A New Filmmaker Offers His Take on Film Noir
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This article was prepared by Deb Cooperman for the April 27, 2005
issue of U.S. 1 Newspaper. All rights reserved.
World Class Filmfest in Trenton
There’s a film festival about to begin – right down the street. In
Trenton. That’s right, Trenton. Movie lovers can see great revivals,
international and made-in-the-U.S.A. features and documentaries, short
subject and animation films; meet fellow movie buffs; and rub elbows
with producers and directors of new and buzzworthy films at the
Trenton Film Festival.
The event kicks off its second year on Friday, April 29, showcasing
over 65 short films and 25 features through Sunday, May 1. Screening
venues include the New Jersey State Museum, the Contemporary, the
Trenton Marriott Hotel, and Gallery 125 – all within walking distance
of each other. Even Bobby (as de Niro’s friends call him) makes an
appearance – more on that later.
According to festival director and filmmaker Kevin Williams, the idea
for a film festival in Trenton was born at the end of 2002 as several
film buffs got together at Cafe Au Lait to talk about their passion.
"We had all been thinking the same thing, that it would be cool to
have a film festival in Trenton," Williams says. The vision gelled
almost instantly. "We wanted to have the best films by the best film
makers. We didn’t want to have a political agenda – if a film festival
has one agenda they get tagged. Like Sundance – it’s a very
political/social-leaning festival. With ours, we want the films to be
shown on their merits; we wanted to make sure we had a diverse
content."
And in its sophomore year, the program is certainly diverse. The
festival received more than 300 submissions from around the world
including offerings from Albania, Japan, Germany, France, Italy,
China, Australia, Greece, and Thailand. For those who think that film
making only happens in New York and Los Angeles, festival director
Williams – along with Michael McClure, director of "Cup of Joe," the
winner of the Trenton Film Society’s short film contest, and several
other New Jersey filmmakers of documentaries and short subject films
prove that there is life beyond those film-making meccas.
A native of Trenton, Williams grew up in the Wilbur section and went
to McCorristin Catholic High School in Hamilton. His father, George,
worked for Princeton University Press, and his mother, Grace, was a
nurse at St. Francis Hospital. His father died in late 1997, and his
mother died five years later. His father’s love of film was Williams’s
greatest influence. "For someone who was blue collar, he was a learned
man, particularly in the arts," Williams says. "He was always bringing
home books like ‘How to Read a Film’ by James Monaco. And he was
always quoting lines from movies."
Although Williams’s interest in film began when he was young, it
wasn’t until after he received his undergraduate degree in marketing
from LaSalle 1990 and earned an MBA in marketing and finance from
Tulane in 1993 that he started moving toward a career in cinema. "The
Pelican Brief," a big budget movie starring Denzel Washington and
Julia Roberts, came to film in New Orleans – the home of Tulane
University – and Williams got a job as a production assistant. But a
combination of production delays and Williams’s dwindling bank account
brought the Jersey boy back home.
Back in Trenton, he took a job in marketing but when "I.Q.," a
fictionalized tale about Albert Einstein (Walter Matthau) playing
matchmaker to his brainy niece (Meg Ryan) and a good natured garage
mechanic (Tim Robbins), came to Princeton to film, Williams landed a
job in casting. "When I got done on ‘I.Q.,’ I kept working on other
people’s projects – often for free. I would call the Philadelphia film
office and find out what was filming in the area. And then I worked on
a movie called "Surrender Dorothy," which did well at Sundance."
A colleague on "Surrender Dorothy" encouraged Williams to take a shot
at applying for New York University’s intensive film program, a
four-month immersion into movie making. He did, and he was accepted.
"That experience changed my life," he says.
After completing the program, Williams found work making commercials,
a rap video, and then, he says "I was fortunate enough to work on ‘A
Beautiful Mind’ (which was filmed in Princeton) for six months.
Russell Crowe? I don’t care what you read about him, he always showed
up so well prepared. And (director) Ron Howard? I learned so much."
Immediately after that he got a job running the production office on
M. Night Shyamalan’s "Signs," filmed in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
He recounts the next several years by ticking off the credits: "Like
Mike," the pilot for "Hack," "Jersey Girl." But the harried pace began
to drain him. "I really enjoyed film production, but the days are 14
to 16 hour days. I had to make the decision: do I want to keep working
like this, or do I want to work on my own projects?" He decided to try
his hand at writing and producing, which eventually led to the
creation of the film festival. "I wish my father could see what we’ve
created here; it is my passionate labor of love," he says.
Besides film, Williams has another labor of love in the works. His
wife, Tamara, who works in the fashion industry in New York, is due to
give birth to their first child any day now (as of press time,
Williams was at the hospital with his wife and baby Williams was "on
the way"). "We have great support and wonderful volunteers and we’re
trying to get as much done as we can; we’re hoping the baby doesn’t
make a dramatic entrance during the festival."
If Baby Williams makes an appearance at the festival, he or she will
have a lot to compete with. The selections range from old favorites
and Oscar nominees and winners to locally-produced features and
shorts, foreign films, as well as big buzz documentaries.
The festival gets started with a kick-off/opening night party and
screening of the thriller "Wilderness Survival for Girls" at the State
Museum. The directorial team – husband and wife Kim Roberts and Eli
Despres – will be present to share their filmmaking experiences. "When
programming the opening film, it’s like bringing you an appetizer,"
says Williams. "It should get you excited for the rest of the meal.
This opening film is fun and exciting."
Closing the festival is a screening of the documentary, "Trudell," the
story of John Trudell, a Native American activist and poet. "It’s
deep," Williams says, "but it’s fully accessible. HBO is probably
going to show it in 2006 but you can see it here first." And, he adds,
director/producer Heather Rae will be at the screening for a Q & A –
something you can’t get on HBO.
In addition to film screenings, the festival offers seminars on the
craft of film making for would-be actors and screenwriters. Held on
Saturday and Sunday, April 30 and May 1, the seminars are presented by
professionals working in the business. Seminars are $10 each.
On Saturday evening, April 30, fellow film buffs can schmooze with the
folks who make the films at the festival’s filmmaker party at the Mill
Hill Saloon, 300 South Broad Street, at 9:30 p.m., where you can catch
the buzz on what you shouldn’t miss the next day.
One of the movies getting a lot of buzz is "Anytown USA," which
receives its New Jersey premiere on Sunday, May 1, at 2 p.m. at the
State Museum. The film is a documentary about the 2003 mayoral
election in Bogota, New Jersey. Williams anticipates a possible
sell-out of the venue. "The candidate in the movie is Republican Steve
Lonegan, who is running for governor now," he says, adding that
because of high interest, they had to move the screening to a larger
venue.
Another movie that Williams expects to draw a sizable crowd is "Sister
Rose’s Passion," a 2004 Oscar nominee in the documentary short subject
category. The film, which will screen on Saturday, April 30, at 8 p.m.
at the State Museum, was executive produced by Hunterdon County
residents Peter LeDonne and Kellie Pyffer. The documentary tells the
story of Sister Rose Thering’s determination to fight anti-Semitism,
which led her to take an active part in Vatican II – a major
ecumenical council from 1962 to 1965, which gave voice to liberalizing
concepts within the Catholic church – and also to denounce Church
doctrine blaming the Jews for Jesus’ death. Both LeDonne and Pyffer
will be attending the screening.
There are other New Jersey connections at the festival, including "Art
of a New Library," which focuses on the artists who contributed to the
new Princeton Public Library. The film has a screening on Saturday,
April 30, at the Trenton Marriott at noon.
"We’re on to something," Williams says. "We’re attracting great
people. We have been a conduit for film makers, and we would like to
be a cog in the economic renaissance of the city."
So, where does Bobby DeNiro fit into all this? DeNiro makes his
appearance on the big screen at the Contemporary on Saturday, April
30, in his Oscar-winning role as Jake LaMotta in Martin Scorsese’s
"Raging Bull." As Williams says, "Most people have never seen it on
the big screen, and that’s really the way films were meant to be
seen."
Trenton Film Festival, Friday, April 29, through Sunday, May 1. $8 for
individual screenings; $75 for an all-access pass for the weekend.
Student and senior discounts are available, and a family screening on
Saturday costs just $3 per person. For a full schedule and screening
venues visit www.trentonfilmsociety.org. For more information call
609-396-6966.
Top Of Page
Festival Schedule
Friday, April 29
New Jersey State Museum, The Contemporary, Marriott Hotel, Gallery
125, 609-396-6966. First day for the second annual film festival in
Trenton features more than 65 short films, 25 feature films, seminars,
parties, and awards. Through May 1. All-access weekend pass, $75;
students and seniors, $60. Regular screenings, $8; seminars, $10;
kick-off party, $20. Visit www.trentonfilmfestival.org for
information, schedule, and tickets.
Gallery 125, 125 South Warren Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966. In the
Public Service Series, nine short films will be shown for free.
"Adopting Ginny," 9:30 a.m.; "One Night Sit," 10 a.m.; "Gay Pioneers,"
10:30 a.m.; "Rue des Juifs (Jew Street), 11:15 a.m.; "Bottom of the
Ninth," noon; "Arise!, 1 p.m.; "A Doula Story," 2:15 p.m.; "Portrait
of Artists as Latino Immigrants," 3:30; and "Keeper of the Kohn," 4:15
p.m. 9:30 a.m.
New Jersey State Museum, 205 State Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Kick-off party. $20. 6 p.m.
New Jersey State Museum, 205 State Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Screening of opening film, "Wilderness Survival for Girls," The
husband and wife directorial team of Kim Roberts and Eli Despres will
share their filmmaking experiences. $8. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 30
Trenton Film Festival, Gallery 125, 125 South Warren Street, Trenton,
609-396-6966. Gotham Writers Workshop Screenwriting Seminar with Doug
Katz. $10. 9 a.m.
Marriott Hotel, West Lafayette Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Screening of documentary feature: "Dirty," preceded by short," Winner
Takes All." $8. 10 a.m.
New Jersey State Museum, 205 State Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Screening of children’s feature "Fantasia. $3. 10 a.m.
Contemporary Club, Trenton, 609-396-6966. Screening of the films of
the Trenton Film Society II. $8. 10 a.m.
Gallery 125, 125 South Warren Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966. Laurie
Scheer Screenwriting Seminar. $10. 11 a.m.
Marriott Hotel, West Lafayette Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Screening of documentary shorts "Why Shakespeare?," "Caught in Paint,"
"Art of a New Library," and "Urban Renewal is People Removal." $8.
Noon.
Contemporary Club, Trenton, 609-396-6966. Screening of foreign
feature, "The Moonless Night," Albania. $8. Noon.
New Jersey State Museum, 205 State Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Screening of documentary feature, "Seoul Train." $8. 12:30 p.m.
New Jersey State Museum, 205 State Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Screening of narrative feature, "Home." $8. 2 p.m.
Marriott Hotel, West Lafayette Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Screening of documentary feature, "The Big Question,"Italy, preceded
by short "Caught in Paint." $8. 2 p.m.
Contemporary Club, Trenton, 609-396-6966. Screening of foreign shorts
#1 include "All My Mothers," "Anna and the Soldier," "Savior," "Candy
Viola," and "Winner Takes All." $8. 2 p.m.
Gallery 125, 125 South Warren Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966. Screening
of feature Film "Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession." $8. 2:30 p.m.
Gallery 125, 125 South Warren Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Independent Filmmaker Seminar: "Panasonic HD 24P Cameras" with Gary
Snyder of Clark Media. $10. 2:30 p.m.
Marriott Hotel, West Lafayette Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Screening of experimental films, "Tahara," "One Balloon," "Pillow
Girl," "Archive," "Strokes in Harmony," "Nod," "Another Song About
Love," "Late Winter Lament,"and "Light is Calling." $8. 3:40 p.m.
Contemporary Club, Trenton, 609-396-6966. Screening of feature film,
"Baby It’s You," 1983. $8. 4 p.m.
New Jersey State Museum, 205 State Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Screening of narrative feature, "Four Eyed Monsters." $8. 4 p.m.
Gallery 125, 125 South Warren Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966. Screening
of feature film "My Big Fat Independent Movie." $8. 5 p.m.
Marriott Hotel, West Lafayette Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Screening of narrative feature "Ocean Front Property." $8. 5:45 p.m.
New Jersey State Museum, 205 State Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Screening of narrative shorts, "Blinding Goldfish," "Love, Mom," "How
I Got Lost," "Twitch," "The Big Thing," "The Decisive Moment," and
"The Netherbeast." $8. 5:45 p.m.
Contemporary Club, Trenton, 609-396-6966. Screening of feature film,
"Raging Bull," 1980. $8. 6:30 p.m.
New Jersey State Museum, 205 State Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Screening of Oscar short spotlight, "Sister Rose’s Passion." Executive
producers Peter LeDonne and Kellie Pyffer visit. $8. 8 p.m.
Marriott Hotel, West Lafayette Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Screening of feature film "What’s So Funny?" $8. 8 p.m.
TFF Filmmaker Party, Mill Hill Saloon, 300 South Broad Street,
Trenton, 609-396-6966. Wilbo Wright and Wingdam perform. Free for pass
holders or $5 cover. 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 1
Trenton Film Festival, New Jersey State Museum, 205 State Street,
Trenton, 609-396-6966. Foreign feature, "Sandstorm (Sha Chen Bao),
Canada. $8. 10 a.m.
Marriott Hotel, West Lafayette Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966. Foreign
feature "Sense of Need," Israel. $8. 10 a.m.
Gallery 125, 125 South Warren Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966. Foreign
feature "Al’Leessi.".An African Actress." $8. 10 a.m.
Contemporary Club, Trenton, 609-396-6966. Screening of narrative
shorts "Rock On," "Final Sale," "Life," "The Ends of the Alphabet,"
"My Scarlet Letter," and "Eyes Don’t Lie." $8. 10 a.m.
Contemporary Club, Trenton, 609-396-6966. Narrative feature, "Year in
the Death of Jack Richards" preceded by short "Another Song About
Love." $8. Noon.
New Jersey State Museum, 205 State Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Documentary shorts "Roosevelt’s America," "More Than Two Million," and
"Freedom Road." $8. Noon.
Marriott Hotel, West Lafayette Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Animation program "The Dust Bunny," "Skippy," "Flyaway," "Egg," "Red
Planet Blues," "Dentist," "Guard Dog," "Herman the Legal Labrador,"
and "Daikon Ashi." $8. Noon.
Gallery 125, 125 South Warren Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966. "The
Craft of Acting," presented by David Gideon of The Actor’s Studio.
$10. Noon.
Contemporary Club, Trenton, 609-396-6966. Documentary feature,
"Anytown, USA." $8. 2 p.m.
New Jersey State Museum, 205 State Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Foreign shorts "Holding On," "Painter of the Land," "Samuel Demango,"
and "Be Very Quiet." $8. 2 p.m.
Marriott Hotel, West Lafayette Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Documentary feature film "This is a Game Ladies." $8. 2 p.m.
Gallery 125, 125 South Warren Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966. "Acting
for the Camera" presented by June Ballinger and David White of Passage
Theater. $10. 2 p.m.
New Jersey State Museum, 205 State Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Foreign feature film "Rififi," 1954, France. $8. 4 p.m.
Contemporary Club, Trenton, 609-396-6966. Screening of narrative
shorts "Duck, Duck, Goose," "Wishtaker," "The Cowboy," "Soaked,"
"Focus Group," and "Cup of Joe." $8. 4 p.m.
Marriott Hotel, West Lafayette Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Documentary feature film "Shivah For My Mother." $8. 4:30 p.m.
New Jersey State Museum, 205 State Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966. TFF
award ceremony and reception. Free. 6:30 p.m.
New Jersey State Museum, 205 State Street, Trenton, 609-396-6966.
Closing film "Trudell". Director Heather Rae visits. Free. 7:45 p.m.
Top Of Page
A New Filmmaker Offers His Take on Film Noir
‘Cup of Joe," a narrative short with a film-noir style was written,
produced and directed by Michael McClure, a former actor and dancer
who is now co-owner of the Professional Center for the Arts (PCA) in
Hamilton. The movie, shot in a gritty black and white film noir style,
is about a vacuum cleaning salesman who is reexamining his life. "It’s
comedy-ish," says McClure. "On the darker comedy side. It is about a
guy in his mid-30s who is unhappy – thinking what he might have done
and what he could have done."
Every summer PCA offers a seven-day movie camp, where McClure and his
students write a script, shoot it, and edit it – all in one intensive
week. McClure submitted a couple of these student-produced films to
the Trenton Film Festival) but the committe ultimately selected
McClure’s "Cup of Joe."
McClure says the festival offers a filmmaker like himself excellent
exposure. "This whole business is about exposure and who you know. You
never know who is going to see your film. The other exciting thing
about a film festival is the opportunity to see what new film makers
are doing. Ninety percent of movies today are funded by the big
studios and their interest is getting as many people to pay their $8
to see the movie. It’s about product, big stars, broad humor.
Artistically, it’s not very satisfying. A film festival is all about
artistry."
er exciting thing
about a film festival is the opportunity to see what new film makers
are doing. Ninety percent of movies today are funded by the big
studios and their interest is getting as many people to pay their $8
to see the movie. It’s about product, big stars, broad humor.
Artistically, it’s not very satisfying. A film festival is all about
artistry."
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