Following some recent staff changes, Enzian Theater—Orlando’s only full-time, non-profit art house since 1985—is in the market for an Executive Director. Not only does the theater present the best in independent, foreign, and alternative cinema on a year-round basis in a one-of-a-kind setting (a cinema-café like no other!), but it also produces the Florida Film Festival, the Brouhaha Film & Video Showcase, the Kidfest Summer Film Camp and Film Series, Popcorn Flicks (free movies in the park), the Sundance Channel/Cult Classics Film Series, FilmSlam, Meet the Filmmaker events, Oscar-qualifying screenings, and is a founding member of the Sundance Institute Art House Project. Enzian also co-produces the South Asian Film Festival, the Central Florida Jewish Film Festival, and the Gay Orlando Film Festival, along with many other co-operative events such as the UCF Latin American Cultural Festival.

Enzian’s mission is to entertain, inspire, educate, and connect the Central Florida community through film. If you’re interested in finding out more about the position, the link to the complete job description is available on the front of the website’s home page at www.enzian.org Check it out--this is a rare opportunity for someone special out there to make a difference.

--Matthew

Yes, in a stunning display of forward thinking, our own Orange County Commission actually approved a $1.1 billion plan Thursday night for a new arena, performing arts center, and major renovations to the existing Citrus Bowl. Through the efforts of both the Orange County Mayor and the City of Orlando Mayor, Republicans and Democrats, sports fans and arts patrons, and even the tourist industry, the agreement will pay for these venues through a combination of tourist taxes, downtown property taxes, and private donations. Most importantly though, Central Florida citizens will not see their taxes increase to foot the bill for this stuff, yet the profound benefit to us locals will be huge--finally.

These will be state-of-the-art, "green" facilities, and it's hard not to get excited about the increased potential for major sporting, entertainment, and cultural events in the years to come. And of course, the Orlando Magic won't be going anywhere--KC and Oklahoma City are gonna have to find their own team. Good or bad, crooked ref(s) and all, they're all we have in pro sports and I'm happy they're here to stay. Way to go city and county commissioners--I think you got it right this time.

--Matthew

Still playing catch-up after a few days spent out of touch in the wilds of Northern California and Oregon, and finally read the always-anticipated "25 New Faces of Independent Film" feature in the summer issue of FILMMAKER magazine. While the professional sports world seems to be imploding with scandal (from roids and HR records to star QBs indicted for dogfighting to NBA refs manipulating games for the mob--pro soccer and the NHL suddenly ain't lookin' so bad!), I was thrilled to discover that this annual survey of hot new talent on the indie film scene features a number of FFF 2007 alumni:

Moon Molson and his powerful dramatic short, POP FOUL, have been making the festival scene everywhere, and deservedly so. Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie Shatzky, with their provocative post-Katrina doc short, GOD PROVIDES, and Sophie Barthes, with her off-beat short comedy starring Polish screen legend Elzbieta Czyzewska, HAPPINESS, will hopefully be having an encore performance as part of the Sundance Institute Art House Project shorts program coming in November to Enzian. Calvin Reeder and his twisted family horror piece, LITTLE FARM, made its East Coast Premiere at Midnight preceding Jeremy Saulnier's MURDER PARTY. And Phillip Van and his clever little slice of android sci-fi, HIGH MAINTENANCE, also had its East Coast Premiere here in March and went on to win the Florida Film Festival Audience Award for Best International Short.

Like other programmers who have championed the work of these extremely talented individuals, there's a certain feeling of pride in their recognition and continued success. So congratulations to all of you, and keep up the great work!

--Matthew

Exciting stuff is happening this week for Enzian's summer junior filmmaking camp and film series we affectionately call KIDFEST. If you're in driving distance of the Orlando area, you don't want to miss the Tuesday, 7/24, Buster Keaton program at 12:30 PM featuring rare 35mm screenings of STEAMBOAT BILL, JR. (1928) and COPS (1922).

While STEAMBOAT BILL is a silent feature with its own music score on the print, we are thrilled to be able to present live musical accompaniment for the completely silent short comedy classic that precedes it, COPS. Local musicians Alex Katsaros and his Yanbo band mate Alessandro De Angelis have graciously agreed to whip up a live music score that is sure to delight the kids and everyone else in attendance.

In the words of FilmSlam co-host and co-producer Brian Feldman, here's some info on Alex K. and Alex D:

"Alessandro De Angelis (keyboards) and Alex Katsaros (hand percussion) are long-time members of Orlando's multicultural music scene, heard most notably around town in their jazz-fusion improvisational band "Yanbo." As musicians, they always look to challenge themselves musically in a way that is pleasant for all to hear--hence, accompaniment for a world-class silent film at Enzian Theater is one such experimental journey they are honored to embark upon in honor of KIDFEST. (Visit them at myspace.com/yanbomusic)."

So get creative with that lunch hour and don't dare miss this once-in-a-lifetime event. Gee, and it's only $5 too!

--Matthew

Jake and I can't be the only people who want to live in the movie HAIRSPRAY. Since attending a preview screening last week, we've been mildly obsessed. Just wait until this one makes its way to the dollar theater. We'll be there every night with our dancin' shoes on.

-- Betsy

With the end of summer fast approaching, there is one event that everyone is talking about.
KidFest.
What's that, you say?
KidFest.

During the last week of July, Enzian Theater produces a summer program in which students, grade 4th through 6th, learn the fundamentals of filmmaking. Aptly named "KidFest," (fest derives from the Latin word festivus. Kid derives from the Old English word kide, which I believe means small goat) are taught the ends and outs of film production, creativity, and teamwork.

Each day on the set starts promptly at 9a.m. The young filmmakers begin with classroom time and a few practical technique exercises. From there, the filmmakers head out to the set and begin filming. The day concludes with lunch and a movie screening.

(This is where you come in.)

Although the program is open exclusively to the young filmmakers, the movie screening at the end of the day is open to everyone. At 12:30p.m., in conjunction with KidFest, Enzian host a week of Matinees Films ranging from family classics to the weird and unusual.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial July 23rd
The story of a boy and his alien. Come join us for the 25th Anniversary Screening of Spielberg classic about an alien separated from his world and finds a new family on Earth.

Steamboat Jr. and Cops July 24th
Did you ever hear the one about the mild-mannered son of a steamboat captain caught in the middle of the bitter rivalry between his father and another Mississippi riverboat owner?
What about the one where-due to a series of mishaps-a young man gets chased the entire police force?
Come and enjoy the show as Enzian Theater salutes the silent comedy of legendary Buster Keaton in this matinee double feature!

Max Rules July 25th
Max, Jessica, and Scott are a team of energetic, sophisticated, technologically savvy super spies.
There’s just one catch-they’re in junior high.
Max Rules is the action-packed adventure comedy from the mind of 19-year-old filmmaker, Robert Burke.

Dr. Seuss’ The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T July 26th
One of the strangest and most beloved children’s films ever made, THE 5000 FINGERS OF DR.T is presented here in a glorious 35mm color print.
This fun-filled fantasy has the distinction of being written and designed by none other than Dr. Seuss, and it features the surreal landscapes, wonderful satire, and tongue-twisting rhymes for which he is famous.

Movie tickets are $5.00 or for $20.00 you receive admission to all 4 films plus one popcorn and one soda for each screening. Bring the friends, family, or someone you happen to bump into on the street! Don’t miss our close-out to the summer! Come enjoy the movies!

-- Lucas

A cool breeze of uproarious comedy is coming to Enzian soon to give some relief to this sweltering summer heat. The Sundance Channel/Cult Classics Film Series, held on the final Tuesday of every month, proudly presents two of the best comedies from the 80's and 90's for its July and August selections.

"Hey dude, let's party." On July 31, we've got Amy Heckerling's incredibly entertaining, totally wacked adaptation of Cameron Crowe's "insider" novel (and screenplay), FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH (1982). An amazing cast of young stars--Sean Penn, Phoebe Cates, Jennifer Jason-Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Forest Whitaker, Eric Stoltz, and Anthony Edwards--and one old one (Ray Walston of TV's "My Favorite Martian") make this year of sex and drugs and rock and roll in a California high school one of the true cult classics.

KIDS IN THE HALL: BRAIN CANDY (1996), playing August 28, was the big-screen debut of Canada's second greatest comedy troupe (sue me--I love SCTV). A brilliant satire of 90's America, the film follows an unscrupulous pharmaceutical company that develops a happiness drug and unleashes it on an unsuspecting public. The elderly, drugs, the handicapped, MTV, grunge, gays--no one and nothing goes unscathed in this demented comedy from the minds of Scott Thompson, Dave Foley, Bruce McCullough, Kevin McDonald, and Mark McKinney. And of course, they all play multiple roles (many in a dress), just like they did on TV.

So mark your calendars, come have some frosty brews, and prepare to laugh your ass off.

--Matthew

As the heat index in Central Florida climbs over the century mark and the supermarket parking lot blacktop actually feels impressionable to the step, local film lovers once again flocked to the AC-cooled environs of the monthly FilmSlam at Enzian. This past Sunday's slightly shorter (but no less dynamic) line-up of local efforts drew a nice crowd of nearly 80 on the final day of what was to many a holiday weekend. Perhaps a few even stayed for the mid-afternoon matinee of LA VIE EN ROSE that packed the house (and the courtyard).

This month's audience winner was Fred Zara's CONFESSIONS OF AN ITALIAN AMERICAN, a 16 minute short doc about the filmmaker's father, Joe--the son of an Italian railroad worker who came to the U.S. during the immigration boom of the early 20th century. Honorable mentions went to Brett Ryan Bonowicz' BASEBALL AND GLORY, a drama about a baseball player questioning life after he loses a loved one in a sudden accident, and Jon Jones' THE SAND MAGICIAN, in which a man conjures up some salty stew in the likeness of a sea goddess. Kudos to Jon for the novelty of presenting his film with a live score, and congratulations to all of the filmmakers who participated.

Four more months of FilmSlams and Audience Award winners and we'll have ourselves a nice start to December's FFF 2008-qualifying Brouhaha Film & Video Showcase. Keep up the good work Co-Producers and Co-Hosts Brian Feldman and John Thiesen, Florida filmmakers, and our loyal FilmSlam attendees!

--Matthew

But this week's "Sign of the Apocalypse" crossed my TV screen in the early afternoon prior to my July 4 barbeque activities. You may think I'm referring to ESPN's incredibly tongue-in-cheek coverage (complete with mock gravitas) of the 91st Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, with American upstart Joey Chestnut defeating six-time champion Takeru Kobayashi by "gurgitating" a record 66 dogs in 12 minutes--ugh! Or the repeated slow-mo replays of Kobayashi's "reversal of fortune" (puking, as it's known on the professional competitive eating circuit) above the "spray zone" where all the judges and cameramen are lined up in front of the stage below the contestants--much grosser but probably more entertaining than a Gallagher performance. Or even ESPN's comparisons between the end of Kobayashi's reign of dominance to the end of assorted sports dynasties throughout history, though these were probably prepared with tongue planted firmly in cheek as well.

Nope, I refer to an ad during the hot dog eating contest for the "U.S. Rock, Scissor, Paper Championship" on ESPN 2 this Saturday night at 9 PM. I shit you not. I don't believe this is a goof, but rather ESPN filling its airtime on its vast empire of channels with anything and everything (kind of like the old days 25 years ago). I guess once they found out there's an audience out there that'll watch people sitting and playing cards (not to mention wolfing down weiners and sawing through logs), anything is fair game. Maybe they'll start televising the Air Guitar competitions also...we can only hope.

--Matthew

Congratulations to Marylou Tibaldo-Bongiorno! The poster/brochure with POV's 20th anniversary lineup finally made its way to my mailbox, and one week from tonight (July 10) PBS will air her film, REVOLUTION '67. This substantial and illuminating documentary, which had its World Premiere at the 2006 Florida Film Festival, explores the untold story of the six days of riots that erupted in Newark, New Jersey, in the summer of 1967. The film takes on the causes and personalities behind the riots (including Amiri Baraka, Tom Hayden, and Brendan Byrne), and through them we gain a new perspective on the civil uprisings of the 1960's. This was a chaotic and violent time in American history, and the airing of Marylou's meticulous reconstruction of the events will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the revolt.

Well worth checking out next Tuesday at 10 PM.

--Matthew

Mitch Easter is a legendary cult figure in the world of pop music. Since the late 1970's, his Drive-In Studio in (Winston Salem) North Carolina, production genius, and sense of melody and hooks when it comes to guitar-based rock 'n roll have been unrivaled. He worked with Chris Stamey and Will Rigby in Sneakers before The Db's were born. He produced or co-produced (w/ Don Dixon) the seminal early R.E.M. recordings ("Radio Free Europe" 45 on Hib-Tone, "Chronic Town" EP, "Murmur" and "Reckoning") and set them on their way to superstardom. He's worked with Marshall Crenshaw, Velvet Crush, Game Theory, The Orange Humble Band, The Someloves (with Australian pop wizard Dom Mariani), and countless others. And his own band, Let's Active, was one of the great college radio/pop groups of the '80s, releasing one EP and three LP's on the IRS label before calling it quits in 1989--but not before he left us with one of the truly classic singles of the decade, "Every Word Means No."

Mitch is touring behind his first new album of solo material in 18 years, "Dynamico," and played The Social last night with his trio in downtown Orlando. Though the hairline has receded (a lot of us can say that) and my girlfriend thought he now looked a little like Gene Wilder, the Rickenbackers rang truer than ever and he delivered a fine set composed of equal parts new LP, classic Let's Active material, and a couple of inspired covers: The Hollies "Pay You Back With Interest" and The Small Faces "Song For a Baker." But here's the sad catch--the audience numbered no more than 20 people or so, including relatives of the opening band, Big Kitty. This happened to me a couple of years ago at the same club when Squeeze co-founder Glen Tilbrook came through town on a solo tour and hardly anyone showed up. It's simply mind-boggling and quite pathetic--not one peep out of the Orlando Weekly or Orlando Sentinel that Mitch Easter was playing in town for a measly $10 on a rainy Sunday night, and no effort at all to attend from the friends and old Peaches co-workers who surely remember his music.

And we wonder why "nobody good ever plays Orlando anymore," or "how come there's never any music worth seeing?" Disappointingly, I rest my case...

--Matthew