A truly beautiful and heartbreaking new documentary is opening at the IFC Center on November 21st, and we recommend you all go check it out. I saw Ellen Kuras' film at Sundance this past January and everyone who I spoke to was as moved by the film as I was. Filmed over 23 years by Kuras (the cinematographer for countless fantastic films, including the miraculous Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), The Betrayal (Nerakhoon) tells the story of Thavisouk Phrasavath and his family. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. government conducted a secret war in the neighboring country of Laos. When the U.S. withdrew, thousands of Laotians who fought alongside American forces were left behind to face imprisonment or execution. Thavisouk's family made the courageous decision to escape to America. There, they discovered a different kind of war.

The Betrayal is epic in scope yet devastatingly intimate, featuring a score by Academy Award winning composer Howard Shore, the film is a testament to the resilient bonds of family and an astonishing tale of survival.

Of course, Kuras' film is particularly relevant today, as countless families in Afghanistan and Iraq that assisted the U.S. quite possibly will face (or already have faced) the same sort of retribution that the Laotians did. Many supporters in those countries will be killed and many others will be forced to flee their homeland, but to this point we have heard very little talk of their plight as the U.S. prepares to slowly pull their security forces out of those countries. In The Betrayal, we see the real human consequences of U.S. policy decisions, and Kuras' deft cinematic touch, astonishing footage, and lyrical sensibilities turn the tale of the Phrasavaths into a narrative poem with genuine depth and power.

Of course, it is exceedingly difficult in the present marketplace for a subtle and meaningful film like this to get a proper theatrical run and reach the audience that it deserves, so please do try to support the film while it is in theaters and spread the word. If you have seen or heard about the film and want to support it, the filmmakers are requesting that you lend a hand and:

• Send personalized emails to your friends, co-workers, family and like-minded organizations to get them out to see THE BETRAYAL opening weekend starting November 21st @ the IFC CENTER
• Talk about the film on your website and listserv's by linking to the movies website
• Write about the film!
• Friend Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk on Facebook

By Rooftop Films in Documentary, Home Movies, Political Films, Rooftop News | Link | 1 Comments | Recommended (1)

Tags: Cinematographer, Ellen Kuras, Nerakhoon, Rooftop Films, Sundance Film Festival, The Betrayal

CAPTURED TRAILER

Head to the Maysels Cinema tonight for a screening of Captured, an engaging and provocative documentary about vigilante-photographer Clayton Patterson and the sordid history of Manhattan's Lower East Side.

Rooftop was thrilled to host the World Premiere of Captured as part of our Panorama Week in June. Over 1,000 people packed Open Road Rooftop, a graffiti-covered roof on the Lower East Side, to learn more about the ever-changing downtown community. Even former Mayor Ed Koch and former Parks Commissioner Henry Stern showed up, despite being portrayed in a not-so-positive light in the film.

One of the goals paramount to our mission at Rooftop Films is to show movies that are germane to the environment/community in which we choose to screen them, and Captured was no exception. We hope you'll check out the screening tonight! Directors Ben Solomon, Dan Levin and Jenner Furst will be there for a post-screening Q&A, as well as Clayton Patterson himself.

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008
Captured (Dir: Solomon, Levin, Furst)
7:00 PM
The Maysles Institute Cinema
343 Lenox Avenue/Malcolm X Boulevard, NYC
(between 127th and 128th. 2/3, 4,5,6, A,B,C,D to 125th Street)
cinema@mayslesfilms.com, 212-582-6050 ext. 218

By Rooftop Films in Documentary, Home Movies, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (2)

Tags: Captured, Clayton Patterson, Furst, Levin, Lower East Side, Maysles Cinema, Rooftop Films, Solomon

Rooftop Alums Gina Telaroli and Eric Phillips-Horst, who both screened short films at our 2008 edition of "New York Non-Fiction," are part of a couple of very cool film collaborations: The Brooklyn Filmmakers Collective, and Meerkat Media. As technology makes it easier and easier to make and share media, the key challenge these days is making good media. Having a group of like-minded artists to collaborate with is key, so getting involved with groups like Meerkat or BFC makes a lot of sense. And it's fun.

To raise money for Gina's next feature film, they're having a party this weekend at DCTV. Stop by, start making some connections, and support truly independent cinema!

Saturday, November 15, 8-11pm
Meerkat Media Mixer / Fundraiser
at DCTV (87 Lafayette, NYC)
Sliding Scale $8-20

By Rooftop Films in Home Movies, Personal Narrative, Political Films, Rooftop News | Link | 1 Comments | Recommended (14)

Tags: Brooklyn Filmmakers Collective, DCTV, Eric Phillips-Horst, Fundraiser, Gina Telaroli, Meerkat Media, Mixer, Rooftop Films

Many of the filmmakers from Court 13 Productions, the team behind the amazing Rooftop-co-funded film Glory At Sea, have been working for Barack Obama's campaign for months. I can't think of a better group of artists to craft inspirational films with a poignant social message.

Check out a couple short samples of their work. If this doesn't make you weep with hope and joy, and get out of your seat to help change America, I don't know what will:

Rooftop Films is immensely proud to have supported filmmakers doing such honorable work. Want more? Check out another wonderful video on Obama's website and his YouTube page.

Although the election is just a day away, there's still time to volunteer for Obama (or any other candidate, since we're legally required to be non-partisan). Keep in mind, in 2004, as late as November 2, John Kerry was leading in many polls. And in 2000, it was a mere 537 votes in Florida that separated Bush and Gore. Although the election may look decided, it could be crucial for you to go to a swing state to knock on doors or drive people to the polls, or just call voters from your home.

Don't wake up on November 5 and regret you didn't help more.

By Rooftop Films in Documentary, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers' Fund, Watch Short Films | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (8)

Tags: Barack Obama, Court 13 Productions, Glory at Sea, President, Rooftop Films, Volunteer

This Election Night, join Rooftop Films and Thom Powers for a special Stranger Than Fiction screening of Shola Lynch's revealing documentary, Chisholm '72: Unbought & Unbossed.

In 1972, when Shirley Chisholm, a brilliant black congresswoman from Brooklyn boldly bid for the presidency, women had barely made it out of the kitchen, and the Civil Rights Act was still new. But, here was eloquent, composed, audacious Shirley Chisholm -- not only the first black woman in Congress, but the first woman to run for the nation's highest office -- demanding that the body politic actually represent all of the American people.

Director Shola Lynch in Attendance

Before the films, we will be showing the final episode of Sparrow '08. Produced by Rumur Inc. and Rooftop Films, Sparrow '08 is comprised of six webisodes chronicling Sparrow's hilarious 2008 non-campaign, from his heaven-sent inspiration, to his rousing appearance in front of thousands, to his desperate attempts to keep genuine activists from voting for him.

Watch the comedic documentary series about Sparrow at www.sparrowforprez.com.

Sparrow and co-director Michael Galinsky will be in attendance.

An after party follows at Fat Black Pussycat, where we will all go to watch the election results.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008
CHISHOLM 72: UNBOUGHT AND UNBOSSED
35 years before Obama and Hillary Clinton, Shirley Chisholm ran for president of the United States.

Venue: IFC Center, 323 Sixth Avenue (Between 15th and 16th Streets, Manhattan)
Directions: A, B, C, D, E, F or V to W. 4th Street
8:00 PM: Film Begins
9:30 PM: Watch the election results at Fat Black Pussycat
Tickets: $15.00

By Rooftop Films in Political Films, Rooftop News, Sparrow | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (2)

Tags: Chisholm, Election Night, IFC, Rooftop Films, Rumur Inc., Sparrow, Stranger than Fiction, Thom Powers

Sometimes the Constitution is our best friend.

Brooklyn based filmmaker Andrew Sloat's brilliant short, 22nd Amendment played this summer as a part of Rooftop's Annual 4th Of July "Un-American Films" Program. With the Vice Presidential Debate just around the corner, there is no better time to enjoy this little masterpiece.

Andrew Sloat's newest and equally brilliant short A More Perfect Union can be found by clinking HERE, and many other works by Andrew can be seen by visiting his website.

If you are feeling extra political today, make sure you learn all you can about Rooftop's friend, poet and Presidential Candidate, Sparrow.

Sparrow'08 Campaign information and updates will be coming to the Rooftop Films Blog very soon!

By Rooftop Films in Comedy, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Sparrow | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (6)

Tags: 4th Of July, Andrew Sloat, Rooftop Films, Sparrow, Summer Series 2008, Un-American Films

Andrew Berends, whose film When Adnan Came Home played at Rooftop in 2006, has returned home himself. Andy had been in Nigeria working on his new documentary for six months when he was suddenly detained for 10 days without charges. He was then released and deported. Andy was at Rooftop the other night, and told me that the endeavor was frightening, but that he was mostly just annoyed, though certainly very glad to be home. That kind of bravery is what makes Andy's films so unflinchingly powerful.

Here's more from the Free Andrew Berends website:
Andrew Berends, the American filmmaker who had been detained by Nigerian State Security Services was returned to the United States Wednesday. He was escorted to his plane by Nigerian immigration officers without an explanation as to why he was being sent home. Berends was never charged with a crime, and had a legal business visa in his passport at the time of his detainment.

His Nigerian translator, Samuel George, has been provisionally released, but is expected to return to the State Security Services offices at noon on Friday, along with a third man who had also been detained. The status of any investigation against them is still uncertain.

Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) jointly sponsored a letter, written to the President of Nigeria calling for Berends' immediate release, and signed by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Russell Feingold (D-WI), Robert Casey (D-PA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and John Kerry (D-MA).

This is the third in a string of similar detainments of American journalists in the past two years by the Nigerian government. Most recently, five members of the crew making the documentary film Sweet Crude were detained for seven days, before ultimately being released without being charged.

Berends says, "I am extremely disappointed with this pattern of suppressing press freedom in Nigeria. It calls into question the Nigerian government's sincerity when it comes to upholding the basic tenets of democracy since the transition from military rule in 1999."

Berends was in Nigeria working on his documentary film, Delta Boys, about the militancy in the Niger Delta. He had been arrested at Nembe Waterside in Port Harcourt along with his translator, Samuel George, while filming women on their way to market. He had been granted permission to film by the military sergeant in charge in the area.

[Andy told me that he has enough footage to begin cutting together the film, as he had been shipping material back to the States all along. Look out for Delta Boys in 2009. -Mark Elijah Rosenberg, Rooftop.]

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Tags: Andrew Berends, Delta Boys, Detained, Nigeria, Rooftop Alum, Rooftop Filmmakers, When Adnan Comes Home

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 5: La Frontera Infinita at El Museo del Barrio (East Harlem)
The rain threatened all night, but never came, and Rooftop Films concluded an excellent run of shows at El Museo del Barrio. The museum, which is committed to exhibiting the work of Latino artists from East Harlem and abroad (even while under renovation and expansion), made an excellent partner for Rooftop Films, where we don't screen in theaters, we screen in communities. In 2008, we hosted three evenings of music and film, focused on the local and international Latino community. Each show, including this one, was filled to capacity.

Photo by Dillon DeWaters.

On Friday, for the second year in a row, we were collaborating with the Morelia International Film Festival in Mexico. In just six years, Morelia has become one of the premiere festivals for Mexican and Latino cinema, a destination festival for international industry insiders and a tremendous boon for local cinema lovers. Rooftop Artistic Director Mark Elijah Rosenberg attended in 2007, and highly recommends their fest.

This final screening was of Juan Manuel Sepulveda's haunting documentary La Frontera Infinita, a lovely and lyrical film about the hardships which tens of thousands of immigrants face every year while traveling thousands of hazardous miles for a chance to work in the States. Splendid shots of train travel and long hikes are offset by harrowing accounts of train-hopping accidents and intimate scenes of infinite patience as the travelers wait at waystations and in the woods for the right moment to move on. At the crowded after-party, one viewer called the film "Beckett-like," not only because of the eternal waiting and desperate hope, but because of the film's ingenious dislocation of space and distance. The subjects have a general sense of heading North, but in both dialogue and cinematic reference, the sense of direction and expanse is always vague, leaving the viewer feeling as lonely and lost as the documentary subjects. Often, a film like this could be difficult to watch outside, but the packed house was riveted, and deeply moved.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7: Arusi: Persian Wedding on Roosevelt Island
Hurricane rains did hit New York on Saturday, forcing us to reschedule this screening for Sunday. But the weather was beautiful that night, and despite the postponement there were still some 200 people on the lawn, with the Queensboro Bridge looming over the screen as a stunning backdrop. Special thanks to the New York City Council's Manhattan Delegation, and Council Member Jessica Lappin, for bringing Rooftop out to Roosevelt Island.

Three short films began the night, each touching on themes that would be elaborated in the feature--finding a new way to see (A Different Color Blue), traveling to some place foreign (The Tourists), and metaphorically "lifting the veil" (A L'Ombre du Voile).

The feature film covers all that and more, as Iranian-American filmmaker Marjan Tehrani travels with her brother and his American-born wife back to Iran, for the first time, for a traditional Persian wedding. The touching film simultaneously tells the story of a couple in love, of a family being reunited, and of a country at odds with itself and the world, and the crowd loved it--people cheered throughout, particularly at points which expressed pride in Iranian culture.

During the Q & A, you could tell that people with varying political views, religions and cultural backgrounds were all moved by the universality of this story of love and family, as seen on a global political stage.

By Rooftop Films in Documentary, Home Movies, Personal Narrative, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Weekend Recap | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (2)

Tags: A Different Color Blue, A L'Ombre du Voile, Arusi: Persian Wedding, El Museo del Barrio, Juan Manuel Sepulveda, La Frontera Infinita, Marjan Tehrani, Mark Elijah Rosenberg, Morelia International Film Festival, Rooftop Films, Roosevelt Island, Summer Series 2008, The Tourists

Another update, straight from D-Word.
To read the original report, and a call for action, scroll down or click here.

We are now in the fifth day of [Rooftop alum] Andrew Berends' detainment in Port Harcourt, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Andrew's friends, family and colleagues are outraged about his situation and find it incomprehensible that more has not been done to secure his release.

The U.S. State Department has been aware of Andrew's detainment since day one. Yet he still has not been visited by a State Department official. We believe it is beyond acceptable protocol for an American citizen to be held illegally without an agent of the American government visiting him to ascertain his safety and the conditions of his custody and to make it crystal clear that the U.S. government is advocating in no uncertain terms for his release.

It does not appear that the State Department has done enough to be in constant communication with the Nigerian Government to apply pressure or even get accurate information about Andrew's status and well-being. If what they are doing is more than minimal, that has not been made clear to us, Andrew's advocates. Nor has it been getting any apparent results. Too many days have passed with no shift in Andrew's circumstances and no coordinated or decisive action on the part of the State Department to shift things.

Andrew entered the country legally as a filmmaker and journalist. He was filming in a public place in a country that claims to be a democracy when he was arrested. He was not filming oil facilities or the military, which are the only two subjects the Nigerian government has deemed to be sensitive. We have been told that on the day he was detained, Andrew even asked and was granted permission by a military official prior to filming.

Andrew reported to us that during the first 36 hours of his detainment, he was interrogated nonstop with no sleep. He was denied food and given barely any water. He does not have the benefit of legal representation inside the SSS facility and has been forced repeatedly to make coerced statements.

This is the fourth incident of American journalists being held in Nigeria within the past two years. It is now a pattern. It is evident that there has been no legitimate reason for the treatment these American citizens have endured. Rather, these incidents are intended to suppress journalism. They are a blatant attempt by the Nigerian government to cover up the evidence of years of human rights and environmental abuses and discourage others from coming to expose the poverty, injustice and corruption rampant in the region. We call on the U.S. government to speak out against this.

We urge our Congressional representatives to let the State Department know that the legislative branch they serve and answer to will not stand by and let more hours of inaction pass. In a country like Nigeria and a region like the Niger Delta, things can change in an instant. It is dangerous to assume that Andrew is OK and give in to the platitude that "these things take time." This situation must be elevated to the highest level of urgency. We must press strongly and continuously for Andrew's immediate release and safe escort out of the country.

Because journalists working in foreign countries often depend on local assistants and translators to do their work, make themselves understood, and keep safe, we are particularly distressed that Samuel George, the Nigerian national who works as a translator with Andrew Berends, was also detained by the Nigerian Military. We have had no word of his condition since his arrest, and we are deeply concerned that Samuel may be experiencing harsh treatment at the hands of the Nigerian government. It is imperative that Samuel George also be released immediately, and that there be no further intimidation and harassment of media workers by the Nigerian government.

Please click HERE to read about how you can help Andrew.

By Rooftop Films in Documentary, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop News | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (3)

Tags: D-Word, Detained, Nigeria, Rooftop Filmmaker

Troubling news from D-Word:

Andrew Berends, an established, award-winning American filmmaker and journalist from New York, was detained Sunday, August 31st by the Nigerian military along with his translator, Samuel George. Andrew entered Nigeria legally in April 2008 to complete a documentary film. Back in 2006, Rooftop hosted the first US screening of Andrew's film When Adnan Comes Home.

Andrew was held in custody without food, sleep, or representation, and with limited water for the first 36 hours. He has been questioned by the army, the police, and the State Security Services in Port Harcourt. The State Security Services has confiscated his passport and personal property. Andrew has been returned to sleep in his rented room each night after the initial 36 hours, but then re-detained each morning. Andrew's translator, Samuel George, has not been released at night and has remained in custody since Sunday.

The US State Department is aware of the situation, and an attorney has been retained on Andrew's behalf. Reporters without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists have issued statements condemning Andrew's arrest. We, Andrew's friends, family, and colleagues, are deeply concerned that he has been held without cause and are calling for his safe treatment and immediate release.

For the latest updates on the situation, including a portrait of Andy and his work, go to:
http://helpandy.wordpress.com/

*************ACTION ALERT!**************

We would like all readers who are U.S. citizens, whether living in the U.S. or abroad, to contact their congressional representatives to raise political pressure on this issue.

Phone Script for Elected Officials:

* As a constituent and a concerned citizen, I wanted to bring your attention to the news that American journalist Andrew Berends has been arrested by the Nigerian government while working on a documentary.

* Nigeria enjoys the highest level of diplomatic relations with the United States, and for an American journalist to be detained without representation and subjected to coercive questioning is both highly inappropriate and illegal.

* We ask you to make known your awareness and concern about this matter, contact your colleagues, and work to ensure the good treatment and speedy release of Andrew Berends and his interpreter from Nigerian custody.

-------
We would like everyone to call both their own local representatives and also the two Senators from New York State. When talking with New York reps, please add that Andrew is a New Yorker.

The contact information for NY senators Clinton and Schumer is:

Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY)- 202-224-6542
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY)- 202-224-4451

Your local representatives' contacts may be found here: http://www.visi.com/juan/congress

Please forward this call to action to anyone you think could help by making a call to their representatives and the NY senators.

By Rooftop Films in Documentary, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop News | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (2)

Tags: Andrew Berends, Detained Nigeria, Rooftop Alum, Rooftop Films, When Adnan Comes Home

An absurd fable crafted from images found in thrift store bookshelves about our country's unflinching frontierism and the desire to push too far, too fast.

What happens when the final frontier has been crossed one too many times? Space, the moon, the emptiness-we've already been there. But when astronauts of a new, exalted space mission hear "the drift," a hypnotic song that sounds like emptiness, it draws them further from the ground of Earth and augments a desire to explore and live in wonder.

With Kelly Sears' looped DVD projection, still photographic images of the "American Dream" gathered from magazines, junk piles, and thrift stores become animated in a would-be documentary. They drift across the screen and give an account of a manifest-destiny space mission gone awry. Perfect images give way to rejected or forgotten hopes, and the infatuation with a song of emptiness gives birth to the 'drifter' and thoughts about our place in the universe and what it means to be human.

The Drift showed as part of our Surreal Sounds and Shorts Program at Rooftop on June 27, 2008, featuring unexpected juxtapositions and surreal short films that explore the mind's wanderings and artistic expression.

Kelly Sears is an animator and filmmaker living in Los Angeles. Her work has been shown at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, the Hammer Museum, Sundance, Anthology Film Archives and in galleries and film festivals internationally. Sears' collage animations parse together collected media artifacts to reveal secret histories, forgotten tales, and possible moments embedded in the images around us. She has upcoming shows in Los Angeles and La Verne, California, through October.

By Rooftop Films in Animation, Documentary, Political Films, Watch Short Films | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (5)

Tags: American Dream, Animation, astronauts, California, drifter, frontierism, humanity, Kelly Sears, looped DVD projection, manifest-destiny, Photographs, space, Surreal Sounds and Shorts, The Drift, the drift, universe

FRIDAY: Animation Block Party at Automotive High School
We always have an amazing turnout for our partnership with the exuberant Animation Block Party but this week we set a record: two screens at Automotive High School allowed some 1,000 people to check out the packed program. The night began with comments from AHS teacher Jenny Kessler, who has started a student gardening program at this uber-urban school, growing vegetables on the very lawn we were watching films. She was selling a lush selection of produce to fund student activities, and our wonderfully supportive audience was thrilled to learn a little bit more about this amazing school, where students can grow crops on school grounds and convert your car to bio-diesel, all right in the heart of hipster Williamsburg.

At intermission, Rooftop hosted a public rally for Sparrow, a real live cartoonish presidential candidate. Sparrow's 5th attempt NOT to win the presidency had never before reached so many people, and though he seemed a bit overwhelmed, he also overwhelmed the masses. Screening some of his non-campaign commercials--"The Wisdom of Sparrow"--delivering a unique anti-speech, and engaging in lengthy rambling discourses trying to convince eager supporters to run the other way, Sparrow was a huge hit.

SPARROW AT ROOFTOP FILMS

And, of course, the focus of the evening was the dozens of short animated films, which had the animated audience giggling, gasping and gawking all night long, curated and hosted by the tireless Casey Saffron. After the films, the crowd packed in Matchless Bar for free drinks courtesy of Radeburger Pilsner. As a mid-summer peak for Rooftop, and the kick-off for the weekend-long ABP screenings, we couldn't've rocked a bigger or better night.

SATURDAY: In A Dream at The Old American Can Factory
Despite being a Philadelphia film, the New York premiere of Jeremiah Zagar's stunning documentary In A Dream drew a massive and enthusiastic crowd. Again, we had to set up two screens to accommodate the approximately 600 people who roamed out to The Old American Can Factory to watch the infamous Zagar family on screen. The show started with live music, presented in partnership with Sound Fix Records, and we were really thrilled to have a gorgeous set from Kelli Scarr, who composed the score for the film. The captivating documentary about a family falling apart and rebuilding themselves--using art as part of the rehabilitative process--had the audience completely enraptured.

Ironically, Jeremiah's parents and brother couldn't attend the screening because of a big family reunion. "I'm in the doghouse for missing it," Jeremiah said during the Q & A. But when asked if it was hard exposing his family like this and continuing filming, Jeremiah said, "My friends all think I'm pretentious because I keep quoting Diane Arbus, but it's fitting. She said, 'As long as I've got the camera in front of my face, a tank could roll over me.'" The elated crowd was thrilled that Jeremiah and his family had the courage to let that tank--and camera--roll.

Following the film, hundreds of folks hung out in the outdoor courtyard, dancing and drinking free drinks, courtesy of Brooklyn Oenology, completing another magical weekend at Rooftop.

By Rooftop Films in Animation, Documentary, Drama, Home Movies, Personal Narrative, Political Films, Rooftop News, Rooftop Weekend Recap, Sparrow, Watch Short Films | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (4)

Tags: Animation Block Party, Automotive High School, Casey Saffron, In A Dream, Jenny Kessler, Jeremiah Zagar, Rooftop Films, Sparrow, The Old American Can Factory

On July 4, America's holiest of days, a day of patriotism and political awareness, celebrated by setting off fake bombs and drinking enough beer to ruin a lesser nation, one man towered above the thick and rowdy crowd at Rooftop Films, and gloriously announced his 5th successive run for President (that is, every election since 1992). The much-heralded campaign was met first with disbelief, then astonishment, then wild laughter.

Which is good. Because Sparrow doesn't want you to vote for him. He wants you to revolt!

Sparrow is a poet, a politician, a plebe. He writes bumper stickers ("I'm crazy and I vote!) and does silly dances. He runs for office because he's sick of the destructive, narrow-minded, anti-intellectual culture in government, and he thinks if the President is going to be a kooky wild man, he might as well be funny, too.

On Friday, July 25, Sparrow will appear live at Rooftop Films to make an astonishing stump speech. You'll be seeing a lot of Sparrow at Rooftop Films and IFC this election season. And if things go badly enough, he might even get a few votes.

Watch all of Sparrow's Campaign Commercials--"The Wisdom of Sparrow"--at
www.youtube.com/sparrowforprez.

By Rooftop Films in Comedy, Documentary, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Sparrow, Watch Short Films | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (3)

Tags: Animation Block Party, Comedy, Election, President, Rooftop Films, Sparrow, Watch Short Films

Who would you feel most comfortable with as CEO of a Fortune 500 company? What begins as a routine eye exam turns into an examination of people's subconscious attitudes towards race, gender and power.

Wes Kim really catches us off guard with this one. This well-developed 6-minute satirical documentary film has you questioning your own predispositions, making apparent the differences we perceive in people because of their race, gender, and power. We enter into a routine Vision Test, and for the first minute, nothing seems out of the ordinary, if perhaps a bit blurry...but when the questions change to which person we'd prefer, choosing "1" or "2" comes with a lot more meaning.

Vision Test is based on a study of racial bias conducted by the Committee of 100, a national nonpartisan organization composed of American citizens of Chinese descent, targeting issues affecting that community and U.S.-China Relations. Wes Kim is from Seattle, Washinigton, and his films have appeared in nearly forty U.S. and international film festivals and have screened in seventeen countries. Rooftop Films screened this in 2004 as part of our annual July 4th "Un-American Films" program, a series of shorts that urges us to take a closer look and question what it means to be "American". Wes has won numerous awards for his unique short, and you can check out his other films or buy his DVDs at his website.

By Rooftop Films in Documentary, Political Films, Watch Short Films | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (2)

Tags: Chinese-American, Committee of 100, gender, power, race, short film, subconscious, Un-American Films, Vision Test, Wes Kim

Over 800 people attended Rooftop's annual 4th of July "Un-American Films" party--which is the only word to describe the "screening" which featured two hours of free wine and beer, great food, three bands, a program of short, political films, and the best fireworks view to be found in the entire city. Despite a flurry of rain storms, the crowd was dancing on their chairs for Frances, Aleks and the Drummer and Titus Andronicus .

And the hardy crowd was astonishingly eager for the films, even as the hardest rain of the day poured down on them. A sea of umbrellas and poncho hoods cheered the 22nd Amendment , gasped at the animated music video about JFK , and thoughtfully digested the serious political statements of such films as Nicholas Bruckman's The Grey Movie and Topaz Adizes' City, with both directors in attendance.

But perhaps the biggest hit of the night was for the introduction of a new Presidential candidate--Sparrow, a bearded and long-haired poet who has run for office every year since '92. Rooftop Films, IFC and Rumur Inc. are producing a web series about the man who doesn't want you to vote for him ("Vote for the Democrat, they're good enough"), and we premiered the first episode to a rabid audience. Sparrow's hilarious less-than-a-minute bits of "Wisdom" peppered the night.

The series will air on IFC.com in September, but for those of you who want to get a jump on the campaign, check out Sparrow's pseudo-campaign commercials at www.youtube.com/sparrowforprez. I know that he's already locked up 800 votes from this show.

* * *
Join Rooftop Films on www.twitter.com/rooftopfilms for live updates from the shows. Updates about tickets, the weather, filmmaker attendance, after-parties, and the vibe on the scene.

By Rooftop Films in Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Weekend Recap, Watch Short Films | Link | 0 Comments | Recommended (2)

Tags: 22nd Amendment, Aleks and the Drummer, Brad Neely, City, Frances, IFC.com, JFK, July 4th, Nicholas Bruckman, Professor Brothers, Rooftop Films, Sparrow, Sparrow for President, Summer Series 2008, The Grey Movie, Titus Andronicus, Topaz Adizes, Twitter, Un-American Films, Youtube

The First Annual Rooftop Panorama a huge success

Rooftop Films is more than a film festival--we are a community, a collaboration between filmmakers and audience members, between movies, venues and neighborhoods. We not only screen films outdoors; we also foster collaborations by renting equipment, teach filmmaking to young people at partner schools, and co-produce new films through The Rooftop Filmmakers' Fund. But because our festival runs through five months (weekends and more from May 31-September 27), as opposed to many that last a weekend or a week, there's not always the same opportunity for filmmakers, distributors, critics, and audience members to come together all at the same time.

Hence the creation of Rooftop Panorama, three days of screenings, panel discussions, live music, parties and more, as an opportunity to showcase all that we do and bring together the diverse communities we serve. Would it work?

With dozens of filmmakers in attendance, write-ups in publications from IndieWire and Variety to TK, and over 2,000 audience members in one weekend, Rooftop Panorama turned out to be one of the most successful weekends in Rooftop's 12 year history.

THURSDAY, JUNE 12
Making the Mission--a program full of films that, in both content and execution, know that taking a risk is sometimes just as important as the thing you're risking--drew 650 people to Automotive High School, and filmmakers William Lamson, Zachary Treitz, Dana O'Keefe and Rooftop Filmmakers' Fund recipient Benh Zeitlin were in attendance for a lively Q & A and an extended after-party at Matchless Bar, with free drinks courtesy of Radeberger Pilsner.

FRIDAY, JUNE 13
With the 20-year anniversary of the Tompkins Square Park riots coming up this summer, Rooftop was thrilled to host the World Premiere of Captured, a powerful and exciting documentary about Clayton Patterson, the riots and the gentrification of the Lower East Side. It's a key part of Rooftop's mission to show films about specific communities in the very neighborhoods they're covering, and this screening on a graffiti-covered roof in the LES demonstrated the persuasive power of that symbiotic relationship.

Former Mayor Ed Koch and former Parks Commissioner Henry Stern came to the show, despite being portrayed in a relatively negative light in the film, joining an astonishing 1,150 other people who formed one of the most raucous and enthusiastic crowds we've ever had at Rooftop. For a generation accused of being apathetic, the throngs at this show were clearly invigorated by the dynamic and rebellious recent history represented in the film. And with dozens of distributors in attendance for this world premiere, it's possible that because of the Rooftop premiere the film will reach an even wider audience soon.

SATURDAY, JUNE 14
Rooftop Films teamed up with IndiePix and Shooting People to host our first ever panel discussions, covering topics that are key to Rooftop's mission: Cinema and Social Justice and The Art of the Short Film. The esteemed panelists were Ryan Harrington (Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund); Simon Kilmurry (Executive Director of POV); Esther Robinson (director, A Walk Into the Sea; Founder of Art Home), and Katy Chevigny (Director, Election Day; Co-Founder of Arts Engine), Benh Zeitlin (Filmmaker, Glory at Sea); Duana Butler (Filmmaker, Curator of ReelNY); Signe Baumane (animator, Veterinarian and Teat Beat of Sex), and Casimir Nozkowski (the man who has shown more short films at Rooftop than any other)

The two lively discussions offered ranged from useful information on the state of funding for documentaries to comic information on the state of workaholism among short film animators. Despite a day of rain, it was our third sold-out show of the weekend, and an astonishing conclusion to the first annual Rooftop Panorama.

Check out Sara Zia Ibrahimi's Cusps from the Saturday night show, "INDUSTRIANCE: Eminent Domain.". The film gave us the subtitle for the show--"Films about Communities on the Cusp"--and encapsulates the thesis of the program.

CUSPS
(Sara Zia Ibrahimi | 14:28 | Documentary)


Paralleling changes in the city of Philadelphia with those in her own life, Iranian-American filmmaker Sara Zia Ebrahimi explores her experiences living as an urban nomad.

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