Rooftop Films Presents Dark 'Toons On the Roof of the Old American Can Factory Saturday, September 13, 2008Enjoyably evil animation
PRESS Contact:Genevieve Delaurier 718-417-7362 press@rooftopfilms.com (New York, NY) September 6, 2008 – Animation. Sweet, simple, innocent. Makes you think of cute little animals—that are either dead (Dog) or deadly (Princess). Fantasy romances—with torture dungeons (JoJo in the Stars) and vengeful, headless fuck-toys (Berni’s Doll). Peaceful, playful dreamworlds—where angels and devils battle (Recto Verso) and lonely ephemeral characters wander aimlessly, trapped by a confoundingly empty expanse of nothingness. It’s fun! But really, it is fun. Because in this program, hard-boiled, misogynist crimefighters will battle outer space out-of-towners in a hilarious b-movie spoof (Rocket Science!), abusive dust-ups with local thugs will be set to catchy melodies with loquacious lyrics (I Have Seen the Future), and a lovable loser will save the day (Hot Dog).
That’s the magic of animation: it can warp your mind and get under your skin, but great cartoons are complex, and the films in this program flip from comic to calamitous, from heartbreaking to hilarious, all with a unique agility available only in animation. The Films: Selections of RISD Animation: The 2008 RISD biennial is being hosted at our home base out here in the Old American Can Factory and so prior to the main program of films we are proud to present a selection of new animation by RISD filmmakers, including work by Fran Krause, Wyeth Hansen, and Meghan Petras I Have Seen the Future (Cam Christiansen Calgary 6:00)
A boy is competing in a tennis match with his father when three young men approach and start to accost them rudely. Rocket Science! (Sam Morrison England 14:00)When mystery comes calling at Grime City captain Jack Hersey is forced to confront his darkest fear—people from out of town. Hot Dog (Bill Plympton New York, NY 6:00)Academy Award Winner Plympton returns to Rooftop with the third in the “Dog” series, and in this episode our plucky hero joins the fire company to save the world from house fires and gain his affection he so richly deserves. Typically, the results never turn out the way he planned. Dog (Hermann Karlsson Iceland 1:00)Remembering the death of a dog and the guilt of a boy that soon followed. Princess (Ethan Clarke San Francisco, CA 7:00)A likely story of an unbreakable friendship between a woman and her cat. We need them. Do they really need us? Kleit (The Dress) (Jelena Girlin & Mari-Liis Bassovskaja Estonia 6:30)A woman tried to remember the highlights of her life, or maybe dreams about them. Her phantom dress predicts beginnings and endings, through guillotine and kitchen knife. INTERMISSIONWeiss (White) (Florian Grolig Germany 5:00)A serene monochromatic world turns into a trap. Recto Verso (Gabriel Jacquel France 8:00)A classic comic animation pitting dark against light, good against evil, refigerator lights vs. magic broomsticks.
Two characters battle each other and the physical laws of their universe in ways that are hilariously inventive and supremely significant. JoJo in the Stars (Marc Caste England 12:00)JoJo in the Stars has all the elements needed for a classic romantic tearjerker; freak shows, underground dungeons, pointy bras. This is a haunting tale set in a stark landscape where faceless crowds come to witness the freaks and wonders of Madame Pica’s Carnival. When a beautiful trapeze artist charms a carnival devotee, both must face the consequences of Madame Pica’s wrath. Berni’s Doll (Yann Jouettes France 11:30)Berni buys a doll, part by part. The relation between Berni and his doll evolves while parts are added to the body. But is love for sale? A Letter to Colleen (Carolyn & Andy London New York, NY 8:30)Andy London has been haunted by the events of his 18th birthday for years. In this short animated film set in the early 90?s, he writes a letter to Colleen in an attempt to put his demons to rest. Never Like the First Time (Jonas Odell Sweden 15:00)An gorgeously animated film based on documentary interviews in which four people each tell the story of their first time, in stories that range from comedy to tragedy, stories from last year or from the 1920's, stories that are remembered with nostalgia, embarrassment or even horror.
Date: Saturday, September 13, 2008Venue: On the roof of The Old American Can FactoryAddress: 232 3rd Street at the corner of 3rd Avenue (Gowanus, Brooklyn)Directions: F, G to Carroll Street or M, R to Union Street Rain: In the event of rain the show will be held indoors at the same location8:30PM: Sound Fix presents live music by RISD grad Melissa Nadler 9:00PM: Films11:00PM – 12:30AM: Reception in courtyard with complimentary wine courtesy of Brooklyn OenologyPresented in partnership with: The Rhode Island School of Design, IFC.com, New York magazine, and XØ Projects Tickets: $9 at the door or online at www.rooftopfilms.com
Rooftop Films is a non-profit organization whose mission is to engage and inspire diverse communities by showing movies in outdoor locations every weekend all summer long, producing new films, teaching filmmaking to young people, and renting low-cost equipment to artists and non-profits.
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