Premiere! Quinoa Soup

The Island Film Festival opens tonight with the PREMIERE of Quinoa Soup, a documentary film by acclaimed filmmaker Kate Kirby shot in Bolivia.  If you're anywhere in New England, you've probably got time to head on over to Minsky Auditorium in Orono, Maine for the 7pm showing, which will highlight what our consumption means for Bolivia growers.  Really wish I could attend -- I'll look forward to a screening on this part of the island later on.  We'll be sure to feature much more about this film and its intrepid filmmaker in the future as part of our Island Artists in Residence feature.  Congrats Ms. Kirby!

Film People

 Because who doesn't like to cozy up to watch some Dalí films?  Love that scene at the beach.
                                                 (Dalí Exhibition, 21 November 2012 - 25 March 2013,  Pompidou Centre, Paris)

Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Tomorrow we leave on our epic journey East.  We shall voyage on the Dawn Treader.

So then:  To bed!  For we rise at daybreak!  We shall rise with the dawn.  For we leave at first light!

Although we may have a run first, in order to loosen up.


Thus, to bed!  Sleep the sleep of a thousand martyrs.  For at daybreak, we will breakfast.   And we shall leave with the wind to our back.


To bed! For we leave at 9:30.  Ish.


(I would love to do a costume drama along the way, perhaps among the lawns of suburban Illinois.) 

The Red Balloon

 

 Have you ever been followed by a red balloon?  Well, it happened to me the other day on Miles Island.  Being familiar with the 1956 film Le Ballon Rouge, I knew this was something special.  The balloon followed me around for the better part of the day, before dancing off on its merry way to make another friend.  To see the original short film, go to youtube... Part 1 and 2.  Check out the trailer for the recent feature film version.  Let me know if you've seen the red balloon in your part of the world...

 

'FROM STEEL: The Making of a Soulcraft' film

via Rugenius 

 via Soulcraft

Here's a great minimentary featuring Sean Walling of Soulcraft Bikes (Top Notch Bicycle Frames), as shot by Michael John Williams, with the music of Mattson 2.  Kinda makes ya want to get into the shop, eh?  Thanks to my buddy Travis for the heads up.  Now I'm going to go for a bike ride...

Alma Pura - Lugged Fixed Gear Road

Soulcraft Convert chain tensioner

Kilian Martin by Brett Novak

 Brett Novak

I've posted on Kilian Martin before when he did his thing for Man About Town, yet I can't help but post a couple more clips of his work.  These films (below) shot by Brett Novak showcase Kilian's unique blend of old and new skate styles, creating something truly original and breathtaking.  Barcelona proves to be a stunning landscape for skateboarding, and serves more than just as a backdrop--the landscape is an active participant, the city a playful playground, the street art visual music.  Patrick Watson's hauntingly beautiful music is the perfect pairing. Be sure to watch full screen in HD, with your speakers turned up and the lights low.

Photographer unknown, Kilian for Vision Street Wear

Bill Cunningham New York

 photographer unknown, from Bill Cunningham New York

Well, I know it's been a while.  I've been pretty busy here on the island... the ice is melting, so I've been out paddleboarding, and we also had an island talent show which I spent a long time preparing for.  Oh, and then there's the Madison Film Festival.

The first film of the festival for me was Bill Cunningham New York, which is a documentary of one of my favorite, and arguably the first, street style photographers.  I've been a fan of his work (he would say it's not his work, it's the people and their clothes that are the art) for quite some time... sometime in middle or early high school, I started getting New York Times Sunday papers from my local library a week after it would come up.  Bill's spreads were always some of the most interesting to me... I could visit New York or Paris while growing up in small town New England. 

Some of his photos are so great I would cut them out and tape them to bedroom walls... in fact, one such photo I still have and can be seen in the 7th second of the trailer that's below.  Those colors, that jacket!  And to be running, how marvelous!  Bill is a true original, and the film gives testimony to his simplicity, principles, and most of all his laughter and joy for life.

photographer unknown, from Bill Cunningham New York

photographer unknown, from Bill Cunningham New York

 In a fantastic moment of serendipity as I was exiting the film, I noticed a lady on the street with a jacket print similar to one that I had seen during the film.  The above photo (from the film) features the print and captures a moment where two lifelong friends are describing to Bill that they've always dressed like the other.  Below is my take on the street moment that can only be captured in an instant. 

SIGHT|SOUND film

 Photos by Nick Lavecchia and Mikey Detemple

 Photo by Mikey Detemple

 Photo by Mikey Detemple

Photo by Mikey Detemple

Besides the first bunch of photos (which are from Maine and Grain surfboards), these beautiful shots are from SIGHT|SOUND, a new film by Mikey Detemple and High Seas Film due out this summer.  This is the same collective that put out Picaresque in 2009.  Both films look amazing, can't wait to track them down.  In the meantime, dig the trailer...

The Sartorialist - A short film

photo by Christopher Peterson

The first blog I really started visiting regularly was Scott Schumann's The Sartorialist, which I suppose partly inspired those 'orange pants days' when I was a student Gordon.  I think part of why I've enjoyed his site and photographs so much is his attention to detail and his respect for individual styles that are sometimes unconventional.  The site also allows the viewer to travel the world (ok, mostly NYC, Paris, and Milan), and there's something about seeing street pictures that captures the imagination and kindles wanderlust.  Enjoy this short film (or embellished ad for Intel, depending on your take) by Tyler Manson. See more of Tyler's work below and on his website--I love his surf films, by the way.

Diabolo in South Africa

This short film features my friend Ethan, aka EthanSpinMaster.  He has perfected the rare performance art form of diabolo, which consists of a string connected to two sticks, and a large spool.  The name originates from the Greek, dia bolo, which translates approximately to 'across throw'.  Watch as Ethan diabolos his way through South Africa during last year's world cup... some highlights include leading a worldcup stadium march for Team Netherlands' fanbase, dramatic cliffs, and a bit of wildlife.  Great job Ethan and associated cinematographers!  Enjoy...

Photo by Nathanael Dewhurst

via wikipedia

Music Tuesday: Daft Punk + Tron

Courtesy of the artist, from KCRW

Tron Tron Tron Tron Tron:  Daft Punk + Orchestra = amazing.  The soundtrack came out today (er, yesterday, the real Tuesday), and though I have only heard 5 songs off of it, I highly recommend it.  Here's a KCRW interview with director Joseph Kosinski about the score developed by Daft Punk.  There have been a lot of 'album leaks' and fake songs out there, but this the real deal.  To skip all the talking and get right to the music, go to 12:35, 22:36, 30:38, 37:10, and 51:55.  Or take a look at the videos below which feature 'Derezzed'.  Or go buy the album.  Soundtrack site here.  Film is out Dec 17.

Keep an eye out for the Daft Punk cameo!

Micmacs

Micmacs is a wildly creative film from the imagination of Jean-Pierre Jeunet (director of Amélie).  The film's website is pretty fun to explore too...