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Sundance, Tribeca ... Eugene?
As it enters its third year, the Eugene International Film Festival aims to make a name for itself-and its filmmakers-among the crowded festival circuit
by Alex Gabriel | Sports copy editor
Eugene is known for many unique characteristics and contributions - the lush, green beauty of the Willamette Valley; the pedigree of University of Oregon track; Ken Kesey and his dirty hippie brethren; and recreational drugs.
Film, however, is not one of them.
Eugene's influence on cinema starts and ends with the Deltas of "Animal House" and John Bulushi's nightly escapades face down on the bar at Taylor's. Does the University even have a proper film school?
That's all changing now, as the Eugene International Film Festival begins its third and most prominent year yet of pairing the brightest of up-and-coming filmmakers with high-profile distributors and a region of informed and eager movie-lovers ready to experience the new school of cinema. Because if Park City - the Utah town that hosts the Sundance Film Festival - can be a hot bed for independent filmmaking, then why can't Eugene?
From Oct. 2-5, the Eugene International Film Festival will screen more than 90 films, ranging from five-minute shorts to feature-length, by filmmakers from every continent - from South America to Europe, Australia and Asia. The festival has carved a niche, unparalleled by even Cannes and Sundance, of connecting independent moviemakers directly to major film distributors. Rivercoast Film Distribution is partnering with the festival to introduce a revolutionary distribution model that could potentially level the playing field between the Hollywood elite and the unknown filmmakers. Several films exhibited in last year's festival, including the Justin Hunt documentary "American Meth," went from the festival circuit to nationwide release.
"I imagine that Eugene will offer a very home-grown, down-to-earth, informal and approachable vibe," said director Ryan Mains, who will feature his films "Of Golf and God" and "The Collinwood Campaign" at the festival. "I always love people feeling like they can approach filmmakers after screenings or wherever."
"Of Golf and God" is Main's ode to the power of faith and the necessity of moving on in life. Daniel, a pizza delivery guy, accidentally summons God, who is foul-mouthed, boozed up and over-sexed, to help him cope with the ordeal of breaking up with his girlfriend. After a chance encounter with an old grade-school classmate named Beth, Daniel has to choose whether he wants to move on or remain with the familiar.
In true independent fashion, Main stretched a shoe-string budget originally fit for a short and turned "Of Golf and God" into a feature-length film. "A lot of people told me that I couldn't make a feature film for $15,000, or that this was the wrong way to make your first feature, but I was determined to show them that I could. And we did, and it turned out better than I ever imagined," he said.
Like "Of Golf and God," Kevin Sheridan's "Leaving Barstow" presents a character who is forced to pick between his established life and a road less traveled. Though not strictly based on Sheridan's life, "Leaving Barstow" does personify the emotions and decisions he was forced to make at the time of its conception.
"When I wrote the script I had just graduated college and was unsure about what direction my life should take," said Sheridan, who wrote, produced and starred in the film. "Being a writer and an actor is not the easiest of paths, and I was contemplating going into a more traditional, stable line of work. Instead, I chose to gamble and pursue what I am passionate about. A scary thing."
Based around the town of Barstow, Calif. - essentially a glorified gas station between Los Angeles and Las Vegas - the central character, Andrew, is getting ready to graduate from high school, and he has ambitions to move on and pursue goals greater than his hometown can provide. However, he is confronted by a devotion to his mother, whom he supports emotionally as well as financially. He now must choose between the pursuit of his own life and the well-being of the mother who raised him.
"I think we just want to get the film seen," Sheridan said. "I know a lot of other indie films that only want to play the large festivals. In my mind this is bullshit. This doesn't fit the spirit of indie filmmaking. The Eugene Film Festival is a really cool festival just starting out and I am very excited and honored to be a part of it. I can't imagine how much work it takes to create a festival, find good films, and get an audience to see it."
One of the higher-profile films featured at the festival this year is the Iraq war documentary "Reserved To Fight." During the invasion of Iraq in 2003, Chantelle Squires was still a college student in Utah, untouched by the events occurring overseas. When an old acquaintance returned with the first wave of soldiers completing their tours, Squires became aware of the astronomical hardships a soldier endures upon returning to life as a civilian. After hearing the testimonies of the troops of Fox Company 2/23, she knew their stories were ones that needed to be told on a larger scale.
"For six months I celebrated their homecoming with them at Marine balls, weekend drills, parades and family functions," Squires said. "Everyone was so glad to be home. But soon after, we began an emotional journey that none of us were really expecting or were prepared for."
As public opinion of the war efforts in Iraq turned hostile, Squires said, many returning soldiers became the source of misplaced disdain; society's lack of compassion or understanding resulted in many soldiers being ostracized and criticized in the refuge of their home country. "I hope this film will help us understand the long-term effects of war on veterans and their families," said Squires. "Regardless of our view on this war or any war, the human experience cannot be ignored, and I hope and pray that this film can be used as a tool in helping society understand the importance of helping veterans come home."
These films and others will be viewed in the plush, air-conditioned theaters at the Valley River Center Stadium 15 at Valley River Center. An all-access pass, which grants entry to all 90 films, costs $65. It also includes admission to all workshops and the Opening Gala and Closing Awards Ceremony. If only one film piques your interest, then a single film block can be purchased for $8.
agabriel@dailyemerald.com
Film, however, is not one of them.
Eugene's influence on cinema starts and ends with the Deltas of "Animal House" and John Bulushi's nightly escapades face down on the bar at Taylor's. Does the University even have a proper film school?
That's all changing now, as the Eugene International Film Festival begins its third and most prominent year yet of pairing the brightest of up-and-coming filmmakers with high-profile distributors and a region of informed and eager movie-lovers ready to experience the new school of cinema. Because if Park City - the Utah town that hosts the Sundance Film Festival - can be a hot bed for independent filmmaking, then why can't Eugene?
From Oct. 2-5, the Eugene International Film Festival will screen more than 90 films, ranging from five-minute shorts to feature-length, by filmmakers from every continent - from South America to Europe, Australia and Asia. The festival has carved a niche, unparalleled by even Cannes and Sundance, of connecting independent moviemakers directly to major film distributors. Rivercoast Film Distribution is partnering with the festival to introduce a revolutionary distribution model that could potentially level the playing field between the Hollywood elite and the unknown filmmakers. Several films exhibited in last year's festival, including the Justin Hunt documentary "American Meth," went from the festival circuit to nationwide release.
"I imagine that Eugene will offer a very home-grown, down-to-earth, informal and approachable vibe," said director Ryan Mains, who will feature his films "Of Golf and God" and "The Collinwood Campaign" at the festival. "I always love people feeling like they can approach filmmakers after screenings or wherever."
"Of Golf and God" is Main's ode to the power of faith and the necessity of moving on in life. Daniel, a pizza delivery guy, accidentally summons God, who is foul-mouthed, boozed up and over-sexed, to help him cope with the ordeal of breaking up with his girlfriend. After a chance encounter with an old grade-school classmate named Beth, Daniel has to choose whether he wants to move on or remain with the familiar.
In true independent fashion, Main stretched a shoe-string budget originally fit for a short and turned "Of Golf and God" into a feature-length film. "A lot of people told me that I couldn't make a feature film for $15,000, or that this was the wrong way to make your first feature, but I was determined to show them that I could. And we did, and it turned out better than I ever imagined," he said.
Like "Of Golf and God," Kevin Sheridan's "Leaving Barstow" presents a character who is forced to pick between his established life and a road less traveled. Though not strictly based on Sheridan's life, "Leaving Barstow" does personify the emotions and decisions he was forced to make at the time of its conception.
"When I wrote the script I had just graduated college and was unsure about what direction my life should take," said Sheridan, who wrote, produced and starred in the film. "Being a writer and an actor is not the easiest of paths, and I was contemplating going into a more traditional, stable line of work. Instead, I chose to gamble and pursue what I am passionate about. A scary thing."
Based around the town of Barstow, Calif. - essentially a glorified gas station between Los Angeles and Las Vegas - the central character, Andrew, is getting ready to graduate from high school, and he has ambitions to move on and pursue goals greater than his hometown can provide. However, he is confronted by a devotion to his mother, whom he supports emotionally as well as financially. He now must choose between the pursuit of his own life and the well-being of the mother who raised him.
"I think we just want to get the film seen," Sheridan said. "I know a lot of other indie films that only want to play the large festivals. In my mind this is bullshit. This doesn't fit the spirit of indie filmmaking. The Eugene Film Festival is a really cool festival just starting out and I am very excited and honored to be a part of it. I can't imagine how much work it takes to create a festival, find good films, and get an audience to see it."
One of the higher-profile films featured at the festival this year is the Iraq war documentary "Reserved To Fight." During the invasion of Iraq in 2003, Chantelle Squires was still a college student in Utah, untouched by the events occurring overseas. When an old acquaintance returned with the first wave of soldiers completing their tours, Squires became aware of the astronomical hardships a soldier endures upon returning to life as a civilian. After hearing the testimonies of the troops of Fox Company 2/23, she knew their stories were ones that needed to be told on a larger scale.
"For six months I celebrated their homecoming with them at Marine balls, weekend drills, parades and family functions," Squires said. "Everyone was so glad to be home. But soon after, we began an emotional journey that none of us were really expecting or were prepared for."
As public opinion of the war efforts in Iraq turned hostile, Squires said, many returning soldiers became the source of misplaced disdain; society's lack of compassion or understanding resulted in many soldiers being ostracized and criticized in the refuge of their home country. "I hope this film will help us understand the long-term effects of war on veterans and their families," said Squires. "Regardless of our view on this war or any war, the human experience cannot be ignored, and I hope and pray that this film can be used as a tool in helping society understand the importance of helping veterans come home."
These films and others will be viewed in the plush, air-conditioned theaters at the Valley River Center Stadium 15 at Valley River Center. An all-access pass, which grants entry to all 90 films, costs $65. It also includes admission to all workshops and the Opening Gala and Closing Awards Ceremony. If only one film piques your interest, then a single film block can be purchased for $8.
agabriel@dailyemerald.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Chef Juke
P. Mackey
posted 9/22/08 @ 9:14 PM PST
Ahem,
While I have no problem with the main article regarding the film festival, I do take issue with at least one aspect of the opening paragraph. (Continued…)
Ed Parker
posted 10/01/08 @ 2:01 PM PST
You must not forget that Ken Kesey's 1962 novel "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" was adapted to a movie. And that film happened to win all five major Academy Awards (Best Picture, Actor in Lead Role, Actress in Lead Role, Director, Screenplay) in 1975. (Continued…)
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