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SCENE @ SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2009 – Special Event
IndieVest Pictures Party, with Performance by Molly Jenson

By Denise Castillón

IndieVest, an independent film studio, financier and distributor, held the first of its parties during Sundance, on Friday, January 16th. The festivities commenced following a private cocktail reception and four-course gourmet dinner in the main ballroom of the luxurious Hotel Park City, and featured a special performance by up-and-coming singer/songwriter, Molly Jenson. The exclusive guest list included film industry “insiders” as well as high-net-worth IndieVest members.

IndieVest is an independent film studio and distributor financed by its’ membership-based community of accredited investors. IndieVest members are provided with opportunities to become an “exclusive insider” in the independent film community, as well as “first look” access to independent film projects currently under development at IndieVest Pictures. Once a member chooses to invest in one or more independent film investment opportunities, they become a screen-credited IndieVest Executive Producer. Above and beyond the reward of contributing to a feature film project and a potentially significant return on investment, investors receive “Executive Producer-only” privileges. An Executive Producer is able to attend the set location while their particular film is shooting, plus enjoy premium VIP seating at their film’s premiere screening as well as the after-party attended with members of the cast.

Among the guests enjoying the evening’s events, were IndieVest Executive Producers –New York-based artist Nic Rad, chemical manufacturers and brothers, Aakash and Badal Shah, who are financing the studios’ first film production, the comedy SAINT JOHN OF LAS VEGAS, starring Steve Buscemi, Sarah Silverman, Romany Malco and Peter Dinklage.

YET: What motivated you to become a film investor?

BADAL SHAH: The motivation for me to become a film investor was largely due to my passion for film combined with the opportunistic participation that IndieVest provided. I always knew that I would like to pursue my passion for film by getting involved with the business side of the industry and indieVest offered the best opportunity and what seemed to be the lowest-risk investment for a rookie film investor.

AAKASH SHAH: I felt very confident in the indieVest team and revenue model, and this is what really helped me confirm that I was making the right decision. I feel confident that being a part of indieVest will help me become involved in quality films that bring real experiences to the viewers.

NIC RAD: I see the value…plus, I value the opportunity to bring together artists and commerce. Personally, I’ve watched friends struggle to bring their film projects into production. Now that I’ve achieved success as an artist, I can support filmmakers in their artistic medium through my investment.


YET: Why join IndieVest community?

BADAL SHAH: I chose to join the IndieVest community because of the wealth of experience, knowledge, and intelligence of the indieVest staff. This combined with their extremely strategic revenue model which included guaranteed distribution, proved to be an extremely attractive investment and team that I wanted to join.

AAKASH SHAH: I also feel that it is a great opportunity to meet with other investors from completely different industries as a way of networking and possibly diversifying further into new business opportunities.

NIC RAD: I joined IndieVest, then got involved in its’ SAINT JOHN OF LAS VEGAS film project, before the economic crisis hit in late 2008. Nevertheless, the movie industry did very well in 2008, and, continues to do so. Just look how well the comedy “Four Christmases” performed at the box office.


YET: Why did you commit to participate financially on SAINT JOHN OF LAS VEGAS?

AAKASH SHAH: I chose to financially participate in “Saint John” because I believed in the project and the experience that would resonate with the viewers. I believe that this type of comedy would create a good experience for viewers who are stuck in the dark days of the current economic crisis. I feel that with the combination of actors such as Steve Buscemi, Romany Malco, and Sarah Silverman, this will be a classic slapstick comedy that many people will like to see over and over again.

NIC RAD: I’m very impressed with IndieVest ….SAINT JOHN OF LAS VEGAS is a comedy with a great cast. And, it’s all been a good experience. I’ve enjoyed collaborating with the other investors as well as visiting the set and meeting the actors in the film, especially, Steve Buscemi, whose work I’ve always admired. It’s been a unique experience.

The feature-length comedy, SAINT JOHN OF LAS VEGAS is due to premiere late spring of 2009, and is a playful adaptation of Dante's "Inferno," starring Steve Buscemi as an ex-gambler, who gets lured back into the “Game” by a maverick insurance fraud investigator, played by Romany Malco. Emily Mortimer stars as their quirky co-worker. Tim Blake Nelson, John Cho and Emmanuelle Chriqui round out the films’ cast.


The founder and CEO of IndieVest, Inc. (IndieVest Pictures, IndieVest Securties), is former venture capitalist, Wade H. Bradley. The IndieVest Industry Advisory Board is comprised of Don Cheadle, Liev Schreiber, Mike Binder and Tim Blake Nelson.

In 2008, IndieVest’s membership, comprised of primarily individualists- doctors, surgeons, various business and technology entrepreneurs, real estate developers, oilmen, fund managers, commodity and equity traders, -grew nearly 300% over 2007. www.IndieVest.com

Seen @ Sundance Film Festival 2009: PAPER HEART
Nicholas Jasenovec and Charlyne Yi won the WALDO SALT Screenwriting Award for PAPER HEART.


2009 Sundance U.S. Dramatic Competition Film
PAPER HEART (Running Time: 88 min; Rated: PG-13)
Reviewed by Denise Castillón

Paper Hearts’ documentary within a documentary style thoroughly seduces you into its’ love-seeking journey, laughing every step of the way with its’ convincingly, uncomfortable seeker, Charlyne Yi, that you totally forget this is largely a fictional story.

Actress and comedienne Charlyne Yi takes us along on her cross-country trek to conduct interviews with real-life people, who have experienced true love, in hopes she may uncover her own capacity to fell in love. Lo and behold, Yi meets fellow comedic actor, Michael Cera, at a party. From then on, the film focuses on their hilariously, clumsy courtship that develops into an equally hysterical, uneasy relationship.

When Charlyne Yi accepted the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award for her film PAPER HEART, co-written with her director, Nicholas Jasenovec, she noted the irony that the film went into production with only fifteen written pages of script, with the rest of the films’ dialogue improvised on the set.

Seen @ Sundance Film Festival 2009: ADAM
Max Mayer, director of ADAM, won the Alfred P. Sloan Prize for
outstanding feature film focusing on science or technology as a theme.


2009 Sundance U.S. Dramatic Competition Film
ADAM (Running Time: 95 min; Not Rated)
Reviewed by Denise Castillón

ADAM is a wonderfully unique romantic drama. Oxford-educated actor, Hugh Dancy delivers an outstanding performance as the titular “Adam”, a gifted engineer with Asperger’s Syndrome, a high functioning form of autism. In spite of limited social skills, Adam struggles against his isolated and programmed life to form a romantic attachment with his new neighbor, Beth (Rose Bryne, FX’s Damages). Dancy (soon to be seen in Disney’s comedy, Confessions of a Shopaholic), portrays Adam’s single-minded effort to emotionally connect so movingly, that you cannot help but fell in love with him yourself. And, despite the monumental obstacles these two lovers face, you’ll be rooting for a happy ending.

Max Mayer’s directorial debut stars Hugh Dancy, Rose Byrne, Peter Gallagher, Amy Irving, Frankie Faison. Also, written by Max Mayer. Produced by Leslie Urdang, Miranda de Pencier and Dean Vanech. Executive Producers are Christina Weiss-Lurie and Daniel Revers. An Olympus Pictures Production in association with Serenade Films, Dear Path Productions and VOX3 Films.

ADAM was acquired by Fox Searchlight for worldwide theatrical distribution. This is a terrific small film, therefore you may only have the pleasure of catching this at a cineplex if the two relatively unknown, but talented, leads breakout in a bigger film this year.

ADAM, directed by Max Mayer, received the Alfred P. Sloan Prize for 2009. The prize, which carries a $20,000 cash award to the filmmaker provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, is presented to an outstanding feature film focusing on science or technology as a theme, or depicting a scientist, engineer, or mathematician as a major character.

The Scene At The “BIG FAN” Premiere Party At Sundance 2009
Reported by Denise Castillón

The “BIG FAN” Sundance Premiere Party was held at Park City’s Sky Lodge and Greenhouse venues on Sunday, January 18th.

BIG FAN stars Patton Oswalt, Kevin Corrigan, Michael Rapaport, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Gino Cafarelli, and Matt Servitto and is written and directed by Robert Siegel (“The Wrestler”)

In BIG FAN, Paul Aufiero (Patton Oswalt), is the self-described "world's biggest New York Giants fan". One night, Paul and his best friend Sal (Kevin Corrigan) spot Giants star linebacker Quantrell Bishop at a gas station in their Staten Island neighborhood. They impulsively follow his limo to Manhattan, and into a strip club. The fallout of this chance encounter brings Paul's world crashing down around him as his family and the team. A consequential tug of war has Paul calling into question everything he believes in.

Following up his first filmed screenplay, "The Wrestler", writer- director Robert Siegel once again demonstrates a unique and potent vision of the human experience, in all of it its harsh truths and hopeful humanity.

The Scene At “THE PEOPLE SPEAK” Premiere Party At Sundance 2009
Reported by Denise Castillón for Your Entertainment Ticket

“THE PEOPLE SPEAK” Sundance Premiere Party was held at Park City’s Greenhouse venue on Thursday, January 22nd, following The People Speak: Voices of A People’s History of the United States, a live reading and musical performance event held at the Sundance’s ASCAP Music Café.

The People Speak: Voices of A People’s History of the United States featured readings by Benjamin Bratt, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson, Q’Orianka Kilcher and Marisa Tomei.

THE PEOPLE SPEAK is the forthcoming documentary giving voice to women, African Americans, Native Americans, immigrants and other little-known influences from U.S. history.

Photo one: Rich Robinson
Photo Two: Qrianka Kilcher
Photo Three: Melissa Leo
Photo Four: Josh Brolin
Photo five: Erika Alexander & Benjamin Bratt

SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2009 –Special Event:
“Bon Appétit Supper Club” Dinner for RUDO Y CURSI
By: Denise Castillon for Your Entertainment Ticket

On Friday, January 16th, the premiere foodie magazine, Bon Appétit, sponsored an honorary dinner for Sundance screening film, Alfonso Cuaróns’ RUDO Y CURSI, at their “Bon Appétit Supper Club” set up in downtown Park City, especially for the Sundance Film Festival. The three-course meal was prepared by Scott Conant, chef-owner of NYC’s Scrapetta, with wine pairings by John Terlato of the Terlato Wine Group. Conant and Terlato also hosted the private event, and welcomed special guests as well as the filmmakers of RUDO Y CURSI and Sony Picture Classics executives.

The “Bon Appétit Supper Club” menu started with Ceci Bean Soup, with sausage and cabbage, and paired with Terlato Family Vineyards Pinot Grigio. Followed by the main course of Sirloin of Beef, served with roasted winter vegetables, truffled spinach puree and shaved parmigiano, which was nicely complemented with Terlato Family Vineyards Cabernet Savigon. The finale, a dessert of Amedi Chocolate Cake, was accompanied by burnt orange-caramel gelato and espresso sauce, and finished with Tiramisù liqueur.

The Spanish-language comedy/drama, RUDO Y CURSI, was written and directed by Carlos Cuarón, and stars, together for the first time since their break-out film, Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN, Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna. The sports-theme film was produced by “Los Tres Amigos”, -Alfonso Cuarón, Guillermo del Toro and Alejandro González Iñárritu. Recently announced, Sony Picture Classics has picked up the film for US theatrical distribution.

Film Lover’s Guide to the 2009 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

OPENING NIGHT FILM REVIEW:
MARY AND MAX

By Denise Castillón

Mainly held in the ski town of Park City, Utah, the 25th edition of the Sundance Film Festival kicked off on January 15th with MARY AND MAX, a clay-animated narrative feature from Australian animator, Adam Elliot, and will close after the 2009 Awards Ceremony on January 25th. Renown as the premier showcase for U.S. and international independent film, the festival is offshoot of Sundance Institute, a nonprofit cultural organization founded, by actor-director Robert Redford in 1981, to nurture independent filmmaking.


This years’ opening night film, Elliot’s MARY AND MAX, played to film-loving festival attendees and well and members of the film industry and press.

MARY AND MAX
Genre: Clay Animation/Comedy/Drama
Country: Australia
Running Time: 92 min

Narrated by Barry Humphries, “Mary and Max” is a funny, but odd and lengthy dramatic comedy, starring the voices of Philip Seymour Hoffman and Toni Collette as two socially-awkward and lonely pen pals, whose long-distance friendship provides mutual moral support for over twenty years.

Eight-year-old Mary Daisy Dinkle (Collette), curious about life in America, randomly chooses to write to Max Jerry Horovitz (Hoffman), a middle-aged New Yorker struggling with Asperger's disease. After enduring some bumpy patches in their friendship, they finally learn to accept their imperfections with themselves, as well as with each other.

Set in the 70’s, the Elliot uses neutral brown tones to define Mary’s dull suburban life in Australia, while a black and white color scheme to illustrate Max’s frenzied New York City.

“Mary and Max” was produced by Melanie Coombs. Executive producers are Mark Gooder, Paul Hardart, Tom Hardart, Bryce Menzies and Jonathan Page.