-analyzed self-awareness that marks Mumblecore's most salient points. It's a trend that sees relationships, short term goals and transience as the be-all and end-all of twentysomething life.
Still, there's a sweet openness to Common that distinguishes it as an American Original. Announcing onscreen in frame-filling fonts the act endings, turning points and other sundry structural points gives the film a humorous, self-conscious point of view that matches the character's own mirror-phase machinations.
With a punchy alt-country soundtrack by mid-American indie artists OK Jones, Common is a rigorous but affectionate snapshot of the muddled youthful aspirations of a generation that hasn't figured out yet just what comes next.
Bittersweet but ultimately deeply satisfying, this is a film that aptly displays the deep bench strength of American Indie Filmmaking.
___
Not bad, eh? Hopefully some more screenings will be happening stateside so if you haven't seen it yet, you can check it then.
I just realized how long it's been since I posted. So what's happening? Lots I suppose.
Thanks again to everyone for their feedback on the trailer we debuted a while back. We officially have a date and location for the premiere of Common and you're all invited. It's going to be on Friday, May 4th, at 8:00. It's free to the public, but at a certain point the seating will be limited, so if you're my friend and don't want to lose your seat to a complete stranger, show up a little early and have a few drinks or something. Our venue will be serving snacks, and has a cash bar. Also, This happens to be the same day as Spiderman 3, so naturally the failure of Common to become a multimillion dollar endeavor will be blamed on tough competition. If you are in town and choose to see SM3 over our movie, I'll hunt you down and give you a Columbian Necktie.
The really great group of musicians/people that comprise OK Jones just released their new album "Elephantoms" and I was lucky enough to get to do the album artwork:
You can go to their myspace page to see a few other graphics I put together for them. You should definitely buy the album and play air-guitar to it in your room.
I am about to start work on my next script with a friend, to hopefully be filmed in August of this year with the same team that made Common. It's called "The Keepers of Conventional Wisdom" and it's kinda, sorta, roughly about the guilt/emotionals that come when a 25 year old is willed the entire estate of an estranged relative. There's going to be lots of parts for smaller roles and extras of many different ages, so if you're interested in being in it, let me know and I'll keep you in touch when shooting rolls around.
I had my first meeting with a banker for getting a loan to buy a house. This. Is. Terrifying.
I'm going to Nashville in the middle of April to see my funk-soul-bruva. This way we can argue about the new Arcade Fire in person. We're also going to a TV On the Radio show, which is a whole lot better than a band he likes called Menomena, who suck.
And lastly, I will probably start posting the music/movie reviews I write for The Stir. I usually try to avoid using my blog as a way of telling you what you should listen to or see (unless you like Menomena), but hell, they exist. It'll be a simple cut and paste job, so I might as well. Maybe you'll find something you like. Be warned: I'm not a very articulate critic, and they're not that insightful.
Alright, I apologize for not being a better blogger/self-promoter and posting this yesterday. As some of you may have already seen, we posted the trailer for our movie "Common" yesterday, and it's only a minute and a half long, so you have no excuse not to watch it.
While everyone is stuffing their faces tomorrow, I'll be at work. But I won't let it get me down. You know why? Because I'll be remembering this.
In time for the holidays, Smash Mouth (greatest band ever?) has released an isolated vocal track from a forthcoming song. Lead singer and poet laureate Steve Harwell flexes his infinite talent and it is truly hilarious. I've thought basically everything they'd done up to this point would have been potential career killers, but if this doesn't do it, nothing ever will.
Currently
listening
:
Sing Song
By
Little Ones
Release date: 17 October, 2006
Happy Birthday Bill Murray. For a present, I'll forget about Larger Than Life and remember the good times we've had with Rushmore, Groundhogs Day and the like.
My old phone , which I was determined to run into the ground, has finally received it's dirt nap. Sadly I was not able to pull off my old contact list, so if I had your number, there's a good chance I don't now. If you ever wish me to call you, just send me a message with your phone number.
I've realized the determining factor for wether you're "old" or not is when sudden loud noises no longer frighten you, but confuse you.
The new Burger King burger is 1000 calories. So if my diet is supposed to be 2000, I guess I can eat two a day - and nothing else - and be right where I need to be. Math is fun.
If any of you like good mellow music, there is a wonderful clip of David Shire's score for The Conversation you can download here. It's all lonely piano, but it's atmospheric and perfect for the ensuing weather change.
(begin shameless self-promotion) Join the movie I'm making's page and read our blog. (end shameless self-promotion)
(begin roommate promotion) My roomies band Black Metal Jacket is playing a show at Semolio's Monday the 25th for the local's who are interested. (end roommate promotion)
So as many of you know, I've been making a road movie, I recently filmed part of it, and I've recently returned. Along the way, I took some pictures (coincidentally, photography also enters heavily into the plot of the movie) and have posted them on facebook.
You may not have much of an emotional connection to them, and they may seem as superficial as (and more amateurish than) a landscape painting, but I thought I'd throw them out there for eye-candy sake. I'll add more later, because it's a work in progress.
These are two of my favorites...
Boom-bang
And because myspace is awesome and won't give me the option for some reason... I'm currently watching: Suspiria I'm currently listening to : The French Kicks - Two Thousand
As many of you know, and are possibly sick of hearing about, my parents recently got divorced. That's not news. But it has resulted in them selling the house. Many of you have spent long hours in that house, and if any of you have any fond memories, feel free to check out a photo album I made:
The pictures were taken today as I spent my last few minutes at the house. It's already expected to have a contract signed by the buyers in a few days, so it's doubtful I'll ever return. It was a pretty sterile and cold place, and never truly felt like a home, but many of you did your best to make it a memorable place. For that I thank you.
I left some commentary under each picture describing some of my fondest memories. Some of those memories may include you, and i hope you find them warm and a joy to relive like I have the last few days. They've been pretty nostalgic.
Enjoy.
Currently
listening
:
The Luxury of Time
By
David Mead
Release date: 28 September, 1999
Recently a couple friends and I got the ball rolling on a site called B is for Brains where we deal almost exclusively in B grade horror movies and judge whether or not they're of the good-bad or the bad-bad variety. If you like your horror flicks cheesy and your gore by the gallon, check it out now.
Currently
listening
:
Garden Ruin
By
Calexico
Release date: 11 April, 2006
