The
SOHO in the BURG Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA and The Forwardian Arts
Society presented The 2nd
Forwardian Film Festival on May 2nd
and 3rd.
The first festival was held on Friday April 15th,
2011 at a coffeehouse in Stroudsburg, PA called, “The Cheeky
Monkey” that has since closed (Read about it at
www.facebook.com/notes/paul-adam-smeltz/films-fit-for-a-forwardian/10150157262106232).
Like the first festival, the second endeavor showcased the work of a
number of filmmakers who each demonstrated a variety approaches to
film making in regards to subject matter and cinematic style.
Although the festival was originally intended to focus on the talents
of filmmakers who live in Monroe County, PA and it's surrounding
areas, the use of the Internet allowed individuals from various parts
of the world to participate which gave the festival a vitality it may
not have been able to offer otherwise.
The
fist day of the festival focused on films not exceeding 15 minutes in
length. The international flavor of the festival was demonstrated in
the first film that was shown. It was
a short stop motion animation piece titled, “The Journey” from a
filmmaker who lives in Bangalore,
India
named
Palden Khar www.youtube.com/user/paldenkhar.
The film was about the inner journey found in meditation which allows
one to take and to arrive at the destinations that normally can't be
reached or imagined. After the film, Paul Adam Smeltz (yeah that's
me), who is the facilitator of The Forwardian Arts Society, welcomed
the gathering and introduced the next film.
“The
Man in a Cardboard Box” was a live action film directed by Kyle
Rebar www.imdb.com/name/nm5047442
and featured Ronnie Mehalco in the title role. The film dealt with
the isolation and personal degradation caused by mass production, TV,
and social networking. The film's conclusion led to a number of
questions relating to the work along with a great deal of
thoughtfully energetic discussion. As the discussion waned, Paul came
forward to introduce a number of short films directed by Kevin
Vorgrin www.kevinvogrin.com.
The
first of these was an experimental, avant-garde film titled, “Happy
Halloween” that utilized a great deal of layering and sound
editing to create an immersive, hallucinatory world for the viewer to
explore. The second film was titled, “Long Time Smoker Episode 1”
and focused on the life of a man who spends most of his time
collecting, examining, and dignifying stuff he finds on his uncleaned
carpet. The third film was titled, “Self Mutilation” which was
created between 2011-2012 and displays the absence of self while
questioning the presence of film as entertainment. The final film
created by Mr. Vorgrin that was shown was titled, “Ask Dr. Lou -
Lou The Bingo Kingo” which is part of a short web series concept in
conjunction with The Larry Wargo Show
www.facebook.com/TheLarryWargoShow?ref=stream
in which Lou gives advice and answers to viewer submitted problems
and questions.
As
each film concluded, Mr. Vorgrin responded to questions from the
audience and exchanged thoughts with a number of them. It was at this
point did a break ensue allowing the dozen of so film lovers to
converse further with the filmmakers and each other about what they
had experienced. After a time, Paul invited the gathering to return
to their seat to enjoy more films that would be offered throughout
the remainder of the evening. The first of these was a suspense
thriller involving a hunt for a mysterious cult who have engaged in
several ritualistic murders titled, “Black Sun”
www.ccaputo1990.wix.com/blacksunmovie
that was directed by Christian Caputo and was submitted by Gerard
Ucelli who portrayed the bartender in the piece. Unfortunately, Mr.
Ucelli was not present to respond to any questions but there were
some favorable comments from the audience relating the quality of the
film and its narrative.
The
next films to be presented were a collection of short animated pieces
directed by Teddy Hazard
www.facebook.com/HazardStudios?pnref=about.overview
collectively refereed to as Krust Toons which is a web comic/web
series based on the day to day antics of the citizens of the music
scene oriented town of Gutsville. Unfortunately, Mr. Hazard was
unable to attend but the animation and their themes led to some
discussion after the laughter subsided. The first day of The
Forwardian Film Festival concluded with a film directed by Martelle
Jones titled, “Tell Me About Your Father” featuring Elizabeth
Streczyk. The film proved to be a soul touching recollection filled
with thoughtful contemplation originating from both Ms. Streczyk and
the members of the audience who connected with her words. Mr. Jones
shared his inspirations that led to the film while answering
questions and adding his insights to the discussion that ensued. The
evening ended as Paul bid the company farewell and invited everyone
to return for the second day of the festival.
The
second day of the festival saw a much smaller crowd than the previous
day. However, the enthusiasm of discovering the treasures that can be
found in new original films was not diminished. The afternoon began
with some welcoming word shared by Paul Adam Smeltz (Yep, that's
still me) followed by the first feature length film that was shown
for the day. The film consisted of an interview conducted by Anthony
R. Cuttitta (who submitted the film) with members of the Wyckoff
family for The Monroe Historical Association
www.monroehistorical.org.
The family owed a department store that was a prevalent fixture of
the town of Stroudsburg, PA. After 106 years in business, the store
closed in 1981 leaving a big economic gap in the local community. The
interview served in providing an oral history of the store and all it
did to make the community they were a part of a better one.
Mr.
Cuttitta was not present to share his insights about the film.
However, after the film concluded, Jody Singer (who represented the
late Hank Aldrich who directed the film titled, “Robin”) stood
before the audience to say he knew more about the history of The
Wyckoff family and its business than he did about the film he
submitted to the festival. Mr. Singer then proceeded to enhance the
film with additional facts he learned about the family and all the
community endeavors they pursued that made Stroudsburg, PA not only a
nice place to visit, but a wonderful town to call home.
The
second film of the day was one directed by the late Hank Aldrich who
was an intricate part of the Artistic Community of the Pocono Region.
The film was titled, “Robin” (1979) and it stared Monica Tidwell
who appeared in a pictorial spread as the playmate of the month in
the November 1973 issue of Playboy magazine in the titled role. The
film centers around a woman named Robin who is a model running from
her abusive husband while forming a relationship with a married
district attorney who once sent her to jail for prostitution. The
film was followed by a talk given by Jody Singer who is the caretaker
of Mr. Aldrich's estate.
While
Mr. Singer couldn't speak on the intricacies of the film, he did
speak at length about Mr. Aldrich and his continuing effect on the
Artistic community. It was at the conclusion of Mr. Singer's remarks
did the festival come to a close. Those who were fortunate enough to
experience the films presented that day shared their farewells with
one another while expressing a desire to attend another Forwardian
Film Festival in the future. You'll
find photographs taken during The
Forwardian Film Festival held
at The SOHO in the BURG Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA on May 2nd
and 3rd
at
www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153830669813761.1073741847.91146283760&type=1.
You'll also find photographs taken in various locations throughout
the area in The Pocono Art
District 2015 Archive at
www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153087858925421.1073741965.636000420&type=1
and
those in a wider variety of venues in The Performing
Arts 2015 Archive at
www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.789279141163124.1073741841.207838092640568&type=1.
If
I may say so myself (and I do say so myself), The
Forwardian Film Festival was a great festival. And, I would like to
take this time to thank The
SOHO in the BURG Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA for housing the event and
the venue's staff member, Stephen Washington, for supplying the
computer that was used to show the films. I also would like to thank
Jody Singer and The Origins Gallery
www.facebook.com/OriginsGalleryStroudsburg
for
providing the festival with a screen and some additional chairs. And,
I would like to thank the filmmakers who shared their wonderful
cinematic talents that made what we saw something worth seeing and
especially to Kyle
Rebar and Kevin Vorgrin who brought the projector used to show the
films all the way from Scranton, PA and shared their insights gained
from their experience in holding film festivals in their home town
with me. Last but not least, I would like to thank those who attended
the festival as well as those who helped to promote it for supporting
this wonderful endeavor. I am humbled by your love for the arts and
your desire to help make our next film festival even better. Thank
you all.
The SOHO in the BURG Gallery is located on the corner of 6th and Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA which was the location of the J. J. Newberry’s store. The gallery opened its doors to the public in April of 2012 and is owned by Andrea Robbins Rimberg who has become well known for her exuberant energies and creativity as many of her pieces are on display in prestigious galleries throughout the United States. In addition to special events like The Forwardian Film Festival, the gallery presents exhibition that feature the work of local artists. The current exhibition features the work of Joe Mooney and Emilio Arostegui along with the accomplishments of local artists in a group exhibit titled, “Springing in The Rain.” The exhibit will on display until May 30th. The next exhibit is titled, “Eye Candy” which will begin with an Artists' Reception on Saturday June 6th beginning at 4pm and will continue to be on display until July 30th. Please explore The SOHO in the BURG Gallery Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/sohointheburg or their Website at www.sohointheburg.com to learn of their future exhibits and all the gallery has to offer the creative community.
The
Forwardian Arts Society is a fellowship for people who love the arts
which began in the October of 2001. The Basic Art Lover Membership in
the group is free and open to anyone who has a love for the arts and
a desire to become a member. An advanced Passionate Art Lover
Membership is available at an annual fee for those who are able and
willing to support the fellowship financially. Please feel free to
learn how to be a member by exploring their “We Heart The
Forwardian Arts” Facebook Page at
www.facebook.com/Wehearttheforwardianarts.
In
addition to The Forwardian Film Festival, the fellowship publishes a
literary and arts magazine titled, “Forwardian”
www.facebook.com/pages/Forwardian/146331875478830
whose 10th
issue is scheduled to be available on line in June 2015. The
Forwardian Arts Society recently held their Cover to Cover III
exhibit
www.facebook.com/notes/the-forwardian-arts-society/covering-our-forwardian-at-origins/10153826301073761
at the Origins Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA to determine which image
would appear on the upcoming issue's front and back covers. The
Forwardian Arts Society also posts articles and photographs of
recently held art related events on their Facebook Page. Please
feel free to explore The Forwardian Arts Society Facebook Page at
www.facebook.com/pages/The-Forwardian-Arts-Society/91146283760
or their Website at www.forwardianarts.org
for more information.
Photography
by Paparazzi Paul
No comments:
Post a Comment