The community of Arivaca, Arizona is proud to host its 5th-annual Arivaca Film Exhibition - supporting the spirit of the state's 'independent' filmmakers. The Arivaca Independent Filmmaker's Exhibition seeks to show films that embody two major themes:
First - Afternoon films showcase productions applicable to politics of the international border; nature and the environment; cultural traditions; sustainable (green) lifestyles and the preservation of authentic ways of life.
Second - Evening (short) films showcase cutting-edge experimental films that demonstrate creative works of filmmakers working independently and under the radar. Filmmaker's free to develop unique works without cultural scrutiny or expectation; resulting in new 'forms' of artistic expression through the use of creative multi-media.
Located South of Tucson, Arivaca's rural location nestled near mountains that separate it from the Mexican border, make it the epicenter of trends shaping America. Immigration, drug smuggling, human rights, government surveillance & militarization, vanishing rural life, water rights, native peoples, wilderness & endangered species, make Arivaca the canary in-the-mineshaft of trends shaping America and the world.
At the same, people of Arivaca represent many different walks of life; and share a common bond of rugged-individualism and self-determination. Arivaca is rich with artists, natural builders, organic farmers, solar-power/alternative energy, multi-generational ranchers, mineral prospectors and constitutional rights activists; and people that simply want to live in a natural environment, free of government/political interference in their lives.
I hope you enjoy perusing this website and learning about the selected films. Looking forward to see you on March 6th 2010.
Sincerely,
Barton Santello
Filmmaker & Arivaca Film Exhibition Organizer
Contact: info@psychotropicfilms.com
13.9.09
8.9.09
The Wall Documentary
Genre: Documentary
Drector: Ricardo Martinez
Producers: Sam Carroll and Ric Martinez
Run Time: 76-Minutes
Release Date: 2009
Drector: Ricardo Martinez
Producers: Sam Carroll and Ric Martinez
Run Time: 76-Minutes
Release Date: 2009
About THE WALL...
In 2006, Congress passed The Secure Fence Act calling for construction of 700 miles of fence along the US/Mexico border. The were not prepared for what followed. The Wall, documents the impact of constructing a border fence along the Southwest. From policy makers to citizens of border towns the debate elevates as residents respond to having a fence built in their backyard.
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Director's BioRicardo Martinez was born to Ecuadorian and Mexican immigrants and grew up in Oakland, California. At l6, he won a Silver Spire from the San Francisco International Film Festival for his first documentary short. Graduating from NYU/ Tisch Film School, Ricardo's first job was to launch a cable channel, for RCN Corp, working with billionaire David McCourt. Over the last seven years, he has worked on reality and documentary programming for ABC, MTV, VH1, MSNBC, Discovery, History Channel, The Weather Channel, Scripps, and Details.com.
The past two years, Ricardo has traveled the Southwest documenting perspectives on immigration. He has interviewed federal and local law enforcement officials, illegal immigrants, immigration lawyers, organized labor officials, the Social Security Administration, border land owners, mayors, congressmen, clergymen, Mexican municipalities, coyotes, and anti-immigrant activists. Today he works as a staff editor and motion graphics designer for an undisclosed ABC reality TV show.
1.9.09
Evening Short - Pattern Response
"This is America - Am an American!"...from the film Pattern Response
Production Company: Synthetic Human Pictures
Director: Stephen Krystek
Screenplay: Stephen Krystek & Charlie Steak
Editor: Hayden Blades
Cinematographer: David Matteson
Production Manager: Casey Moore
Assistant Director: Mandie Smith
Genre: Thriller-Drama
Run Time: 9-Min
Release Date: 2009
Film Synopsis: Joseph pays his bills, does his taxes, and loves his wife. But when the grounding of his stable reality begins to fall apart, everything becomes suspect.
Synthetic Human Pictures presents a terrifying look at a coming world in which the notion of identity begins to lose its definition.
Arivaca Filmmaker Bart Santello reflecting on Pattern Response: "The film's theme of 'survellience' and an over-reaching 'control structure' should resonate with the people of Arivaca and other border towns that find ourselves under siege. A borderland that itself is under survellience from those who seek to control everything."
28.8.09
Evening Short: Share The Wealth
"My goal is to bring new voices and
hidden histories, to broader audiences..."
- Bennie Klain, Director - Share the Wealth
Director: Bennie Klain
Genre: Experimental
Year Produced: 2006
Media: 35mm Film
Run Time: 8:00 min
An ironic parable, that follows a multi-faceted relationship
a Native woman has with her urban environment.
Shot in the style of a political cartoon, SHARE THE WEALTH, a 35mm narrative short film, situates a homeless middle-aged Native American woman on a busy city street. Thanks to a new “homeless tax” incurred by the government, she must raise the dollar she now owes. She finally catches a break when someone hands her a dollar. Joining a long line of other panhandlers, she waits her turn to pay her dues.
Navajo filmmaker Bennie Klain is the founding partner and Chief Creative Officer with TricksterFilms,LLC based in Austin, Texas. A fluent Navajo speaker, Klain often incorporates the language into his work. In 2007 Bennie was selected to participate in Tribeca All Access for his work-in-progress documentary tentatively titled LOST TRIBES, and in 2004 he was a Sundance Institute/Ford Foundation Film Fellow for his feature script RELOCATION. Klain's feature documentary, WEAVING WORLDS premiered at the 2007 South by Southwest Film Festival and was screened on American Public Television in Fall 2008. His short fiction film, SHARE THE WEALTH, had its world premiere at the 2006 Native American Film + Video Festival and aired on the acclaimed PBS series THE TERRITORY in 2009. Prior to that Bennie's other short fiction YADA YADA premiered at Sundance 2002 and premiered on the PBS series, COLORVISION in 2004.
Navajo filmmaker Bennie Klain is the founding partner and Chief Creative Officer with TricksterFilms,LLC based in Austin, Texas. A fluent Navajo speaker, Klain often incorporates the language into his work. In 2007 Bennie was selected to participate in Tribeca All Access for his work-in-progress documentary tentatively titled LOST TRIBES, and in 2004 he was a Sundance Institute/Ford Foundation Film Fellow for his feature script RELOCATION. Klain's feature documentary, WEAVING WORLDS premiered at the 2007 South by Southwest Film Festival and was screened on American Public Television in Fall 2008. His short fiction film, SHARE THE WEALTH, had its world premiere at the 2006 Native American Film + Video Festival and aired on the acclaimed PBS series THE TERRITORY in 2009. Prior to that Bennie's other short fiction YADA YADA premiered at Sundance 2002 and premiered on the PBS series, COLORVISION in 2004.
photos & text c2002-2009 TricksterFilms LLC
11.8.09
Afternoon Documentary - Weaving Worlds (Navajo)
"Weaving Worlds is an absorbing cultural experience.
The take-away from this film is an appreciation of craft and commitment to a hands-on way of life.
A life immersed in the natural world."
Bart Santello - Arivaca Film Exhibition
The take-away from this film is an appreciation of craft and commitment to a hands-on way of life.
A life immersed in the natural world."
Bart Santello - Arivaca Film Exhibition
Written & Directed by: Bennie Klain
Produced by: Leighton C. Peterson
Director of Photography: Nancy Schiesari
Editor: Jayson Oaks
Music: Aaron White
Production Company: Trickster Films
Genre: Cultural Documentary
Film Location: Northern Arizona
Run Time: 57 minutes
Images from Weaving Worlds c Trickster Films
Revealing the untold stories of the creation and sales of Navajo rugs, Weaving Worlds presents a compelling and intimate portrait of economic and cultural survival through the art of weaving. This film conveys a poignant digital account of Navajo artisans and their unique and often controversial relationship with non-indian reservation traders. Weaving Worlds brings viewers into the world of the artisans as they struggle to maintain pride and sultural vitality in the face of increased globalization.
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