TRAUM review x Michael Fequiere

Daammmmmn its been over a month since I've posted on here but I'm back with an update. refer to post below to get up to speed.

So after seeing "Traum" for the first time at the film festival my reaction was "that was good, but I'm confused. Its like "Inception" it plays with your mind." I needed to see it again to truly piece it together and digest what happened.  Like the wonderful person that he is Mike agreed to send me a copy of the film. I waited, waited, and waited some more, until what felt like forever had come and gone...and then I waited some more...and even more waiting followed that waiting, until I finally received the film. peep my review below.

xxx

Writer/Director: Michael Fequiere

Simply put “Traum” is about an ex-cop Cole who suffers from insomnia as a result of being haunted by the death of his ex-wife Julie. He takes a newly designed sleeping pill “the Viagra of sleeping pills” which puts him through a series of dreams. But he soon realizes that even in his dreams he can’t hide from the truth.

One of the greater qualities of “Traum” is that the story isn’t simply spelled out for the viewer. It has a slight semblance to Chris Nolan’s “Memento” and “Inception” in that reality is skewed and there is often more than meets the eye. Fequiere adds depth to the 11 minute short by flashing key elements throughout the dream sequence whilst dropping subtle clues that ultimately reveal the truth surrounding Julie’s death.

One of my favorite scenes, the only scene with dialogue which grounds the film occurs in a café where Cole meets up with another cop, Frank , who we presume to be his ex-partner. Frank owns this scene, not only through his words but through his body language and it brings a necessary warmth and reality to the tone of the film.

My only gripe is that its only 11 minutes. 60 minutes would have done the central story more justice. Overall I give “Traum” 3 out of 4 cigars. You can't view it so you're just going to have to take my word for it.



on the set of "Traum"

Photo credit: Terence MF Thomas check out more of his work here --> MANuALLfocus.tumblr.com and here -->@ManuallFocus

Michael Fequiere x TRAUM x New Filmmakers Summer Film Festival

MIKE aka Young Spizzle aka Mike Lee & Me

I was perusing the web yesterday and decided to take a stroll over to Mike's Vimeo. You remember Mike, right? the quirky, film maker, director, writer. We went to go see the film Uncle Boonmee a few months ago. Remember? the long tortuous movie about nothing. Yea, yea, I'm still trying to forget that ever happened. I digress.

As I was saying I checked out one of Mike's shorts titled "Faux Pas" which is about a women who loses her wedding ring while cheating on her husband and later comes to grips with her actions after an encounter with a homeless man and tourist. "Faux Pas" is shot in black and white which enables the viewer to focus on the characters, their emotions, body language and subtle nuances in their facial expressions as a opposed to frivolous details such as what they're wearing, and, why doesnt this lady have a smart phone? It's 2011.

Towards the end of the film I got a little emotional as "Faux Pas" will resonate with anyone thats ever been in a relationship an is familiar with all the emotions that they encompass. the highs. the lows. falling in and out of love. infidelity. "Faux Pas" gracefully displays the universal feelings of love, and self reflection.

xxx

In other related news another of Mike's short film's "Traum" will be screening at the New Filmmakers Summer Film Festival at Anthology Film Archives on July 4th at 7pm. tix are $6.

 Check "Faux Pas"  and the official teaser for "Traum"  out here.

EVIE ROBBIE and NOMADNESS TV presents DRT-BG

update: Evita Robinson not only reached but exceeded her Kickstarter goal of  $5,000 thanks to everyone who spread the word and donated.

The pilot episode of NomadnessTV will be filmed in Berlin. until the crew and Evie fly out on July 7th Evie is doing another round of fundraising with DRT-BGs ($20) which is a new addition to the Nomadness brand. Watch Evie speak on NomadnessTV details and DRT-BGs HERE

(EVIE stylin' with a DRT-BG)

Again ALL proceeds from the bags ($20) will go towards funding the pilot
  --> refer 3 people to
purchase a DRT-BG and you get yours FREE. PURCHASE your DRT-BG HERE

if you're not interested in a DRT-BG but would still like to donate to the cause you can do so via pay pal at http://nomadnesstv.com/  All donation amounts are welcomed.

SUPPORT POSITIVE MOVEMENT.

sound: EMILIO ROJAS x BREAKING POINT

"you'll never shatter my dreams homie, they're plexiglass," -Emilio Rojas

photo:

life: cut

last monday i cut my hair.


went from this:

to this

the color: Revlon ColorSilk ultra light sun blonde #03

life: LUPE FIASCO x LASERS (5.5.11)

Last Thursday night Lupe Fiasco performed at Buff State with opening acts Miguel and Far East Movement. I was fortunate enough to attend.

Miguel was the first act of the night. His set seemed never ending. In the words of my friend Brandon "He made 'sure thing' into an 8 minute long song, epic." Miguel's dance moves and mannerism were very The Artist Formely Know as Prince-esque (read: feminine), but he can sing. His talent is undeniable even if his jeans looked like leggings.

MIGUEL. Yes, his mic stand lit up. fancy, huh?

***
Far East Movement had a very high energy set. The group has this 80's, 90's hip-hop vibe mixed with contemporary pop, and dance that you can't help but rock to; and the groups DJ, DJ Virman is a beast on the 1's and 2's. I respect the Movement.

***
Onto the main course, LUPE. Lupe's word play and rhymes are simply brilliant. With his much anticipated and much delayed recent album LASERS he does not disappoint. Although Lupe has been quoted saying he doesnt like LASERS and that its his attempt at a mainstream pop album to appease record label exects he still delievers heavy and insightful rhymes over pop beats. The first line from his latest single "Words I Never Said" takes a critical jab at America's political policy's when Lupe raps "I really think the War on Terror is a bunch of bullshit, just a poor excuse for you to use up all your bullets." Lupe can go from "Words I Never Said" to more uptempo songs such as "I Don't Wanna Care Right Now." LASERS is sure to get listeners moving as well as thinking.

LUPE FIASCO going H.A.M.

Watching Lupe live was amazing as he is a very passionate and intense performer. Singer Sarah Green who is featured on LASERS was also there to do vocals. The rest of the band memebers where incredible as well. Overall there was alot of head bopping, fist bumbing and sweat dripping. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I lost my voice from yelling out lyrics and shouts of approval.

LUPE FIASCO's video for "Words I Never Said"

sn: apologies for the quality of the pictures. camera's were not allowed in the venue so all pictures were captured with my BlackBerry.