Here’s a round-up of some upcoming screenings of features made in Minnesota or with Minnesota connections.  Put a few on your calendar to support MN production and indie filmmaking, which, in true DIY spirit, continues to happen even in this sucky economy. And there’s something for just about everyone in this round-up.

KLOWNBOY CIRCUS OF GORE – PREMIERE
One show only on Saturday, October 24th
Riverview Theater in Minneapolis
Doors open at 11:30 p.m., movie at midnight
Tickets: $7.00 at the door
Watch the trailer here (not for clown-o-phobics)

From the press release: KLOWNBOY CIRCUS OF GORE, is the fast-paced story of a hideous clown who escapes from the Circus of Gore to terrorize a broken-down river community, and deal with the inner city butchers and mad men who tried to ruin his savage fun. Constructed in an original style, KLOWNBOY CIRCUS OF GORE will keep you on the edge of your seat right up to the shocking finale!

The film showcases original music by St. Paul’s MOMMY S3Z NO! (who will play at the premiere) and veteran shock rockers IMPALER!

Directed by Pasquale Pilla, produced by Mike Etoll, Special Effects by Mike Etoll & Christian Hanson, Camera by Sam Thompson
Starring Scarlet Salem, with a special guest appearance by Lloyd Kaufman!

Who should go: Anyone who adores scary clowns, low-budget horror, Lloyd Kaufman. Also, anyone who lives in a broken-down river community and wants to prevent scary clowns from terrorizing their town. Be proactive!

LIFE DURING WARTIME – SNEAK PEAK
Wednesday, October 28th, 7:30 p.m.
Walker Art Center
Tickets: $10, ($8 Walker members)

Todd Solondz’s latest film was produced by Minneapolis-based production company Werc Werk Works. The company formed in 2008 and Wartime is their first film to be released (next up is Howl, a feature about the obscenity trial over Allen Ginsberg’s poem, starring James Franco as Ginsberg) The film, part sequel/part variation on his acclaimed film Happiness (1998) is a comedy in which the same characters from Happiness, played by different actors, have moved on. Their lives have changed, but the memory of something terrible from the past lingers as three distant sisters reconnect and create a portrait of those seeking love and rebuilding family, all to the backdrop of mounting fear of terrorists.

The film premiered last month at the Venice Film Festival, where Solondz received the Best Screenplay Award, and went on to the Telluride, Toronto, and New York film festivals. The cast includes Allison Janney, Michael Lerner, Paul Reubens, Charlotte Rampling and Ally Sheedy.

Who should go: Fans of Solondz and Happiness for sure but also anyone who loves a good story and/or roots for the hometown team. Werc Werk Works recently announced plans to produce The Convincer, a feature that will be directed by Jill & Karen Sprecher. Minnesota is being  considered for the location.

CLEAR LAKE, WI
Playing at Hudson 12 , 520 Stageline, Hudson, WI 54016
Extended run at Hudson 12, October 16-22
Watch the trailer

I know – this feature has Wisconsin written all over it. But some scenes were reportedly shot in Minnesota and it stars local actor Dustin Booth (as well as the much more widely-known Hollywood actor Michael Madsen). This feature is a psycho-thriller film in which, “a group of childhood friends return to their former hometown to revisit the horrors that happened there 15 years ago.

The run at the Hudson 12 began on October 9th and has been extended for another week (October 16 through 22) due to popularity with the people.

Who should go: Fans of Dustin Booth (he’s the guy on the Breathe Right nasal strip boxes!!) and fans of supernatural thrillers. And fans of Hudson. And, as far as that goes, fans of Clear Lake, Wisconsin!

HUNTING BUDDIES – Cast & Crew Screening (open to the public)
Thursday November 12th 7-9 p.m.
Riverview Theater, 3800 42nd Ave South, Minneapolis
Tickets: Cast & Crew get in free, public $5
Watch the trailer

Hunting Buddies is a collaborative project between production companies Restraining Hollywood (Brandon Van Vliet) & Bassett Creek Productions and features with an all MN cast & crew.  It’s a drama about four longtime high school friends who reunite for an annual hunting trip. Tension mounts as each of the buddies battle personal demons… and one disappears. The others must overcome their differences to find him but (as is so often the case) all is not what it seems… Directed by Bill Cooper.

Who should go: For $5 and the chance to see Chris Grap of the Minnesota Film & TV Board don his smoking jacket as host of the evening’s festivities, the question is really who shouldn’t go?

THE CITY – PREMIERE
Oak Street Cinema in Minneapolis
Thursday, November 19th, 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $8

Director James Vogel’s The City is billed as a “buddy comedy, character drama, moody thriller and a violent masterpiece.” This is quite a bit to live up to, which may be why it behooves all of us to go see it and decide for ourselves. In the film a college student (played by Ezra Stead) majoring in screenwriting explores his dark side in order to gain more life experience. This leads him to a brutal but charismatic hustler (the best possible personality traits for a successful hustler!) known only as T.K. (Greg Hernandez). Together, they embark upon a strange and dangerous quest that leads in unexpected directions for both of them as they bond through adventures in sex, drugs and death – the American way.

The press release promises the film will, “burn itself into your mind like a rusty tattoo needle.” Ouch, I have a headache already. The cast and crew are many known for their work in local indie film, including the aforementioned James Vogel, Ezra Stead, Greg Hernandez, Zach Rasmussen, Ben Hippely, Matthew Feeney, Nicole Kruex, Paul von Stoetzel and many more.

Who should go: Everyone who wants to become better aquainted with what it feels like to have a rusty tattoo needle sink into their brain. Everyone who likes stories about sex, drugs and death. That’s just about everyone on the planet, no?

Tags: bassett creek productions, clear lake WI, hunting buddies film, James Vogel, klownboy circus of gore, Life During Wartime, minnesota film, MN Made film, Oak Street Cinema, restraining hollywood, Riverview theater, the city film, Todd Solondz

This post was written by Rebecca Collins, Friday, October 16th, 2009 at 2:27 pm and is filed under Events, Made In Minnesota. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.