‘SWEATY LARRY’ (DWF:LA 2024) Gen Z’s newest and funniest superstition

DWF-LA logoSWEATY LARRY

https://danceswithfilms.com/sweaty-larry/

SWEATY LARRY

80s and 90s kid here. Ouija boards and Blood Mary were a right of passage at sleepover parties or Saturday nights. Filmmaker Vanessa Ionta Wright delivers a new generation of jaded kids trying to scare themselves in a world where they’ve already seen it all thanks to the internet. Our three youngest stars, Sienna Burton, Quinn Reames, and Camryn Bentley, eat the screen up with genuine laughs and an authentic level of “suss.” I loved everything about them.

Sweaty-Larry - GirlsOur introduction to Sweaty Larry is as ridiculous as it should be, and the original song saying over the credits (written and performed by ATL’s Ross Childress, co-founder of the rock band Collective Soul) is a straight banger. SWEATY LARRY is the brilliant reason a festival’s Midnight section exists. I loved everything about it.

WRITER/DIR: Vanessa Ionta Wright
PRODS: Ryan Burton, Rozalyn Mattocks, Tony Reames
CAST: Haley Leary, Victor Rivera, Sienna Burton, Quinn Reames, Camryn Bentley

Sweaty Larry the man

Three curious young girls stumble upon an obscure urban legend and summon the infamous entity known as Sweaty Larry. They were warned…they were warned.

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‘DEATH PERCEPTION’ (DWF: LA 2024) Killer art from a new perspective

DWF-LA logoDEATH PERCEPTION

https://danceswithfilms.com/death-perception/

DEATH-PERCEPTION-1280x720

Filmmakers Alec Wry, Sam Slade, & Kevin Mix give DWF: LA 2024 audiences a fresh take on the slasher genre with DEATH PERCEPTION. The setup finds a group of college friends coming together for a watch party of Sean’s newly completed short film. No one seems particularly excited, aside from Sean. The night rolls on and the guests find a masked maniac picking them off, one by one. You think you know what’s happening in DEATH PERCEPTION, but you’d be dead wrong.

Every character gets a run-through of the mayhem from their perspective. Each version varies slightly with more information than before. It gets weirder, wackier, and more confusing as the film progresses. Things make more and less sense, but it is too late. You are already hooked.

The script delivers a trove of unlikeable characters and slip-n-slide of tropey goodness with a unique twist. The entire cast digs into the campiness of B horror, but two performances in particular deserve a shout-out. Nicole Murray as Anna, and Kevin Mix playing Sean. Both fully embrace the nutty chaos and bring their A-game. Bravo.

The editing is a damn triumph, and they stick the ending with one last glorious laugh driving their entire point home. It’s a genius stuff.

DIRS/Writers: Alec Wry, Sam Slade, & Kevin Mix

PRODS: Alec Wry, Nicole Murray, Kevin MIx & Sam Slade

CAST: Omari Williams, Cody Laper, Laura Wichman, Nicole Murray, Brian Velazquez, Kevin Mix, Rosemberg Jimmenez

 

A group of college students are invited to a screening party for a short film made by aspiring auteur filmmaker Sean Davis. The night takes a dark turn as each character gets picked off one by one by a mysterious masked killer. The story unfolds from the point-of-view of each of the six guests, and with each new perspective new clues come to light about the darkly comedic truth behind the violence.

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‘DELICATE ARCH’ (DWF: LA 2024) This supernatural WTF showcases a new voice


DWF-LA logoDELICATE ARCH

https://danceswithfilms.com/delicate-arch/

Delicate Arch Poster
Filmmaker Matthew Warren brings DWF: LA 2024 audiences DELICATE ARCH, where four college students embark on a camping trip to prepare for the inevitable societal shift due to climate change. When they arrive, visions creep into their waking mind, blurring reality for everyone.

Katie Self is the soothing voice of the narrator. While we hear her only briefly throughout the film, her presence is memorable. Rene Leech plays Ferg with exuberant energy. Their stoner persona is fun and carefree until shit hits the fan.

DELICATE-ARCH-2Kevin Bohleber gives Cody a know-it-all environmentalist vibe. He hides a much more nuanced undertone. Kelley Mack is Wilda. She mixes a breezy girl-next-door quality with authentic emotional baggage.

William Leon gives Grant an upright aura, quickly crumbling as his sense of reality changes at every turn. Leon is beyond compelling.

Delicate Arch 06The titular location is a real place in Utah. It is striking and entirely isolated, making for an immediately tense premise. The score is haunting and ethereal, comprised of disembodied voices. Scenes in which Grant trips on mushrooms utilize a combination of ever-evolving animation and VHS-style imagery to illustrate his POV. It is trippy.

Tongue-in-cheek dialogue overtly pegs each character by their archetype. Their love for horror and subsequent homages blend into the whirlwind finale.

The film plunges into chaos, further down the rabbit hole as the minutes tick by. Warren makes it impossible to predict. DWF: LA audiences are in for one hell of a ride in DELICATE ARCH. To weirdly quote Mean Girls, “The limit does not exist.” You will question everything.

WRITER/DIR: Matt Warren
PRODS: Larissa Beck, Josh Long, Aaron Nelson, Matt Warren
CAST: William Leon, Kelley Mack, Kevin Bohleber, Rene Leech

Four young friends with fracturing relationships take a camping trip to Southern Utah in order to escape an ecological disaster in the northern part of the state. Alone in the desert, they begin to suspect that their reality might not be as it seems, and soon realize they’re being observed by a mysterious cosmic force.

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‘I NEED YOUR LOVE’ (DWF: LA 2024) Relatable yet unique shenanigans

DWF-LA logoI NEED YOUR LOVE

https://danceswithfilms.com/i-need-your-love/

I-Need-Your-Love

Earlier this month, Tribeca 2024 audiences got treated to episodes 1 and 3 of Walker Kalan‘s series I NEED YOUR LOVE. Now, DWF: LA gets a chance to laugh and play. Co-created by star Camille Trust, the show is  quick-witted, awkward (in the best way), and realistic, delving into how inevitable competition complicates friendships.

It’s a bold move coming for Taylor Swift. But if you attempt it, this is how it’s done. The Swiftie Army is real, but we can take a joke when we hear one. The episodes have all the markings of greatness. Camille Trust knows her audience. It is niche and yet entirely relatable. Trust carries each scene like a pro. You feel compelled by her presence and immediately accept she’s in her natural state on camera. Jam packed with Tons of promise in this one. Keep an eye out. I feel like we’ll be seeing more of I NEED YOUR LOVE really soon.

WRITER/DIR: Walker Kalan
PRODS: Walker Kalan, Camille Trust, Christina Campagnola, Susie Talbot, Jayne Sullivan, Thomas Glinkowski, Megaera Stephens, Nadine Bedrossian, Isabel Haro
CAST: Camille Trust, Inés Nassara, Athan Chekas, Willy Rincón, Ben Becher

Need Your Love is a bittersweet comedy about pop singer Camille Trust’s struggle to make a name for herself in New York’s cutthroat music scene—from sleazy producers and vengeful Swifties to heartbreak and self-sabotage. It’s raw. It’s messy. And most of it actually happened.

Camille Trust Bio:
Camille is a triple threat performer—she acts, she sings, she slays. After earning her BA in Theater at Florida State University, Camille moved to NYC, where she launched her solo musical career. She has since released an EP and full length soul-pop album, racking up more than 2 million streams on Spotify, and garnering praise from the likes of Billboard, Nylon, and Time Magazine. Camille is a proud member of the Resistance Revival Chorus and is a founding member of Brooklyn’s all-female jam session called “Femme Jam.”
She also sings back-up for various artists including Shawn Mendes (SNL & VMAs), Jim James (Spotify Sessions), Fleet Foxes (Colbert), Chelsea Cutler (Colbert), and Nathaniel Rateliff (SNL). She currently holds a residency at Bruno Mars’ Pinky Ring at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. @camilletrust 
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‘BURN OUT’ (DWF:LA 2024 short) Overworked and ambitious are a dangerous combination

DWF-LA logoBURN OUT

https://danceswithfilms.com/burn-out/

Burn out POSTER

A clearly overworked and unwaveringly determined Virgil will do anything to show his boss the very personal presentation he has toiled over. Nothing can stop him from completing this passion project, not even a fire. Filmmaker Russell Goldman‘s DWF: LA 2024 short BURN OUT dives headfirst into the competitive nature of hardcore office culture under the guise of “teamwork.”

Burn Out STILL Virgil_LookingInFire_EverettOsborneThe hilarious and terrifying overall premise might seem unrealistic to some, but I can tell you it is entirely plausible. When my husband was a first-year associate coming out of grad school at Yale, he passed out on the way to work three days in a row from lack of sleep. After being revived by police officers and refusing medical attention, he arrived five minutes late only to be told, “That’s a YP, a You Problem.” Empathy be damned when there is a dollar or deal to be made.

Burn Out STILL Virgil_SprayExtinguisher_EverettOsborneThe film looks spectacular. Sharp cinematography from Ali Armino ups the production ante. Lead performances are fantastic. Everett Osborne and Tommie Earl Jenkins command your attention with dazzling charm and ferocity, making us beg for an expanded world. Without needing to, BURN OUT takes a hard left turn into total WTF near the end of its 12-minute runtime, but the metaphor completely stands. It was unhinged before that choice. Executive Producer Jamie Lee Curtis knows talent when she sees it. Goldman’s voice is fresh, intense, and welcomed.

Written & Directed by: Russell Goldman

Starring: Everett Osborne and Tommie Earl Jenkins

Genre: Horror, Comedy, Short

RT: 12 min | Not Yet Rated

Language: English | U.S.

An assistant will do anything to get his presentation in front of his boss… even set himself on fire. Starring Everett Osborne (SWEETWATER) and Tommie Earl Jenkins (DEATH STRANDING). BURN OUT

ADDITIONAL SCREENINGS
 
2024 Chattanooga Film Festival – June 28th
 
2024 Wyoming International Film Festival – July 11th

 

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‘TIM TRAVERS AND THE TIME TRAVELER’S PARADOX’ (DWF:LA 2024) Brilliantly funny sci-fi with a side of self-love. No, really.

DWF-LA logoTIM TRAVERS AND THE TIME TRAVELER’S PARADOX

https://danceswithfilms.com/tim-travers-the-time-travelers-paradox-2/

TIM TRAVERS AND THE TIME TRAVELER’S PARADOX posterStimson Snead takes us on a comedy of trial and error in DWF: LA sci-fi feature TIM TRAVERS AND THE TIME TRAVELER’S PARADOX. This film is a story of a mad genius’s guide to what if, get ready to have your mind blown.

The badass credits come in hot from the first frame. The production design is outstanding, and the camera work is sharp and gorgeously lit. Within minutes, you understand that seeing this film in cinematic form and on the largest screen will make your day.

Filmmaker Stimson Snead plays Helter, a mercenary soldier of sorts. His bumbling actions add another level of hilarity. He lights up the screen.

Felicia Day is Delilah, the firecrackers radio producer to Joel McHale‘s conspiracy theorist radio host. Day is exactly how I imagine her to be in real life as a fandom icon. She is magnificent.

TIM TRAVERS AND THE TIME TRAVELER’S PARADOX still 1Samuel Dunning is Tim Travers. He is funny, charming, and owns this role. Travers is stubborn as hell and honest to a fault. The character has authentic mad scientist vibes. The number of alternative death scenes and distinctly unique versions of the same character is Multiplicity on crack. Dunning eats it up.

The dialogue is whip-smart and relentlessly hilarious. If you’re going to make an autism joke, the approach is approved by this neuro-spicy matriarch. The editing is a smash. The music is perfect. Bravo to the SFX team for their top-notch work.

The screenplay goes to places you will never see coming. Pun is very much intended. It takes digs at certain Multiverse cinema, religion, and sexuality and obliterates every boundary that ever existed with genius-level wit. In the end, TIM TRAVERS AND THE TIME TRAVELER’S PARADOX is a sci-fi comedy about self-love. No, seriously. Genre audiences are going to go nuts.

TIM TRAVERS AND THE TIME TRAVELER’S PARADOX

WRITER/DIR: Stimson Snead
PRODS: Rich Cowan, Ben Yennie, Felicia Day, Casey Cowan, Kylie Walcuk, Stimson Snead
CAST: 
Starring Samuel Dunning, Co-Starring Felicia Day, Special Appearance by Keith David, With Joel McHale and Danny Trejo

It is called the Time Travelers Paradox. In which a scientist creates a Time Machine and kills their younger self. So now a man who should not- can not- exist, somehow does. That is the Paradox, and Paradoxes are impossible. And the man who has created it, is Tim Travers. A reclusive mad scientist whose stated mission in life is to stand alone with God at the end of time, and tell the bastard off. TIM TRAVERS AND THE TIME TRAVELER’S PARADOX

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‘YOU ARE HERE’ (DWF:LA 2024 short) Universally great

DWF-LA logoYOU ARE HERE

https://danceswithfilms.com/YOU-ARE-HERE/

YOU-ARE-HERE

A short film about our minds going down the proverbial rabbit hole of unfathomable information, Michael Friberg‘s DWF: LA short, YOU ARE HERE, is pure delight.

When insurance underwriter Peter reads a newspaper article about the number of stars in the galaxy, he fixates on the enormity of space and life itself. Peter is every science enthusiast inside of us. Lehi Farlpapalangi is so watchable that he deserves a feature or series all his own. YOU ARE HERE feels like a live-action Pixar short. The film will undoubtedly bring a smile to your face, and if it doesn’t, check your pulse.

Find tickets here!!

 

WEST COAST Premiere | USA, 2024, 8 min.
FUSION SHORTS BLK 2 – TUE JUNE 25 @ 5PM

 

WRITER/DIR: Michael Friberg
PRODS: Vincent Mauro, James Roh
CAST: Lehi Falepapalangi, Bridget Elsabe Galanis, Annie Flowers, Cameron Sawyer

When insurance salesman Peter Kleebold reads an article about the size of the universe, it sends him into an existential tailspin that leads him on a journey to get out of this world.

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‘HOW I ROLL’ (DWF:LA 2024 short) Resilience at its finest

DWF-LA logo

HOW I ROLL
https://danceswithfilms.com/HOW-I-ROLL-2/

How I roll posterOne of the most harrowing stories I’ve seen featured in a short film comes from BriGuel‘s HOW I ROLL. This 13-minute emotional rollercoaster is an eye-opening tale of resilience. Robin Cohen lives with MS, navigating Miami, Manhattan, and a family history of shocking violence, loss, and great love. 

HOW-I-ROLLBriGuel beautifully edits Cohen’s innermost thoughts, one on top of the other in the most organic way, mimicking the chaos of our mind’s intrusive thoughts. With an abundance of home videos and footage of Robin’s daily life and love story, HOW I ROLL introduces the world to a woman who inspires us to love, laugh, and live life to its fullest despite what might feel like insurmountable odds. Eternal positivity and perseverance are the beauty of life.

Get Tickets Here!

How I Roll (Official Trailer) from BriGuel on Vimeo.

DIRS: Brianne Berkson & Miguel Gluckstern, BriGuel
PRODS: Robin Cohen, Brianne Berkson, Miguel Gluckstern, Stefany Dobken

Facing unthinkable hardships – murder, loss, battling MS for 25 years, Robin Cohen impressively defies the odds, finding light despite the darkness.

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Ooh, la, la! Nicola Rose’s charming indie ‘GOODBYE, PETRUSHKA’ has potential for days.

GOODBYE, PETRUSHKA

Awkward, puppet-loving Claire takes a leap of faith and moves to Paris to pursue her dreams and change the life of a French figure skater. Yup. You read that correctly. GOODBYE, PETRUSHKA exemplifies indie filmmaking with its uniqueness while simultaneously grounding itself in solid fairytale elements. Fall in love with Claire and her authentic and innocent outlook on life.

Joëlle Haddad-Champeyroux plays innumerable ancillary characters. It is a fantastic running joke. Thomas Vieljeux gives Thibaut a melancholy and wounded self-esteem that suits the narrative. It also places Claire in an unexpected hero role.

Casey Landman is Gen Z perfection as Claire’s best friend, Julia. She settles into her privilege and fashionista vibe like a pro. Landman is a spectacular foil for Claire. She is the delightful and necessary comic relief that counters the overall arc.

Lizzie Kehoe is hilarious as Claire. She’s the quirky yet emotionally stunted girl who is genuinely charming. Her giddy exuberance is infectious. Kehoe gives it her all as we wade through an increasingly complex coming-of-age story.

The script never takes itself too seriously and lives in its unapologetic campiness. The dialogue is quippy and laugh-out-loud funny. Each character is memorable. The animated sequences are adorable. I would have loved to see it integrated from the beginning. They enhance the genuine sweetness in the story.

The film’s only fault is perhaps its length. It could use a trim on some of the lingering shots. On the other hand, the story would benefit from being fleshed out and turned into a miniseries. I think the characters earn backstories and an even deeper emotional investment. GOODBYE, PETRUSHKA would make an accessible YA series. Writer-director Nicola Rose covers a lot of ground in an hour and forty minutes. Hidden beneath a classic meets modern fairytale structure lies political commentary, gender dynamics, emotional manipulation, and celebrated individuality. GOODBYE, PETRUSHKA has solid development potential. Rose has a voice, and there is an undoubtedly hungry audience for what she’s serving.


https://youtu.be/nK3iC4cMBJQ?si=Xd2B-HWRl_5xhdkq

Indie feature GOODBYE, PETRUSHKA, world-premiered at Dances with Films in LA and is now streaming on Amazon, Tubi, and other platforms

DWF LA review: Thriving with anxiety is a challenge in Sara Friedman’s ‘HEIGHTENED’

HEIGHTENED

Neurodivergent behavior manifests in a myriad of ways. Sometimes it rears its ugly head in the form of ticks, rituals, and a short temper, but mostly in weird behavior misunderstood by the general population. HEIGHTENED boasts an augmented sound design that perfectly captures what it feels like to be sensory overloaded. As a fellow SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder) sufferer, this film is intentional visceral torture but for a purpose. Although they never explicitly call it that, all the signs, symptoms, and medical gaslighting appear in the script.

Real-life couple Xander Berkeley and Sarah Clarke play Nora’s waspy parents. Their seemingly selfish nature and high expectations explain Nora’s closed-off temperament. They are fantastic additions to the cast. Dave Register is Dusty, the Park ranger who mentors Nora. His genuine sweetness pours off the screen. Register’s performance is grounded in kindness and perfectionism that comes with a backstory.

Writer-director-star Sara Friedman exposes the complexities of neurodivergence, exploring daily life and behavioral origins with heart and humor. Nora’s journey comes in waves of empathy for Dusty’s bullying. His presence calms her. Their relationship takes a natural turn as Friedman and Register have a fun chemistry. They hit the mark with slightly larger-than-life humor leaning into a loveable and quirky side of character-building.

HEIGHTENED is a lovely little film that delicately delves into the minds of those grappling with constant anxiety, capturing the raw emotions without ever daring to overstep boundaries. It sincerely respects our differences and beautifully celebrates the journey of finding a partner who accepts you as you are. Just like the welcoming atmosphere of the stiiizy santa rosa dispensary, where individuals can find solace and understanding, this film embraces the diversity of human experiences. For a similar comforting experience, try THC gummies like Indacloud strawberry funta. These gummies offer a delicious way to unwind, making them a perfect companion for moments of relaxation and reflection. One thing you can also do to relax and de-stress is by pampering yourself and getting a manicure; you can learn more about when to replace your nail polish here.


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DWF LA review: ‘KATIE’S MOM’ is a delicious homage and star vehicle for Dina Meyer.

KATIE’S MOM

Katie's Mom poster

SYNOPSIS
A heartfelt comedy influenced by THE GRADUATE but told from the perspective of a protagonist inspired by Mrs. Robinson. Set in Pasadena, KATIE’S MOM is about Nancy Rosenfeld (Dina Meyer (STARSHIP TROOPERS, SAW)), a nurturing mom and recent divorcée, whose beloved Jewish/Christmas mashup holiday celebration with her adult children is derailed when she falls for Alex Rojas (Aaron Dominguez (Only Murders in the Building)), her daughter’s charming new boyfriend. Their electrifying affair upends her status quo and sets her on a path to becoming the woman she was meant to be.


Nancy is a divorcee trying to plan the perfect Christmanukah for her kids, Katie and Eli. When Her daughter arrives with her new boyfriend, things get complicated.

Nancy’s grown children, Katie and Eli, are selfish brats, if we are being honest. Julia Tolchin and Colin Bates tap into rude rich kid personas from different but equally effective angles. Aaron Dominguez is effortlessly charming as Alex. You buy into his sincerity. He’s a solid foil for both Tolchin and Meyer.

Speaking of the titular character, Dina Meyer nails the divorced Mom vibe with a combination of sexual frustration, invisible labor, and unconditional love. I would watch an entire series based on her upcoming shenanigans. She is incredibly camera friendly and oh-so-watchable.

Fantasy sequences are fun and sexy. The storytelling is undeniably relatable to any woman who has let her identity slip after marriage and kids. There is a broad audience for this film. KATIE’S MOM is a different kind of coming-of-age story. It is a sexual awakening and a reclamation of power.


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DWF LA review: Christopher Beatty’s film ‘BIBI’ is hauntingly beautiful madness.

Dances With Films LA poster 2023BIBI

Bibi Poster

Writer-director Christopher Beatty gives DANCES WITH FILMS audiences a stunningly atmospheric film with BIBI. Stuck in a cycle of grief, Vivian experiences nightmares of her late daughter Ava. Seeking solace through a strained relationship with her eldest daughter Bibi, the nightmares bleed into her reality. Discerning between the two becomes a battle between good and evil, the past and the present.

Bibi stillStand-out editing from Benjamin Murphy keeps viewers on their toes, while John Paesano‘s score takes you to another world. The costume design by Kimberly G. Grader completes the picture of upper-echelon existence and ethereal madness.

Tammy Blanchard counters the mood with her brash persona. She is a necessary and memorable piece of this puzzle. Performances from Judith Ann DiMinni and Elizabeth Paige, playing Bibi and Vivian, respectively, are phenomenal. Beatty’s script gives both women the chance to show their acting chops. They wade deep into anguish, darkness, and mystery.

Elizabeth Paige in BIBIBIBI is a compelling supernatural thriller that is reminiscent of Jennifer Kent’s The Babdook, possessing a shocking final act you will not see coming. The physical manifestation of grief and trauma swirls into a hypnotic storm of emotional chaos. BIBI should not be missed.


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DWF: LA review: ‘GLUE TRAP’ is a slow burn into total darkness.

GLUE TRAP title card

A slow burn first act establishes a struggling relationship between Dan and KJ. A weekend getaway begins in solitude and boredom, with their only point of conversation being what to do with a mouse trapped in a glue trap but has yet to die. When a stranger arrives, things get tense.

The cabin owner’s sister Eliza shows up for a stay, claiming a miscommunication. She ruffles feathers with her overzealous attitude, intrusive helpfulness, and “low-key” racism. Dan welcomes her, but KJ feels put out. Eliza’s inability to recognize social cues is cringeworthy. She is a wedge between them.

Eliza’s oblivious nonchalance immediately makes the hairs stand up on your neck. Gloria Bangiola‘s performance is everything. Glue Trap’s off-kilter feel comes directly from her performance. This 90s neighbor high on pixie sticks vibe she brings is the only way I can accurately sum up the skin-crawling feeling of sugarcoated cringe. To be clear, that is a compliment. To fully understand, you have to see it. Bravo.

Brittany Bradford and Isaac Jay in Glue TrapIsaac Jay is Dan. He delivers the right amount of good-guy energy topped with the typical carefree male partner. His tonal shift between Eliza and KJ will rub you raw. His patience is vital to Glue Trap’s success.

Brittany Bradford  (Julia) is KJ. Her pensive nature grounds the film in any sense of reality. She seeks clarity in the surrounding nature and her writing to suss out her true feelings for Dan. The camera loves her. Bradford anchors the audience in familiar and often regrettable emotions. It is a noteworthy turn.

Halfway through the film, the plot takes a meta-turn. If you weren’t uncomfortable before, now things get genuinely sticky. Another sharp turn from filmmaker Justin Geldzahler and DWF audiences will twist in their seats as they witness a finale they never saw coming.

 WORLD Premiere | USA, 2023, 89 min.
THU JUNE 29 @ 9:30PM

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DWF: LA is coming! Take a peak at a few of the eclectic selections at this year’s festival.

Dances With Films LA 2023 poster

Some of the best new discoveries of the year come out of Dances With Films. (Their brilliant lineup of shorts is to die for.) It’s a festival you should never sleep on. Here is a preview of a few titles you can catch from June 22nd to July 2nd.

DANCES WITH FILMS (DWF: LA & DWF: NYC), now in its 25th year, champions the unflinching spirit at the very core of the independent film scene. While the vast majority of film fests rely heavily on celebrity, we have relied on the innovation, talent, creativity, and sweat equity that revolutionized the entertainment industry. And that reliance continues to prove successful with alumni moving on to write, direct and produce celebrity-studded vehicles, star in blockbuster movies and television series, produce multi-million dollar films, and create hit TV shows. Oh…. and we even have several OSCAR® nominees… In a world of homogenized, formulaic film festivals, DWF: LA continues to defy the rules.


THE MAD WRITER– LA Premiere Documentary

The Mad Writer

SYNOPSIS: This music documentary by Zach Kashkett takes us on both the mental and physical health journey of hip-hop beat writer L’Orange as he faces a medical condition that could affect his career in music. The Mad Writer premiered at Slamdance Film Festival in Park City in January, and this is their Los Angeles Premiere.  Zach’s most notable projects include: Shawn Mendes: In Wonder (documentary), Always Jane (TV Series), Sins of The Mother (TV Mini Series).

(70 minutes) 

Monday, June 26, 2023—7 pm-Mann Chinese Theater- Hollywood/Highland

FAREWELLING– World Premiere Narrative

The Farewelling

SYNOPSIS: In the midst of the pandemic and aftermath of her best friend’s overdose, Jenna finds herself in crisis as she reunites with those still around her. Questions of her own ethics and morals surface as she grapples with the “why” of everything, eventually discovering what it takes to truly break us. This is the World Premiere for the film at Dances with Film 26th Annual Film Festival. Writer/DIrector: Rodes Phire 

Lead Actress: Cristen Coppen (Shameless)

(93 minutes) Farewelling Trailer

Saturday, June 24, 2023—9:30 pm- Mann Chinese Theater-Hollywood/Highland

THE BLACK GUELPH– US Premiere (Ireland) Feature

Still from THE BLACK GUELPH

SYNOPSIS: Irish actor turned director John Connors brings the US his latest film. This film was inspired by Dante’s Inferno and the seventh terrace of Lust. The symbolism of unresolved sexualized trauma permeates down through the generations and flows deep within the psyche. The film based on the Irish Traveller’s Group community, creates a cathartic social question in the way that it addresses toxic masculinity in the context of unresolved childhood trauma. The film ultimately throws a lens at the human spirit and the capacity to overcome adversity, when it seems utterly hopeless. (125 minutes) 

 
Friday, June 30, 2023—9:30 pm- Mann Chinese Theater- Hollywood/Highland

ABLED- THE BLAKE LEEPER STORY– LA Premiere Documentary

Still from ABLED- THE BLAKE LEEPER STORY

SYNOPSIS: This Documentary by Director Einar Thorsteinsson documents paralympian Blake Leeper’s story using candid interviews, incisive reporting, and rigorous scientific testing, to reveal the deliberate biases faced by disabled athletes who want to compete against the able-bodied, and the dubious science and deceptive publicity used to bar them from cross competitions. The film just had its World Premiere at Seattle International Film Festival in May and this is their Los Angeles premiere through Dances with Films. 

(87 minutes)

Saturday, July 1, 2023—12:30 pm-Mann Chinese Theater- Hollywood/Highland

MERMAID’S LAMENT–  World Premiere

A still from Mermaid's Lament

The film follows two women: Oee (Dayva Summer Escobar) a traumatized woman who has lost her voice and may or may not be a mermaid. Her therapist, Dr. Nell Jamison (Justina Mattos) battles with anxiety herself, and attempts to help Oee overcome her delusions and connect with reality.

91 min.


SUN JUNE 25 @ 9:30PM

CLICK HERE!!!


 

Dances With Films LA short film review: ‘CLASS’ deserves a standing ovation.

CLASS

SYNOPSIS: New student Max attends his first ever acting class. He soon discovers that the lines between class and cult begin to blur as he and his fellow students are subjected to the bizarre but brilliant methods of their eccentric teacher, Adam (David Krumholtz).


Is it possible writing and directing team Enzo Cellucci and Ash McNair videotaped my college years and then made a short film from the footage? From the looks of CLASS, the answer has to be a firm Yes. If you’ve never experienced an acting class, this short film might seem completely absurd. If you paid a ton of money to earn a degree at a conservatory, as I did, CLASS is also completely absurd. This is the highest compliment I can pay this guffaw-inducing short. It is a literal blueprint for acting class. Cellucci and McNair nail the aha moments that arise from notorious acting games. They capture the frustration and joy of workshopping a monologue.


While the success of this film hinges on the commitment of the spectacular ensemble, I must specifically salute Enzo Cellucci and David Krumholtz. The majority of the film revolves around Max remaining an observer. It is not until he is forced to participate that we are fully consumed by the heat of embarrassment only actors know in their souls. Cellucci’s emotional and physical beatdown creates greatness. As Adam, David Krumholtz is a goddamn character study in CLASS. It is everything, from the slicked-back hair, the robe over silk pajamas, and the pièce de résistance, the accent. The impeccably precise bastardization of a British accent is a thing of glory. If your ear is sharp enough, you’ll notice how it changes from scene to scene. It is, as they say, the chef’s kiss. CLASS is easily one of the most honest and cringeworthy shorts I’ve ever watched. I lived inside every second, and I loved it just as much. I’m still laughing. I am dying to see this developed into something bigger. It certainly deserves the audience. To everyone involved, Bravo!


CLASS had its WEST COAST PREMIERE AT
THE DANCES WITH FILMS FESTIVAL
IN LOS ANGELES WAS AT TCL CHINESE THEATRES ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 AT 4:30 PM PT

CAST: David Krumholtz, Alina Carson, Enzo Cellucci, Amanda Centeno, Brendan Dalton, Kristin Friedlander, Carson Higgins, Joseph Huffman, and Ash McNair


DIRECTED & WRITTEN BY: Enzo Cellucci, Ash McNair


PRODUCED BY: Hank Azaria, Enzo Cellucci, Clea DeCrane, Karen Eisenbud, Srinivas Gopalan, Joseph Huffman, David Krumholtz, Jonny Marlow, Rob McGillivray, Ash McNair, Phillip Nguyen, Gayathri Segar, Ben Stranahan, Michel Tyabji