Monday, March 16, 2015 at Noon (PST)
Uncle Earl Presents “The Art Of Independents: Film & Music“
Please tune in at:
OR
http://www.
OR
https://itunes.apple.com/us/
In today’s show we explore the world of International Independent Films and Music. Drop in for the premiere and
Q & A session for “Love Hunter” by Serbian Filmmakers Nemanja &Brane Bala
at Laemmle’s Music Hall in Beverly Hills for a limited engagement fromMarch 13 – 19.
Also you get another taste from Down Under with Australian Filmmaker Dru Brown whose film
“The Suicide Theory” swept all the festival last year.
There are also some musical surprises….Jump on in the waters is fine!
Musical Artists:
Suzanna Owiyo, Julie C. Myers, Milan Mumin,
Lady Chann & Diesel,
LeToya Luckett & T. I., ELTE, NOEL
“LOVE HUNTER”
IT’S OPEN SEASON FOR “LOVE HUNTER”
“Love Hunter,” the musical/comedy/drama by Serbian born filmmakers
Nemanja Bala and
Branislav“Brane” Bala,
embarked on a North American tour beginning
Valentine’s Day in Chicago at the Gene Siskel
Film Center.
The film was recently awarded best documentary feature by the International Federation of Film Critics Fipresci Serbia.
The critically acclaimed film,
starring Serbian rock star Milan Mumin, Jelena Stupljanin and
Eleanor Hutchins, has screened at several international film festivals.
The film opened theatrically in Chicago on February 14, 17 and 18
at the Gene Siskel Film Center;
continuing on to San Francisco, March 5 at Roxie Theater; Washington D.C.,
March 5 at West End Cinema; Toronto, March 14 at
The Royal; Las Vegas,
March 25 at the University of Las Vegas, presented by Cinefemmes.
The film will begin a week long run in Los Angeles from March 13-19
at the Laemmle Music Hall Theatre in Beverly Hills.
“Love Hunter” first premiered in New York on November 14, 2014
and was a New York Times Critics’ Pick,
naming it “one of the most refreshing
New York independent films since
Ramin Bahrani’s Man Push Cart.”
The film chronicles a month
in the life of singer/songwriter Milan Mumin,
frontman of the seminal Serbian rock
band ‘Love Hunters’ that gave a voice to a generation of young Serbians
during the turbulent 1990s.
Now, ten years later we find Milan driving a taxi in New York City
and cobbling together funds for a studio session to make his dream album
to be recorded and released in America.
When his bass guitar player suddenly quits,
he finds a talented but prickly
replacement and romantic interest,
in a free-spirited guitarist named Kim.
Just as rehearsals start to pick up steam,
Milan’s longtime Serbian girlfriend
Lela arrives with very different plans
for their future.
She wants him to come home to Serbia
where his reputation will let him
be anything he wishes, but Milan is
determined to make his recording in America, at any cost.
The film mirrors the real life of New York City based Milan Mumin,
Serbian musician, composer,
singer, songwriter, performance artist, and cab driver.
Milan gained recognition for his work in 1995,
when his group ‘Love Hunters’ won the
Band of the Year Award
in Serbia.
In 1997 and 2000,
he was voted the country’s Person of the Year.
He has released 10 albums with ‘Love Hunters’ and in 2009
released his first U.S. album ‘Asthma Sky,’
featuring his American band ‘The Undercover Maniacs.’
Filmed entirely in New York City,
in between real cab rides with a documentary-like crew,
“Love Hunter” was directed and written by brothers
Nemanja and Branislav “Brane” Bala,
and produced by Nemanja and Branislav “Brane” Bala
with Fay Ann Lee and their fellow alumni from Columbia Film School,
Bogdan George Apetri (director of photography) and Biljana Ilic.
Kino Lorber will release the film via iTunes on March 17
and DVD/Netflix on April 15.
Trailer: http://vimeo.com/111320885
http://www.laemmle.com/theaters/4
*SPECIAL THANKS TO NICOLE MUJ at KULTURA PR!
“THE SUICIDE THEORY”
THE SUICIDE THEORY was directed and produced by Dru Brown,
from a script byMichael J. Kospiach.
Brothers Jacob and Christian McCarty produced with Brown,
along with Dan Macarthur and Melanie Poole
with Executive Producers
Darwin Brooks, Aaron McCarty and Waynne Videroni.
Austin Film Festival link:http://sched.co/XEGj3C
THE SUICIDE THEORY had its world premiere
in Los Angeles
in June 2014 at Dances With Films Festival,
where it garnered the Grand Jury Award.
In September 2014,
the film had its Australian premiere at the Melbourne Underground Festival,
where it was honored with the Special Jury Prize
and awards for Best Supporting Actor for Leon Cain
and Best Cinematography for Dan MacArthur.
The Austin Film Festival will be the film’s third film festival.
Director Dru Brown and producer Jacob McCarty
will be in attendance for both screenings,
along with American writer Michael J. Kospiach, from New York.
All three are available for interviews prior to and during the festival.
Steve Mouzakis is devastating in the role of “Steven Ray,”
a hitman who suffered a personal tragedy and lashes out at the world
with brutality and reckless abandon
until a chance encounter with a new target named Percival.
Acclaimed award-winning stage actor Leon Cain shines
in a both humorous and sensitive portrayal of “Percival.”
In THE SUICIDE THEORY, a heartbroken man, Percival,
mysteriously unable to successfully commit suicide
hires a demented killer, Steven, to assist him in suicide.
Percival believes he is cursed after miraculously
surviving several suicide attempts;
Steven thinks Percival is
desperate and delusional.
After Percival miraculously survives several of Steven’s attempts on his life,
Steven starts to believe.
He works to help Percival figure out a way
to break the curse and in the process they form
an unlikely friendship through the common bond of tragedy.
Festival Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdsvyMjcyxI
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheSuicideTheoryFilm
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TSTFilm @TSTFilm
THE STORY
STEVEN RAY was never quite normal.
But when the love of his life ANNIE is killed
in a hit-and run incident at a city cross walk,
his violent and bizarre behavior becomes uncontrollable.
One night, as Steven plots his next murder,
a body drops from the sky and lands on his cab.
Enter PERCIVAL,
whose unsuccessful attempt at jumping off a building
not only interferes with Steven’s plans,
but the chance encounter also
introduces the two into each other’s sad and lonely lives.
Percival believes he’s cursed
after miraculously surviving each suicide attempt
and concludes fate brought him and Steven together.
So he hires Steven to assist him in suicide.
Steven does not believe in fate
and thinks Percival is desperate and delusional.
But he accepts the offer. Easy money.
After Percival continues to miraculously
survive each attempt on his life,
Steven starts to believe.
He tries to help Percival figure out ways to break the curse.
And in the process, they form an unlikely friendship
through the common bond of tragedy.
DIRECTOR’S NOTES by Dru Brown
The Suicide Theory is a neo noir drama that chronicles
the friendship between two troubled men who form
a strange friendship under dark circumstances.
One man wants to commit suicide
and hires a hit man to help him finish the job.
The Mystery deepens when the suicidal man
miraculously survives each of the Hit man’s best efforts.
I’ve always loved The Twilight Zone,
and when I read the script’s synopsis
I was genuinely intrigued.
Once I’d read the script,
I was truly inspired.
Michael (J Kospiah) painted this
dark seedy world with these
two strange characters in it.
It felt like a 70’s/80’s Paul Schrader film
(Which I loved) and the story
was really well executed on a number of layers.
I’ve always been inspired
by that era of filmmaking and
I used a lot of that influence in the making of this film.
The world of Scorsese’s Mean Streets,
Schrader’s Hardcore and Michael Mann’s Thief,
Set in a kind of Midnight Cowboy,
“Two social outcasts go on an adventure” type of narrative,
immediately jumped out at me.
But how do we make that in Australia?
I set out to create a truly unique and modern Australian film.
We had a great team,
who shot for 20 days in Brisbane (My hometown)
and a city just down the road called
The Gold Coast (in Australia).
We had Steve (Mouzakis) come from interstate
but the rest of the team were locals.
We had a great time shooting it with an array
of borrowed locations and equipment,
fueled on the faith people had in the script.
Our limited budget certainly caused more than a few headaches
during the shoot (three of our bar locations burned
down during week one) but at the end of the day
I think we created something that Aussie,
and foreign audiences,
haven’t seen too much of out of Australia.
THE FILMMAKERS
DRU BROWN – DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
Graduating from Griffith University
studying Screen Production & Film and Media,
Dru then pursued international
experience by moving to Asia.
Based primarily in Thailand,
and working on both Asian
and international productions,
Dru worked on projects for The History Channel,
HBO and MGM among others.
After two years of gaining experience,
Dru Returned to Australia
to pursue a career as a director.
Based in Brisbane, Dru began
a period of short narrative work,
including commercials,
several music videos and various corporate projects.
Sleeper, starring WWE wrestler Raven,
became Dru’s first feature production
as Director and sold to several territories
worldwide, including the U.S.
Dru has also completed several music videos
for U.S based artists including Snob Scrilla,
Pacewon, Mr. Green and Freeway.
Dru continues to work locally,
and has just completed the feature film
The Suicide Theory,
in which he served as Producer and Director.
MICHAEL J. KOSPIACH — SCREENWRITER
A screenwriter and playwright based out of New York City,
Michael J. Kospiach began his writing career as a sports columnist
for several news publications in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
He has 2 produced off Broadway plays,
both in the heart of New York City.
With 15 years’ experience in the screenwriting field,
he has worked as a ghost-writer and script consultant,
along with several collaborations
with filmmakers from all over the world.
Michael has had six feature length screenplays optioned
along with a few short screenplay sales.
His horror short, “The Dead Guy in the Trunk”,
was purchased by Scheffilm Productions
and filmed in Melbourne, Australia.
He has worked with director Dru Brown
and Seven8 Media for several years.
The Suicide Theory,
Grand Jury Award winning film
in The Dances With Films Festival,
is his first produced feature.
His feature length thriller,
“Cruel Acts of Kindness” is currently in production courtesy of
Scott Okeeffe Films in Perth, Australia.
CHRISTIAN MCCARTY – PRODUCER
Another Graduate of Griffith University majoring
in Screen Production and Digital Media,
Christian pursued professional photography
and corporate filmmaking
until Dru had returned from Asia.
Upon his return,
both Christian and Dru established their company,
Seven8 Media.
Christian took the reins of Producing,
but was also bitten by the acting bug.
Featuring in Australian productions
such as Sea Patrol and Terra Nova,
Christian was able to work and gain knowledge
of both sides of the filmmaking process.
As a producer, Christian has developed a number of projects
including corporate videos,
music clips, awarded short films
and Seven8’s feature films (Sleeper, The Suicide Theory).
JAKE MCCARTY – PRODUCER
After graduating from Monash University
with a double major in management and marketing,
Jake pursued a career in Corporate Operations and Management.
Having assisted Seven8 Media
on a number of projects in various roles,
Jake wanted to be even more involved
in the production side of filmmaking.
His Corporate Management experience
transferred over extremely well into the arena of Producer.
Taking on a Producer role on
The Suicide Theory
was his debut at feature productions,
but one that spurred on a passion for films and filmmaking.
DAN MACARTHUR – PRODUCER/CINEMATOGRAPHER
Dan MacArthur is a leading Australian Cinematographer
with an impressive list of credits and awards
including several ACS accolades.
Dan is presently working in India
with well-known South Indian Director,
Guatham Menon.
In late 2012,
Dan completed work on ‘Absolute Deception’
starring Cuba Gooding Jr
which was shot
on the Gold Coast.
His other notable credits include
‘Blood Money’ starring Pitbull and Gordon Lui (Kill Bill),
and Sleeper (starring WWE Legend ‘Raven’).
Dan’s experience has also been utilized i
n the music industry shooting some of the biggest names
in Australian music such as
The WhitlamsBlow up the Pokies
(won an International ACS Gold Award),
Russell Crowe’s 30-Odd Foot of Grunt’s music clips,
and also several Powderfinger videos.
His own directing success is prevalent
in his acceptance to Cannes in 2000
for a short film called ‘Stop’
in which the film was the only Australian film
taken into competition that year.
MELANIE POOLE – PRODUCER
Melanie Poole began her career as a reporter and producer
for Australia’s leading breakfast television program the
Today Show on Channel Nine.
She also worked for the ABC and Channel Ten
during her journalism career.
In 2003,
Melanie started her own production company
where she wrote and produced
a number of award-winning short films
including Waste Not Want Not,
winner at the Flake Film Festival
and Sunken Dreams,
finalist in the Liquid Lens Film Festival.
In 2012, Melanie joined forces
with Director/DOP Dan Macarthur
and started film production company
18 Degrees Entertainment.
Melanie also produced Neo-Noir feature
The Suicide Theory in 2012
and soon after produced
and co-wrote action comedy Nice Package,
directed by Dan Macarthur
and starring Dwayne Cameron.
THE CAST
STEVE MOUZAKIS – as Steven Ray
Steve was born in Melbourne, Australia.
He studied Engineering at university
before being accepted into the prestigious
Victorian College of The Arts to study acting.
He graduated winning the Irene Mitchell Award
for Outstanding Achievement for his portrayal of
Shakespeare’s ‘Pericles’ in a production
directed by George Ogilvie.
Theatre roles quickly followed.
Most notably in Christos Tsiolkas’ ‘Viewing Blue Poles’.
His first television role came as that of ‘Paolo’
in the ‘THE SECRET LIFE OF US’,
which went on to become one of the most watched
and successful Australian TV shows of all time.
He was next cast by director Jonathan Liebesman
in the horror film DARKNESS FALLS
(Sony Pictures/Revolution Studios).
It was for both of them their first feature film
and their first number one at the U.S box office.
His interest however in smaller
and more personal films
led to award winning performances
in the critically acclaimed
and internationally renowned short films
‘MONA LISA’,
‘296 SMITH STREET and ‘JOEY’.
Winning Best Actor awards
at both the Melbourne International Film Festival
and St Kilda Film Festival.
This commitment to independent filmmaking
and unique storytelling next
brought him to the attention
of director Spike Jonze for his adaptation
of the children’s classic
‘WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE’
(Warner Bros./Playtone).
Steve’s recent credits include
the Stuart Beattie helmed
‘I, FRANKENSTEIN’
(Lionsgate/ Lakeshore Entertainment)
starring Aaron Eckhart.
Steve also recently won
The 2014 Green Room award
for his performance as ‘Lophakin’
in The Cherry Orchard for
Melbourne Theatre Company.
THE SUICIDE THEORY
is his first time
working with director Dru Brown
and Seven8 Media.
LEON CAIN – as Percival
Leon Cain was born in Brisbane, Queensland
and attended the University of Southern Queensland,
studying acting for three years
graduating in 2004.
A decade later Leon continues
to draw critical and public acclaim
for his powerful stage performances,
including the spine tingling
emotional rollercoaster role
of Liam in Queensland Theatre Company’s
2011 production of Orphans.
And his one man show
for La Boite Theatre Company
I Love you Bro.
He later toured the country
with this one man play
in which he played 16 or so characters
and won two Australian Theatre awards.
Some other stage performances include
A Winter’s Tale, Oedipus The King, Away
(for which he won a Sydney Theatre Critic’s award
for best newcomer and was nominated for Best Actor),
That Face, School of Arts, Oak Tree,
Man Equals Man and Kelly,
all for Queensland State Theatre Company.
Leon was also a QTC Emerging Artist in 2006.
Film and television credits include the feature film,
The Suicide Theory (Directed by Dru Brown),
Nice Package (Directed by Dan Macarthur),
Mental (Directed by PJ Hogan),
Terra Nova (Directed by John Cassar),
The Straits (Directed by Rachael Ward),
Sisters of War (ABC telemovie Directed by Brendan Maher),
H2O, as well as TV Commercials,
as well as working as a voice over artist.
THE PRODUCTION
The Suicide Theory script had been in the hands of
Director, Dru Brown, for a few years before Seven8 Media
decided to put the pedal to the floor
and create Steven and Percival’s world.
These years saw Dru and Mike collaborate on
several scripts,
and when the existing option agreements
for the script expired in 2012,
Seven8 Media took it up.
Casting was a long and arduous process.
Having a story that focused on just two people
and their complex relationship,
it was vital to find the right fit
to make the story come to life.
The search for ‘Steven’ went on for several weeks,
scouring some of the biggest
and best agencies and names in Australia.
Dru had noticed Steve Mouzakis purely by accident
while watching a web-series,
but sought out his other works as soon as he did.
As soon as Dru decided
Steve had the look and talent
to carry a role such as
the troubled Steven Ray,
principal photography was set
for a 20-day shoot around
Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
The entire Production,
including post was handled
in Queensland, Australia.
*SPECIAL THANKS TO MONTEQUE POPE LE BEAU at THE ART OF MONTEQUE!
Please tune in at:
OR
http://www.
OR
https://itunes.apple.com/us/
Musical Artists:
Suzanna Owiyo, Julie C. Myers, Milan Mumin,
Lady Chann & Diesel,
LeToya Luckett & T. I., ELTE, NOEL
Broadcast # 233
Duration 1:27:14
Air Date 3/16/15
Uncle Earl & Director/Prducer Nemanja Bala
Milan Mumin & Cast
Milan Mumin & Eleanor Hutchins
Milan Mumin & Cast
Milan Mumin & Jelena Stupljanin
Suzanna Owiyo
Julie C. Myers
Lady Chann
LeToya Luckett
T.I.
ELTE
NOEL
The Theory Suicide
Australian Filmmaker Dru Brown
The Suicide Theory Production Team at Opening
Director Dru Brown with Stars Steve Mouzakis & Leon Cain
Radioactive Broadcasting Network
MusicXray
Lockerdome
Skyboxx Empire Entertainment
Marishka Phillips Theatrical Preparatory
Nicole Muj/Kultura PR
The Art Of Monteque