A week of 'mumblecore'
From 19 October 2009 to 23 October 2009
Low-budget, ‘indie' Amerian film has found a new voice witht the ‘mumblecore' movement, a group of film school graduates who have brought their art down to the basics of human relationships, and the absurd struggle of intimacy in a world ever more aligned against it. On October 19th, the Douglas Hyde Gallery will begin a five-day showcase of these films, showing nine films in total over the course of the week. With twice daily screenings at 3 and 5pm (note there is no 5pm showing Friday), admission is free and all are welcome.
Funny Ha Ha
by Andrew Bujakski
2002
89 minutes, colour, English
Monday, October 19, 3pm
Considered the first 'mumblecore' film, Funny Ha Ha looks at a group of twenty-somethings trying to come to terms with life after college. The Telegraph called this story of youthful frustrations, boring temp jobs and beer a 'miraculous debut'.
Shown with kind permission of Diffusion Pictures
LOL
by Joe Swanberg
2006
81 minutes, colour, English
Monday, October 19, 5pm
LOL explores the relationships of three young men through their use of technology. Do emails, text messages and camera phones help or hinder true connection?
Shown with kind permission of Benten Films
The Guatemalan Handshake
by Todd Rohal
2006
98 minutes, colour, English
Tuesday, October 20, 3pm
The Guatemalan Handshake stars musician Will Oldham as Donald Turnupseed, whose disappearance following a power outage in small-town America sets in motion a surreal chain of events.
Shown with kind permission of Benten Films
Quiet City
by Aaron Katz
2007
78 minutes, colour, English
Tuesday, October 21, 5pm
Quiet City follows a day in the life of Jamie, who arrives in New York City to meet a friend who never shows up. She forms an unlikely connection with a kindly stranger with whom she spends the next 24 hours.
Shown with kind permission of Benten Films
Hannah Takes The Stairs
by Joe Swanberg
2007
83 minutes, colour, English
Wednesday, October 21, 3pm
Recent graduate Hannah coasts from relationship to relationship, attempting to find some direction in her life. The film looks at the trials and frustrations of early adulthood.
Shown with kind permission of ICA Films
The GoodTimesKid
by Azazel Jacobs
2005
77 minutes, colour, English
Wednesday, October 21, 5pm
Free-spirited, rebellious and warm-hearted, The GoodTimesKid is a story about stolen love and stolen identities - shot on stolen film.
Shown with kind permission of Benten Films
Dance Party, USA
by Aaron Katz
2006
64 minutes, colour, English
Thursday, October 22, 3pm
Dance Party, USA one of the more hard-hitting 'mumblecore' films, shows how a fleeting encounter between two apathetic teenagers develops into a more complex relationship following the revelation of a troubling secret.
Shown with kind permission of Benten Films
The Puffy Chair
by Jay Duplass
2005
85 minutes, colour, English
Thursday, October 22, 5pm
While trying to figure out where his life went wrong, failed musician Josh comes up with an unusual and generous idea. The movie amusingly records his subsequent journey to collect a replica of an armchair from his childhood home, purchased on eBay, and its delivery to his father.
Shown with kind permission of Scanbox Entertainment Ltd.
Mutual Appreciation
by Andrew Bujalski
2005
109 minutes, black and white, English
Friday, October 23, 3pm
The follow-up to Bujalski's debut Funny Ha Ha, this film examines the relationship of an indie musician, Alan, and his old friend Lawrence, whose girlfriend threatens to come between the two young men.
Shown with kind permission of Diffusion Pictures