“La Clave,” a documentary by Mariella Sosa, is about the similarities between two types of music genres known today as Salsa and Reggaeton.
Sosa, a Venezuelan born photographer/director, traveled to Puerto Rico and New York to interview some of the biggest musical geniuses in the Latin music industry including Gilberto Santa Rosa, Willie Colon, Cheo Feliciano, Tego Calderon, Julio Voltio, Hector “El Father”, and more.
“La Clave” is being shown for the first time in Los Angeles. The documentary won the award for Best Documentary at the El Rincon Film Festival in Puerto Rico this year, and was also shown at the Rhode Island Film Festival in 2008 and at the New York Latino Film Festival in 2009.
The name for the documentary comes from La Clave, which is the five-note two bar rhythm pattern that generates rhythmic measurement. It’s the foundation and backbone of Salsa and all Afro-Cuban based music.
Based in South Beach, Sosa has been one of the city’s artistic forerunners as its renaissance took place. She has not only made a name for herself by shooting album covers, but also directing music videos for Sony Music, Universal Music, EMI, BMG, Fonovisa, live concerts and an Urban Latino Entertainment show, “Da Click.”
For the last 15 years, Sosa has been compiling a respected portfolio within the industry.
She had photographed personalities such as singer Gloria Estefan and her husband and music producer Emilio Estefan, actor/musician Andy Garcia, Selena, and Juan Gabriel, the master of the romantic song in Spanish.
Sosa’s background is in photography – she’s been called a miracle worker of the lens – but the transition into film work was easy, especially for this documentary because of the subject.
“I've always felt that nature and music were my early inspirations, and I still feel that today,” says Sosa.
www.laclavedocumentary.com
For more information, contact:
Director Mariella Sosa 305-924-6574, mariellasosa@aol.com
Producer Jenny Suarez 786-270-6533, msfilms@aol.com
October 15th at 6PM is your last chance to see this Award Winning documentary in Los Angeles.
For more info go;
http://www.ButterfliesTheMovie.com
What on Earth? -- "Inside the crop circle mystery," which won the 2009 EBE Award for Best Feature Documentary from the UFO Congress Film Festival, will be screened as part of the LA FEMME FILM FESTIVAL on Thursday, October 15, at 10 am at the Davidson/Valentini Theatre, 1125 N. McCadden Place, Los Angeles, CA 90038.
What on Earth? tracks Producer/Director Suzanne Taylor’s interactions, in England, as part of an international community of visionary artists, scientists, philosophers, mathematicians, educators, writers, and farmers who marvel at crop circles, the unexplained global phenomenon that has puzzled humanity for centuries.
Circle enthusiasts, who converge in England every summer to go circle-chasing and indulge in circle analysis, talk about they have become so fascinated by this phenomenon. Evidence is presented that challenges the idea that all the glyphs are made by people, and the motives of the hoaxers, who make some of them, is a subject for speculation. So is the question about what is delivering the circles and why they are being created.
“The most startling revelations we get from crop circles come from their shapes,” says Taylor. “We are being given a virtual curriculum in number and geometry.” The film also looks at the circles as art and as instigations to reexamine ancient knowledge lost to a culture separated from nature.
In the film, interviewees speculate about what the effect would be if it were ascertained that the circles aren't being made by us. “If we knew we were not the only advanced intelligence in the cosmos,” says Taylor, “we would be one humanity in relation to ‘the other,’ and, as someone in the film says, ‘That could be what saves this civilization.’”
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Lives of YouTube “Weblebrities” Chronicled in Upcoming Documentary
Meet six folks in the feature documentary “Butterflies” who share the common goal of becoming internet sensations via YouTube. Each real-life character in the documentary has made a presence online with thousands of subscribers following their daily lives and video blogs.
“Butterflies” is being presented by La Femme Film Festival on October 15th, 2009 at 6PM at the Davidson/Valentini Theatre, 1125 N McCadden Place in
Los Angeles.
Ester Brym, producer, director and editor of the documentary, is thrilled to showcase her work at La Femme
“This opportunity to showcase YouTube on a big screen means that the traditional and new media are slowly merging” Brym said. “Each character in the film represents each one of you. The girl next door, the talented musician, the up and coming actress or the regular guy who always makes you laugh.”
The film has won the Alan J. Bailey Excellence Award at AOF and has been nominated for Best Social Commentary at AOF and Best Director and Feature Documentary 2009 at Montana IFF.
For more information about Butterflies,” visit www.butterfliesthemovie.com
Free Swim is an award winning documentary film about the paradox of coastal people not knowing how to swim. Taking place on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas we follow a group of kids as they overcome their fears, gain confidence and reconnect with their environment by learning to swim in open waters. With fresh memories of a friend drowning and the conflicts of growing tourism, for these kids it’s not just about floating, but gaining new skills for their future.
Eleuthera, which means ‘freedom’ in Greek, is so long and narrow (approximately 110 miles long and on average 1 mile wide) that it’s like walking a tightrope between two bodies of water. In close proximity to the US, the tourism industry thrives in the Bahamas, but Eleuthera has experienced a cyclical rise and fall of tourism, which coincided with the crash of pineapple and cattle farming and increased stress on local seafood stocks. With its particularly thin geography, bucolic landscape and stunning water, its culture is rooted in a rural fishing vibe that holds family traditions dear in the face of growing social-environmental conflicts. Free Swim uses the topic of learning to swim as a way to explore more complicated aspects of life on Eleuthera, such as influences on community function by the media, drowning, tourism, overfishing, and education. This multifaceted approach is essential to the development of the film’s theme of paradox in paradise all the while using swimming as the anchor, literally and metaphorically. The story thread is woven with footage of children learning to swim in their backyard sea. Underwater footage shows the challenges of learning to breathe in a new environment and the powers of discovering a beautiful, new world. We see the Swim to Empower program in action. Swim to Empower was founded by two young American women who traveled to South Eleuthera, the most economically challenged part of the island, to teach people of all ages to swim and moreover, to empower locals to teach one another.
The documentary is shot in verite style following kids into the water classroom for swimming lessons and empowerment. The behavioral and emotional dimensions of the swimming students in/out and above/below the water are presented together with elements of community dynamics, the island’s natural resources, and socio-economic perspectives. The audience meets many characters including teachers, artists, parents, and fishermen. All of the storylines combined present a portrait of the social, environmental and economic issues on the island and the impact it holds for the world at large. Through the power of learning to swim the story promotes discussion about the swimming gap and ignites broader questions about health and conservation: What might be the unexpected power of learning to swim? What is at stake when people are unable to connect with their environment beyond purely using it for utilitarian gain? And, when we come to better understand our environment will we value it, and ourselves, more? For many, swimming translates into a new perspective – a “sink or swim” mixed with a “there’s no place like home” sentiment – bringing a greater sense of freedom with the knowledge that the underwater world exists and can be survived, and even enjoyed.
Recognizing that drowning is a leading cause of death for children globally and that many questions exist about minorities and the swimming gap, Free Swim is an empowering film that is relevant for a wide, international audience and will be made available through film festivals, commercial distribution, educational outreach programs, and television. It documents the essence of daily life in a coastal world, avoiding both a romantic vision of island lifestyle and an overly academic approach to environmental and public health topics. While the documentary’s emotional trajectory unfolds in a new island destination for many audience members, the process of learning to swim allows viewers to tap into personal fears and have an experience with the ocean. Learning to swim is a personal thing, which is passed on from adult to child and is at the core of one’s identity and development. The film appeals to swimmers and non-swimmers alike because all humans have a relationship with water, and in particular to adults and children who have memories of vacationing in coastal places. Despite the different, immediate realities of life on Eleuthera, the characters express similar concerns to people living in more developed locations. Free Swim engages through the process of discovery, in and out of the water, and aims to inspire viewers to question their own relationships with the world, even in places located far from the ocean.
Brief Synopsis
Don't believe the hype!
THE 2008 Presidential Race did not just occur on television, in debates and soundbytes. It occurred in households across America. THE MONDAVI GANG is a gripping emotional portrayal of friends deliberating the presidential candidacy and learning that personalities and politics will clash and communication is the hardest thing of all. This film captures the sentiments and tensions of American voters with all the realism and none of the bias of media commentary.
As the characters discuss their views, those in the audience will find themselves drawn into a compelling conversation. THE MONDAVI GANG is a fresh look at how 2008 was the year the American people woke up and finally talked to each other.
Meet the Cast, Crew
AnnaLea Rawicz Arnold (Lauren)
AnnaLea Rawicz Arnold, was born in Caracas, Venezuela and raised in Miami, Florida where she eventually attended New World School of the Performing Arts. Tired of the constant sunny weather and beautiful blue skies AnnaLea relocated to Boston, Massachusetts and studied under Kristin Linklater at Emerson College obtaining a Bachelors in Fine Arts. Three years of snow and ice were enough; after graduation AnnaLea relocated to Los Angeles, California and continued her training at Playhouse West with Bob Carnegie and Jeff Goldblum.
T.V. and film credits include several now canceled shows. Perhaps you caught her in Garfield: The Movie (with husband Evan Arnold), or on Providence, Gilmore Girls, 7th Heaven (recurring), or City Guys (recurring).
She is a member of The Troubador Theater Company (All's Kool That End's Kool, Fleetwood MacBeth, It's A Stevie Wonderful Life) and associate member of Buffalo Nights (Anatol, Crazy Drunk).
After a five-year foray into the high pressure Hospitality Interior Design world and a three year foray into motherhood, AnnaLea is back in the acting world. It's been more than a month! Apart from The Mondavi Gang, AnnaLea just completed the Dances with Films 2 for 2 Short Film Challenge where she played Dr. Strunkenwhite in Dr. Strunkenwhite, Grammar Therapist.
R. Brandon Johnson (Greg)
R. Brandon Johnson, a native of Bloomington, Minnesota, graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BFA in Theatre. In New York City, he studied at the American Theatre of Actors under Denny Albee. In addition to appearing in more than 27 commercials, he appeared in ABC’s One Life to Live, in the reoccurring role of Michael McBain. Several years later, ABC brought him to back to play a sexy, loyal ranch hand, Chuck Wilson III. He has also appeared in other soaps including The Guiding Light and As the World Turns. Other television credits include the History Channel’s Blood Red. He is currently working on The Disney Channel’s hit show, Hannah Montana, as the reoccurring guest star, Brian Winters.
Brandon’s film credits include, The Notorious Bette Page; Rick ; Invisible Evidence, Malevolence, where he played the lead role of Julian; and Little Erin Merryweather, a horror film currently available at major video stores. Brandon just completed a short film, The Mondavi Gang, a political potboiler about the 2008 presidential election.
Brandon’s on-camera experience includes hosting that started with WNYE’s Cool in Your Code, which to date has been nominated for 19 NY Emmy awards and was just launched in London. Simultaneously, he worked as premiere host for OLN’s Rally America. Afterwards, he booked Formula D for the G4 TV Network. After moving to Los Angeles in 2006, he was offered a shot at HGTV's Get Out, Way Out! It's been a perfect fit ever since.
The series just wrapped 26 episodes. The 2nd Season premiered in HD this past March; plus he just finished shooting two Pilot’s Pretty Smart and Perfect for VH1. This past November Brandon joined Jeannie Mai on USA’s Character Fantasy.
When not in front of the camera he can be found behind a drum kit-his second home for the past 19 years. Brandon’s done 4 US Tours with various bands and released 5 albums. This experience helped him land another hosting gig for MySpace called the MySpace Music Feed.
David Morwick (Brad)
Writer, Co-Director
David Morwick is a native of Bridgewater, Massachusetts. He started in the business as a child actor and model. David received the 'Best Actor' award from the Boston Globe's Drama Festival for his portrayal of Roy Hubley in Neil Simon's Plaza Suite. He acted in several summer-stock productions until he was accepted into the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. He continued his studies with Kristin Linklater at Emerson College where he earned a BFA in Acting.
After acting in several independent films in Boston, he decided to write, direct and star in his own feature film, Little Erin Merryweather, a psychological thriller. The film went on to win Best Feature at the Woods Hole Film Festival and since then has been distributed worldwide. The original sound track for the film has recently been released in Russia.
One of David’s passions is politics, which has been part of his life since he was a child. He actively campaigned and worked for political candidates including Sen. Edward Kennedy, Congressman Barney Frank and most recently former President Bill Clinton and now Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He is also a member of the Clinton Global Initiative. His involvement in politics led him to write The Mondavi Gang which he co-directed and starred in.
His next project is a feature film, The Auditor, based on the novel, “The Auditor” by Thomas W. Hammond, Jr.
Lalesha Railsback (Ellen)
Co-Director
Lalesha Railsback was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She is the daughter of film and TV actor Steve Railsback and producer Jackie Giroux. She got her start in the film industry when she appeared in commercials as a child.
Lalesha has been on both sides of the camera. Her film credits include Forever, Coo Coo Café, Blue Seduction and most recently, The Mondavi Gang. Having a desire to be part of the action on the other side of the camera, Lalesha has worked in a variety of capacities including script supervisor for Blue Seduction,starring Billy Zane and a recently completed thriller, American Sunset where she worked with Corey Haim.
As a young mother of three children, Lalesha juggles a demanding schedule but is determined to make her mark in the world of film. In The Mondavi Gang, Lalesha makes her debut as a director while acting in the film as well.
"The Beacon" is a suspenseful, supernatural thriller starring Teri Polo, David Rees Snell, Elaine Hendrix, Michael Ironside and Ken Howard. It took the top award for best feature film at the 2009 Paranoia Film Festival, where Teri Polo also won for best actress.
For full synopsis, cast, photos and more, check out www.sabbaticalpictures.com