Authors — Byron Camacho
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IN PRODUCTION: “AIN’T THEM BODIES SAINTS,” “TO SURVIVE,” “PARANOIA” and “ALL THE WRONG REASONS”
“In Production” is a regular column which focuses on notable independent films that are currently shooting. Casey Affleck (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford), Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and Ben Foster (Here) are among the impressive cast members assembled for newcomer David Lowery’s second feature, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints. Currently shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, the drama-thriller has been described as a modern day Bonnie and Clyde. Coming off the success of his short film Pioneer (which got him on Filmmaker‘s “25 New Faces” list in 2011), Lowery developed Ain’t Them Bodies Saints at the Sundance […]
by Byron Camacho on Aug 6, 2012 -
IN PRODUCTION: “PROXY,” “THE BUTLER,” “SOMEONE MARRY BARRY” and “THE SPECTACULAR NOW”
“In Production” is a regular column which focuses on notable independent films that are currently shooting. Shooting from mid-July in Eastern Indiana, Scalene director Zack Parker’s Proxy is a suspense thriller about Esther (Alexia Rasmussen), a pregnant woman who joins a support group after being attacked one night and strikes up a dysfunctional relationship with a fellow victim (Alexa Havins). Parker’s last feature Scalene, which is set for release on Blu-ray, DVD and VOD on July 31st, received glowing reviews for its clever use of the fractured narrative – potentially one of the most over-used cinematic devices of the past three decades. Parker has […]
by Byron Camacho on Jul 30, 2012 -
IN PRODUCTION: “THE DOUBLE”, “CARRIE”, “THE WAY, WAY BACK” AND “VERY GOOD GIRLS”
“In Production” is a regular column which focuses on notable independent films that are currently shooting. After dropping out of the Ben Stiller-produced comedy The Apostles of Infinite Love, Richard Ayoade is busy directing The Double, his follow-up to his 2010 debut Submarine (also produced by Stiller). Described as a comedic take on Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s novella, The Double is about an insecure young man (Jesse Eisenberg – shocker) whose life turns upside down when he encounters his more confident doppelganger. The film also stars Mia Wasikowska (The Kids Are All Right), Wallace Shawn (My Dinner with Andre) and Noah Taylor […]
by Byron Camacho on Jul 23, 2012 -
ADAM BOWERS WINS IFP/RBC EMERGING VISIONS DIRECTOR PRIZE
Today, IFP in conjunction with RBC (the Royal Bank of Canada) announced the winners of the 2011 RBC Emerging Visions Program. The Emerging Visions Director Prize went to Adam Bowers (New Low) who received a cash prize and the chance to shoot an advertising campaign for RBC. The runner-up, Ryan O’Nan (The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best), was also awarded a cash prize. The two filmmakers were among 25 writers and directors who participated in the 2011 RBC Emerging Visions Program, a day-long event intended to bring filmmakers together to network with industry professionals and each other. In order to […]
by Byron Camacho on Jun 13, 2012 -
DARK DAYS: SCI-FI DYSTOPIA IN FILM
During the writing of this article, Ray Bradbury, one of the great founding fathers of sci-fi dystopia, passed away. With his seminal book, Fahrenheit 451 (1953), Bradbury gained recognition as an important figure not only in the science fiction community but the literary world in general. Recently, The New Yorker published a touching essay by the author in which he shared the origin of his love for science fiction. It is a beautiful ode to childhood and the discovery of one’s true passion. The essay will prove to future generations that, even in his last days, Bradbury’s ability to move […]
by Byron Camacho on Jun 6, 2012 -
THE CITY AS CHARACTER: “OSLO, AUGUST 31ST”
In March, Joachim Trier introduced his second film, Oslo, August 31st, to an enthusiastic audience at the 2012 Film Society of Lincoln Center’s New Directors/New Films series. The film focuses on Anders (Anders Danielsen Lie), a recovering drug addict who aimlessly roams the streets of Oslo trying to reunite with friends and family. Oslo, August 31st is a tremendous work featuring an intense yet understated performance by Danielsen Lie and exquisite cinematography by Jakob Ihre. During the post-screening Q&A, Trier explained that with his latest film, he wished to portray Oslo as a character – a city in constant change […]
by Byron Camacho on May 23, 2012 -
Five Questions with In Our Nature Director Brian Savelson
Brian Savelson’s feature debut In Our Nature focuses on a young couple whose weekend getaway takes a u-turn when the young man’s father and his girlfriend show up to their vacation home un-expectedly. Coming off the success of his animated short Counting Water, Savelson’s drama not only boasts an intriguing premise but also an impressive cast including Zach Gilford (Friday Night Lights), Jena Malone (Donnie Darko), Gabrielle Union (Bring It On) and John Slattery (Mad Men). Filmmaker: What inspired the story for this film? Savelson: Everyone on set was constantly making fun of me, calling me by the character’s name and teasing that […]
by Byron Camacho on Mar 10, 2012 -
5 Questions for Gimme the Loot Director Adam Leon
Writer-Director Adam Leon’s feature debut Gimme the Loot is an urban drama about two teenage graffiti artists from the Bronx who hatch an elaborate plan to get back at a rival gang for defacing one of their latest creations. Gimme the Loot was part of IFP’s/Lincoln Center’s Emerging Visions program and follows the director’s hugely successful short film Killer which premiered at the New Directors/New Films festival. Filmmaker: What inspired you to make a film about teen graffiti artists from the Bronx? Leon: I grew up in the city surrounded by graffiti and have close friends who wrote while we […]
by Byron Camacho on Mar 10, 2012 -
Five Questions with Waiting for Lightning Director Jacob Rosenberg
Former skateboarder Jacob Rosenberg’s first feature documentary Waiting for Lightning focuses on the evolution of Danny Way from his rough childhood to his emergence as a world famous skater whose daredevil antics would lead him to jump over the Great Wall of China. The film explores how Danny’s experience coming from a broken home led to his passion for skateboarding and his desire to constantly test his own limits. Judging from the film’s trailer, Waiting for Lightning promises to be an equal parts thrilling and deeply inspirational sports doc. Filmmaker: What sparked your interest in doing a documentary on Danny […]
by Byron Camacho on Mar 10, 2012
