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March 14, 2006
The Anywhere Effect
Via Sujewa: Lisa Selin Davis's "The Anywhere Effect," an article-essay on Jem Cohen's Chain, my favorite film of 2005. Davis's article addresses one of the film's major concerns: the eclipse of regionalism with the advance of strip malls and chain restaurants. She also makes a valuable connection between Chain and the role of Hurricane Katrina in prompting us to rethink concepts of place and community.
Sujewa also points to the news that the Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers is facing a financial crisis. If you can send them a little financial support, I know that it would be much appreciated. Because AIVF supports independent voices and perspectives, their value to the film community should not be undersetimated.
Posted by chuck at March 14, 2006 6:51 PM
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Comments
Interesting essay. I haven't seen the film, but would love to check it out. It explores some of the same themes that my fictional film will explore (we shoot this spring and summer). My project is pretty tightly scripted and it's an absurdist comedy, so I'm sure it will be much different than Jem's film (though we're both in the self-funded lack of money small indie world).
My project is a comedy about a corporate wage slave who takes to graffiti in the evenings. It's set in the suburbs of "anywhere" sourrounded by gray highways and seas of strip malls. His graffiti is as much a reaction to the suburban environment as it is a reaction to the anti-creative corporate day job. But again, it's a comedy, so hopefully it will appeal to people at that level, and if they're entertained, perhaps they'll think about the underlying themes in more depth.
Posted by: Josh Boelter at March 16, 2006 10:45 AM
Josh, that sounds like a fun film. I'm fascinated by graffiti art--I get to see a lot of it on the train here in DC--and having a suit produce that art could make for an interesting--and funny--effect.
Posted by: Chuck at March 16, 2006 10:58 AM
"chain" is lovely....
Posted by: amir motlagh at March 20, 2006 3:53 PM