Via Pacific Standard Time.

We’ve featured the work of Sean Dunne here at the Documentary Blog in the past, so I was excited when he emailed me to let me know that his latest project is now completed and available to view for free online. American Juggalo gives us a look at one of the strangest subcultures ever: The Juggalo. They are the face paint wearing fans of the Insane Clown Posse, and the “Gathering of the Juggalos” is the yearly event in which these dedicated fans get together to do whippets, drink beer, get nude, and throw things. There’s also music. Dunne attempts to understand the mentality of the Juggalo by talking with them directly and the result could be the next Heavy Metal Parking Lot. “There is no bigatory in Juggaloism.”

Here’s a cool short film from Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, the guys behind Catfish. It’s called Metropolis II, named after its subject Chris Burden’s massive, die cast Hot Wheels cityscape. Make no mistake; this isn’t the obsessive hobby of an enthusiastic toy car collector. Burden is a respected artist and his vision is mesmerizing. The overlapping and interweaving roadways are completely functional and contain 1500 cars speeding around at up to 230 miles per hour. He’s also installed a bunch of electric trains, ending up with something that resembles Fritz Lang’s vision of the future, hence the name Metropolis II. Check out the short embedded above!

Here’s a heads up for anyone who missed Miro Remo’s wonderful Arsy Versy during its festival run; the film is now available online! I’ve embedded it at the top of this post and highly recommend you give it a watch if you’re a fan of quirky character studies. This was one of my favourite films of 2009 and a highlight of that year’s Hot Docs documentary film festival. Here’s the synopsis:

Arsy-Versy is the life story of a mother and her son Lubos, who turned the world upside down. Lubos escaped the world of people to live symbiotically with nature. He flew away to a planet where only butterflies live – intelligent beings. Lubos invested his life’s energy combined with his unbelievable empathy into his amateur photograph and film creations. His greatest fascination with nature was the unique study of bats. He attempted to maximize the understanding between human and animal by expressing his fascination for this upside down being. His biggest support in his wanderings, as well as in all areas of his life, was his mother. Lubos’ mother, however, is 70 years old and worries about the future of her son. “What will happen with that kid?” she asks. People who ‘knew him’ thought Lubos was crazy, but only until they saw the film upside down. Now they feel like the crazy ones!

Also, while visiting Miro’s Vimeo page I came across a teaser for his next film, Báječní muži v uletených snoch (Wonderful Men in Faraway Dreams), which looks equally unique and entertaining. Have a look:

You can keep up with Miro’s work at his official website.

*UPDATED* Jeff’s short “The Dude” is now available for viewing at the USA Network website. I’ve embedded it at the top of this post!

Like much of the Coen Brothers filmography, it took me two viewings to completely wrap my head around the greatness of The Big Lebowski. While it was met with a somewhat tepid response upon its release, years later it would become a modern cult classic, spawning fan conventions — specifically, Lebowski Fest — and a dedicated following of fans who enjoy dressing up as their favourite characters from the film. What some of you might not know is that The Dude, played brilliantly by Jeff Bridges, was actually based on a real person; Jeff Dowd, the real life inspiration for the Coen Brother’s carefree, robe wearing, white russian sipping hero. In reality he was a member of the Seattle Seven (as was his on-screen counterpart) and has worked in the film industry as a producer/promoter. Now, thanks to Jeff Feuerzeig (The Devil and Daniel Johnston), we get to spend a little time with The Dowd and learn a little about his background and how he came to be the real life counterpart of a cult film icon.

Meet the dude behind The Dude. As the inspiration for the beloved central character in the Coen Brothers’ cult-favorite film The Big Lebowski, Jeff Dowd has become a popular figure at annual Lebowski Fests around the country. This film follows Dowd to one of these events, offering a glimpse into the fascinating world of this subculture and the colorful real-life character behind the iconic fictional Dude.

Anybody who has followed this site will know that I’m a huge fan of Jeff’s film The Devil and Daniel Johnston and it’s great to see him taking on another project that looks at a character who holds a spot in an especially unique corner of popular culture. The film was made as a part of the ‘Character Project’, a series of shorts presented by the USA Network, RSA Films and Ridley & Tony Scott. Here’s some info on the series:

Character Project is an ongoing artistic initiative committed to celebrating America’s characters – the interesting, dazzling, and distinctive people, from all walks of life, who make this country extraordinary. Inspired by USA’s “Characters Welcome” brand, Character Project launched in 2009 with a focus on photography. For its second act, USA has partnered with RSA Films and Ridley & Tony Scott, to once again turn a lens on America’s characters, this time through the medium of the moving image. Together, they commissioned eight talented filmmakers to each explore the theme of character from their own unique perspective. From lost loves to loyal friends, private heroes to public personalities, the subjects of these short films – some real, some fictional – show the courage, connection, humor, and hope that give shape to the American character. After all, characters are what make us USA.

The films will be made available online as well as FOD, iTunes, mobile platforms, syndicated widgets, and social media. For more information, visit the Character Project website. Check out the full slate of shorts after the jump.

Duck – A short film by Jakob Daschek; Live-Action Narrative

Emmanuel isn’t like other ten-year-olds – he can’t play with them, he can’t focus at school, and he can’t even bear to be hugged by his mother. Manny’s crippling fear of being touched is threatening to ruin his life. Until, at his mother’s prompting, he visits a local boxing gym. There, with help from a seasoned trainer, Emmanuel learns not just to confront his phobia, but to use it, in this inspiring story about facing our fears, owning our strengths, and fighting for a chance to be who we are.

About Jakob Daschek: Founder of Syrup, an international communications agency whose mission is to create momentum and cultural relevance for brands through new formats of storytelling, advertising, branding, digital marketing, experience design and integrated communications. He has received numerous awards, including the HOW Design Interactive Award, Print Magazine Digital Award, One ShowAward, Webby, Davy Award, Macromedia Site Of The Day Award, and Art Direction Club Award.

Fish – A short film by R.J. Cutler; Documentary

Celebrity chef Jon Shook, best known for his carnivore-pleasing creations at the LA hot spot Animal, has just opened a new restaurant – and this time, the focus in on seafood. Witness the journey from ocean to table as, in the course of one long day, Jon goes fishing off the coast of Southern California with a local fisherman, returns to his new restaurant to craft a dish around his catch of the day, and serves his creation to another packed house at the hottest new restaurant in LA.

About R.J. Cutler: The Academy Award nominated filmmaker is best known for his films “The September Issue” and “The War Room” and his television series “American High” and “30 Days.” Cutler has won an Emmy Award, a Peabody Award, and a GLAAD Award and has been nominated for an Academy Award, a Producer’s Guild Award and an Independent Spirit Award. Last year, Cutler received the Television Academy’s prestigious Honor Award for his work “creating television with a conscience.”

Love Without Regret – A short film by Tomas Pena / boolab; Animated

In this time-bending animated love story, flashbacks reveal the history of a doomed romance as a man races down foggy city streets. With the clock ticking backwards, Steve drives desperately through the rainy night – speeding towards his ex-girlfriend and, hopefully, a second chance at love. This film features the all-new CT Hybrid from Lexus.

About Tomas Pena / boolab: boolab is the leading production house in audiovisual innovation throughout Spain and Europe. They are dedicated to motion graphics, animation (2D and 3D) and the development of cutting edge visual techniques. Pena joined boolab in 2010, bringing with him experience working with several of the top graphic design and animation studios in Spain, including Oink and Buck LA, which is internationally known as one of the top motion graphic production houses.

Monster Slayer – A short film by Caskey Ebeling; Blend of Live-Action and Animation

Every morning, Ben is visited by a motley crew of imaginary playmates, products of his psychiatric disorder. Embodiments of the best and worst in Ben, these hallucinations both bring him comfort and create chaos. This forces Ben to make a difficult choice: continue to live in his fantasy world, or confront reality, by taking a pill that will destroy his imaginary world.

About Caskey Ebeling: An avant-garde director who has shot national and international commercial spots for Coca-Cola, Hewlett-Packard, Compaq, and The Energy Conservation Board. She served as writer, creator and executive producer at Bob & Weave Entertainment, where she created original content for Comedy Central and the FX Channel among others. Currently Caskey is writing, directing and producing a documentary film about LA’s notorious graffiti artist Temptone.

Perfect – A short film by Amie Steir; Live Action Narrative

On Anne’s wedding day, everyone in her hometown is filled with excitement. But not for Anne. The town is abuzz over the imminent arrival of Anne’s beautiful, successful sister Sara. When the two sisters reunite, Anne learns that Sara has a special wedding present for her, a mysterious gift that just might enable Anne to come out of her “perfect” sister’s shadow on her special day.

About Amie Steir: Amie has written and directed award-winning short films for MTV, HBO and Warner Brothers. Two of her shorts – “Zoe Loses It” and “Date Squad” – aired on HBO and Cinemax and have screened at festivals all over the world. Amie also wrote and directed the feature film “Nadine in Date Land” for The Oxygen Network.

The Dude – A short film by Jeff Feuerzeig; Documentary

Meet the dude behind The Dude. As the inspiration for the beloved central character in the Coen Brothers’ cult-favorite film The Big Lebowski, Jeff Dowd has become a popular figure at annual Lebowski Fests around the country. This film follows Dowd to one of these events, offering a glimpse into the fascinating world of this subculture and the colorful real-life character behind the iconic fictional Dude.

About Jeff Feuerzeig: His feature film “The Devil and Daniel Johnston” won top documentary directing honors at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. He has recently completed the screenplays “God Bless Tiny Tim” (with Julien Nitzberg), a feature biopic about the legendary crooner of “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” fame, and “The Bayonne Bleeder” (with Jerry Stahl), a feature biography of boxer Chuck Wepner.

The Fickle – A short film by Bryan Poyser; Live Action Narrative

In this hilarious look at modern romance, a young woman relives twelve failed love affairs, all in one dizzying morning. As her ex-partners flit in and out of her life in one unbroken shot, each interaction shows signs of the relationships’ demise, capturing the humor, hope, and disappointment that the search for love so often brings.

About Bryan Poyser: His first feature, “Dear Pillow,” earned him an Independent Spirit “Someone to Watch” Award nomination in 2007 and played at over 30 festivals in the US and Europe. His sophomore feature, “Lovers of Hate,” was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and a John Cassavetes Award at the Independent Spirit Awards in 2011. He also produced and co-wrote the feature “The Cassidy Kids,” which premiered at SXSW and runs frequently on the Independent Film Channel. Bryan currently serves as the Director of Artist Services for the Austin Film Society and co-founded the Cinematexas International Short Film Festival.

Wyckoff Place – A short film by Lauri Faggioni; Documentary

In the hallways of a Brooklyn apartment building, a group of children spill out of their homes and play together. And though they come from diverse backgrounds, they see each other not as strangers, but as friends. Through the lens of some of our country’s youngest characters, Wyckoff Place offers a valuable lesson to us all about open-mindedness, diversity, and the power of childhood friendships.

About Lauri Faggioni: Lauri Faggioni is an award-winning director, production designer and choreographer. Her music video directing debut, Devendra Banhart’s “A Ribbon,” earned her Best Animated Video award at MVPA. Her work has been featured in Michel Gondry’s musical documentary “Dave Chappelle’s Block Party” and the surreal film “The Science of Sleep.”

Some of you might remember the work of Sean Dunne, as featured previously here at The Documentary Blog. He’s been pumping out some great short documentaries over the past few years and he’s just finished a brand new one titled ‘Stray Dawg’. Here’s the official synopsis:

Meet Jonny Corndawg, the underground country-music legend. A born-and-bred Virginian, Jonny has played on five continents in as many years, and every state in the lower 48. Now Jonny has given himself over, heart and heel, to the world of Running.

Like most country musicians, Jonny spends more time on the road than on terra firma, more on stage than off, but with all that, Jonny is gaining a name for waking up daily, before and after every show, and burning ten miles while bandmates sleep off their evenings. Imagine Hank Williams Jr. from the belt up, Steve Prefontaine from the waistband down, throw in a gallon of water and a knack for showmanship, and what do you get? One of the great American vitalists, Jonny Corndawg.

Jonny let us follow him on a tour down the California coast as he braved injury and isolation on his quest to complete the Surf City USA Marathon in Huntington Beach, CA.

Sean has released the full film for free online and it’s embedded at the top of this post for your viewing pleasure. If you like what you see, be sure to check out some of his previous works (especially The Archive) on his vimeo page!

A while back I posted the teaser trailer for Courtney Fathom Sell and Billy Feldman’s short documentary ‘The Hole’. Well now the film is available in its entirety online for free! I’ve embedded it at the top of this post for your viewing pleasure. It’s a great post-post-apocalyptic apocalyptic look at an unusual section of New York City that’s described as “30 Feet below sea level, mafia dumping ground, and home of The Black Cowboy Federation.” Check it out!

I must be completely out of the loop because the above short film seems to have popped up out of nowhere. “They Were There” is a half hour film that looks at some of the employees that were “there when IBM changed the way the world works.” It’s classic Morris — right down to what seems to be a new Philip Glass score — and a real treat for hardcore fans of his work (and IBM computers I suppose). Here’s some info on the project:

What does it mean to be an IBMer? Every employee experiences the company in different ways, but the global impact IBM has made on business and society over the last 100 years gives us all a common framework. “They Were There” is told by first-hand witnesses—current and retired employees and clients—who were there when IBM helped to change the way world works.

This isn’t the first time IBM has hired Errol to make them a film. Back in 1999 he shot a short documentary intended to screen at an in-house conference for IBM employees. The conference was ultimately cancelled and the film was never screened, but you can check it out in full on his website. This new project is definitely a great substitute. It certainly beats his recent work with eHarmony. Thanks to Jason for the heads up on this one.

I haven’t had very much festival experience but I’m sure those who frequent them — as filmmakers, press and industry, or audience members — have their own lists of those they consider to be the best and the worst. Something tells me that documentary filmmakers Steve Rosen and Terri DeBono will surely place the Swansea Bay International Film Festival on their shit list. Having travelled seven thousand miles to screen their feature documentary ‘Boyhood Shadows’, the two found themselves faced with an unorganized event that placed full responsibility on the filmmakers to bring in their own audiences. There were no catalogues, no posters, no advertising, and worst of all, no screening times. To top it all off, festival director Michael Attardi — who has been quoted as saying “The Swansea Film Festival is better than Cannes” — aggressively writes off filmmaker complaints and insists that if audiences don’t show for the screenings, it must be a comment on the quality of the film rather than the festival’s ability to organize.

It’s certainly an interesting watch. Is there some sort of reasoning behind this? A cultural disconnect? Do the Welsh not believe in scheduling? Have a look and decide for yourself. Obviously running such an event is a major undertaking, but there are tons of great festivals that take on more than they can chew but get by on general kindness to their guests and audiences. The only part of this short I found myself annoyed by was a line in which Steve Rosen expresses his disappointment in losing the documentary award to “a comedic documentary about people having the gaps in their front teeth fixed.” Sorry you had a shitty time Steve but not every documentary’s worth is based solely on its level of social consciousness (their film is about childhood molestation). In the right hands, even a “comedic” film about gapped teeth people can enlighten. Sadly, Steve’s cynicism was probably valid as many documentary films — socially relevant or not — AREN’T ‘in the right hands’. (Excuse the cynicism. Just a reality check for anyone that thinks non-fiction filmmaking, like ALL forms of filmmaking, doesn’t contain a large ratio of crap to brilliance.) ANYWAY, to balance out the overall bad karma in this post, I will take this opportunity to highlight a small film festival that’s an AMAZING experience for filmmakers: The Flyway Film Festival in Pepin, Wisconsin. Filmmakers take note and be sure to enter! While we’re at it, I’ll also mention the Dark Bridges Film Festival run by John Allison, who originally brought this video to my attention. Be sure to hit up the comments section with your thoughts on these filmmaker’s experiences and whether or not you think the Swansea Film Festival was in the wrong.

Diary is a short film made by Tim Hetherington, co-director of the recently Oscar nominated Restrepo. The film is particularly interesting as it’s a very personal look into the experience of working in conflict zones. Prior to Restrepo, Tim was best known for his photojournalism–both freelance and as a contributing photographer for Vanity Fair. He is one of many photojournalists who have made a move into feature documentary, with another notably being Danfung Dennis who won two awards last week at Sundance. It seems a natural progression for people working in this field to move into feature-length filmmaking, as photojournalists need to consider both visual and narrative when covering a story.

Tim describes Diary as “a highly personal and experimental film that expresses the subjective experience of my work, and was made as an attempt to locate myself after ten years of reporting. It’s a kaleidoscope of images that link our western reality to the seemingly distant worlds we see in the media.”

Shown at this year’s Sheffield Doc/Fest and IDFA, Diary aims to create the atmosphere, and experience, of working in areas from Afghanistan to Liberia in an unusual but highly successful way.

To see more of Tim’s work visit his website here.

I’m a little behind on this one (three years behind to be exact) but I just checked out director Tim Sternberg’s beautiful short documentary Salim Baba and was pretty much blown away. The film looks at one man’s love of cinema and his attempt to maintain a family tradition in the face of technological advancements. Salim Muhammad lives in Kolkata, India where he pushes a handmade portable cinema cart around town for the local kids to watch cut-up versions of Bollywood action scenes and dance sequences. It’s a tradition that was passed down to him by his father and one which he will pass on to his own sons. Not only is this short beautifully shot and edited, but it captures a love of film — through both the subject and the craft of the documentary, itself — and perfectly represents the importance of maintaining cultural traditions, be it through Salim’s family-run movie cart or India’s relationship with cinema.

The film was nominated for an Academy Award in 2008 in the best short documentary category. It’s also worth noting that the film is produced by Scott Mosier (along with Francisco Bell–who also served as cinematographer–and Raja Dey), who’s probably best known for his work with Kevin Smith (most recently as co-host of their hilarious podcast, Smodcast). Check out the film posted in its entirety at the top of this post.