| John Mitty Monday, August 13, 2012 |
FREE SCREENING OF A WORK IN PROGRESS
THURSDAY, AUGUST 30 AT 7:30PM
WAKALIWOOD THE DOCUMENTARY
In person: Filmmakers Ben Barenholtz and Long Island native Alan Hofmanis
Isaac Godfrey Geoffrey (I.G.G.) Nabwana is a loving father who produces action films from his home in the slums of Wakaliga, Uganda. Funny, touching, and inspiring, Wakaliwood:The Documentary celebrates the pure joy of creativity. Meet Filmmakers Ben Barenholtz (icon of the independent film scene) and Long Island native Alan Hofmanis at the FREE screening of this work in progress and reception on Thursday, August 30 at 7:30pm at Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave, Huntington 631-423-7610 www.CinemaArtsCentre.org
http://www.cinemaartscentre.org/event/wakaliwood-the-documentary/
Alan Hofmanis saw 90 seconds of action footage on the internet and decided to go to Uganda, where he became friends with action filmmaker Isaac Nabwana, as they bonded over Rambo and Schwartzenegger, two suburban kids (Kampala and Long Island) who grew up with 80s action films, oceans and worlds apart.
There are few resources for filmmakers in Uganda. Out of necessity, I.G.G. Nabwana founded Wakaliwood, a community of actors, filmmakers, and technicians dedicated to building an independent film industry. The term “Wakaliwood” is a combination of Hollywood and Wakaliga, the slum I.G.G. calls home.
The community of Wakaliwood must rely on its ingenuity and build all the equipment from available materials. For example, the guns they use as props are carved from wood or welded out of car parts and scrap metal. Their tripod is a modified car jack. The computer used for editing, sound mixing, and special effects is built by I.G.G. Nabwana himself but constantly overheats in the Ugandan climate. Distribution is the main source of revenue for the community and members keep a share from DVDs they sell at street corners and the local markets. Complicating matters is the fact that Wakaliwood has only six days after each new film to make their money, as by that time the film has been pirated and revenue plummets.
Alan Hofmanis is the first American to visit and document Wakaliwood, a community of actors, filmmakers, and technicians producing Hollywood-inspired action films in the slums of Wakaliga, Uganda. Adopted by the Nkima (Monkey) clan and given the name Ssali, he starred in I.G.G. Nabwana’s most recent film, BLACK, and in the process became the first muzungu (Westerner) to appear in Ugandan cinema. Previously, he served as Director of Special Programming for Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington, NY and Director of Programming for the Lake Placid Film Forum.
Ben Barenholtz has been a key presence in the independent film scene as an exhibitor, distributor, and producer. In 1968 he opened the influential Elgin Cinema and in 1970 originated the Midnight Movie with Alexander Jodorowsky’s El Topo, which ran for 6 months, 7 days a week, to sold out audiences. In 1972 he formed Libra Films and launched and distributed, among others, Jean-Charles Tacchella’s Cousin, Cousine, which became one of the largest grossing foreign films in the US and was nominated for 3 Academy Awards, John Sayles’ first feature Return of the Secaucus Seven, and David Lynch’s first feature Eraserhead.
In 1984 he joined with Ted and Jim Pedas to form Circle Releasing. Among the films released by Circle were Guy Maddin’s first feature Tales From the Gimli Hospital, John Woo’s The Killer, and Blood Simple, the first film by Joel and Ethan Coen. He continued working with the Coens on the production of Raising Arizona, and as executive producer of Miller’s Crossing and Barton Fink, which won the Palme d’Or at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival, as well as awards for Best Director and Best Actor. This was the first and last time the three top honors have all gone to the same film at Cannes.
Barenholtz went on to produce George Romero’s Bruiser and executive-produced Gregory Hines’ directorial debut Bleeding Hearts and Ulu Grossbard’s Georgia, which earned an Academy Award nomination for Mare Winningham. He also served as co-executive producer of Darren Aronofsky’s Requiem for a Dream. Barenholtz recently directed his first feature, Music Inn, a documentary about the famed jazz venue.
CONTACT for info, photos, interviews
Susan Finkelstein
Director Publicity & Promotion
Cinema Arts Centre
423 Park Ave.
Huntington, NY 11743
M-Th 11:30am-6pm
631-423-7610 x14
Fax: 631-423-5411
susan@cinemaartscentre.org
www.cinemaartscentre.org
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