Rooftop Films presents Midwest Movies
Friday, July 11th, 2003
8pm: Live music by Brian Straw [details below]
9pm: Films from the mysterious midland.
Midwest Movies
Following our successful barnstorm throughout the heartland in the blustery spring of '03, we knew we had to represent all the filmmakers and film organizations which populate the middle of America. We like to program nights of short films by region, because it's a great way to show a wide variety of styles and content, all with a cohesive theme. We've found that even when combining a harrowing documentary about the prison industry with an animation about robots building robot children, the films will all share the particular stamp of the region. The mysterious midland, up on the roof.
FILMS: You're Going To Die Dennis Palazzolo (Michigan, 3:00)
A message from your favorite production company logo.
Don't Touch the Ground (Pre-School) Mark VanFleet (Ohio, 5:00) mvanfleet@hotmail.com
A grown man playing a child's game in a child's world. Mark was a custodian at a pre-school, and one night he traversed the building's many rooms without setting foot on the floor.
Supermax Wisconsin Jude Javier & Joshua Moise (Wisconsin, 26:00) moise2001@yahoo.com
A frightening look at the maximum security prison which details the inhumane treatment of the prisoners, the pyschological effect of solitary confinement, and the political dissidents who get locked up on such places.
Michiganfest 2002: Documented Charles Cardello / Bifocal Pictures (Michigan, 6:00)
In March of 2002, thousands of dedicated underground music fans converged on the small Detroit suburb of Wayne, Michigan for three days camaraderie, debauchery and over 30 of the best bands independent rock has to offer. Here's just a sample of the show.
Questions Aaron Yonda (Wisconsin, 2:45) wis-kino.com
Do you feel harassed by commercials? Are you confused by backpacks?
Ketchup Love Dan Glass (Michigan, 11:00)
Only in America could a guy love Ketchup this much.
Girl 24 Meredith Root (Wisconsin, 12:00)
A pair of diabolic (but endearing) robots build a series of robot children, the latest of which longs to be free. Wonderfully expressive faces and rich, complex sets make this a lovely animated film.
Timbo Tunes Eri Olsen & Tim Harrod (Michigan, 0:30)
An animated balloon gets in trouble when he drinks too much.
Condensed Movie #1 Kent Lambert (Illinois, 9:30)
Video hacker Kent Lambert takes apart and reconstructs a terrible time travel movie. Who knows which version has more meaning, but this one sure has the better dialogue.
Vacation Money Michael Stickrod (Ohio, 10:00)
The maker of a documentary about his father's work at a sewage treatment plant (At the end of the Line, Rooftop 9/14/02) returns with his mother's story, painting eerie faces and gardening from a wheelchair to earn enough cash for a trip to the beach.
Bike Ride Tom Schroeder (Minnesota, 4:00) tom_Schroeder@mcad.edu
The animated tale of a guy who rode 50 miles to see his new girlfriend, only to be ceremoniously dumped on arrival. (Thanks to the Bicycle Film Fest, www.bicyclefilmfestival.com)
MUSIC
8pm: Brian Straw—Cleveland's number one noise-folk rocker.
