2011 Films

All films in the below the list were included in the 2011 LES Film Festival held in February 2011.

Films arranged in alphabetical order.

Adam Purple and The Garden of Eden

This film tells the story of important environmental artist Adam Purple. A social activist, philosopher, and urban gardener/revolutionary, he created The Garden of Eden, a world-famous eARThWORK that grew on the Lower East Side from 1975-86 and spanned 5 city lots. It was razed by the city in 1986. Directed by Harvey Wang & Amy Brost (4mins) | Tuesday Feb. 8th, Friday Feb. 11th, Saturday Feb. 12th, Friday Feb. 25th *Winner of The 2011 LES Film Festival Neighborhood Award.

Atomic Love

Two lovers watch as the world ends. (Found footage from something that might look familiar to you.) Directed by Tony Castle (2mins) *This film is not in competition | Thursday Feb. 10th

Becoming

Becoming is the story of Idolamantis, a mythical half woman, half creature who is as deadly as she appears innocent. Sensing how Man’s uniformity is swallowing up the last remnants of the old forests, Idolamantis crosses the portal that separates our worlds to lure Man into one final battle. Directed by Ayelen Liberona & Joseph Johnson-Cami (8mins) | Thursday Feb. 10th, Tuesday Feb. 15th

Billy Cash

Billy Cash is a short documentary profiling a struggling Elvis Impersonator living in Las Vegas. Directed by Zack McTee (12:55mins) | Friday Feb. 11th, Sunday Feb. 20th

Bottle

Animated on location at a beach, in snow, and underwater, this stop-motion short details a transoceanic conversation between two characters via objects in a bottle. Directed by Kirsten Lepore (5:25mins) | Monday Feb. 14th, Friday Feb. 18th. *Winner of the 2011 LES Film Festival Prix D’Or Film Selection

Brave New York

“Brave New York,” is a free-form documentary that loosely chronicles the last 12 years of intense change in the East Village “hood.” The movie’s main voices are those of the artists and street people whose wisdom and commentaries upon the dominant culture give us pause amidst the speedy approach of a “Brave New World.” Directed by Richard Sandler (55mins) | Sunday Feb. 20th

Break-ups: The Series “Katy & Ted”

Break-ups: The Series is a fully improvised web-series that delves into the sometimes heartbreaking frequently hilarious process of ending a relationship. It is also the winner of the 2010 Vimeo Award for “Best Original Series”. For more information and more episodes please visit www.breakups.us. Directed by Ted Tremper (4mins) | Monday Feb. 14th, Monday Feb. 21st. *Winner of the 2011 LES Film Festival Best Comedic Short Film Selection.

Break-ups: The Series ”Seth & Kellen”

Catfish

After 20 days of screening shorts and features all made for under $30,000, The LES Film Festival is excited to present a special bonus night Screening of Catfish, the international phenomenon that was truly made on the cheap! “In late 2007, filmmakers Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost sensed a story unfolding as they began to film the life of Ariel’s brother, Nev. They had no idea that their project would lead to the most exhilarating and unsettling months of their lives. A reality thriller that is a shocking product of our times, Catfish is a riveting story of love, deception and grace within a labyrinth of online intrigue.” -Universal Pictures. This screening will take place March 1st, at 8:30pm, doors will open at 8:00pm. The film’s subject Yaniv “Nev” Schulman will be in person to discuss the film afterwards. Directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman (87 mins) *This film is not in competition. | Tuesday March 1st

Chatter: The Worst Sci-Fi Movie

After a confusing encounter as a young girl, Cammie Walters started running. After 26 years, today is the day she stops. Directed by Damon Cardasis (8 mins) *This film is not in competition | Sunday Feb. 13th, Thursday Feb. 17th

Conversation Portrait: Jay-Z Decoded

Flash Rosenberg, artist in residence for LIVE from the NY Public Library, live-draws the ideas discussed when the prolific and provocative hip hop artist, Jay-Z talks about his new book “Decoded,” with Paul Holdengräber. Directed by Flash Rosenberg (6:37mins) | Tuesday Feb. 8th, Friday Feb. 11th, Friday Feb. 18th

Conversation Portrait: John Waters “Role Models”

Flash Rosenberg, artist in residence for LIVE from the NY Public Library, live-draws the thoughts of Pink Flamingoes’ director JOHN WATERS as he discusses his book “Role Models” with Paul Holdengräber, director of LIVE. Waters also offers subversive tips for how to dress, steal flowers and die. Directed by Flash Rosenberg (6:15mins) | Wednesday Feb. 9th, Wednesday Feb. 16th, Saturday Feb. 19th. *Winner of The 2011 LES Film Festival Best Animated Film Selection

Conversation Portrait: Learning from the Absurd

How does a nose move? How do you draw a cat? Flash Rosenberg, artist in residence for LIVE from the NY Public Library, live-draws the concepts of the versatile South African artist, William Kentridge as he explains to LIVE director, Paul Holdengräber, how to stalk the absurd to make it visible. Directed by Flash Rosenberg (5:15mins) | Thursday Feb. 10th

Craig & Walter

Craig the narwhal, sits at a diner with his friend Walter and discusses his recent interest in becoming a vegan. Directed by Kirsten Lepore (1 min) | Friday Feb. 18th, Thursday Feb. 24th

Curious Thing

Jared is closeted. Sam is straight. They find a connection in each other that neither man has had before, but where do they go from there? ‘Curious Thing’ captures the freedom that only comes when you confront the thing that terrifies you the most. It’s really just a love story. Directed by Alain Hain (9 mins) | Wednesday Feb. 9th, Monday Feb. 14th, Saturday Feb. 19th

Forever & Sunsmell

(World Premiere) Super-8 film footage shot in the east village and central park evokes the fragility and beauty of the natural world, even in the city. Music by John Cage, lyrics by E. E. Cummings. Directed by Richard Sandler (12:33mins) | Thursday Feb. 10th, Monday Feb. 21st

Gaddy

This short documentary tells the story of Gaddy, a young man realizing the importance of sharing the secret of his sexuality with his family in dire circumstances. Directed by Roxy Hunt (12:15mins) *This film is not in competition | Saturday Feb. 19th, Monday Feb. 21st

Girls’ Talk

Friendship can find its way in the weirdest places … Directed by Mayye Zayed (4:10mins) | Tuesday Feb. 8th, Saturday Feb. 12th, Wednesday Feb. 23rd

L’Ignobile Rosso

A story telling what’s happening right now around you. Directed by Francesco Orazzini & Matteo Lenzi (4:10mins) | Thursday Feb. 10th, Firday Feb. 18th

Liquid Sun

Liquid Sun is a short about the intimate friendship that comes to an end due to the current economic circumstances in Ireland. It shows, in a personal manner, the influence it has on the life of two individuals that are forced to separate. Directed by Diede van Vree (10:48mins) | Tuesday Feb. 15th, Saturday Feb. 19th, Wednesday Feb. 23rd

MARCH!

An overzealous tenant attempts to organize and document a march to confront her landlord, after discovering that he is kicking everyone out of her New York City building. Directed by Damon Cardasis (61 mins) *This film is not in competition | Saturday Feb. 12, Thursday feb. 24th

Marco of Marcoart

More details coming soon. *This film is not in competition | Tuesday Feb. 8th, Friday Feb. 18th

Murray 101: The Life and Times of Mr. Showbiz

This is the story of Murray Hill from his humble beginnings as a busboy, to a tummler in the Catskills, to being a downtown nightlife sensation in New York City. Guest appearances from his singing coach, accountant, Michael Musto, Dirty Martini, and Sal from Rosario’s Pizza. Includes never before seen archival footage and photographs. Directed by Mary C. Matthews (6:20mins) *This film is not in competition | Saturday Feb. 19th, Friday Feb. 25th

Mustache Party

Four mustachioed individuals await the impending apocalypse as a skeleton pummels a kettle drum and a hairy, Stygian Beast gradually awakens. Directed by Sean Gill (5mins) | Thursday Feb. 10th

My Father the Luo

Roma was born to a Polish mother and a Kenyan father. She decides to find out about the African roots of Barack Obama and her own and travels to Kenya to learn about the Luo tribe that the President and she herself descend from. The film is a portrait about love transcending borders and boundaries. Directed by Tomasz Magierski (40minutes) | Wednesday Feb. 23rd

Nuit Blanche

Nuit Blanche explores a fleeting moment between two strangers, revealing their brief connection in a hyper real fantasy. Directed by Arev Manoukian (4:40mins) | Wednesday Feb. 9th, Monday Feb. 14th

Oil

People are sticking together and to all the surfaces without any known reason. It seems that an environment catastrophe has taken place and now humans are experiencing impact of their activities. Dedicated to all the birds that have died due to polluted sees and oceans by sticking into the oil. Directed by Uldis Cipsts (5mins) | Thursday Feb. 10th, Wednesday Feb. 23rd

Oy Vey, Mazel Tav

A part of the Ghetto Film School

A Jewish women comes out to her family with her girlfriend during Hanukkah, only to find out that her parents have a suitor for her to meet. Directed by Rebecca D’Agostino (3:43mins) | Tuesday Feb. 22nd

PATH: A Manhattan/Hoboken Love Story

The tale of a Manhattan Guy who must decide if it’s worth staying in his relationship even if it means traveling to New Jersey. Directed by E.S. Frushtick (18mins) | Wednesday Feb. 9th, Monday Feb. 14th

Pickles for Nickels

“Pickles for Nickels” is a cardboard world where monkeys steal pickles and shops change overnight. A stop-motion visualization of the city’s rapidly changing neighborhoods and its impact on the block with the last pickle shop, from the street musicians to the can collectors. Directed by Danielle Ash (8:02mins) | Tuesday Feb. 8th, Friday 18th, Friday Feb. 25th

Playing For Pocket Change: Saw Lady

Playing For Pocket Change is a series featuring musicians playing on the streets and in the subways of NYC. In this vignette, Natalia “Saw Lady” Paruz. Often overlooked and ignored, we find out exactly who Natalia is and what makes her want play in what is arguably the world’s strangest venue. Directed by Mark Cersosimo (5mins) | Monday Feb. 21st, Friday Feb. 25th

Plume

In an article printed in Notes Africaines in 1945, a man claimed he was lost in the desert as a child, raised by ostriches until his rescue.
PLUME imagines that ostrich-boy, a beautiful abomination, slipping between animal and human worlds, belonging to neither. Directed by Karen Cinorre (8:47mins) | Tuesday Feb. 8th, Wednesday Feb. 23rd

Saving Mr. Whiskers

When the world around Nathan doesn’t make sense and his cat’s life is threatened – only one thing can help: pudding. Directed by Heather Fink (7:26mins) | Tuesday Feb. 15th, Sunday Feb. 20th

Shudder House

On a rural estate in 1951, Robby trudges through a meaningless childhood. Training on classical piano is his only chore dictated by unloving parents. But when a Southern farmhand named Emma returns with a guitar in hand, Robby faces his only opportunity to grow and feel beyond his boyish blues. Directed by Joey Dello Russo (15mins) | Friday Feb. 11th

SIDEWALK

SIDEWALK chronicles the lives of primarily black homeless book vendors and magazine scavengers who ply their trade along 6th Avenue between 8th Street and Washington Place in New York City. Directed by Barry Alexander Brown. (74mins) | Wednesday Feb. 16h

Soundboard

Soundboard is as much about the sound as is it the image. Using only the percussive sounds of the dancers’ bodies hitting the floor and each other, I created the audio mix by layering the un-effected sounds in Ableton Live, while simultaneously cutting the video. Directed by Kasumi x (1:35mins) | Thursday Feb. 10th

Soundcheck Guy

The soundcheck guy prepping for a panel discussion reveals a little more about his personal life than expected. Directed by The Harvard Sailing Team (2 mins) | Monday Feb. 14th

Sweet Dreams

More details coming soon. Directed by Kirsten Lepore (10 mins) | Friday Feb. 18th

Table Bob

Bob is a little chap who squattes the dinner table when you’re not around. Bad for him… Directed by Haegelin Victor (2:30) | Friday Feb. 11th, Friday Feb. 18th

The Fortune Writer

Kirby works in the kitchen of a Chinese restaurant typing out fortunes for fortune cookies. When a lonely woman walks into the restaurant and piques Kirby’s interest, Kirby is faced with the challenge of writing his most difficult fortune yet. Directed by Eric Gross (8:46) | Wednesday Feb. 9th, Monday Feb. 14th. *Winner of The 2011 LES Film Festival Best Dramatic Short Film Selection

The Funniest Movie Ever

I’m Steve Deeds (yes, THE Steve Deeds) and I made the funniest movie ever. I was one of the biggest comedians in Agawam, but then I moved to Hollywood to become an even huger star. A camra guy (my neighbor) came with me and taped everything. The bidding for this movie starts at 100 million dollars. Directed by Eric Ledgin (73mins) | Sunday Feb. 13th, Thursday Feb. 17th. *Winner of The 2011 LES Film Festival Audience Favorite Film Selection

The Search

A lonely man’s search for the existence of life outside our universe takes a remarkable turn when he connects with a recently bereaved family. Directed by Mark Buchanan (13:25mins) | Wednesday Feb. 9th

The Sheriff

Award-winning documentary portrait of Eugene, an elderly African-American man with albinism from the mountains of North Carolina. Directed by Jeff M. Giordano (13:30mins) | Tuesday Feb. 8th, Tuesday Feb. 15h

The Shoemaker

Before Nike, and Adidas, there was the Hi-Jo! Here is a Brooklyn tale set back in the day (1960’s) about a young Italian-American shoemaker (Frank) on the verge of greatness. Directed by Kaves (27:21mins) | Friday Feb. 25th

The Survival Project

Watch as Jonah Canner, director of the Survival Project, leads NYC youth through a series of life changing challenges and sends them back to school with an enhanced sense of achievement and possibility. Directed by Giga Shane (5:33mins) | Tuesday Feb. 22nd

The Train Home

A Father at war over seas is finally being shipped home 5 years after the war has ended. His family has come to visit him for a vacation before coming home. When back in the USA, the father is still haunted by his memories from his years in Japan and his nostalgia for the years of his absence. Directed by Graham Burns (6:39mins) | Thursday Feb. 10th

The Wilderness

A young boy comes across a disturbing secret in the wilderness of his backyard. Directed by AK Hottman (6 mins) | Friday Feb. 11th

TiM

A young boy dreams of growing up to be just like his idol Tim Burton in this stop-motion animated short film directed by Ken Turner. Narrated by Barry Parker and produced at The Batcave Studios in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Directed by Ken Turner (6:22mins) | Tuesday Feb. 8th, Friday Feb. 18th

Victor Fibbs

Set in 1937, the film weaves historical events and burlesque style dance numbers to tell the story of Victor Fibbs, the hard-boiled detective who’s chauvinistic behavior and cruelty towards an adorable chinchilla, may get the best of him. Directed by Tony Castle (15mins) *This film is not in competition Monday Feb. 21st

Welcome to My World

“Welcome to My World” follows two groups of American teenagers from disparate walks of life, and what happens when they come together. Through their adventures on a high school exchange trip, they discover that the woods of Maine and the streets of Harlem are not as far apart as they once imagined. Directed by Gwyn Welles (50mins) | Tuesday Feb. 22nd. *Winner of The 2011 LES Film Festival Best Feature Film Selection

Youngblood

Two “gorillas” from uptown break up a mugging on Essex St, and then must fight the Grand St gang… written and acted by students from the Ninth St School in 1975, shot in the Lower Eastside on super 8 and transferred to digital video. Directed by Don Pollock (10mins) | Friday Feb. 25th