Showing posts with label film submission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label film submission. Show all posts

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Indie Film Review: Determinism (2011)



Recently, I just finished watching this film submitted to me by indie filmmakers/directors/writers Sanjit Majumdar and Ranju Majumdar.

I took an interest in their film, "Determinism" when the trailer was submitted here. From the trailer alone, it definitely caught my eye and I knew it would be a movie with something important to say. I was definitely right.

From the very beginning of the film, I could get a sense of the eeriness and setting of the movie - the tone was set quite well. The film takes place in the winter time in Pennsylvania. And, let me just say - the cinematography is just amazing and outstanding. I really could feel the tone throughout the movie.

Now, this is a film that you really do have to pay attention to - it is told quite well. There are bits and pieces of the story that are introduced throughout the movie which really make the film come together at the end.

So, what is this movie about? Well, I don't want to reveal too much as I do not want to ruin it for you. But, I will tell you it's a movie that has some really important themes about our society and how the kids of our society deal with the issues of today.

The main character, Alec (played by Sanjit Majumdar), is a college student who is really struggling with trying to uphold the high expectations of his parents. As many parents who immigrate to this country, there is a lot of pressure placed on their children to do well in school and to uphold a high status position and job after graduating from college. That is the "American Dream" for many parents of their children.

But, Alec is not able to cope and uphold his parents' plans for him. There is just too much pressure. And, in the end - he fails them.

In turn, Alec soon realizes that he is just "tired of trying to fit in." So, he turns to a different life - a life filled with drugs and making easy money. With no support from this family, for Alec - this is his future now. And, so the story begins.

As for the plot, I won't say much as it may ruin it for those who have not yet seen the film. But, I will say - there are a lot of unexpected twists and turns. And, yes - there are a lot of unpredictable moments.

This movie really makes a statement about the future of the children of America. Sometimes parents do place too much pressure on their children to live out their own dreams, not the dreams of their children. But, at what price?

Without having a family and a support system, who else do these kids have to turn to? As parents, when is enough, enough? I understand parents want the best for their children. But, who is to say what is the best? And, what is the definition of success?

In the movie, the "determinism" of the main character, Alec, was to survive on his own to go out and make a fresh start without the support of his family. His will to survive only made him stronger. But, in the end - it was a high price to pay. And, many paid dearly for it.

Overall, I enjoyed the film very much. It was brilliantly executed and had a good storyline. It had my attention throughout. And, I personally think this movie is worthy of being entered into the film festival circuit.

If you're in the mood for a drama and thriller type of film, I do recommend this one.

Film Gurl's 15 Minute Rule: PASS

(Note: For those who are interested, feel free to check out the Determinism website for more info about the movie. Thanks for reading!)

Happy movie watching!

p.s. Feel free to leave comments on any post either here and/or my Facebook Page. Comments are always welcome, thanks for reading!



Video Link

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Indie Short Film - Daredevil Cleaners

I thought I'd post up this short film by my tweep, King is a Fink. Check it out!

"Daredevil Cleaners is a short film that we made for the Film Racing Grand Prix. We made it in less than 100 hours. We were assigned a theme (evil) and an action (counting money) that we had to incorporate into the film.

Early on in the film race we agreed that we didn’t want to make a moralistic film but rather something more unconventional. We wanted Wade to be deeply conflicted about his inner evilness and to be seeking a way to exorcise his demons. This was more appealing than creating a film where someone who is evil is judged and punished.

Let us know how you think it turned out!"


If you'd like to see more of their work, check out their website).

(p.s. If you have a project(s) you'd like me to check out (i.e. fan trailer, short, spoof, animation, etc), feel free to contact me. I'm always on the lookout for fresh stuff from emerging filmmakers!)


Video Link

Friday, November 13, 2009

Indie Film Trailer - The Puzzle

I thought I'd post up this film trailer for the short submitted by Davide Melini (thank you!). Check it out!

"Here is the trailer of my penultimate short, called 'The Puzzle': a psychological horror film made in Málaga, Spain. This video has been realized by Biktor Kero".

If you would like to see the short, you can find it here.

(p.s. If you have a project(s) you'd like me to check out (i.e. fan trailer, short, spoof, animation, etc), feel free to contact me. I'm always on the lookout for fresh stuff from emerging filmmakers!)



VIdeo Link

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Indie Short Film Trailer - Worth

I thought I'd post up this film trailer by my tweep, Worth Movie. I think it's a very interesting and neat concept. Check it out!

(Note: For more info on the film, check out the website).




Video Link

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Indie Film Trailer - My Name Is Francesca

I thought I'd post up this film trailer for the short submitted by my tweep, Jeremy Hyler (thank you!). Check it out!

"Francesca (Rebecca Bruder) is a girl with issues. Check the film out! It's currently in festivals."

If you would like to see the short, you can find it here.

(p.s. If you have a project(s) you'd like me to check out (i.e. fan trailer, short, spoof, animation, etc), feel free to contact me. I'm always on the lookout for fresh stuff from emerging filmmakers!)



Video Link

Friday, September 25, 2009

Indie Film Trailer - Determinism

(Update 10/21/2009: Here is the link to the film's new website. Thanks!).

I thought I'd post up this film trailer submitted by my tweep, Determinism (thank you!). Check it out!

(p.s. If you are a filmmaker and have a project(s) you'd like me to check out, feel free to contact me. Also, I may be doing some interviews (podcast style) with indie filmmakers down the road if you'd like to send me a message and start a conversation. Thanks for your interest!)



Video Link

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Teddy

I thought I post up this funny and entertaining short submitted by my tweep, Shelby Films (thank you!). Check it out!

(p.s. If you are a filmmaker and have a project(s) you'd like me to check out, feel free to contact me. Also, I may be doing some interviews (podcast style) with indie filmmakers down the road if you'd like to send me a message and start a conversation. Thanks for your interest!)



Video Link

Thursday, March 19, 2009

The Cost of Oil: Voices From the Arctic (Trailer)

Documentary short by Stone Soup Films:

(Note: I've been receiving submissions from people about their films, blogs, websites, etc. If you have something you'd like me to check out, feel free to send it in. Please do not send any file attachments - it's best if you just send me a link to your project(s). If I find it interesting/relevant, I will post it here. Thanks!)

"This film is an outline of the effects of offshore oil production in the Arctic Ocean just off the coast of northern Alaska. The native people have lived off the land for over 2000 years using the resources provided by the ocean. The plan for offshore oil development in this region has posed a huge threat to these people's way of life. Not only will oil drilling have an impact on their subsistence lifestyle, but their cultural heritage may also be at risk.

The film is a compilation of interviews with the native peoples living on the North Slope of Alaska and expert geophysicists, biologists, oil production specialists, environmentalists, linguists and ethnologists. These interviews have been added to footage taken from the arctic tundra of Alaska resulting in a powerful piece that shows some of the imminent danger that the world may face in drilling for oil in the dangerous Arctic Ocean."





Video Link