Monday, October 1, 2007

Film Pop is here!

[This post is intended for all Ez Sezzers in the Montreal area. For all of you fine folks outside this region, please scroll down to other recent posts featuring Schwarzenegger's private parts, various bon mots and lots of juicy EzraPix. And now... Pop!]


Hello again Ez Sez Readers,

As many of you may know, I've been working at a homey little film fest called Film Pop, part of the Pop Montreal International Music Festival.

Last year my doc Posthumous Pickle Party, about Simcha's grocery on The Main, premiered at Film Pop to a sold out audience. I'm back at the fest this year as one of the event's co-producers...

So, now the time has come to let you know that the 4th annual Film Pop is right around the corner and the Film Pop team and I will be presenting over 43 features and shorts and music videos beginning this Wednesday, October 3rd until Sunday, October 7th.

We received close to 300 submissions and the films we ultimately selected are from countries including Canada, the USA, Japan, Norway, Mexico and Australia. There are also many made right here in Montreal, some too by filmmakers who are part of the Montreal Film Group, the 1300+ member film & TV industry networking group I am a co-founder and co-director of.

To make things easy for you, Film Pop has created a lovely little program book with short blurbs and photos about all the films playing as of this Wednesday. You can download it at this here link here.

A few Film Pop highlights include:


-The big Film Pop opening party on Wed. Oct. 3rd at 10:30PM. Free entry. Co-presented by the Montreal Film Group. This event will feature the astounding brand new "Jewish Cowboy" video by Socalled (Josh Dolgin) and lots of other new Montreal music videos on the big screen. Come party!

Tableland, by Craig Noble

-"Tableland", the world premiere of the new road-trip documentary that takes you and your appetite to some of North America's finest organic and artisanale restaurants, farms, bakeries and wineries. Featuring a live Q&A by Vancouver filmmaker Craig Noble and FREE organic vegetarian hors d'oeuvres by Montreal caterers Crudessence.

Dr. Emmanuel Bronner in Sara Lamm's first feature film

-See the award-winning NY documentary "Dr. Bronner's Magic Soapboox" and meet Ralph Bronner, 71, in person. Ralph is the son of the late eccentric soap maker Emmanuel Bronner whose multi-million dollar soap empire gives away up to 75% of its profits to charity. Ralph will be at the screening to do a Q&A and to sing and play guitar. Ever seen a famous Dr. Bronner's soap bottle labels at a health food or camping store? Oy! Check one out here. It'll give you a sense of how wild this film is. "ALL-ONE!" as Bronner used to scream. Sponsored in part by Co-op La Maison Verte in NDG. Sunday, October 7th at 4pm.

Bigfoot's Reflection by Evan Beloff

-"Bigfoot's Reflection" directed by Evan Beloff. World film festival premiere of the portrait of some of B.C.'s foremost sasquatch researchers. Spooky, kooky and expertly photographed. Not to be missed! Sat. Oct. 6th at 4pm. With a Q&A by the film's director.

-The National Film Board and Pop Montreal team up again for another bout of "music movies". Making Music challenged 5 emerging filmmaking/musical teams from Montreal join creative forces and explore the relationship between cinema and music. Check it out on Sunday Oct 7th at 7pm at the Portuguese Association, 4170 St-Urbain at Rachel. $5 students/seniors, $7 general.

A Balancing Act by Marc Israel

-"A Balancing Act" Way too hard to describe. This film is nuts. For all you fans of strange folks, kombucha tea and unforgettable endings to films. That's all I'll say. Saturday, Oct. 6th at 2pm. Director Marc Israel will be present to help make sense of it all.

-Freshly popped organic pop corn will be available at all screenings! Generously provided to Film Pop by EcollegeY on Wilson and Somerled in NDG.

-Tasty nuts made by Prana will be available. Though< i'm allergic to nuts, these organic nuts look utterly amazing!

-Hemp seeds, butters and oils will be available for you to finally try if you're not already a fan as I am. Generously provided by Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods & Oils.

-Film Pop feature film screenings take place at the Portuguese Association, 4170 St-Urbain (just South of Rachel). (All films listed above are at the Portuguese Assn.)

-Film Pop short films (many!) and zippy music videos take place at the Film Pop Screening Room at the Puces Pop Arts & Crafts Fair at the Armoury at 4171 Esplanade (just South of Rachel). 12pm-5pm, Saturday and Sunday only. See Man Of Grease editor Mika Goodfriend's brand new short "Mika's Brain" at Puces Pop along with many others.

-Read the John Griffin article on Film Pop in the Montreal Gazette (9/29/07).

-All screening are $5 for students and seniors, $7 general. Puces Pop screenings are free.

-Buy a Film Pop 5-day film pass for the incredible price of $20 ($15 for students/seniors)!

There are many other superb films at Film Pop, which is brought to you in part by Cineflix Productions, Muse Entertainment, Video Service and other gracious sponsors, so go ahead and download the Film Pop program here.

Ez Sez: See you at Film Pop 2007!

Dr. Bronner's sez: ALL-ONE!

Ez