2008 WINNERS 2007 WINNERS ABOUT ARCHIVE / SEARCH FILMS SIGN-IN CONTACT US
Asthmatic Kitty Records Edition 2008
CATALOG NO. 852
TYPE Shorts Compilation, Short Collection
YEAR 2008
RUNNING TIME 60 minutes
DVD, REGION
TV SYSTEM
LABEL Blackchair Collection

SYNOPSIS FILMS IN PROGRAM SCREENINGS PRESS PURCHASE / LICENSING
When the Microcinema folks asked if Asthmatic Kitty Records would like to jury the 2008 Independent Exposure Contest I was more than honored that our label would be following in the footsteps of last year's judge, Hal Hartley. I was more than flattered that I would be making selections from what turned out to be more than 500 films, whittling it down to 12(?) finalists and three top prizes. It might seem like an odd fit on the surface that a record label would be curating a film festival, but as the judging moved forward a pleasant camaraderie was formed between Asthmatic Kitty and Independent Exposure that arose out of a shared philosophical and aesthetic ideology. There is the fact that we are both independent entities, that we both hope to bring challenging, experimental, and thought provoking media to the masses. There is also a spirit of playfulness and humor that I believe we share. It is these values that went into the jury process and are hopefully reflected by my selections.

There was no thematic agenda during the selection process, but there are some incidental and synchronistic themes that are now apparent with hindsight. Color, animals, sound, movement all begin to reference each other and provide commentary as a group. Yes, I realize these are vague themes and present in most films, but here these things seem to dance a little closer to each other and what seems to be if not to the same beat, at least to the same drummer. Of course, you the viewer will be the best judge of the selections and if they work effectively as a video mix tape. Thank you Independent Exposure for the opportunity and thank you viewer for your eyes and time. Celebrate with me the creativity and passion that went into making these films.

Winners

Rise: This film snuck up on me. The patience and visual economy of this film was a refreshing change of pace. It reminds me of some of my favorite filmmakers (Tarkovsky, Kieslowski, Malick) in its ability to create suspense and narrative with little more than rhythm, landscape and objects. If Matthew Barney was a naturalist and a restrained romantic his films might resemble Ryan Jeffery 's work, but even Barney would be hard pressed to capture the essence of smoke, sky and hair.

Kino: Armel Hostiou's Kino is the antithesis to Jeffery's Rise. Gone is the restraint and in its place is a visual collage that assembles and disassembles the history of film narrative. The approach to film is one of collective cinematic memory and assault of the senses. It is rapturous, passionate, sexy and dangerous all in the span of 90 seconds. It is the trailer for every movie ever made.

Birdcalls: This is a stretch, but Birdcalls is a strange mix of McLuhan mediology, Audubon cataloging, and post-abstract expressionist calligraphy. It is sound as text as image as sound. Birdcalls is extremely clever, while transcending that cleverness to create a beautiful visual language and story.

-Michael Kaufmann - curator - Asthmatic Kitty Records
FEATURED PROGRAMS
Independent Exposure 2010

An animation packed show judged by Bill Plympton featuring works from artists all over the world.
Asthmatic Kitty Records Edition 2008

Asthmatic Kitty Records selects the best IE films of 2008



VENUES
Screen Independent Exposure
Please contact:


Where does IE show?
Find out where IE shows in your area

© 2013 INDEPENDENT EXPOSURE
Sponsored By Panasonic A Project of Microcinema Independent Exposure