VIVA PISTOLERAS!

I realize it's an odd thing that I write a Tinseltown blog and rarely talk about what tinsely things I'm actually up to. Well here you go. In addition to my own script which is just about to leave the next and make its rounds about town, I'm also producing an Indie film called Pistoleras. The writer and I are in the final cut consideration for the FIND (Film INDependent - Indie spirit awards, etc.) Producer's Lab. Here's what we told them about why we have to make this film indie:

"Ours is not a main stream film. It would be pushed and pummeled by studio executives and come out the other end of the main stream system a milk toast, lily-white version of itself. This simply won’t do. We want to make a film that speaks to young women about being proud of who you are, finding out how far you’ll go for people you care about, and setting boundaries for yourself and your body. It speaks with an unprecedented frankness about sexuality and violence against women in a way we all understand as women today but rarely see in today’s media."

Check us out at www.pistolerasmovie.com, buy our fund-raiser bracelet, support indie film!

The High Priestess of Broken Hearts

At first I was afraid
I was petrified…

Before the first verse of Gloria Gaynor’s classic had finished, the dance floor was filled with strutting women smiling like rock stars and acting the lyrics out to each other.

“Why is ‘I Will Survive’ such a women’s anthem?” Mr. Wonderful wanted to know as we watched from the sidelines.

I couldn’t really give him a good answer at the time. But he was right. Almost every woman and girl I know holds the song dear. Had he not been with me, I’m sure I would have been among the rush to the dance floor.

On a very basic level, I think it speaks to every woman’s wish hold her head up no matter the hard knocks life has thrown at her. Perhaps because there is not really a lot a accepted venues for women to stand up and assert their power. Maybe a woman dancing out there would never have the courage to speak up to an abusive boyfriend but she can get out there and dance and feel for three minutes that she is in fact strong. I can pretty much guarantee every woman on the dance floor is either dancing to get over a broken heart or remembering and celebrating having gotten over one.

It comes as no surprise that dating in LA, or dating anywhere, can get messy. Heartbreak, deception, miscommunication and disappointment go hand in hand with the thrill of new love or what you let yourself believe is love.

When the shit hits the fan, we get upset, hurt, angry, sad and most of all frustrated that yet another prince turned out to be just a frog. We have those nights of crying on the shoulder of a good girlfriend, or moping into our Ben and Jerry’s.

Kept thinking I could never live without you by my side

And then we have nights of shining a light on ourselves. Looking in the mirror and realizing that it’s not us; we are amazing, powerful and beautful. It’s him dealing with, or more accurately, not dealing with his own fears and hang ups. And we’re stronger and know ourselves a little better because of it all.

But then I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong
and I grew strong
and I learned how to carry on

Ultimately we all want some reassurance that we will in fact survive. If that comes in the form of a cheesy disco tune so be it.

So you see me
Somebody new
Not that chained up little person still in love with you
and you just felt like walking and just expect me to be free
Now I'm saving all my lovin' for someone who's lovin' me

Sing it, girls!

Light Saber Guitar

“Who is Willie Nelson?”

I had just invited a British friend of mine to join me for last night’s Hollywood Bowl concert and was taken off guard by her response.

I mean, how do you answer that? He’s a living legend. A piece of Americana. He’s a former dandy, a country star, a rocker, an author (“ The Tao of Willie Nelson”(!) for example), a father, a Texan, a one-time tax evader…he’s put out something like four hundred albums, six this year alone. His songs are part of every American’s subconscious.

Who is Willie Nelson?

“Um, he’s the guy with the bandana and the braids,” I faltered.

Great answer.

“Er, remember that song with Julio Iglesias: To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before?”

“Oh. Yeah,” she said.

I found myself at a total loss to remember any other specific, more representative song. American brain fart. I told her to just come anyway. That she’d recognize tons of his stuff when we got there. As would I, I hoped. I mean, it’s Willie. Just going to hear him play would be the best way to answer the question: who is Willie Nelson.

So the legend himself took the stage and smiled his way through a tight set chock full of classics and new tunes.

“Oh yeah, this song! I love this song!” My friend squealed while I silently said the same in my head.

At a certain point, the giant screens showed those of us in the nosebleeds the rocking face of Willie’s young guitarist. He was a fresh-faced cutie with a flowing white shirt and a distinctly 70s Mark Hamill flop of dark blond hair. Naturally, we started referring to him as Luke.

“Check out young Skywalker tearing that solo up! He rocks!”

And he did. His fingers flew over the neck of his guitar with a speed I was amazed by. And I see a lot of the rock and roll.

Willie watched proudly and followed with a serious, solid solo of his own. As the song ended he introduced this six string Jedi: “This is my son, Lucas.”

We gasped. It’s true then. He is young Skywalker.

Come to think of it, with his cropped white beard and serene eyes, Willie does bear an uncanny resemblance to a certain Jedi master. He’s our centered, Zen legend who is rocking through the decades and influencing young musicians everywhere.

And I can finally answer my friend’s question: Willie Nelson is the American Obi Wan Kenobi. It all makes sense now.

A Worthwhile Film

I know I owe you a real essay post and having just gotten home from a week in NYC and the Berkshires with Mr. Wonderful meeting mom and cousins, believe me, I'm on it!

However, seeing that everything in my professional life is organized around bringing great movies from creative minds to the people I have to plug this great film. I fell in love with it a few months ago at a festival. It's a great look politics and love and how they mix...or don't. Major props to the filmmaker for making it happen in true indie guerilla style too.

As the distribution company is small and the marketing budget is zero, we are taking PR to the grassiest of roots. So, please, if you are a lover of indie cinema, or just a kind hearted soul, pass this on to everyone in your address book. The film will open in NY but will be hitting all other major cities later on. If you want some more information on the film, you can check out our myspace page at: www.myspace.com/conventioneersmovie We will be posting theatres and show times as the information comes in.

Independent Spirit Award-winning CONVENTIONEERS Opens Oct. 20 in NYC!Shot inside and outside the 2004 Republican National Convention, director Mora Stephens and producer Joel Viertel incorporate real people and events into the narrative story of Conventioneers. MASSEY, a Republican delegate to the 2004 RNC, falls into an affair with LEA, a woman he knew in college and a fierce liberal organizer protesting at the convention. Both are political virgins who have always surrounded themselves with like minds and haven’t ever confronted the “enemy” in the flesh.

At the same time, DYLAN, a former protester who dropped out of the scene after becoming a father, has to determine his true convictions. Hired as a sign language interpreter for the President's speech at the convention, his activist friends try to convince him to protest during the President’s speech. The tension builds as Dylan takes his place next to the President on the Convention floor (actor Alek Friedman actually served as the President’s ASL interpreter and all footage of him at the convention is authentic), while Massey and Lea try and find each other in the chaos outside. What follows tests each character’s beliefs about politics, love and commitment.

The film blends actors with real events and activists from both sides of the aisle, and features breakthrough performances by actors Matthew Mabe and Woodwyn Koons as the star-crossed lovers and Alek Friedman as the interpreter.

THE INDEPENDENT SPIRIT JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD:
Conventioneers won the Independent Spirit Ward for best feature film produced for less than $500,000. The Independent Spirit Awards nominates only five feature films a year for this award.

REVIEWS

Ain’t It Cool News:
“GO SEE THIS. Someone out there, for God's sake, distribute this great entertainment and let Americans see it.”

Entertainment Insiders:
“Conventioneers is a terrific narrative independent feature that captures the spirit of both the conservative Republican mindset and the idealized (some say naïve) Liberal protests that took place during the 2004 Republican convention. While it is a love story set during the chaos of the convention, it plays a little like a thriller especially as some protest organizers get access to the convention through a sign language interpreter. The film is a modern "Medium Cool" of sorts and makes terrific use of the real crowds and events that transpired during the 2004 Republican Convention.

Film Journal International:
“SUPERB!… this terrific film… and the outcome, like the election itself, will be something to track.”