11 Minutes Ago

I worked with Bob Gebert shortly after he shot 11 Minutes Ago, a feature which was filmed in a single day. Despite the notable quirk of its production, the story is smart sci-fi and I'm glad to see its out in the world and getting attention.

Now playing in Jacksonville and Cannes

Fatherland continues its reign over the state of Florida with yet another festival screening - tonight at the Jacksonville Film Festival. I think this marks the fifth festival appearance in The Sunshine State.

This week also begins Fatherland's screening at the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner. Helpful tip for anyone flipping through the Cannes website - if you click the Union Jack at the top of the page, it will translate itself into English. This would have saved a lot of time while I was filling out my contact info, trying to figure out if Godar was my nom or my prenom.

My switch from PC (past Parallels) to VMware Fusion

When I switched from a PC to a Mac, I switched to VMware Fusion to keep all my Windows apps running happily inside my Mac. I've been so happy with the results, I put together the video below as part of a contest promoting VMware Fusion.

Newport Beach Recap

Fatherland played to a good sized house at the Newport Beach Film Fest on Friday night, less than half of whom were family, crew or friends of the production. The 8:15pm slot was pretty cherry, though there were other notable films screening at the same time.

We were part of a program of four war-related shorts that the programmers titled "Full Metal Jacket." I was kind of hoping there would be a least a few walk-outs who came expecting the Kubrick film. It was a cohesive program but man, watching that much war is a bit of a downer. I think we could have used a quirky romance somewhere in the middle. As the program ended, everyone dried their eyes and Rob and I participated in a brief Q&A. The filmmakers were all relatively brief and humble, which may be a first in Q&A history.

The festival continues through this week, but I really enjoyed the bit I was able to attend. My favorite film also happened to be the first I saw - a sensitive and suspenseful short from South Africa called Small Killing.

I spent the last part of my time in SoCal visiting good friends that we see far too little of. It was a real thrill to be back in the area, and I was reminded of many of the great and some of the not-so-great things about that place. But as a visitor, it's much easier to just relax and enjoy the things that make Los Angeles unique.

Fatherland at Cannes

I recently learned Fatherland will be screening at next month's Cannes Film Festival, as part of the Short Film Corner. In addition to any scheduled screenings, films in the Short Film Corner are available for viewing on-demand by festival goers.

I just created an online profile with the festival and don't know too many more details at this point.

Ben's new French phrase of the week: Etas Unis - which means United States!

Next week, learn how to say: Your visual flourishes can't hide the complete absence of narrative.

Newport Screening Info

A week from tonight, I'll be in Newport Beach for the Fatherland screening, along with Director Robert Warzecha. For those friends still in the area, we'd love to see you there.

Fatherland screens at 8:15pm, Friday Apr. 25 at the Edwards Two Theater. It's part of a program of five shorts titled Full Metal Jacket, and it appears each is war related. More info, as well as audience reviews, etc. are/will be available through B-Side. You can also buy tickets online.

If you do see the film, please feel free to write a review. In fact, if you've already seen it, or haven't seen it but feel so-inclined, please flood the site with positive reviews - particularly those which focus on the screenwriting.

More South Florida Screenings

Fatherland will be making its third appearance in the Miami area, May 6-11 at the Delray Beach Film Festival. It previously screened at the Miami and Palm Beach International fests.

Eddy Award

Fatherland screened to a great crowd at the Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival and was awarded the Silver Eddy in the Pro-Am Short category.

I was able to introduce and watch the screening on Friday night, which looked and sounded great. Sincere thanks to those who stopped by to watch. There seemed to be many at the festival to see the films, and not just to support a film they were involved in. That made the screening much more gratifying as a filmmaker.

I regret that I wasn't able to stick around for Saturday and see more of the films, which sound varied and interesting. I hope to go back next year.

More Southern California Screenings

Fatherland will be screening at the Riverside International Film Festival on April 20th.

Also, I've learned the screening at Newport Beach will be at 8:15pm on Friday, April 25th. I'll be at the screening, as will Robert, and would love to see any familiar faces from the Left Coast.

Viva Siouxland

At the last minute, I made it up to Sioux City Saturday for Fatherland's premiere screening in the great state of Iowa.

The Siouxland Film Festival is a great exhibition of work by regional filmmakers and grad students from across the country. Unlike most festivals, it's really more about providing an enjoyable screening for the public. There's no workshops, Q & A's, nor even introductions of the filmmakers. Instead, the films are just screened back to back in the beautiful setting of the Orpheum Theater. I'd estimate the crowd at at least 300, and unlike many festivals, most of those were NOT friends and family of the filmmakers.

I was very happy with how Fatherland looked and was received by the audience. It was the first time I've seen in on the big screen, and I couldn't have hoped for nicer venue. I was also really impressed with the two other films from Chapman University - Making a Killing and especially The Vaudevillian.

Sioux City! Tomorrow Night!

Looks like the Iowa premiere of Fatherland won't be next Friday in Cedar Rapids - it will be tomorrow (Saturday) night in Sioux City, at the historic Orpheum Theater for the Siouxland Film Festival.

In addition to Fatherland, the program includes End of the Sawdust Trail from the talented Andy Brodie, and several films by fellow Chapman Alums. Take that, AFI! That's how we roll, OC style!

Fallbrook Film Festival

Fatherland will be screening twice in Southern California at the end of April. In addition to the Newport Beach Film Festival, it will now be screening at the Fallbrook Film Festival, north of San Diego.

I will be at the CR Film Fest next Friday night (April 4) for the 7:52 screening. I won't be able to make the Saturday screening, unfortunately. I'm also still hoping to make the Newport Beach Festival, but I'm in a holding pattern until the screening schedule is announced.

I just got back from a recreational trip to Cooperstown, NY and the Baseball Hall of Fame. Growing up in Iowa, I thought I'd seen the middle of nowhere. But Cooperstown truly is the middle of nowhere. Still, it was well worth it to drool over dozens of bats, balls, gloves, pants, etc.

Oh, and I also had a drink with Manute Bol at the Detroit Airport. I recommended the Murphy's Irish Stout and he seemed pleased with it.

CR Screening

Screenings of Fatherland at the Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival have been scheduled.

It will be shown Friday night, April 4, at 7:52 pm in Theater C, and Saturday afternoon at 2:46pm in Theater A. Further details are on the festival's website.

I'll be there, so if you come out to the screening please say hello. I'll be the guy introducing the film and then evaluating everyone's reaction.

Black Maria Film Festival

I had a chance to see a program of films from the Black Maria Film Festival again this year, and caught a few really exceptional works. Films accepted to the festival tour the country in short programs, playing in classy joints like the Des Moines Art Center.

The Heart is a Hidden Camera is a beautifully shot, moving film in a sort of magical realist style. Not the type of thing I usually go for, but this was really well done.

Phoenix Dance is a documentary about Homer Avila, who continued his career as a professional dancer after losing an entire leg to cancer. It's an 11-minute film smart enough to know that its subject is moving without need for a lot of embellishment. Some of the movements he does are just amazing.

And, if you're looking for a quick laugh that also gives you that warm socially conscious feeling, you could always watch Bodega, available in its entirety at YouTube.

Newport Beach, Palm Beach, Cedar Rapids, Oxford...

It's been a good week for Fatherland, which I've just learned will be screening at several more festivals in the coming months, including Newport Beach and Palm Beach. The schedules aren't available yet, but Fatherland will be screening at:

Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival: April 4-5
Palm Beach International Film Festival: April 10-17
Oxford International Film Festival: April 11-13
Newport Beach Film Festival: April 24-May 1

As of right now, I plan to attend the Cedar Rapids festival and hope to make it to Newport Beach as well. Hope to see you there.

Fatherland in Miami

Fatherland screened this past week at the Miami International Film Festival in Shorts Program 1: Human Behavior. Also among the seven films in the program were Academy Award Nominee Madame Tutli-Putli, and Soft, winner of an International Jury Prize at this year's Sundance festival. It's gratifying to see my work screened alongside such acclaimed films.

I've also just gotten wind of a couple more festival screenings; I'll be posting the details as soon as I can.

Independent Spirit Awards

As a card carrying member of the Independent Film Project, I voted in this year's Independent Spirit Awards. So, if anyone's interested, my selections included:

Best Feature: The Diving Bell & the Butterfly
Best Director: Julian Schnabel (Diving Bell)
Best Screenplay: Tammra Jenkins (The Savages)
Best Male Lead: Phillip Seymour Hoffman (The Savages)
Best Female Lead: Ellen Page (Juno)

For the record, I was not able to see every film in every category in which I voted. After many moments of soul searching, debating the fairness of casting a vote without consideration of all nominees, I decided it would be much more fun to just vote anyway. Besides, it's not like this is a world changing election, like the presidential race or Best Week Ever.

Among the less commercial indies, I enjoyed Great World of Sound, a first-feature about two wannabe record producers sucked into a pyramid scheme. It pulls a bit of a Borat, by shooting some of its scenes with unsuspecting musicians in the "real world."

Festival Screenings

Fatherland screened Jan. 14 in Pune, India as part of the Pune International Film Festival.

It will also screen Feb. 1-3 in the Treasure Coast International Film Festival, and Feb. 28-March 9 in the Miami International Film Festival.

Fatherland (2008)

In the closing days of World War II, a son returns home to his estranged father. Old tensions boil to the surface when the son learns the father's secret, as the Russian front approaches. (German and Russian with English subtitles)

Directed by Robert Warzecha

Written by Ben Godar

Starring FJ Zentner and Olev Aleksander

Official Site
IMDB
All Fatherland Posts

Since its release, Fatherland has screened in dozens of festivals, including the Miami Film Festival, Newport Beach and at the Cannes Short Film Corner. For information on other festival screenings, check All Fatherland Posts above.

For information on Fatherland distribution, visit Ouat Media.

Trailer and Showcase

I just learned that Fatherland will be screening at the Director's Guild of America on Oct. 16 as part of Chapman University's First Cut Screening. You may reserve a seat for the screening by contacting the Chapman film dept.

Also, the trailer for Fatherland is now online.