The annual SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas, represents a microcosm of the contemporary entertainment industry, and 2014 was no exception. Filmmakers, tech startups ("interactive"), musicians, and fans of each, all converged in Austin during the University of Texas’ spring break. The ten-day festival claims that by “fostering creative and professional growth alike, SXSW is the [...]
In the days when studio films boast mega budgets and mega concepts, independent films are left to carry story-driven and character-driven films that don’t reek of Hollywood and excess. Yet, this year there is much to cheer about in the Oscar nomination of intelligent films. Of the ten Best Picture Oscar nominations, only “The [...]
by Karen Henry Although the Sundance Film Festival ends each year just five weeks before the Academy Awards, the independent film festival is, nevertheless, a harbinger of Oscar nominations a full year later. This week, LA YOGA Magazine will share with you the best of 2014 Sundance: what you can look for in the theaters [...]
'Finding Fela' Film Review Directed by Alex Gibney Reviewed by Karen Henry Afrobeat could be heard thumping from Main Street during the opening weekend of Sundance Film Festival in Park City last weekend, energetically performed by theFela Kuti tribute band known as the Fela! Band. Typical of Afrobeat bands from the 70s and 80s, more [...]
Bringing it Home by Linda Booker and Blaire Johnson A documentary about industrial hemp, healthy houses and a greener future for America. There are documentaries that change our minds and other films that offer a perspective that provide support for a point of view we already hold. After watching the movie Bringing It Home, I [...]
GMO OMG is a documentary made by local filmmaker Jeremy Siefert, who sought to find out what GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are and how they affect our health and the health of our planet. This educational, yet personal, film clearly spells out how GMOs are created, how they are grown, how they are controlled, and how [...]
Freda Kelly has an amazing story to tell—one she’s now sharing after breaking 40 years of silence. In 1963, when The Beatles were playing a steady gig at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, Freda Kelly was a just a 17-year-old in the audience. She often admired them during her lunch break from working in a [...]
By filmmaker Zachary Heinzerling Reviewed by Karen Henry Touching. Thought-provoking. The documentary Cutie and the Boxer weaves the struggles of modern artists with a portrayal of one talented, elderly New York couple. Within the film, issues of women’s subservience, art versus commerce, poverty, and alcoholism are all exposed. The story is revealed as we observe [...]
The 4th annual Awareness Film Festival awarenessfestival.org is a dynamic multi-day multi-media event in Santa Monica that promotes greater awareness of a variety of world issues. Bringing together filmmakers, artists, educators, environmentalists, alternative health practitioners and other industry professionals, the Awareness Film Festival aims to inspire the public through this engaging, entertaining and unique annual event in [...]
Open an email -- rejection. Click open another email -- another rejection, but, you know, thanks for applying. Yet another response -- score! An invitation to Cannes. While thousands of aspiring filmmakers apply to see their film screened at festivals, few receive the opportunity; fewer still at one of the world’s most notable venues. Last [...]