April 17, 2001

HOLLYWOOD – In May, the American Cinematheque’s THE ALTERNATIVE SCREEN: INDEPENDENT FILM SHOWCASE presents the LA PREMIERE of two new independent feature films. On Thursday, May 10^th at 7:30 PM is THE WEDDING VIDEO (2000, USA, 84 min.), a comedy about a gay marriage starring ex-MTV "Real World" cast members from various seasons. Directors are Norman Korpi and Clint Cowen. With Tom Schroeder’s animated "Bike Ride" (2000, USA, 7 min.). On Tuesday, May 22nd at 7:30 PM the IFP/West’s Festival Buzz series and the Cinematheque’s Alternative Screen Independent Film Showcase will co-present the Los Angeles Premiere of Randy Redroad’s THE DOE BOY (2001, USA, 84 min.), a sensitive portrayal of a hemophiliac native American boy (James Duval) coming of age under the cloud of his blood disease. This film just won the Taos Talking Pictures Festival "Perrier Bubbling Under Award" for excellence in first time filmmaking (an makes the filmmaker a finalist for a $50,000 production grant for a future project). With Selena Chang’s live action short "Three Exits" (2001, USA, 11 min.). Cast and crew members will appear in person for discussions following the screenings. See below for details. All guests are subject to their availability. All screenings are at the Lloyd E. Rigler Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood (between Las Palmas Ave. & McCadden Place).

THE WEDDING VIDEO (2000, 84 min., USA): Thursday, May 10, 2001 @ 7:30 PM

Norman is getting married. His parents gave him $10,000, but they want nothing to do with the wedding… because Norman is marrying Sky… and Sky is well, Sky is a guy. So Norman takes the cash and hires Clint, a wedding videopgrapher, to make a film about everything leading up to his special day. What follows is a highly entertaining look at the less virtuous side of human nature… the pettiness, the phoniness, the selfishness… that emerge around weddings, in this case, a gay wedding. As old friends decide they don’t like the groom and uncover a secret career in gay porn and the wedding planners run out of money, some truly classic comic situations emerge. What’s more, the friends who come together in LA to share Norm and Sky’s nuptials are ten of MTV’s ex-"Real World" cast members (from various seasons), who portray exaggerated likenesses of their perceived public images. If you were wondering where the reality-based television phenomenon will go next, this just may be it! Reality bites back! With Heather B., Julie Oliver, Norman Korpi, Rachel Campos Duffy, Cory Murphy, Mike Lambert, Lars Schlichting, Sean Duffy, Syrus Yarbrough and Lindsay Brien. This reaction from cast members, to the experience and phenomenon of MTV’s "The Real World" couldn’t come at a better time, since "The Real World" celebrates in ten year anniversary in May. Co-directors Clint Cowen and Norman Korpi will appear for discussion following the screening along with Heather B., Rachel Campos and Mike Syrus. Preceding the feature is the animated short film "Bike Ride" (2000, USA, 7 min.) from Minneapolis based filmmaker Tom Schroeder. This cleverly illustrated story answers the question, "What would you do if you rode your bike five hours to see the girl of your dreams in a neighboring town, only to discover that she didn’t want to see you?" Schroeder heard this story from one of his students and was so taken with it, he taped the story and used it to narrate this short film. Jazz drummer Dave King (Happy Apple) improvises to the story and the animated line drawings fluidly morph from one form to the next, imagitively commenting on both audio tracks. Tom Schroeder will appear for a discussion following the screening.

For more information about THE WEDDING VIDEO please see www.rewindservices.com or contact Fruit Films at 323.656.7415. LA based filmmakers Clint Cowen and Norman Korpi are available for interview. "Bike Ride" filmmaker Tom Schroeder is available by e-mail at tom.schroeder@pcae.k12.mn.us. Both films are available for press preview on video tape.

**Please note that will normally Alternative Screen takes place on Thursdays, THE DOE BOY will be on a Tuesday.

THE DOE BOY (2000, 86 min., USA): Tuesday, May 22, 2001 @ 7:30 PM

Co-presented with IFP/West Festival Buzz

Selena Chang’s short film "Three Exits" (2001, USA, 11 min.), will precede the feature. An Asian American teenage girl asserts herself as an independent spirit during the course of a road trip with her doting parents. Director Selena Chang will appear in person for discussion following the screening of her film.

The IFP/West will host a beverage reception following the screening. Free to all ticket buyers. With live music. For information about IFP/West please call 310.475.4379 or see www.ifpwest.org.

Programs listed as double features are one price for both films. There will be a 5-7 minute intermission between programs (or longer if a Q & A is scheduled in between the screenings).

The Alternative Screen: A Forum For Independent Film Exhibition And Beyond…, the American Cinematheque’s on-going series focusing on independent and new forms of cinema was created to serve the public as well as the independent film community in Los Angeles by providing a year-round venue for independent feature films that have not yet secured wide commercial distribution. Whatever the ALTERNATIVE SCREEN offers from month to month, it promises to be provocative, innovative and fiercely independent. Select Alternative Screen alumni include THE BIBLE & GUN CLUB, HABIT, STAR MAPS, OUR SONG and THE LAST BIG THING.

The Alternative Screen takes on-going submissions for consideration of fiercely independent work in all genres. Please send a 1/2" tape to: Margot Gerber, The Alternative Screen, c/o American Cinematheque, 1800 N. Highland Avenue, Suite 717, Hollywood, CA., 90028. Include a SASE if you would like your tape returned. Inquiries should be directed to 323.461.2020, ext. 115. Short films should be sent to the attention of Andrew Crane.

For information about the Alternative Screen or other American Cinematheque events, please call 323.466-FILM. THE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.