"You may think you know what you're dealing with, but, believe me, you don't."
R.I.P. Robert Towne
From studying under Roger Corman to writing and script doctoring, plus his numerous collaborations with Hal Ashby, Jack Nicholson, and Tom Cruise, Robert Towne remained a singular voice through the decades. His screenplays cast a long shadow and numerous revisits to his work have only cemented his legacy. His writing was highlighted in the recent book โThe Big Goodbyeโ by Sam Wasson about the making of Chinatown. Seek out his work and remind yourself of what great writing can create within the world of cinema.
Monday, August 12: DarkRoom Screening & Salon returns to the Alamo Drafthouse in Lower Manhattan! Doors at 6pm / Films at 7pm. The screening will take place in The Press Room directly to the right once you enter the Alamo doors. ๐ ๐๐๐ to attend + donations encouraged for artists, curated by Brian Ratigan and William George-Louis. Our July edition was well-received from a full house, so weโre excited to continue screening short films while staying cool from this oppressive heat.
(Pictured here: Emily Everhard, Carly Liberman, Tij Dโoyen, Adrian Anderson, Mackie Mallison, Betsey Brown, Will Rahilly, Brenna Power, Sophia Power, Elizabeth Yoo, Meryl Jones, Cat Tassini, yours truly)
See you in Brooklyn Tuesday, July 23 for a special edition of DarkRoom at Freddyโs Bar & Backroom, every fourth Tuesday, located in South Slope (627 5th Ave & 17th St). Doors at 8pm / Films at 9pm. ๐ ๐๐๐ to attend + donations encouraged for filmmakers.
* If you are interested in screening a short film at DarkRoom, please use THIS FORM and send us your work. We cannot promise a response to every submission, but we do watch everything and will respond to you well in advance of the date to confirm your availability.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ OTHER NEWS ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
โขย Lucy Kerrโs debut feature Family Portrait is easily one of our favorite films of the year, currently streaming on Metrograph at Home and being distributed by indie giants Factory 25. Itโs a quietly haunting piece of cinema unlike anything else weโve seen this year. GO SEE THIS FILM!
โขย Speaking of Factory 25, who is now celebrating 15 years of indie film distribution (!), be sure to check out their online spoil of riches. Simply said: some of the most inspired independent films in recent memory have been released by Matt Grady and company โย one only has to quickly browse in order to prove it. Hereโs to 15 more years, Factory 25!
โข The Criterion Channel is heating up the summer. Check out the July 2024 Lineup, which also includes three short films by Mackie Mallison (whoโs work recently screened at DarkRoom and Rooftop Films)! ๐ฅ
โข Anouk Aimรฉe, Robert Towne, Willie Mays, James Chance, Donald Sutherland, and Martin Mull have all departed recently. Letโs take this as an important reminder to celebrate the legends while they are still with us. ๐ฅ
โขย The new documentary S/HE IS STILL HER/E about the legendary Genesis Breyer P-Orridge and Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth movement is worthy of more attention. The artistโs life was previously profiled in the brilliant 2011 doc The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye (also recommended), and this new film โdocuments the final year of P-Orridgeโs existence as they grapple with mortality.โ
โIt is so clear I realize, that here at last I have my eyes.โ
โข A few recent favorite films that weโve encountered, all HIGHLY recommended:
~ ~ FILM RECOMMENDATION ~ ~
Annie Ning is among our favorite working filmmakers, and her latest short Invasive Species was a crowd favorite at a recent DarkRoom screening. The film perfectly nails the intrusive thoughts of imposter syndrome through their unrealized world of audio recording at an artist residency. At this Vimeo link you can not only watch the film, but also play it with Annieโs Director Commentary and read an interview about the creation of the film. We also recommend her previous short Fishbowl for a slice of familial drama.
xoxo
Non Films