The East Lansing Film Festival - ELFF

SNEAK PEEK: Eagle vs. Shark - Wednesday 3/28

This article was posted on Thu, Mar 22 2007

Trailer

The quirky New Zealand film, “Eagle vs. Shark” will have it’s Midwest
premiere Wednesday, March 28, at 7:30pm, in the East Lansing Hannah
Community Center. (819 Abbott Road).

Tickets are available at the box office at the theater from 6:30-7:30pm
$5 - students/seniors, $7 -general

Join us for a fun night out with this hilarious new comedy!

SYNOPSIS:

“Eagle Vs. Shark,” directed by Academy Award(r) - nominee Taika
Waititi (the short, “Two Cars One Night"), is a wry comedy that
chronicles the quirky romance of two awkward misfits, Lily (Loren
Horsley), a shy fast-food restaurant cashier, and her crush, Jarrod
(Jemaine Clement, HBO’s “One Night Stand: The Flight of the
Conchords"), an electronic store clerk. On the day Lily gets fired
from her job at Meaty Boy, she musters up the courage to attend
Jarrod’s annual “come as your favorite animal” costume party. The
dressy affair sparks the beginnings of a romance as well a small
journey for the pair to Jarrod’s quiet hometown, in which Jarrod plans
to seek revenge on an old nemesis and where Lily unwittingly finds
herself stranded amongst Jarrod’s family of eccentrics.

Love was never so...awkward.

(film will play with the Fall 48/5 Film Competition winners)

Mason Proper to play ELFF after-party!

This article was posted on Tue, Mar 13 2007

Festivals are all about buzz, both in film and music, and that is why ELFF is proud to have the buzz-worthy Michigan band Mason Proper (on myspace) playing the Friday night After-Party, at Beggar’s Banquet in East Lansing! Right before they head off to tour with San Francisco act Birdmonster, they will be making an appearance with us - so come out and don’t miss one of the biggest parties of the year!

Entry is free with an ELFF ticket stub or pass. Otherwise, $5 at the door
21+ only
Food and a good time provided!

The best pop band you’ve never heard of.

Ann Arbor based Mason Proper has been creating buzz throughout the indie music scene for the last three years. Their incredibly melodic, lush pop-rock sound has kept them originals in an arena full of commercialized copy-cat acts. Being a “high-concept” band isn’t as easy as critics would make it seem. The band members, which consist of Jonathan Visger (vocals/guitar), Matt Thomson (keyboards/guitar), Brian Konicek (guitar), and Zac Fineberg (bass) are first to admit, “The challenge is always figuring out a way to still do interesting, artistic things, while still being graspable by a large majority of listeners.” Mason Proper has toured the Michigan area extensively and played sold-out shows in New York City, at hot-spots such as Pianos which they will be returning to in September to play a showcase of their music. Their first full-length album, “There Is A Moth In Your Chest” has been finding itself winning positive reviews, much to the fact that no track sounds the same and the record can flow from being upbeat with catchy lyrics to a haunting melody of violin chords and piano. No matter what the sound, each song is an engaging, delightful surprise to the listener. The most exciting news for the band is their recent signing with Dovecote Records, which will have them re-releasing “There Is A Moth In Your Chest” with help from producer John O’Mahoney (Matt Pond PA, Metric) March 13, 2007. 

You heard it here, first.

Links:

http://www.dovecoterecords.com
http://www.masonproper.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mason_Proper

Directors to visit the 10th East Lansing Film Festival!

This article was posted on Mon, Mar 12 2007

The tenth annual East Lansing Film Festival (ELFF), the largest film festival in Michigan celebrates independent film productions and is excited to bring directors from around the world to attend this year’s festivities! From amazing documentaries to comedic feature films, there is no lack of variety in genres, topics, and directing styles in this year’s festival, which takes place March 21-29, 2007. 

Listed below are the films that will have directors attending and the contact information for each director:

FRIDAY MARCH, 23

The Gifts of Grief - http://www.giftsofgrief.com
7:00pm, Wells Hall, Theater B - Capra
Nancee Sobonya, Director

A very moving and uplifting film that touches upon one of the most painful human experiences - grief. Through compelling personal stories and insightful interviews of ordinary and extraordinary people, we learn how they celebrated, became healed and ultimately, transformed by the “gifts of grief.”

Before the Music Dies - http://www.beforethemusicdies.com
7:00pm, Wells Hall, Theater C - Fellini
Andrew Shapter, Director

A critical and comprehensive look at the homogenization of popular music with commentary by some of the industry’s biggest talents including Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews, Elvis Costello, Erykah Badu, and Bonnie Raitt. Using archival footage, the film looks at the evolution of American music and the artists who created it. Hundreds of interviews with fans, record executives, journalists and musicians were conducted to give their view of the state of popular music today. 

The Trouble with Dee Dee - http://www.deedeemovie.com
7:00pm, Wells Hall, Theater D - Hitchcock
Bob Brown, Executive Producer

Lisa Ann Walters (Parent Trap, Bruce Almighty) is hilarious as the spoiled, clueless-to- the-value-of-money, Dee Dee Rutherford who has lived life without a care in the world thanks to her wealthy but estranged father (Kurtwood Smith-That 70’s Show, Dead Poet’s Society). When he cuts her off to try to control her, the indefatigable Dee Dee doesn’t blink an eye. She is a force of nature, a true original who can’t change with or without money. This laugh-out-loud comedy has been a favorite of audiences and winner of many festival awards.

FRIDAY MARCH, 23

9/12: From Chaos to Community - http://912film.com/
9:30pm - Wells Hall, Theater A - Bresson, Rm. 102
Susanna Styron, Director

As New York and the world reeled from the tragic events of 9/11, a scrappy group of New Yorkers unselfishly volunteered at Ground Zero to bring their city back from the ashes. This colorful, moving and often funny documentary explores this diverse mixture of people, their surprising but strong bonds with each other and the recovery workers whom they cared for. An “only in New York” portrait of bravery, generosity and determination. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 24

Committing Poetry in Times of War
1:30pm - Wells Hall, Theater A - Bresson
stavros, Director, Eric Sirotkin, Executive Producer / MSU Alumnus

Committing Poetry is a poetic glance at one week in March 2003 that rocked Albuquerque, New Mexico.  When the Iraq War began, teacher Bill Nevins was fired and his outspoken Rio Rancho High School Poetry Team disbanded and silenced. Days after Nevins’ removal, hundreds of peaceful protestors were brutally assaulted by police. Out of this fire arose a diverse community of artisans, poets, and musicians dubbed the Poetic Justice Movement who supported Nevins’ quest for justice, hope, free speech and perseverance.

Open Window (Fenetre Ouverte)
4:00pm - Wells Hall, Theater A - Bresson
Khady Sylla, Director

In 1994, while Director Khady Sylla was falling ill, she met Aminta Ngom, a woman who displays her madness freely without fearing provocation. During those years of suffering, Aminta was her window on the world. Today Aminta lives like a recluse in her family courtyard and Khady visits her often. As in a mirror, Aminta’s madness is a reflection of Khady’s.

Yiddish Theater: A Love Story
6:30pm - Wells Hall, Theater A - Bresson, Rm. 102
Dan Katzir, Director

This fascinating documentary is a poignant portrait of Zypora Spaisman, founder and grand dame of Folksbiene Yiddish Theatre, the only surviving Yiddish theater in New York. Director Katzir interviews the flamboyant actors who are determined to preserve kiddishkeit as well as profile the extraordinary life of the determined, highly energetic and theatrical Spaisman whose love for the theater and the Yiddish language kept American Yiddish Theater alive for 42 years.

Souvenir of Canada - http://www.souvenirofcanada.com/
6:30pm - Wells Hall, Theater B - Capra, Rm. 104
Gerry Flahive, Executive Producer

A wry, nostalgic and insightful look by internationally celebrated author Douglas Coupland as he searches for what makes his homeland unique and connected to him. Our neighbors to the north are warmly embraced in this thoroughly entertaining, heartfelt and somewhat unconventional personal tour.

The directors are more than willing to participate in interviews and other press articles in the weeks leading up to the big event! For the complete schedule and up to date information, please visit the East Lansing Film Festival website, http://www.elff.com or call the festival office at 517-336-5802.