Last modified: Monday, April 23, 2012
IU Cinema showcases Hoosier talent with 'Made in Indiana' film series
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2012
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Homegrown Hoosier talent will be on display during "Made in Indiana," a four-day film series hosted in Bloomington at Indiana University Cinema.
The series kicks off April 30 with the world premiere of "Mudcity," a 35-minute film written and directed by IU student Curtis Miller. The series also features several programs of film shorts, 3D films and an action-adventure film adapting acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai" into a modern-day tale. All were made by Indiana filmmakers, including current and former IU students.
"The 'Made in Indiana' series devotes a whole week to the creative work being done in and around our community," said Susanne Schwibs, a lecturer in IU College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Communication and Culture who, along with associate professor Joan Hawkins, helped mentor Miller's work. "I cannot adequately express how wonderful this is for filmmakers, students, faculty and audiences alike. It not only gives aspiring artists a chance to screen their work in one of the best cinemas in the country, it also shows moviegoers the great range and depth of creative activity close to home, and it will likely inspire further filmmaking endeavors."
An experimental road movie shot in 8mm film, "Mudcity" is the story of a young vagabond who finds a box of photographs and cassette tapes in a recently deceased woman's home and decides to seek out the woman's son. Produced by Miller as part of his honors thesis, "Mudcity" represents a search for meaning when signs suggest life has become redundant.
"This series continues our short tradition of dedicating time in our schedule to highlight student work," IU Cinema director Jon Vickers said. "We have enthusiastically expanded the series this semester to showcase some of the work from Bloomington's vibrant film community. Two nights were curated by the Bloomington chapter of the Indiana Filmmakers Network."
Indiana Filmmakers Network member Chris Eller said several members solicited and screened films for inclusion in the series.
"The results are a wide variety of films from an array of genres and lengths that were brought together to build the program for the event," he said. "It's a great opportunity for the local chapter of the Indiana Filmmakers Network."
The "Made in Indiana" series features:
- 7 p.m. April 30: World premiere of "Mudcity."
- 6:30 p.m. May 1: "3D Student Film Showcase," which highlights the artistry, creativity and technical accomplishments of IU faculty, staff and students.
- 9:30 p.m., May 1: "Made in Bloomington: Program 1," featuring four short films curated by the Bloomington chapter of the Indiana Filmmakers Network, including a horror flick involving a security salesman who breaks into people's homes so they'll sign up for his service and "Nathan and the Luthier," which premiered in 2011 to a sold-out house at IU Cinema.
- 6:30 p.m. May 2: "Student Short Film: Program 1," which includes student films curated from work produced in various IU departments.
- 9:30 p.m. May 2: "Made in Bloomington: Program 2," featuring four short films curated by the Bloomington chapter of the Indiana Filmmakers Network, including a look at public art in Bloomington and "Eight Wheels of Death," a production featuring Bloomington's own Bleeding Heartland Rollergirls that claims to be the "world's first roller derby zombie romantic comedy."
- 6:30 p.m. May 3: "Student Short Film: Program 2," featuring student films curated from work produced in various IU departments, including three documentaries by students of Department of Telecommunications professor Ron Osgood with topics such as ghost stories and a behind-the-scenes look at Hoosier flea markets.
- 9:30 p.m. May 3: "Student Seven," which follows seven students who bring their martial arts skills together to compete for resources in an alternate-reality university setting.
Want to go?
No tickets are needed for the world premiere of "Mudcity." Free tickets for other films in the series can be obtained at the IU Auditorium Box Office from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or 30 minutes before each screening at IU Cinema. Tickets can be obtained online here.
About IU Cinema
Indiana University Cinema is a world-class facility and program dedicated to the scholarly study and highest standards of exhibition of film in its traditional and modern forms. For more information on the facility or programs, call 812-856-2503 or visit www.cinema.indiana.edu.
