The Mourning After

There have been a number of films within the last five years that deal with circumstances around the tragedy of 9/11 in New York City. A new film by budding director, Lawrence LAW Watford called The Mourning After is about an extramarital relationship between a man and a woman and affair that took place the night of Sept 10th that would change their lives forever.

Chris and Felicia work at the World Trade Center and on the evening of Sept 10th, the two decide to rent a room in a high rise Manhattan hotel suite. The film begins with Chris and Felicia preparing to go to work when the sounds of police sirens and fire trucks surround the background. Chris' cell phone is ringing off the hook and he immediately turns on the television to see what is going on. The face of Geroge W. Bush is seen annoucing to the world that two airplanes crashed into the twin towers in New York City.

The story turns now to Chris and Felicia, who were supposed to be in that building if not for their heated affair the night before, and both live with not only the guilt of cheating on their spouses, but also the torment of what would have been if they decided to stay faithful to their partners. The film takes a dramatic turn when Chris' life after the affair changes significantly compared to that of Felicia's and the two are battling feelings of shame, pity, and resentment that comes to a climactic close.

There are solid performances in this film and stunning shots of New York City's ground zero. It's a film that shows meaning and purpose in a meaningless act that occured on September 11th. The film was shot on a shoestring budget, but asthetically looks like it was made on larger scale indie budget. The Mourning After is definitely a film worth seeing and shows an intensity in a small sliver of screen time that has you yearning for more.

The film was made on a $12,000 budget in New York City. The trailer of the film can be seen here. Please contact Lawville Solutions if you are interested in more information about the film.

Take a look at the trailer here:

Last Will and Testament

Last Will and Testament is a film about ritual and finding peace while living with unmet expectations. It is partially set (and partially animated) in a miniature ghost-town populated by past expectations. It stars Geremy Jasper and was written, directed, shot, edited, and scored by Jason Binnick.

BreakPoint

BreakPoint is a dramatic tennis metaphor in this film . After learning from her doctor that her life will change forever, Gabrielle has to make the decision to give up or keep playing. Who knows what will be served up next?

Directed by Jamie Broadnax




www.reelgood.tv

Heeeeey...how u doin?

"ERA... The web miniseries".
New shows every Wednesday night.

See the clip below. The series promises to be intriguing, racy, campy and thought provoking at the same time. Check it out.

A Woman Scorned

A vicious love triangle ends badly when man begins a tryst between two women that inevitably ends in murder.

Directed by Jamie Broadnax



www.reelgood.tv

Couch Fest Films: A New Shorts Film Fest in Strangers' Houses

Maybe you love film. Maybe you like the idea of sitting on your rump all over Seattle. Well, that's kind of what we like too. So was born the idea of Couch Fest Films.

Couch Fest Films is a new cozy shorts film fest hosted in peoples' houses. During Couch Fest Films, lovers of film can sit shoulder to shoulder watching short films while stuffing their faces with the snacks they thought they had to sneak in. Also, with no submission fees, filmmakers are competing for the chance at $1750 in prize money and the bragging rights for earning a Golden Couch award. This shorts film fest happens on Saturday, September 27th, 2008. During Couch Fest Films houses will have their own genre of short movies that play on rotation all day. Starting every hour, each inviting house will have its own unique 30 minute program of short films.

Lovers of film may visit the houses with themes that interest them. Host houses will be comfortably located near each other so attendees can stroll, meander or bike with excitement and anticipation to their next selected house. There will be a short intermission during each individual program where couch neighbors can gripe or praise the films they are watching. Ultimately, the hope is that attendees might interact, share and discover fellow lovers of film. 200 films in 15 houses during one day.

Start Training!

http://www.couchfestfilms.com/huh.htm





Couch Fest Films-Music from couch fest films on Vimeo

Green Porno

Isabella Rossellini-- who has a name I absolutely adore-- directed a 15 minute short about the act of fucking between insects. Now that's what I like! I definitely wanna see a film about bugs gettin it on! But don't expect this short film to be a carbon copy of an episode off of the Discover Channel. No no...Rossellini dresses up in a bug costume and reenacts the act of love making. In one bug costume, she plays the role of a Praying Mantis. The costumes are very elementary and simple....something out of a school play, but the wardrobes adds its own sense of humor to this delightful piece.

The budget for this short looks like it cost 10 bucks and yet it is so imaginative and smart. It's too bad this only lasted 15 minutes I would have totally like to have seen this as a feature. Green Porno is actually a series of shorts divided into segments to precede certain screenings at the Tribeca Film Festival. Sort of a teaser film if you will before watching the feature presentation.

It figures that I would like any movie with the word "porno" in it. But trust me..you'll like it too. I'm waiting to see clips of this on YouTube! For now Sundance wants you to tune in on cinco de mayo to see the clips. All I could find was a snippet of what I saw this evening. Why didn't I think of this??

Dogdom

"The master needs to enslave those who need to be enslaved, which are those who train their children to bow before them, to wag their tails, to stick out their tongues, to expect a beating or a reward."

That was an introduction to my new short film 'DOGDOM', shot and edited between September and October 2007.

Rodrigo Estrada Gil. is a 32-year-old film director and screenwriter. Here is his lastest production, which you can find in his website (Hi) and/or in YouTube (Lo):

http://1234qweasz.co.uk/projects/dogdom/

Tribeca Film Festival Review: Split Second

Tribeca not only highlights independent feature films, but also short films. There are a compilation of short films that share a theme---split second--- at the 2008 festival. These short films feature a conflict with the protagonists that forces them to make a split second decision that could change their lives forever.

The films featured in "Split Second" were:

Dusk
Hesitation
Roads
Being Human
Coffee Break
God Only Knows
Second Line

Dusk was about a hit and run accident that occurs in a Mexican desert.

Hesitation was about a middle-aged couple on vacation who encounters a little boy who is all too annoying and hesitation occurs when the boy is involved in an accident.

Roads is about a 13 year old Israeli boy and an ex-solider who connect and find themselves caught up with a drug lord who is seeking revenge.

Being Human us about two brothers contemplating on how to handle a medical miracle.

Coffee Break is about how far will a rookie police officer go to impress his partner.

God Only Knows is about a mother who is torn between love and a better life.

The best short films out of this bunch were Roads and Coffee Break. Roads had a deep rich plot that involved action and intensity as a young boy tries to escape the world of drugs and violence in his community. The solider who helps save him becomes a martyr in the quest to liberate himself from his past. Great cinematography and excellent pacing. Coffee Break was a film that in some ways we can all relate too because at one point we have all tried to do something to impress others. In this case a rookie male cop is forced by his partner to cajole a female stranger into having intimate relations with him and the rookie cops takes it a step further by performing a simulated rape.

Then there was the worst film out of this bunch. As a viewer I left the theater upset because of the film Second Line. Second Line is about two cousins who search for work in post-Katrina New Orleans. They are promised $90.00 a day for the work and their foreman Henry picks them up and agrees to take them back home. The two men are African-American and they are hired by a Caucasian foreman and his wife to gut out the dilapidated house. Natt finds a peanut jar that has a wad of bills in it that equals out to be 300 bucks. MacArthur, his partner, decides to take the the high road and tell his boss Henry about the money.

Instead of rewarding MacArthur, he lies and says the money belongs to his wife and keeps it for himself. All the while Henry has been drinking and poor MacArthur finds himself working in a dust-ridden house without a mask and instead has a piece of thin fabric to protect himself. He asks Henry repeatedly to provide him a proper mask, but Henry is dismissive. We eventually get the idea, that Henry has no intentions of giving a mask to his employee. Towards the end of the day Henry gives MacArthur a total of $90.00 for services rendered. MacArthur looks up at Henry puzzled and states that his partner Natt needs his $90.00 too. Henry states that the fee is for both and you get $45.00 each. At this point poor MacArthur decides to take the high road once again and gives Natt the full $90.00 without telling him that the fee was $90.00 between the BOTH of them. MacArthur soon reaches his boiling point and grabs an old machete that was hanging around the abandoned house and spontaneously charges at Henry with the weapon.


Henry's wife Bernie runs and screams for help. Natt immediately runs after Bernie, covers her mouth and nearly wrestles her to keep her from running away. MacArthur throws Henry into the trailer and Natt throws Bernie in there with them. We see the trailer close and only hear the cries of the victims and the scene fades to black. The last scene is macArthur upset and crying thinking about the event that just took place with a look of regret on his face.

The reason I gave a scene-by-scene synopsis of this short is because most of you will not see this movie. But if you do, feel free to give an opinion on your thoughts. I didn't understand the point of this film and found it to be very offensive towards African-Americans. It feeds into stereotypes that whites perceive of blacks and I was quite disgusted at this film. ALSO, why would Tribeca screen a film like this?? Perhaps I am missing something. Perhaps I need some further clarification on the meaning behind the film's message. Becuz all I got out of it were two black men solving aggression and anger with violence towards a white couple. There was a Q&A session after the film featuring all directors of each short film and I was not a bit surprised when I saw the film's director was Caucasian. A sad disgusting display of racial stereotypes. There will be more films to see at Tribeca, but frankly this was a VERY disappointing display of celluloid and quite frankly one of the worst films I've seen at this festival. Blech!

Burger King Whopper Freakout!

So have any of you SEEN those Burger King commercials where they place a hidden camera in the drive-thru and lie to unsuspecting customers that the Whopper is no longer available??

Well this commercial is an UNCUT version! Well actually its a phony knock off...but the actors were really good...they had me fooled! They should totally air this commercial during Superbowl Sunday. Of course....there will be some heavy editing involved.

Check it out:

Lets Make Some LOVE Filmmakers!

Love Actually: Short Films about Love, Sex & Romance hosted by Lazy Limabean Film Magazine & SCENEPR

Thursday, February 14thLazy Limabean Film Magazine invites you to come sample some of NYC's up & coming filmmakers as they showcase short films about love, sex & romance at Millennium Theater. From its beginnings the Millennium offered various programs and services such as filmmaking workshops, equipment access-which includes facilities for editing, screening and shooting.

Then, following the screening, come meet the filmmakers and other guests at a special screening after party at White Rabbit, located within a short walking distance from the theater.White Rabbit provides the best of both worlds- a relaxed and stylish lounge, without any of the attitude. The drinks at White Rabbit are moderately (between 8-10 bucks) priced and include the usual top shelf selections as well as a beautiful selection of exotic cocktails like White Rabbit's Sake-tini, a Gin Martini made with sake, garnished with cucumber and their Ginger spice Martini which is a Stoli Orange, orange Curacao, splash of lemon & a slice fresh ginger root.

There'll be a small selection of White Rabbit's appetizer menu samplings made available.What time does the fun begin?

Films: 7-9pm (first film starts at 7:15pm)

A short Q&A with the filmmakers will follow the last film.

After party: 9-11pm

Where do I meet everyone? Films: Millennium, 66 East 4th Street, NY, NYAfter party: White Rabbit, 145 E. Houston, NY, NY

How much should I donate? Films: $8 online $10 at doorAfter party: No CoverBuy your tickets at HERE!

Space is limited so get your tickets early!

About Lazy Limabean Film Magazine: Founded in 2004, Lazy Limabean Film Magazine is a no-nonsense look at film, filmmakers and those people who make the film industry go. Visit us at Lazy Limabean or on Facebook . SCENE PR plans & promotes a series of events geared toward helping media, arts & entertainment professionals, entrepreneurs and organizations initiate dialogues, spark collaborative projects and strengthen business connections. Visit us at SCENEPR or visit our Facebook group

SHORT RoMANtic Movies

SCENE PR is looking to round out a slate of films for an upcoming Valentines Day Short Film event. If you are holding onto some masterpiece that needs exposure...get it in to us
asap!! We're looking for short films about romance, sex, or love. Event takes place Thurs. Feb 14th at 7pm (after party is 9pm) Deadline is Feb. 1st (though we reserve the right to extend the deadline) Screening takes place in Manhattan.

Here are the rules:

Must be on DVD

Max length of 25mins.

Please be sure your DVD plays on multiple players.

We'd love it if you (or anyone who is associated with the making of..) could
also be available the brief Q&A following screening (recommended, but not
necessary).

Please include your bio, contact info, photo and website URL (optional)

You may submit multiple submissions. Only one will be picked.

Motion Graphics, Animation are also suitable formats...

There's also an after party so be sure to invite your friends to come out!!

Send to:
SCENEPR
attn: VDAY Salon
8553 Eliot Avenue, #53a
Rego Park, NY 11374
No Drop offs, no express packages.

SAVE THE DATE:
March 13th - Foreign Intrigue: Foreign Short Films
(if you want to submit for this event, please do so. Same rules apply. Any
subject, films not in english MUST be subtitled)

The Modern Racist Paradigm

This is an emotionally disturbing yet stunning documentary about the modern racist paradigm.

Not matter what race you are....we are all victims.

"This is a well researched documentary that exposes the "White" Media's long-term agenda to standardize Caucasian people as the "social norm" for general society. Through the globalization and centralization of the "White" media and its constant propagation of repetitive images depicting Caucasians in positive roles and as protagonists while usually depicting Non-Caucasians as background characters and antagonists -- which are often connected to negative themes and stereotypes -- the media elite have been able to effectively condition general society into subconsciously adhering to a racist social hierarchy in which Caucasian people are at the very apex"

For more information go here

Gun Control PSA

Tragedy looms, as curiosity possesses a 9yr old boy in suburban NY.

Written and Directed by Malcolm Beckford
Photographer/Filmmaker.

Short Film Corner: CW1 Productions

PENSOUL




ANNA



WHITE NOISE



SAND BANK



STORY OF M

Short Film Corner: From KML Films

I Love Him by Katie Madonna Lee



Technicolor Splendor by Katie Madonna Lee



Women's Prison

Short Film Corner: Trailer

This is the trailer for a feature documentary that explores solutions to our national homeless epidemic. For more information, visit www.4thpower.org

Short Film Corner: Four Years (The Movie)

Directed by: Dallas Alexis and

Vinci Jean Baptiste

A story of lies and deceit, starring Stephanye Dussud and Jonathan Wittaker. A young couple is ready to take their love to next level and start a family. But, just as they overcome one obstacle, Brenda's past has caught up to her and things take a turn for the worse. Brenda and Michael have come to a fork in the road. Will they hold hands and travel the same road or go their seperate ways forever. Lies and secrets are revealed, as the young couple tries to fight the contradiction between the heart and the mind. "Four Years"

A Christmas Wish

One year after his wife's Christmas Eve murder, Asia is on the brink of suicide, when he is approached by a stranger who convinces him that he can reunite him with his wife. Asia accepts the deal, only to discover the catch: He must relive the day of her death over and over again in order to be with her.
The film stars actor James Avery from "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"

Directed by LAW






A Christmas Wish

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Short Film Corner: Shannon Again

Directed by: Jhoe Davis


She Dump Him for Another Girl!! Filmed in Astoria, Queens and written for YouTube's Project Direct Competition

(Rules: 1. A character must face a situation beyond their maturity level. 2. A photograph must be passed from one character to another. 3. Film must include the line 'I demand an explanation for these shenanigans. What do you have to say for yourself?)



For more go to: jdMAX.com or go here