Writer: David Nordstrom Director: David Nordstrom Starring: David Nordstrom, Carl McLaughlin, Lee Lynch Sometimes it’s what’s not said that’s more important than the words that are spoken, especially if those words come tentatively even with the aid of large quantities of booze. Sawdust City, written and directed by David Nordstrom, takes place over Thanksgiving weekend in the snow covered city of Eau Claire, Wisconsin (Nordstrom’s hometown). Bob (Nordstrom) sits at home sipping beer with his pregnant wife in the kitchen when he gets a phone call from his younger brother Pete (Carl McLaughlin). Pete wants to find their father much to Bob’s dismay. Also to his surprise, Pete is in town having just graduated from Navy basic training, or so we’re led to believe. Bob insists on meeting his brother and eagerly leaves his turkey dinner behind in favor of one of many local dive bars.
- 10/22/2011
- by Caitlyn Collins
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Forum panelist Mike Ott
Film Independent Forum panelists span a broad spectrum of filmmaker categories, from major Hollywood screenwriters, independent producers, crowd-funding experts, studio execs, and the list goes on. They’re coming together the weekend of October 21 to engage in meaningful conversations regarding the state of the indusry, the challenges we are overcoming and to talk about what we all love: film. One of the panelists participating this year is Mike Ott, Spirit Award grant winner for his film LiTTLEROCK, the story of two Japanese siblings deserted in the small Californian town of Littlerock and the characters they come across. Mike is also a professor at USC, and writer/director of his latest film, Teenage Wasteland. I sat down with Mike to cover a range of topics, from his quirky and oft-used leading actor, filmmaking influences, and finding a community among his peers.
On LiTTLEROCK and Working with First...
Film Independent Forum panelists span a broad spectrum of filmmaker categories, from major Hollywood screenwriters, independent producers, crowd-funding experts, studio execs, and the list goes on. They’re coming together the weekend of October 21 to engage in meaningful conversations regarding the state of the indusry, the challenges we are overcoming and to talk about what we all love: film. One of the panelists participating this year is Mike Ott, Spirit Award grant winner for his film LiTTLEROCK, the story of two Japanese siblings deserted in the small Californian town of Littlerock and the characters they come across. Mike is also a professor at USC, and writer/director of his latest film, Teenage Wasteland. I sat down with Mike to cover a range of topics, from his quirky and oft-used leading actor, filmmaking influences, and finding a community among his peers.
On LiTTLEROCK and Working with First...
- 10/10/2011
- by Film Independent
- Film Independent
By Sean O’Connell
Hollywoodnews.com: A handful of stellar titles with Oscar aspirations have been programmed into this year’s Austin Film Festival schedule, which begins on Oct. 20 with an as-yet-unnamed Opening Night selection.
In between, Aff audiences will get their first looks at Alexander Payne’s “The Descendants,” Steve McQueen’s “Shame,” Lynne Ramsay’s “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” Rodrigo Garcia’s “Albert Nobbs” and Sean Durkin’s “Martha Marcy May Marlene” – all films with awards hopes that will screen as part of the festival’s Marquee category.
“We’re proud to be taking our program in some exciting new directions while maintaining our focus on strong writing and engaging stories,” said new Film Programmers Stephen Jannise and Stephen Belyeu.
In addition, the fest has set up special screenings of “Toy Story” (presented by John Lasseter), an “Edward Scissorhands” screening, and a tribute to Polly Platt...
Hollywoodnews.com: A handful of stellar titles with Oscar aspirations have been programmed into this year’s Austin Film Festival schedule, which begins on Oct. 20 with an as-yet-unnamed Opening Night selection.
In between, Aff audiences will get their first looks at Alexander Payne’s “The Descendants,” Steve McQueen’s “Shame,” Lynne Ramsay’s “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” Rodrigo Garcia’s “Albert Nobbs” and Sean Durkin’s “Martha Marcy May Marlene” – all films with awards hopes that will screen as part of the festival’s Marquee category.
“We’re proud to be taking our program in some exciting new directions while maintaining our focus on strong writing and engaging stories,” said new Film Programmers Stephen Jannise and Stephen Belyeu.
In addition, the fest has set up special screenings of “Toy Story” (presented by John Lasseter), an “Edward Scissorhands” screening, and a tribute to Polly Platt...
- 9/20/2011
- by Sean O'Connell
- Hollywoodnews.com
Reviewed by Annlee Ellingson
(from the 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival)
Directed/Written by: David Nordstrom
Starring: David Nordstrom, Carl McLaughlin, Lee Lynch and Becca Barr
For his feature-film debut, writer-director-star David Nordstrom returned to his hometown of Eau Claire, Wis., shooting in local bars among local barflies. It’s set in wintertime, and there’s nothing particularly innovative or remarkable about the camerawork by James Laxton, so the picture takes on a dreary cast. But Nordstrom adeptly paces his straightforward story with just enough mystery to keep viewers interested and ambiguity to imbue it with melancholic gravitas.
On Thanksgiving morning, instead of spending the day at home with his pregnant wife, Bob (Nordstrom) meets up with his younger brother Pete (Carl McLaughlin), whom he hasn’t seen in years, at a nearby dive bar. Pete’s just out of basic training with the Navy, on leave for the day before...
(from the 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival)
Directed/Written by: David Nordstrom
Starring: David Nordstrom, Carl McLaughlin, Lee Lynch and Becca Barr
For his feature-film debut, writer-director-star David Nordstrom returned to his hometown of Eau Claire, Wis., shooting in local bars among local barflies. It’s set in wintertime, and there’s nothing particularly innovative or remarkable about the camerawork by James Laxton, so the picture takes on a dreary cast. But Nordstrom adeptly paces his straightforward story with just enough mystery to keep viewers interested and ambiguity to imbue it with melancholic gravitas.
On Thanksgiving morning, instead of spending the day at home with his pregnant wife, Bob (Nordstrom) meets up with his younger brother Pete (Carl McLaughlin), whom he hasn’t seen in years, at a nearby dive bar. Pete’s just out of basic training with the Navy, on leave for the day before...
- 6/20/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
Reviewed by Annlee Ellingson
(from the 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival)
Directed/Written by: David Nordstrom
Starring: David Nordstrom, Carl McLaughlin, Lee Lynch and Becca Barr
For his feature-film debut, writer-director-star David Nordstrom returned to his hometown of Eau Claire, Wis., shooting in local bars among local barflies. It’s set in wintertime, and there’s nothing particularly innovative or remarkable about the camerawork by James Laxton, so the picture takes on a dreary cast. But Nordstrom adeptly paces his straightforward story with just enough mystery to keep viewers interested and ambiguity to imbue it with melancholic gravitas.
On Thanksgiving morning, instead of spending the day at home with his pregnant wife, Bob (Nordstrom) meets up with his younger brother Pete (Carl McLaughlin), whom he hasn’t seen in years, at a nearby dive bar. Pete’s just out of basic training with the Navy, on leave for the day before...
(from the 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival)
Directed/Written by: David Nordstrom
Starring: David Nordstrom, Carl McLaughlin, Lee Lynch and Becca Barr
For his feature-film debut, writer-director-star David Nordstrom returned to his hometown of Eau Claire, Wis., shooting in local bars among local barflies. It’s set in wintertime, and there’s nothing particularly innovative or remarkable about the camerawork by James Laxton, so the picture takes on a dreary cast. But Nordstrom adeptly paces his straightforward story with just enough mystery to keep viewers interested and ambiguity to imbue it with melancholic gravitas.
On Thanksgiving morning, instead of spending the day at home with his pregnant wife, Bob (Nordstrom) meets up with his younger brother Pete (Carl McLaughlin), whom he hasn’t seen in years, at a nearby dive bar. Pete’s just out of basic training with the Navy, on leave for the day before...
- 6/20/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
Displaying a genuine feeling for his characters and their distinctly Midwestern surroundings, writer/director David Nordstrom makes his feature debut with Sawdust City, set in his hometown of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. On a snowcapped Thanksgiving, while most families are comfortably settled around the dinner table, Pete and Bob, two brothers who haven't seen each other for years, are searching the town's bars for their estranged father. Over the course of the ...
- 6/16/2011
- indieWIRE - People
Displaying a genuine feeling for his characters and their distinctly Midwestern surroundings, writer/director David Nordstrom makes his feature debut with Sawdust City, set in his hometown of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. On a snowcapped Thanksgiving, while most families are comfortably settled around the dinner table, Pete and Bob, two brothers who haven't seen each other for years, are searching the town's bars for their estranged father. Over the course of the ...
- 6/16/2011
- Indiewire
Displaying a genuine feeling for his characters and their distinctly Midwestern surroundings, writer/director David Nordstrom makes his feature debut with Sawdust City, set in his hometown of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. On a snowcapped Thanksgiving, while most families are comfortably settled around the dinner table, Pete and Bob, two brothers who haven't seen each other for years, are searching the town's bars for their estranged father. Over the course of the ...
- 6/16/2011
- indieWIRE - People
The Los Angeles Film Festival has announced the world premiere of Richard Linklater's Bernie as the opening night film for the 2011 festival.
The film will kick off the festival on June 16 at Regal Cinemas Stadium 14 at L.A. Live. It is written by Skip Hollandsworth and director Linklater and stars Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, and Matthew McConaughey.
The film follows a beloved mortician (Black) from a small Texas town, even winning over the town's richest, meanest widow (MacLaine). Even after Bernie commits a horrible crime, people still will not utter a bad word against him.
"We're thrilled to be opening the Festival with the world premiere of this delicious black comedy - a treat from one of the most original and exciting voices in independent film, Richard Linklater," said Festival director Rebecca Yeldham. "With its fabulous all-star cast, Bernie is a perfect stage setter for the incredible line-up of...
The film will kick off the festival on June 16 at Regal Cinemas Stadium 14 at L.A. Live. It is written by Skip Hollandsworth and director Linklater and stars Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, and Matthew McConaughey.
The film follows a beloved mortician (Black) from a small Texas town, even winning over the town's richest, meanest widow (MacLaine). Even after Bernie commits a horrible crime, people still will not utter a bad word against him.
"We're thrilled to be opening the Festival with the world premiere of this delicious black comedy - a treat from one of the most original and exciting voices in independent film, Richard Linklater," said Festival director Rebecca Yeldham. "With its fabulous all-star cast, Bernie is a perfect stage setter for the incredible line-up of...
- 5/30/2011
- by alyssa@mediavine.com (Alyssa Caverley)
- Reel Movie News
Holding court downtown from June 16-26, 2011, the Los Angeles Film Festival comprehensively curates the cinematic landscape across a variety of media. Produced by Film Independent, the festival has continued to grow in recent years, and now boasts many of the best independent films of the year.
With the departure of the organization’s CEO, Dawn Hudson, to run the Academy, it will be interesting to see whether the festival’s director Rebecca Yeldham will stay on board past 2011. In the meantime, they’ve announced their line-up for the 2011 festival, and it includes some much buzzed about Sundance and SxSW titles (“Project Nim,” “The Future,” “Crime After Crime,” “The Salesman,” “Terri,” “Another Earth,” “The Guard,” “Natural Selection,” “Tyrannosaur,” “Where Soldiers Come From” and “Higher Ground,” to name a few), as well as 27 world, North American and U.S. premieres.
For the official list of competition and other films, as well as...
With the departure of the organization’s CEO, Dawn Hudson, to run the Academy, it will be interesting to see whether the festival’s director Rebecca Yeldham will stay on board past 2011. In the meantime, they’ve announced their line-up for the 2011 festival, and it includes some much buzzed about Sundance and SxSW titles (“Project Nim,” “The Future,” “Crime After Crime,” “The Salesman,” “Terri,” “Another Earth,” “The Guard,” “Natural Selection,” “Tyrannosaur,” “Where Soldiers Come From” and “Higher Ground,” to name a few), as well as 27 world, North American and U.S. premieres.
For the official list of competition and other films, as well as...
- 5/3/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
Holding court downtown from June 16-26, 2011, the Los Angeles Film Festival comprehensively curates the cinematic landscape across a variety of media. Produced by Film Independent, the festival has continued to grow in recent years, and now boasts many of the best independent films of the year.
With the departure of the organization’s CEO, Dawn Hudson, to run the Academy, it will be interesting to see whether the festival’s director Rebecca Yeldham will stay on board past 2011. In the meantime, they’ve announced their line-up for the 2011 festival, and it includes some much buzzed about Sundance and SxSW titles (“Project Nim,” “The Future,” “Crime After Crime,” “The Salesman,” “Terri,” “Another Earth,” “The Guard,” “Natural Selection,” “Tyrannosaur,” “Where Soldiers Come From” and “Higher Ground,” to name a few), as well as 27 world, North American and U.S. premieres.
For the official list of competition and other films, as well as...
With the departure of the organization’s CEO, Dawn Hudson, to run the Academy, it will be interesting to see whether the festival’s director Rebecca Yeldham will stay on board past 2011. In the meantime, they’ve announced their line-up for the 2011 festival, and it includes some much buzzed about Sundance and SxSW titles (“Project Nim,” “The Future,” “Crime After Crime,” “The Salesman,” “Terri,” “Another Earth,” “The Guard,” “Natural Selection,” “Tyrannosaur,” “Where Soldiers Come From” and “Higher Ground,” to name a few), as well as 27 world, North American and U.S. premieres.
For the official list of competition and other films, as well as...
- 5/3/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
Film Independent has made its first round of selections for the 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival, running June 16-26, returning to downtown's L.A. Live. Over 30 countries will be represented by the 200-plus features, shorts and music videos. Special events, galas, opening and closing night selections and more will be announced closer to the festival. The festival saw an increase in submissions this year, with 5,025 entries from across the globe. Among the 19 narrative and documentary competition titles, 11 are world premieres (including Us films Sawdust City, You Hurt My Feelings, and How to Cheat and docs Cheonggyecheon Medley: Dream of Iron from South Korea and Salaam Dunk (an Iraq/Us co-production). Eight are North American premieres (including Austria's The Fatherless and Us The Dynamiter). ...
- 5/3/2011
- Thompson on Hollywood
Film Independent Announces First Round Of Us & International
Film Selections For 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival,
Presented By The Los Angeles Times - 19 Films Chosen for Narrative & Documentary Competition - - International Spotlight to Focus on Cuba -
Los Angeles (May 3, 2011) . Today the Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by the Los Angeles Times, announced the first round of official Us and international selections. The 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival is produced by Film Independent . the non-profit arts organization that also produces the Spirit Awards . and will screen over 200 feature films, shorts, and music videos, representing more than 30 countries. Opening and Closing Night films, Galas, Conversations, Artists in Residence, Lafca.s Films That Got Away, along with additional special guests and programming for the Festival Talks will be announced at later dates.
Returning to downtown Los Angeles, with its central hub at L.A. Live, the Festival will run from Thursday, June 16 to Sunday,...
Film Selections For 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival,
Presented By The Los Angeles Times - 19 Films Chosen for Narrative & Documentary Competition - - International Spotlight to Focus on Cuba -
Los Angeles (May 3, 2011) . Today the Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by the Los Angeles Times, announced the first round of official Us and international selections. The 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival is produced by Film Independent . the non-profit arts organization that also produces the Spirit Awards . and will screen over 200 feature films, shorts, and music videos, representing more than 30 countries. Opening and Closing Night films, Galas, Conversations, Artists in Residence, Lafca.s Films That Got Away, along with additional special guests and programming for the Festival Talks will be announced at later dates.
Returning to downtown Los Angeles, with its central hub at L.A. Live, the Festival will run from Thursday, June 16 to Sunday,...
- 5/3/2011
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
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