Happy Birthday actor Mark Sheppard
Born: Mark Andreas Sheppard
May 30, 1964 in London, England, UK
Married to: Sarah Louise Fudge (9 November 2015 – present)
Read reviews of the best of the actor:
 24 SEASON 5Starring Kiefer Sutherland Kim Raver Mary Lynn Rajskub |
 In the Name of the Father1993 dir. Jim Sheridan Starring Daniel Day-Lewis |
Happy Birthday actor Stephen Tobolowsky
Born: Stephen Harold Tobolowsky
May 30, 1951 in Dallas, Texas, USA
Married: Ann Hearn (1988 – present) (2 children)
Read reviews of the best of the actor:
 THE MINDY PROJECTReview of the 2012 comedy |  Spaceballs1987 dir. Mel Brooks Starring: John Candy Rick Moranis Bill Pullman |
 Best of GLEE TV series
|  The Philadelphia Experiment1984 dir. Stewart Raffill Starring Michael Pare Nancy Allen |
 The Time Traveler’s Wife 2009 dir. Robert Schwentke Starring Bana Rachel McAdams |  Groundhog Day1993 dir. Ramis starring Murray Andie McDowell |
 Thelma and Louise1991 dir. Ridley Scott Starring Geena Davis Susan Sarandon |  Wild Hogs2007 dir. Walt Becker Starring John Travolta Allen Martin Lawrence < |
 MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN2013 dir. Rob Minkoff Stars: Ty Burrell Max Charles |  CALIFORNICATIONReview of the television show |
 JUSTIFIED Season 32012 Stars: Timothy Olyphant Joelle Carter |  JUSTIFIED Season 42013 Stars: Timothy Olyphant Raymond J. Barry |
 JUSTIFIED – Video reviews of every episode
|  BLIND DATING2006 dir. James Keach Stars: Chris Pine Anjali Jay |
 FAILURE TO LAUNCH2006 dir. Tom Dey Stars: Matthew McConaughey Sarah Jessica Parker |
Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival: http://www.wildsound.ca
THE BOY AND THE BEAST (Japan 2015) ***1/2
Directed by Mamoru Hosoda
Starring: Bryn Apprill, Kumiko Asô, Morgan Berry
Review by Gilbert Seah
When his mother dies, the nine year-old boy, Ren (voiced by Aoi Miyazaki) runs away from his relatives in modern day Tokyo and stumbles into a parallel realm inhabited by anthropomorphic beasts. There he becomes the apprentice to bear-like Kumatetsu (Koji Yakusho) who trains him in martial arts. Kumatetsu is a grumpy sort and the boy is feisty – so there is non-stop bickering back and forth. When the boy turns 17 (Shota Sometani), a darkness descends, putting the bond between him and Kumatetsu to the ultimate test. Ren re-enters the human world to search for his missing dad and halts the martial-arts training.
THE BOY AND THE BEAST is not entirely original in its story. It has taken bits from other animated features. The mixing of two worlds the beast and the human, and the crossings from one to the other is similar to what occurred in Hayao Miyazaki Studio Ghibli’s animated SPIRITED AWAY where the spirit and human worlds were crossed. The mouse like creature in the film is also similar to he furry balls in Miyazaki’s HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE. (Hosoda initially worked on that film before taken off by the studio.) But Hosoda’s film takes premises one step further. He bonds both worlds. What initially seems strange as the beast walks in the human world becomes natural by the film’s end. The training of apprentice and master is also given a good turnaround. Hosoda’s Master in the film has lots to learn unlike other films where the Master is perfect. As he trains his rebellious apprentice, both learn from each other and fine tune their techniques. Ionically, this is what happens with Hosoda. As he learns the techniques from other films, he does not merely copy but takes each film ahead, changing the rules and fascinating the audience.
Hosoda started his apprenticeship at the famous Toei Studios before starting his own Studio Chizu in which BOY AND THE BEAST is its second film.
As the film progresses, what initially appears as a predictable tale turns out to be a unique story full of wonder and surprise. The humour and lightness the of the film are never lost as important messages are subtly wound into the story.
Excepting the mousy creature, Hosoda refrains from cutesy bits, typical in Disney and other animated features aimed at kids. THE BOY AND THE BEAST thus has a more universal appeal despite it being targeted as a family film.
A key component in the majority of Miyazaki’s film is the love element. There is always a love story and one involving first love. In Hosoda’s film, Young Ren falls in love for the first time when he returns to the human world though it occurs at the half way point of the story.
The soundtrack of piano playing scores is very pleasant covering the darker nature of the story. Hosoda’s hand drawn animation is top-notch.
THE BOYS AND THE BEAST turns out surprisingly entertaining. It was a box-office smash in Japan and should do well in Norther American given its universal appeal.
Also, Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.
Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html
Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca
Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month:http://www.wildsoundfestival.com
Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival: http://www.wildsound.ca
KISS ROCKS VEGAS (USA 2016) ***
Directed by Kevin DeHaven
Starring: KISS, Gene Simmons, Eric Singer
Review by Gilbert Seah
For those who love music, Cineplex Odeon has put together a series called “Music at the Movies” that runs in cinemas across Canada. This series features music documentaries, concert films and music movies where one can celebrate ones favourite artists with other fans. KISS ROCKS VEGAS a concert film s scheduled to run for one night only all over the world on 25 May 2016. The film is comprised of two parts. The first is a documentary section lasting around 20 minutes where the planned show is talked about. The second and main purpose is footage of KISS’s 9 day run of concerts at the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 2014 that includes exclusive behind the scenes footage. One night only!
In November 2014, a helicopter landed at the infamous Hard Rock Hotel as KISS invaded Las Vegas for an historic nine-show run. As the Vegas residency involves KISS performing on stage in a smaller venue than they usually do in arenas, much planning and preparation had to be done. The film reveals KISS to be rational business people, talented, ambitious and always thinking ahead. Their costumes, make-up and guitar bashing on stage hides the true nature of the band. The film shows a different side of a rock band that is seldom seen. During an interview with lead guitarist Tommy Thayer, Thayer confesses that the greatest joy he has experienced is watching a 5-year old kid on the shoulder of his father enjoying their concert. To him, he says, that is what genuine tribute is.
As the camera takes the audience on stage into the theatre in Vegas, exclusive footage seen includes sky-high flames, gigantic screens, a platform across the audience and of course, candid reactions of the spectators (priceless) as the concert goes on.
The film engages both KISS fans and non-KISS fans alike. KISS performs a lot of their famous oldies such as ‘Parasite’ and ‘Do you love me”, which even non-KISS fans should be familiar with.
The film ends with the encore performance at the concert of one of KISS’s most famous songs “I wanna rock and roll all night.” They do a sing-a-long with the audience in Vegas. Be not surprised if the audience in the cinema break out into song as well.
KISS ROCKS VEGAS captures the unique experience of watching KISS live without having to be there with the noisy crowds.
Also, Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.
Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html
Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca
Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month:http://www.wildsoundfestival.com
Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival: http://www.wildsound.ca
NEON BULL (Brazil/Uruguay/Netherlands 2015) ***
Directed by Gabriel Mascaro
Starring: Juliano Cazarré, Maeve Jinkings, Josinaldo Alves
Review by Gilbert Seah
NEON BULL tells the story, set in a Brazilian rodeo setting, of Iremar (Juliano Cazarre) and his immediate family, all living at the edge of poverty. The family consists of his girlfriend an exotic dancer (Maeve Jinkings) and her daughter Caca (Aline Santana). Iremar works at a rodeo called the ‘Vaquejadas’ in the north east of Brazil. In the rodeo, two men on horseback bring down a bull by its tail (which is sanded for grip) within a time limit. There is no story but the film’s purpose is to show what life is like for them. The film works around Iremar’s immediate family and work while focusing on his desire to get out of the bull business as it is difficult hard-breaking work. Iremar’s passion, believe it or not is designing skimpy women’s clothes.
Mascaro uses dramatic set-ups to tell his story. The segment in which the little girl Caca asks Iremar, the mother’s befriend out of the blue for a hug shows the closeness between the two that is missing between her and her real mother. On the other hand, the mother slapping Caca in another scene demonstrates the mother just tolerating her most of the time. These often isolated segments do not help smooth the flow of the story telling, which feels choppy at times. The dramatic contents of the film, however, are strong.
Mascaro loves to focus his camera on images of bodies be it humans, even on co-worker Ze’s (Carlos Pessoa) pot-belly and his protruding belly button or on the almost perfect contours of the white bulls in the rodeo. It seems natural then, that his protagonist has the ambition to design fashion outfit as an alternative source of income.
The film’s cinematography by Diego Garcia is detailed enough to observe dust in the wind. His fond of use of shadows is apparent in the many night scenes. There is much to enjoy in the lighting department as well, as evident in a scene which is lit up by the needle of a sewing machine emphasizing Iremar’s dedication to his design work.
NEON BULL has the mixed feel of art and biopic. The slowness of pace and the often lingering of the camera with the explicit use of colours (the white bulls, the neon lights, the colours of posters) are the realistic dirty look of poverty of the subjects.
The climax of the film is where everything comes together – filmmaking-wise. It is a sex scene, very graphically explicit, shot in the night with shadows and minimal lighting with selected musical scoring. The sex is very erotic and different, between Iremar and his cosmetics saleslady who happens to be pregnant. It is not a scene for everybody, riding from behind, but tastefully done, arguably.
If the visual and dramatic setups are tied in with a stronger film narrative, NEON BULL would emerge a more focused film and even one that could contain a message of survival and maybe the mistreatment of animals. Shot in Portuguese.
Also, Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.
Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html
Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca
Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month:http://www.wildsoundfestival.com
Action Packed Film Festival, is an event that is solely dedicated to films that are covered under that genre of action. Any project that has stunts, well coordinated fighting scenes and can be easily categorized as an action film can finally find a dedicated home at this film festival.All films that we receive will be viewed by industry professionals, and only a few of the best that we received will be officially selected to screen at the festival.
http://actionpackedfilmfest.weebly.com/
https://www.facebook.com/actionpackedfilmfestival
Interview with Stanley Cobos:
Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?
Stanley Cobos: We’re setting up for a community of filmmakers that love to make films, more focused on action genre. We’re not opposed to other genres, but this festival in particularly focuses on the action genre. Action packed films are usually the tentpole films of the industry. Blockbuster films, that generate followings and an automatic hit (for the most part) in the box office. Most award ceremonies and film festivals appeal to the comedy,lighthearted and drama films. Regardless of the box office success of the action packed film. The action packed film is pure entertainment. What we intend to do and what is makes it succeeding for our filmmakers, is to focus on them now and push them further in their career. Our festival will showcase two seminars, networking events, and a special award ceremony where we intend to award three individuals (that are not in the festival) that are professionals working and mainly focused in the action film genre as stunt performers.
MT: What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2016)?
SC: I would hope that it will be a complete success and entertaining, but most important, that our filmmakers have an amazing and memorable experience. It’s important that they continue in their path towards this at time difficult journey as a filmmaker. We want to acknowledge them.
MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?
SC: A well executed film that has action and well coordinated stunts. It took a great deal of time and dedication to make these films, especially if they had little to no budget. When we see a project and we like it, and found it truly entertaining, it makes the cut. It wasn’t easy. Our judges viewed hundreds of film. We had to decline a handful of amazing and just plain beautifully shot films that looked so beyond professional, it was hard to say no; but they did not fit our genre – action. So the films have to be considered an action type film. Regardless if it’s action-thriller, or any other type of film; as long as it falls in the action classification (chases, stunts, fighting sequences, etc.) that’s what we’re looking for. As well as the obvious, good story telling.
MT: Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?
SC: I really do. It’s a lot of based on who you know and if you have the right amount of funding backing your project. There are amazing films that exist, but don’t get the full amount of recognition because there wasn’t enough money to place it in-front of enough eyes. That’s why web content is starting to gain momentum. Also, it’s difficult to succeed without a name talent. It’s not easy to have someone watch a film if there is no “attachment” to it. It’s unfortunate because there are a lot of great actors out there that will act and do a stellar performance without the need of hassling through the red tape of managers and agents and payment that at times is more than the films project, especially if it’s independently made.
MT: What motivates you and your team to do this festival?
SC: We’re filmmakers ourselves and know that feeling of making it. Even if it’s just for one day. We want to spread that. Spread the hope and allow for a great networking opportunity, it’s key in this industry.
MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?
SC: Well, this is our first year and so far, it’s been doing great. We focused on a good genre and have been able to watch some great films and are looking forward to showcasing it for all to see! August 20-21, 2016!
MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?
SC: It will be a milestone, and we hope to see the growth of it and the expansion of it become something that filmmakers will look forward to seeing and being a part of. We hope that generate a good community and be able to assist in funding other projects.
MT: What film have you seen the most times in your life?
SC: The Fifth Element, it’s one of those films that I can’t ever get enough of. I also enjoy Total Recall, The Professional and V for Vandetta.
MT: In one sentence, what makes a great film?
SC: Great story with an amazingly talented cast and crew.
MT: How is the film scene in your city?
SC: Well we’re based in Los Angeles, so it’s a thriving scene, I’m just glad the tax incentive’s are starting to catch-up.
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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 10-20 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go towww.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.
Cast: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, Rhys Ifans with Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen
Voice Cast: Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen, Timothy Spall
Director: James Bobin
Producers: Joe Roth, Suzanne Todd and Jennifer Todd, Tim Burton
Executive Producer: John G. Scotti
Screenplay by: Linda Woolverton
Based on characters created by: Lewis Carroll
OFFICIAL BOILERPLATE:
In Disney’s “Alice Through the Looking Glass,” an all-new spectacular adventure featuring the unforgettable characters from Lewis Carroll’s beloved stories, Alice returns to the whimsical world of Underland and travels back in time to save the Mad Hatter. Directed by James Bobin, who brings his own unique vision to the spectacular world Tim Burton created on screen in 2010 with “Alice in Wonderland,” the film is written by Linda Woolverton based on characters created by Lewis Carroll and produced by Joe Roth, Suzanne Todd and Jennifer Todd and Tim Burton with John G. Scotti serving as executive producer. “Alice Through the Looking Glass” reunites the all-star cast from the worldwide blockbuster phenomenon, including: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska and Helena Bonham Carter along with the voices of Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen and Timothy Spall. We are also introduced to several new characters: Zanik Hightopp (Rhys Ifans), the Mad Hatter’s father and Time himself (Sacha Baron Cohen), a peculiar creature who is part human, part clock.
Alice Kingsleigh (Wasikowska) has spent the past few years following in her father’s footsteps and sailing the high seas. Upon her return to London, she comes across a magical looking glass and returns to the fantastical realm of Underland and her friends the White Rabbit (Sheen), Absolem (Rickman), the Cheshire Cat (Fry) and the Mad Hatter (Depp), who is not himself. The Hatter has lost his Muchness, so Mirana (Hathaway) sendsAlice on a quest to borrow the Chronosphere, a metallic globe inside the chamber of the Grand Clock which powers all time. Returning to the past, she comes across friends – and enemies – at different points in their lives, and embarks on a perilous race to save the Hatter before time runs out. Presented in Digital 3D™, Real D 3D and IMAX® 3D, Disney’s “Alice Through the Looking Glass” opens in theatres on May 27, 2016.
Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival: http://www.wildsound.ca
X-MEN: APOCALYPSE (USA 2016) ****
Directed by Bryan Singer
Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Rose Byrne, Oscar Isaac, Evan Peters, Sophie Turner, Nicholas Hoult,
Review by Gilbert Seah
From the first 15 minutes of X-MEN: APOCALYPSE, it appears that director Bryan Singer, the director of the new X-MEN movie (and the director of all the others except for X-MEN: FIRST CLASS) is going all out to outdo all the other X-MEN films in terms of yes, everything. The film begins with the first mutant born in ancient times (3600 B.C.) in Egypt. He is none other than En Sabah Nur (Oscar Isaac), and if that name is too difficult to remember, he is also called Apocalypse. He is entombed. Singer has the volume up full blast, the special effects at full throttle, 3D included, so there are tons of rocks, sharp objects and metal thrown out of the screen. If you think Singer will give audiences a break, forget it! The film is nonstop action, effects, noise and explosions all the way – the way an action super hero film should be. But he also builds in the storyline (script by Simon Kinberg), so that it is not just meaningless action.
The story involves Apocalypse resurrected in 1983. There is some humour and irony in him being disgusted by the human race ruled by weaklings. So, he decides to take over the world and rid the world of weaklings. This actually sounds not too bad an idea. So Magneto (Michael Fassbender) is conned into joining him. If Apocalypse gains the power of Professor X (James McAvoy) he can rule the world. So, it is up to Professor X aka Charles Xavier and the good X-Men to save the day. It is also good to see so many super heroes (or mutants) in a single movie – enough to satisfy any action fan. And it seems that it must be a requirement to look good to be in this film. Every male and female are drop dead gorgeous.
The action sequences especially the climax in which all the X-MEN have to join powers to destroy Apocalypse, are super well executed, much better than all the recent super hero films. The film also works because all the actors seem to take their roles seriously. But the oddest is Jennifer Lawrence as the blue Raven. She looks as if she does not want to be in the film, as she is making so much money being famous right now. She gives Professor X the kind of look: “You want to recruit me again to save the world? I have better things to do.”
Unlike DEADPOOL, BATMAN V SUPERMAN and CAPTAIN AMERICA, Singer’s film has action segments that are imaginative and cinematically stunning. The best of these has Quicksilver (Evan Peters) save his fellow X-Men amidst slow motion or stopped background to the song “Sweet Dreams”. The final fight scene in which a big silver X falls from the sky would definitely draw cheers from a packed house of elated fans. The one with Professor X’s wheelchair pulled backwards with his head tilted to the side is yet another inspirational storyboarded sequence.
The film also contains great scenes of the world being destroyed. The dialogue also contains lots of quotable lines like: You are no longer students, you are X-Men”, “I have never felt so much power in my life, “ etc.
APOCALYPSE costs a whopping $234 million to make. Singer makes sure it shows. And the results are worth it. This is the best Super Hero Action Movie so far this year. Let’s hope it pays off at the box-office.
Also, Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.
Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html
Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca
Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month:http://www.wildsoundfestival.com
Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival: http://www.wildsound.ca
FIRE SONG (Canada 2015) **
Directed by Adam Garnet Jones
Starring: Ma-Nee Chacaby, Morteesha Chickekoo-Bannon, Brendt Thomas Diabo
Review by Gilbert Seah
Calgary born Cree-Metis filmmaker Adam Garnet Jones’ first full length feature (he has made a few shorts) begins with a teen suicide in a First Nations community. Her brother, Shane (Andrew Martin), a young Anishinaabe man is at a crossroads at to whether to start school in Toronto or stay in the Reservation after the family comes across some inheritance money. But the family also needs the money for the family house which is in shambles, as seen by a pail collecting water from a leaking roof, at different points in the film. Shane has a girlfriend who wishes to leave with him, but Shane has a gay relationship with David (Harley Legarde-Beacham), the grandson of the community’s leader. Short of cash, Shane tries peddling drugs.
The film is a universal story about youthful dreams confined by reality, set in a remote Aboriginal community and the first LGBTQ drama by an Indigenous, two-spirited filmmaker in Canada.
Despite director Jones’ sincerity, the film is crushed by the weight of the manifold issues it tries to address – teen suicide, small town captivity, drug use, teen angst, gay love, son/mother relationship, native tradition, familial duty and perhaps a few more I might have missed. (They come so fast!) The significance of the title FIRE SONG will become apparent when you see the movie.
When a man has both a girlfriend and a gay lover, it is only a matter of time before the girlfriend finds out. And David faces this confrontation in one of the film’s better scenes.
Performances from the cast of unknowns are fair at best. The gay scene with Shane and David is nothing short of embarrassing. In fact, it is the most unrealistic gay scene I have ever seen in a movie – the two lovers just sit next to each other looking lost as to what to do next. So, finally mother decides to sell the property for the son to go to school. She should have done that long ago and saved every one so much trouble!
But FIRE SONG has played at various festivals including the Toronto and Vancouver International Film Festivals. It is also the Winner of the Air Canada Audience Choice Award at the ImagineNATIVE festival and the Winner of the Best Feature Narrative at the Reel Out Festival. Am I the only one who dislikes this film?
Also, Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.
Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html
Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca
Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month:http://www.wildsoundfestival.com
Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival: http://www.wildsound.ca
BRIDGEND (UK/Denmark 2015) ***
Directed by Jeppe Ronde
Starring: Hannah Murray, Josh O’Connor, Adrian Rawlins
Review by Gilbert Seah
BRIDGEND is the name of a Welsh town in Bridgend County in south west Wales. It is a beautiful town and the setting of the new English language Danish film photographed by Magnus Nordenhof Jønck and directed by Jeppe Ronde. If I knew how stunning the area was, I would have visited the place when I vacationed in Wales two years. ago.
But it is not the beauty of the town that is on display here. The beauty contrasts with dark goings-on that cannot be explained. Between December 2007 and January 2012 seventy-nine suicides were officially committed in the area. Most of the victims were teenagers, they hanged themselves and left no suicide notes. Danish documentary filmmaker Jeppe Rønde followed the teenagers from the area for six years and wrote the script based on their life stories.
Is it the water? What was the intent? Is it a mass murderer? Is there a cult at work? And why is it that it is always the parents who discover the suicides. The suicides take place in the woods. These are a few of the questions that spring to mind as Ronde’s film opens. But as the film progresses, it becomes clear that he wants the audience to focus on the people of the village, and how ordinary folk can turn angry and unpredictable.
When the film opens, teen Sara (Hannah Murray from GAME OF THRONES) follows her dad, Dave (Steven Waddington) as they arrive in the small town in Bridgend County. The town is haunted by suicides amongst its young inhabitants. As Sara starts hanging around teens her age, she eventually falls dangerously in love with one of the teenagers, Jamie (Josh O’Connor from THE RIOT CLUB) while Dave as the town’s new policeman tries to stop the mysterious chain of suicides.
The teens are shown by Ronde as teens are. They hang around their own, get drunk, have sex and the occasional high, from swimming naked in a cold stream or doing dangerous stunts with a speeding train. Ronde also show how irresponsible they are, often forcing his audience to take the side of the adults. The local vicar (Adrian Rawlins) has good intentions but the teens mock him. When it comes time to really help, he is at a loss what to do. “Go home,” is the best advice he can give to Sara when she is in time of need.
BRIDGEND is an accomplished debut about the mystery of the suicides. It reminds one of the classic Australian film. Peter Weir’s PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK. Like that film, there are certain mysteries in life that can never be explained. Both films do not offer closure on the mysteries, but provide clues in helping the audience interpret the happenings. BRIDGEND finishes with a dreamy sequence that spoils the authentic feel Ronde had created. That is the main flaw of the film.
Jeppe is a director to watch. In 2013, he won a Gold Lion for Best Direction, plus a bronze for cinematography for Come4 ‘The Lover’, a seemingly seedy look at one man’s obsession with sex and prostitution, with a twist. The film also won the Craft Grand Prix at Eurobest.
BRIDGEND does not open in Canada this weekend but in NYC at Cinema Village on May 6th. However, the film can be viewed on the SVOD platform as it is released as a Fandor Exclusive Digital SVOD release on the same day. Fandor is available in Canada and North America only.
Also, Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.
Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html
Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca
Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month:http://www.wildsoundfestival.com
Festival Reviews 