Cinema Speakeasy

April 22, 2011 • 11:36 am 0

‘The Lost Children’ Film Workshop: LA, May 4th

Cinema Speakeasy is chuffed to present a special workshop screening of Mark Harris’ brand new feature film ‘The Lost Children‘.

‘The Lost Children’ is so hot off the griddle, it’s still sizzling. In fact, this is the first public viewing of a film that has been in the works for several years.

If you are at all interested in cult deprogramming, shadow people, or the paranormal, you need to see this engrossing and dark film. As always, don’t forget to bring something nice to drink and share… Something that will warm your chilled bones.

Since this is a workshop screening of ‘The Lost Children’, director Mark Harris wants your help. Bring your critic’s eye: We’ll be conducting a feedback session after the film.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

‘The Lost Children‘ Workshop Screening
TRT 105 min
Produced & Directed by Mark Harris
Improvised by the cast based on a story by Mark Harris and Godfrey L. Simmons Jr

http://www.thelostchildrenmovie.com/

Synopsis: The Lost Children was a cult led by the mysterious and controlling Chance Sturges, and claiming to be made up of aliens from another world, stranded here on Earth for thousands of years.

We know this story ends in Evelyn’s death.

We also know that it involves the passing of the Tioga comet, and alleged UFO sightings within that comet. We know that save for Evelyn and Chance Sturges, the entire Lost Children cult was brutally massacred. We know that Chance Sturges vanished immediately after Evelyn’s death. We know that some small groups of women emerged after Evelyn’s death, claiming to “believe in” The Alpha.

But no one knows the details leading up to this outcome. It’s our goal to collect the rest of this material, in an attempt to tell Evelyn’s story in its entirety.

Wednesday May 4th, 2011
Doors open at 7:45, film starts at 8PM
Echo Park Film Center (1200 N Alvarado St. @ Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. 90026)
Tickets: $5 at the door
Workshop and discussion to be held after the film

Filed under: Screening

April 13, 2011 • 7:50 am 0

‘How Do You Write a Joe Schermann Song’ film workshop: LA, Apr. 20

Cinema Speakeasy and Cinefist are excited to team up to present a special test screening of indie auteur Gary King’s newest feature film musical: ‘How Do You Write A Joe Schermann Song’

Cinema Speakeasy has long been involved in the DIY distribution movement. In fact, the organization was born out of a desire to help independent filmmakers find new audiences, as well as to help them sustain be providing revenue sharing models for the films we show. When our friends at Cinefist suggested we hold a test screening for Gary King’s newest film, we jumped at the chance. King has long been a bastion in the DIY film movement, but even more crucially, we think he’s a damn fine filmmaker.

Join us to watch his newest feature in a special workshop format. We’ll be providing Gary with some constructive criticism after the screening, so bring your eagle eye and help him make the film everything it can be.

Still, don’t forget to bring libations… to drink, to share, to pour on your neighbor’s toes when you disagree with his feedback. This is a Cinema Speakeasy event, after all, and what do we do at Cinema Speakeasy events? That’s right! We watch films, meet new people, and get loose.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

‘How Do You Write A Joe Schermann Song‘ Film Workshop
TRT 115 min
Written & Directed by Gary King
A Kitchen Table Films production
http://www.joeschermannsong.com

Synopsis: Joe and his girlfriend Evey dream of hitting it big on Broadway. When Joe lands an opportunity to write for an Off-Broadway musical, he is forced to cast either the love of his life or Summer, his newly discovered muse. The realities of show business prove to Joe that writing is easy, living is hard.

Wednesday, April 20th
Doors at 7:30, Film at 7:45
Echo Park Film Center (1200 N Alvarado St. @ Sunset Blvd., LA, CA. 90026)
Tickets: $5 at the door (50% of the proceeds at the door will go to the filmmaker)

Workshop and discussion to be held after the film.
Bring a pen; there will be a questionnaire.
Director Gary King and actress Christina Rose will be in attendance

—

About Gary King: New York-based director Gary King is a contemporary DIY American filmmaker whose work is known for powerful performances with an emphasis on a strong, visual style. He has written, directed and produced several critically acclaimed feature films as well as award-winning short films. http://www.grking.com

About Cinefist: Curation and distribution for an art house revolution. Cinefist is a quarterly film screening series, started in 2010 by filmmakers Zak Forsman and Kevin Shah (collectively known as The Sabi Company). Cinefist operates on a revenue-sharing model with the filmmakers it shows. http://cinefist.com/

Filed under: Screening, Christina Rose, Gary King, Joe Schermann

April 13, 2011 • 7:45 am 0

‘The Lie’: SF, Thurs Apr. 21

CS:SF is coming back strong with Joshua Leonard’s The Lie, a dark comedy that premiered at Sundance this year.

We’ve been dying to show you this film.

Based on a T.C. Boyle short story of the same name, The Lie follows Lonnie, a thirty-something husband and young father coming to terms with the fact that he’ll never be a rock star. Rather than face another day at his soul crushing job, he tells a horrible, horrible lie, and hilariously dire consequences ensue.

Now, don’t go judging poor Lonnie. We all tell lies, and we want to hear yours. Write the best – or worst lie you ever told on a postcard. Keep it anonymous, ‘cuz we’ll read the top three aloud at the end of the flick.

Everyone who plays gets a free raffle ticket, and we’ll gather the postcards up, stamp ‘em, and send them to our friends at postsecret.com!

So come through with your postcard lies, and we’ll meet you there with raffle prizes, games, and of course, some cold brews (and new friends). See you there!

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

The Lie
TRT 80 min
Written & Directed by Josh Leonard
http://www.theliemovie.com/

Synopsis: Once an idealistic young man with artistic aspirations, Lonnie is stuck and doesn’t quite know it. Working at an unfulfilling job, he longs to realize his lifelong dream of becoming a musician.

When his wife, Clover, is presented with a career opportunity that could provide them with the stability she craves (but one that goes against their beliefs), Lonnie cannot muster the resolve to endure another day at work, so he tells a lie—a life-altering lie that he cannot take back.

Thursday, April 21st
Doors at 7:30, Movie at 8
GAFFTA (998 Market St. in the Warfield Building)

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WRAP REPORT

This was the first event in our and GAFFTA‘s new space, an actual speakeasy under the Warfield right on Market Street! We love our new underground vibe, and the extra space we’re afforded to fit more of our new friends! Joshua Leonard’s THE LIE was a huge hit, with the themes of ‘dreams deferred’ and ‘reality bites’ going over well with our audience, many of whom balance their own passions and responsibilities in this beautifully inspiring city we call home (and also one of the most expensive in the US).

A very special thanks to our raffle donors, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Good Vibrations, and San Francisco International Film Festival.

Filed under: Screening, cinema speakeasy san francisco, GAFFTA, Joshua Leonard, post secret, postcards, sundance, The Lie

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