Lauren-Gomorrah, Day Two of CIFF

I have a bad habit of always writing down books I want to read and movies I want to see and then never following through. Trust me, I have notebooks full of scribbles that say "read" or "see", followed by titles. Well Gomorrah was one of those movies, that is until last night when I had the chance to see it at the CIFF. I had first read a remarkable review of the film in Newsweek, and am now happy I have the chance to write my own.
I was a little nervous that I wouldn't be able to see Gomorrah, due to the fact that there was only one showing of the film. I made sure to arrive 20 minutes early and the line was STILL long. Great thing to see. *Side note-I am VERY defensive of Cleveland and to all of the people who say there is NOTHING to do here or that we are not cultured (Yes, you Charles Barkley), you have NO idea what you miss in your ignorance.*
But I digress. The theater was packed and even representatives from the Italian Consulate were present. It IS the Cleveland INTERNATIONAL Film Festival after all.
Gomorrah is based on the best selling novel by Roberto Saviano. I will be picking up a copy to read now that I have seen the film. It delves deep into the world of the Camorra, the major Italian crime family, that operates out of Naples. The five story lines that were all woven throughout, showed the massive impact the Camorra holds over the region. No one was left untouched. The wealthy, the poor, the old and the young. I was particularly stricken by the fatal outcome of the two unruly boys who didn't want to work for anyone other than themselves. Without getting into gory detail, that did not end happily. There is one scene where the pair acts out scenes from Scarface, you cannot help but chuckle, yet you know that the film is going to show you the harrowing, actual life of organized crime, not the glitzy Hollywood version. I was also disturbed by the fact that young, young boys are recruited, going from being best friends, delivering groceries, to being enemies who witness and even organize shootings. You see people living in squalor while at the same time you can hear the thousands of Euros being counted by young men wearing Nikes. The parallels were very nicely reflected. It was amazing to see that a lot of this crime happens in broad daylight, in front of a countless number of witnesses.
In the film guide, it states that the author of Gomorrah has been living under police protection since 2006. After seeing this film, I am sure the Camorra were not exactly pleased with the portrayal and the publicity.
All in all, the film was VERY nicely done, and enjoyable.

More to come from me tomorrow. Hope to see you at the festival!
Lauren

CIFF : It's Starting!!

If you have been following our CIFF blogging, you're probably aware Genna P and many many other Clevelanders took part in the filming of the CIFF movie trailer. This trailer plays before every movie shown at the film festival. Take a look and try to find Genna P!

Vanessa: Day 1 and 2

Today begins day three of the CIFF.

The Cleveland International Film Festival began in a whirlwind of activity for me. I left work at 5pm on Thursday, raced home to quickly change and grab a bite to eat. Thursday was opening night with a one time showing of the movie Lightbulb and a party after. It was the first time I think I’ve ever intentionally wore a dress to a movie theater!

Lightbulb was a pretty cool flick based on Producer and Screenwriter Mike Cram’s own life. The movie dealt with the constant struggle and fight to succeed and stay motivated when the chips, no pun intended, are down.

Yet throughout the film, I couldn’t help but constantly think the main character looked strikingly similar to the late John Ritter of 3’s Company.

Unfortunately this was a one time screening of Lightbulb.

The after party was a lot of fun. There were SO many people at the party! The drinks were great, the food was great, and the company was excellent! Unfortunately I didn’t take any pictures at the party, so you’ll just have to believe me, it was a great time. Oh, and we all received a Homer Simpson talking bottle opener too!

I saw two movies Friday evening. I actually was at the Tower City Cinema for nearly 6 hours last night! Bill Guensler who spoke prior to both movies commented on this first Friday’s opening has been the largest in film fest history!

The first movie I saw, It’s Not Me, I Swear! WAS GREAT!! I recommend seeing this movie if you can. I loved everything about it. The film description in the film guide says, ‘you’ll laugh and you’ll cry.’ And boy was that right, I laughed and I cried.

This is a French film with English subtitles. The movie follows Leon, a young boy growing up in Quebec during mostly, the summer of 1968. The film deals with selfishness and selflessness, family dynamics both good and bad, and the creative and imaginative lives of children. I don’t want to give a way too much of the details on this movie, but please check it out! You will not be disappointed.

This movie is showing again on Sunday March 22 at 9:15AM as well as Monday March 23 at 11:30AM. Use the code ITSN22 for Sunday’s showing and ITSN23 for Monday’s showing.

The next movie I saw was Gomorrah. I was super stoked to see this because it’s about the Italian organized crime in Naples. If you have been following any news recently, NPR recently posted a story about the Mafia’s growing control over Southern Italy due to the world-wide economic situation. Check it out at: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101934010

This movie was pretty good, very long, but pretty good. I was expecting this movie to sell out and have a demand for a second showing! The theater was filled, but it didn’t seam like the movie was as in demand as It’s Not Me, I Swear.

This movie had several subplots all surrounding the entire Camorra crime cartel. I am a loser when it comes to violence in movies, so there were several time my hand was bracing to cover my eyes throughout the movie, but overall it was not gory.

This movie, in my opinion, really shows another different side of Italy that has been glorified. It really shows that not everyone is living in a nice area, on a villa. People struggle, live in the projects, and sometimes resort to violence and crime to make money.

The movie was shot well, but at times was hard to follow, especially when the subplots where placed against a similar color background. Overall, it was a great movie, I’m not sure I’d see it again, but the drama and the true human face and very real situations shown throughout the film was worth the 2+ hours.

Unfortunately, this was a one screening only movie. So you’ll have to seek it out online or somewhere else!

Next up for me: Today I'm excited to see Children of Invention at 7:30PM. This movie is about making it big fast, immigration and once again a closer look at family dynamics. Check it out at 7:30PM TONIGHT (SATURDAY MARCH 21, CODE: CHIL21) or Tomorrow morning, at 9:20AM (SUNDAY, MARCH 22, CODE: CHIL22).

Tomorrow I want to check out The Miracle of Berlin! I am very excited about this because I love Berlin and I love this history of Berlin. Check it out at 9:25PM tomorrow night (SUNDAY MARCH 22, CODE MIRA22).

Extra! Extra! Read all about it

Tales from the set of the 33rd Annual Cleveland International Film Festival Trailer from the extras who lived to tell about it

POSTED BY: genna petrolla

"We were a group of would-be actors, anxious in anticipation of what lay ahead as we queued up near the concession counter. In a relatively short time, we were led into the theater and placed one-by-one in our assigned seats. The notes on the seatbacks told us our direction for the shoot. Mine said "Stare at the screen", but my neighbors and I , who had similar direction, decided to add a few nuances to each take. We were certain that the director would appreciate the extra effort! By the time we had done several takes, the classy lady next to me had become a friend! Close to the end of the shoot, she was " upgraded" to a more prominent seat. I like to think that our unique performances helped get her that starring role. Soon after her move, it was over, and each of us went our separate ways. We all left the theater that day with a common bond, which will show as the trailer shows from March 19-29. Many thanks to the festival staff for allowing us our moment in the spotlight!"

-JD Frost

* * *

"I heard about the trailer through Genna on facebook and thought I was going to miss it entirely when I couldn't drag my butt out of bed that morning. There was a long line of people and I started fidgeting. I got my knitting out to pass the time. Someone liked it, Matthew T, Ii think? He pulled me out of line and placed me in a seat in the thatre. So i sat there knitting for hours, occasionally following directions and making friends with the people sitting next to me. At a certain point, I thought I was going to run out of yarn entirely! And then they asked up to stay for a couple extra takes... It turned out that I ended up almost finishing the project sitting in that theater. I had a great time seeing my friends scattered throughout the audience and making a couple new ones along the way. I can’t wait to see the finished trailer. And I can’t wait to go to the Film Festival! This will be my first year going, mostly because I have some extra cash. Why not spend it on movies?!"

-Erin Peterson

* * *

"Wow. It sure is hard work being an extra-slash movie star. I mean, I think we did something like 10 takes on this thing! All the time we followed our respective instructions and then… back to our ‘one’ to start again. (Your ‘one’ is your first position, for all of you amateurs out there. It was really cool sitting in the theatre and seeing so many familiar faces. Chloe Hopson from Passport Project, Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones, Ward 6 Councilwoman Mamie Mitchell and a few band members from the Twilight were among some of the more famous faces in the crowd. The crew from Authentic Films was knowledgeable and professional, really fun to work with and really trusting of us to help create the vision they and Twist Creative had for the trailer. I had the opportunity to switch my seat and role about halfway through and I’m anxious to see what the final product looks like. It was such an awesome experience to be a part of something so huge. Speaking of huge, I really hope that ‘the camera adds 15 pounds thing’ isn’t true."

-Genna Petrolla

* * *

MORE PHOTOS FROM THE TRAILER SHOOT:

The line seemed to go on for miles!

Kevin Kerwin of Authentic Films collaborates

with Matthew T. and another crew member.

The extras take their places...

Candice and Jeff Parsons with Ward 6 Council-

woman, Mamie Mitchell.

Bill Guenztler and Debby Samples talk shop

with Kate O'Neill from Authentic Films

Patrick Shepher, Assistant Director of the

Cleveland Film Society, with John Farina

Lights... camera...

Shhh... It's starting!

17 days until OPENING NIGHT!

messy magazine is sponsoring a film at this year’s CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL! Check it out!

you heard right!

messy magazine is sponsoring a film at this year’s CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL! YOU SHOULD GO!

An Alternative to Slitting Your WristProduced by Chris Leeson and Produced and Directed by Cleveland’s own Owen Lowery

SCREENING TIMES: Tuesday, March 24 at 11:30 am and Wednesday, March 25 at 9:50 pm

FILM DESCRIPTION: Make a stranger happy. Ride in a hot air balloon. Go squirrel fishing. Get shot with a tazer. Make someone’s wish come true. From the simple to the spectacular, from the awesome to the absurd, these are just a few of the 52 things native Clevelander Owen Lowery plans to do in the next year. He compiled the list in the psychiatric ward of a hospital, shortly after attempting suicide. Regretting a youth plagued by the unending need to please others, he aims to please himself by accomplishing each of these 52 acts. In …AN ALTERNATIVE TO SLITTING YOUR WRIST, Lowery documents his efforts to prove why life is worth living. Interspersed between Lowery’s personal achievements and haunting reflections, family, friends, and professionals discuss the complexities of depression, alcoholism, and the so-called “quarter-life crisis.” Ultimately, in this honest, humorous, and touching film, Lowery offers 52 symbols of hope. What have you always wanted to do? – E.J.B.

Check out the movie trailer! http://video.aol.com/video-detail/an-alternative-to-slitting-your-wrist-trailer/396133912

Go to: ciff for film ALL screening dates and times.

it’s starting…. NO REALLY! the 33rd CIFF line up is HERE- and so is your chance to win!

as of 10:00 this morning the line up for the 33rd Annual Cleveland International Film Festival was released to the public at http://www.clevelandfilm.org! this year’s festival presents over 140 feature films, 170 short subject films from more than 60 countries and all 7 continents! the programming sure to please avid film buffs to casual moviegoers and everyone in between.

would you like a chance to win vouchers to see a film at the 33rd annual Cleveland International Film festival? Well, get online, check out the newly posted line up (it still has that new line-up smell!) and pick a film that you would like to see. but it’s not that easy- you can’t just select a film at random, slap it into an email and send it to us- where is the challenge in that?

instead, peruse the line up online, make a few notes about the films that spark your interest and then write to us and tell us about ONE film on your list and WHY you would like to see it... email it to us at info@messymagazine.org and you may just find yourself with 2 free vouchers to see it when it plays!

please include:

1) the film you are interested in along with a short description about why it grabs your interest. (just think- your little blurb could motivate masses of people to see the film! you have the power! and if you win, you will have the vouchers!)

2) your name, age, where you live and what you do.

3) a picture of yourself looking smart and authoritative.

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY FRIDAY FEBRUARY 20th- so get cracking! move this baby up the priority list- OPENING NIGHT IS 31 DAYS AWAY! MARCH 19!

everyone who enters will be featured in our special film issue, due in your inbox march 2, 2009.

winners will be announced online. plus, this helps you get a jumpstart on your festival planning! (we know- you love us for that).

Good luck and GET EXCITED!

love (just like in the movies!),
messy magazine

genna.vanessa.lauren.michael.

ps: we are in love with everyone at the Cleveland Film Society who worked very hard to put this guide together. (thanks guys!) we’re in for another wonderful year and messy magazine is so happy to be on board as a proud media sponsor of the 33rd annual Cleveland international Film Festival!

* * * *

TICKET INFORMATION:
Admission Ticket Prices
$10 Members
$12 Non-members
$10 Students and Seniors

Tickets can be purchased on-site at The Film Festival Store in the lobby of Tower City Cinemas or call 1-877-304-3456. Tickets go on sale for CFS Members on February 27, 2009 at 10:00 am and to the general public on March 6, 2009 at 10:00 am.

ISSUE #3 THEME!!

Hello messy magazine fans. It's time for your next challenge!

There are always situations that arise after the cloud of pretty words blows away and you realize that you are left standing exposed out in the light.

How did you not see it before?

Were your eyes really that heavy with sleep?

Did you choose not to see the inevitable or were you too content or misguided to even care?

Why didn't anyone in your family TELL you that you were tone deaf BEFORE you tried out for American Idol and saved you humiliation in front of millions? Now you'll NEVER get a recording contract... or a date.

Maybe we never lose that last shred of innocence that makes us happily believe all that we are told when we really, really want to hear it.

We could just be sadists and enjoy living that lie, you know, so Issue 3's long awaited theme is...The Happiest Lie

When your ex said they would love you forever...but forever was instead measured in months, not eons.

How everyone said when you turned 18 you were an adult, yet you still had to take the garbage out for your dad.

How the back of those diet pills said your ass would melt away (just checked, it's still there).

Maybe it was a moment when you felt caught up and moved, only to realize that wasn't where you were supposed to be at all and you grabbed the wrong pair of pants in the process (hello awkward).

Perhaps all of the above examples are not necessarily bad things...Instead they could be masked motivation for you to see through the façade...Maybe we like being lied to.

We like fibs, tale tales, fables, and fabrication. Hell, maybe we thrive on it and need it to exist. Besides, if there were no happy lies, we'd all be a bunch of heavy, rude, cynical assholes...and who needs more of those? The world already has plenty.

We look forward to receiving your submissions for Issue 3. (We're not lying). For more information on submission types, a quick refresher can be found on our website. Go to messymagazine.org and click on 'submit' for details!

Submissions for Issue 3, The Happiest Lie, are due Thursday, February 26, 2009 by MIDNIGHT.

Please send work to info@messymagazine.org or submit online at messymagazine.org.

Issue 3 will arrive in your inbox March 15, 2009.

As always, if you have any questions, please contact us.

DON'T FORGET: Be on the lookout for the messy magazine SPECIAL FILM ISSUE on February 27, 2009. We are a proud media sponsor of the 33rd Annual Cleveland International Film Festival March 19-29th at Tower City Cinemas. Check back at messymagazine.org for film fest ticket giveaways, blogs and more!

Many congrats again to Issue 2's contest winners.....Stephanie Stonemetz was the winner of the C.L.E. Clothing t-shirt! Be sure to add C.L.E. Clothing on Facebook and Myspace! You can also shop at their website: http://www.cleclothing.bigcartel.com.

And congrats to Louis DiLullo the winner of The Bubble Process Prize Pack! This prize pack includes a hand printed Girl Talk poster and other Bubble Process goodies. Check The Bubble Process out at http://thebubbleprocess.com and myspace.com/thebubbleprocess for cool posters and other fun merchandise!

Confetti in the air for all!

A few extra notes....please be sure to title your work if it is not Untitled, it helps us ensure that proper credit is given to the creator.

And if you haven't signed up for our mailing list PLEASE do so at messymagazine.org. And tell your friends! Thanks and hope you get extra messy with this one.

Lauren. Vanessa. Genna. Michael.

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Remember you do not need to live in Cleveland in order to submit. messy magazine and its founders call Cleveland home and enjoy the city, but that does not mean that you, out-of-towner, will have your work excluded. messy magazine is open to all.