Plain Us in full view

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First film: Plain Us_24minute film
Then info
Then explanation


Plain Us_full short film by Amir Motlagh from Amir Motlagh on Vimeo.

Info:
Distributor: Movieola-The Short Film Channel & AYA Films
Premiere: Hells Half Mile Film and Music Festival, Oct 2008

Synopsis:
Cy, an Iranian American indie rocker drops into the city he grew up in while on tour, to visit the family he could have had. Thing is, life's never so easy, even when you're in a rock and roll band.

Crew:
Written, Directed and Starring Amir Motlagh
Producers: Joshua Virnick, Amir Motlagh
Cinematographer: Zamir Kokonozi
Production Design: Tom O'Connell
Sound Design: Brock Carter
Music: Shanks and the Dreamers

Cast:
Amir Motlagh
Kindy Barr
Nadia Anwar
Art Toussi
Tom O'Connell
Rami Askar
Kristen Penza
Joshua Virnick

Technical:
Shot in 35mm, DV Intro

Aspect
1:85:1

Total Run Time: 24minutes
©AYA Films, Amir Motlagh
_____________________________________________________________
Explanation:

To be honest, this has been a relatively strange time for me.  I just finished releasing an album, and am about two days away from finishing my first narrative feature that has been three years in the making.  In between time, i have been very busy as usual.

But i have wanted to make some changes in pattern, and in all honesty, believe that i have been behind the curve on the internet for quite some time.  Maybe i have been to busy, but probably i have been to near sighted.

I finished a film in 2008 called Plain Us.  It premiered at the Hells Half Mile Film and Music Festival in Oct.  A few weeks after, it was solicaited by Movieola-The Short Film Channel for broadcast rights in Canada.  This was very early in my usual cycle to go for this type of deal.  I thought about other screenings and festivals and the usual pattern that films "must" go through.

But this time, instead of thinking it over long, i signed away on the contract, thinking that broadcast, the internet and a non-exclusive contract was best, and the sooner the better.

This time, i don't have the time nor the money, nor energy to dive all my resources into the festival thing. The "what if's" is not something i want to experience right now.  I have been there, done that, and in the end, want to try something else for once.

I am coming on my 8th year as both a professional, and at many times amateur filmmaker, and i have put in my dues.  So, without further ado, i present Plain Us, in full, for free on the web.  Watch it, enjoy it, hate it, love it, be indiffent, but please send it to someone else, many people else.

Also, it is 24 minutes long, so take a deep breath from your twittering, and sit back.

With Luv,
AM/FM 

knock. knock., Neil Hamburger, postmodern thought, and Saturdays show

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knock. knock. movie still

On Saturday Nov. the 15th, 2008, which is tomorrow, i screen a little short film called knock. knock. at The Cat Hotel in Burbank, before a comedy performance by Neil Hamburger (staple on Drag City Records, Poolside Chats on Tom Green's internet show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, toured with Tenacious D).  Now, when I'm writing @ The Cat Hotel, i mean it in a literaly sense.  Its not only the name of the space, but its oddly and logically enough, a luxury boarding house for cats.

This is a strange, strange scenario indeed.  To take matters further, the main lead in knock. knock. is a friend of mine, Chris Manz.  Chris Manz in real life does an internet comedy show named The Chris Manz Show.  In the film knock. knock. the character Chris, played by Chris Manz, is a comic who host's an internet comedy show called aptly enough, The Chris Manz Show. 

I commented on this once before.  Did the film come first, or the show.  I think the idea's were birthed at the same time.  So, in a sense we get a little romantic comedy that is in fact, a little postmodern.  When i first screened the intro to people who didn't know my work well (and remember this film is over a year old now) they thought it was a documentary.  Others who are familiar with how i make films generally understand that its part of my filmic language, well, some of the time.  But like everything in life, we change, adapt to new syntax, and evolve.  So am i working a style?  Thats not really a question i'd like to delve into now.  One question answered at a time, and there is time for everything, right?

Ok, now can a little comedy-romance be postmodern.  Of course silly.  Just take a look into the context for clues.  This is all a valid discussion for Sat, because our anti comedian Neil Hamburger has been labeled as a postmodern comic.  One can say that the title of a film called knock. knock. as a comedy is a postmodern act alone.

But i think that both Neil Hamburger and knock. knock. are steeped in ironic self-reference and in Neil's case, certainly absurdity.  So, without further digression...

See you Saturday @ The Cat Hotel in Burbank.  A crazy cast of characters will be there including industry guests, and its only an RSVP event, so here is the info if your in LA and interested.  Show starts at 9PM

Taken directly from Neil Hamburger's myspace page:______________________________________________

In little over a week, I will be performing at a "cat hotel" in Burbank to an audience of mostly cats.

There will be space for a few human beings to attend as well. As this is a cat kennel, alcohol will not be served, though cookies, coffee, and cat food will be available to patrons.

Rescued cats will be available for adoption. Admittance to this unusual show will be a mere $7 suggested donation. Prior to my performance, the cats and humans will be shown a short film written by Chris Manz, entitled "Knock. Knock."

Here are all the details for the event:

Sat. Nov.15 9:00PM 
The Cat Hotel 
1807 W Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91506

You will need to RSVP, as space is limited.
RSVP to chrismanzshow@gmail.com

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

And now here are two clips from the film to consume. 

For further enquiry on knock. knock. sales, please give me a shout or contact the distributor Ouat! Media

Clip 1: Chris tries to convince Sharon the actress that his show is a worthwhile way to spend an evening.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BywRjRwdMg[/youtube]

Clip 2: Chris and Karla hang out "on top of a parking structure"

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00quK9-RYjs[/youtube]

 

 

 

 

New "The Photo Journal" feature on the site..

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So I'm adding a new feature on this site called, "The Photo Journal".  I understand that its hella clever in the Bay Area sense, but i'll be updating whenever i get a chance, and when in fact at least a week or several have past.

The page is located on the sidebar (pages section).  So after this first preview, i'll only link to it from this point on.  Maybe not.

So, without further verboseness, this is the first edition, November 2008.

Shanks and the Dreamers live at Evocal  11-04-08

Shanks and the Dreamers

 

On stage with Dubfire_Nocturnal 2008

Dubfire_Nocturnal 2008

 

Before playing, 11.04.08

Mr. Amir Motlagh

In the "small" Studio_ I keep my mutherfukin sunglasses on in doors..

cuttin it up meng

My Darling Dia is finally released

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My Darling Dia

In the daytime, i function as a motion picture writer/director, but at night, as some may not be aware, i am one half of the band Shanks and the Dreamers.

I started that musical project about two years ago, and the first musical release was an all instrumental album called, "A Day Late: Instrumentals for Illegal Aliens".    During the next year, what started with more esoteric intentions, and guest musicians, turned into a band.  In fact, not really a band, but a production duo that included myself, and a banker named Art Toussi.

For the last year, I set up a new studio called "Polariod Palace Homes 2" and we started the endeavor of recording a new album, with the intention of moving far away from strictly instrumental music and into more of a populace vein, by way of, an album with vocals.  As a result, and one year later, "My Darling Dia" is born.

Both Art and I have a mix and range of influences from the obscure to the mainstream, expanding all genres of music.  Thats how i grew up, and i feel more and more kids these days are doing the same. So, in essence, why hide what you really want to do?  Sometimes i have to ask myself that.

Here is the official blurb....

"My Darling Dia, the first full-length release from Shanks and the Dreamers takes the band to all new musical territories and away from their instrumental past. The two piece production duo consisting of filmmaker Amir Motlagh, and Art Toussi continue the path of sonic evolution mixing a broad palette of sounds including everything from post punk, shoegaze, electro and hip-hop, with a seamless integration of attack that has all to due with their diverse backgrounds and relentless creative instincts. My Darling Dia is simply, electro, sonic, bionic music for the social classes."

Anyways, the album is available to purchase now as a CD, or in MP3 form.  Many more stores and Itunes to follow shortly.

Pick up a copy, shit, pick up a few.  

My Darling Dia

 

 

 

knock. knock. playing with Neil Hamburger

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The 2007 short film i directed, knock. knock. screens at a comedy event headlined by America's $1 funny man, Neil Hamburger at a secret location in the second week of November in Los Angeles.  The other comic set to perform is Chris Manz, who plays the lead in the film, about, well, about an internet comic who is just starting to get noticed.  The film is currently being distributed by Ouat! Media.

If your in LA, and are interested in checking out the event, send me an email.  Its at a bizarre, but perfectly apt location.

knock. knock. a film by Amir Motlagh

my break ups into a million pieces on current tv

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my break ups into a million pieces_amir motlagh

 

I directed a short documentary called my break ups into a million pieces about Lilledeshan Bose's migration to the US, after the death of her father, artist Santiago Bose.  Santiago was one the most prolific and respected Philipino artist of his time, and his daughter continued in the paths of the arts, as she is a published author and musician.  

The abridged version is currently now on Current TV..It runs a few seconds under 10 min.  The full cut runs 16 minutes. 

Go check it out on Current TV.....

my break ups into a million pieces

Here is the official synopsis and such:

The film-essay “my break ups into a million pieces” is about Lilledeshan Bose’s migration to Southern California after her artist-father’s death. Directed by Amir Motlagh, this 10-minute film, shot in digital video and super 8, is an exploration of personal and spiritual identity, death, romantic relationships and myth of Americana from an Asian perspective. 

Its creation was brought about by coincidence: Bose was impressed by Motlagh’s previous works (including “Dino Adino” and “Still Lover”), asked him for filmmaking advice. She had written “Break-up Stories,” a series of vignettes about the disintegration of my personal relationships, and wanted to translate it into film. 

After showing award-winning director Motlagh her father, Santiago Bose’s paintings, he felt a spiritual connection to Santiago’s works and agreed to direct the film. 

With its gorgeous shots of Los Angeles freeways and endless blue skies, “my break ups into a million pieces” marks the transition to new country and a new life, the rush of a brave, sunshiney new world.

 

Plain Us and the world of Distro

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This is an interesting time to say the least.  I don't particularly like to go out of my way with opinions about the state of business on my own personal site, but i want to address some interesting things of late.  While Plain Us just got its festival premiere a week or so ago, i had seven short film distribution companies contact me regarding the film over the last few weeks.

Mind you, i'm not quite sure how they got wind of the film, and it wasn't from public screenings because it just premiered, but nevertheless, it's been a good sign.

Now, out of the seven, three of the companies want to acquire the film.  One is exclusive, the other two are non-exclusive.  My concern has been that if i sign the dotted line, what happens to screening the film on a festival circuit?  

Now, this is were i think that finally filmmakers should be on the upper hand.  On one side, i can just hold of and play the lottery card that has become the festival selection process, or, go ahead and get the best possible deal i can right now.  The truth is, especially for short films, is that we should be able to do all of the above.  And by that i mean, get that broadcast deal, get that web deal, and hopefully tour the circuit all concurrently.  Why should the process hold the filmmaker back.  With all the changes in the distribution models of late, i believe that the same should happen to short films to give extra opportunities for exposure.  Mind you, just because a film is available on the web, doesn't mean that screening it at a festival makes it somehow less viable.  In fact, seeing something that has garnered attention on the platform and resolution that it was originally intended makes it that much more satisfying and viable.

Its not worth waiting months on end to see whether you get in here or there....Maybe if you are on that old school frame of thought, its understandable, but as my one and only mentor told me about a year ago, "Don't take no for an answer", espcially if you completely believe in what you are doing.

AM/FM

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFC4mQeEeDM[/youtube]

A weekend full of panels

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I was in attendance this weekend at the Film Independent's Filmmaker Forum. I got a  full press pass from a friend and checked out out the panels.  Many of the information has been publicly cited in the blog scene and publications for some time now, but the tone of the forum was a little different.  Also, hearing it from people heavily involved in the Indiewood scene is a little different then second and third hand journalistic blog reporting.

All in all, most of the panelist were talking about the state of affairs as cyclic, and that the upswing was just around the corner.

I also met some very interesting people, all with different stages of project development.  There was also a panel on Micro Budget Films that was very cool.

 

"whale" first official trailer

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Here it is....

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR39tdVZaAI[/youtube]

whale


Cameron, a writer who seems to have never finished his first novel, returns home to his mother's house in Orange County Ca., after a failed relationship and lack of direction with life. Back home, Cameron spends his time reacquainting with old high school friends, only to find that life has only gotten more confusing for everyone. What is a young man to do when he seems to have lost all hope?

The film uses a cast made up of mostly non-actors, including Motlagh's real life parents. Many of the cast were first seen in Amir Motlagh's short film, Dino Adino (2001). By using an alternative narrative style, the film destroys the lines of fiction and documentary by engaging the audience in a way that traditional narrative fictions cannot. Motlagh utilized an approach that mixes the cinematic language, using influences ranging from Dogme 95, No Budget DIY, Iranian Cinema, Collage, John Cassavettes and Youtube  to string together the film in a unique and original way.

-Quotes-
"DIY meets cinema art"

"A collage of life, weaved with a sparring, gentle narrative that says more, without hardly saying anything"

"An autistic vision of cinema, equal parts beautiful, indulgent, and raw"

"Life unfolds in Amir Motlagh's new film whale"

-Cast-
Amir Motlagh
Darren Oneil
Mike Flowers
Atefeh Galledari
Yousef Motlagh
Rastin Ashtiani
Kindy Barr

-Company Credits-
Production Company - AYA Films
Produced by - Amir Motlagh, Darren Oneil
Music- Shanks and the Dreamers

Total Run Time: 72 Minutes

whale