Artivist Film Festival Monday, November 30, 2009

What do you call artists who advocate? Artivists, of course. The filmmakers on show at the Artivist Film Festival (sixth annual, in fact) are on a mission to raise public awareness of global causes, from animal rights to preservation of the environment — and the entire shebang is absolutely free. The scheduled films include: Peter Bratt's La Mission (Dec. 1, 8 p.m.), set in the San Francisco district of the same name, follows the turmoil between a homophobic Latino dad and his gay son; Arthur C. Smith's documentary Ice Bears of Beaufort (Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m.) captures the quiet habitat of Alaskan polar bears; Bryan Single's Children of War (Dec. 2, 9 p.m.) chronicles the rehabilitation of child soldiers from the Lord's Resistance Army of Uganda; Douglas Tirola's An Omar Broadway Film (Dec. 3, 7:15 p.m.), a collaborative work with inmate Omar Broadway, details life inside the maximum security gang unit of Newark, New Jersey's Northern State Prison; Brian Malone's Intelligent Life (Dec. 3, 9:30 p.m.) examines, photo-essay style, the unintended consequences of America's life of convenience; Gerard Ungerman and Audrey Brohy's Belonging (Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m.) warns of spiraling populations and vanishing resources; Matt Katsolis' Dia De Luz (Day of Light) (Dec. 4, 9 p.m.) tours a Nicaraguan trash-dump community; Brandon Bond's VICKtory to the Underdog (Dec. 5, 1 p.m.) reports on the tattoo artist's dog-rescue efforts. The festival concludes with the 2009 Artivist Awards in the categories of International Human Rights, Children's Advocacy, Environmental Preservation, and Animal Advocacy. Egyptian Theater, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hlywd.; Tues.-Sat., Dec. 1-5; free, tickets required. (323) 466-6356, www.artivists.org. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, November 27, 2009.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 3:14 PM, ,

Thanksgiving Feast Show Monday, November 23, 2009

Thanksgiving isn't just about eating turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce; it's also about having to share that meal with crazy people. Family, that is. UCB Theatre improvises a holiday dinner gone awry at their "Thanksgiving Feast Show," complete with creepy uncles, sullen teens, and doddering grandparents. (In the spirit of the season, the audience gets to eat, too.) Not to be outdone, the evening's follow-up show, "Shitty Holidays," asks a random audience member for their most horrific story from the most wonderful time of the year, then re-creates the scene onstage. Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, 5919 Franklin Ave., Hollywood; Wed., Nov. 25, 8 p.m.; $5. (323) 908-8702, ucbtheatre.com. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, November 20, 2009.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 1:06 PM, ,

Nollywood Babylon Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Lagos Island locals love the movies, and Nollywood delivers. Nollywood is Nigeria's film industry, nearly the world's largest, an ultra-low-budget studio system churning out product at a pace of hundreds of movies a month. Ben Addelman and Samir Mallal's 2008 documentary Nollywood Babylon explores the industry's influence across the African continent, while following Nigerian director Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen as he mounts his 157th guerrilla film. "Nollywood has become the voice of Africa. The answer to CNN." Maybe, but an excess of lurid themes such as prostitution, infidelity, corruption and voodoo make most of these movies look like Superfly gone supernatural. Cinefamily at the Silent Movie Theater, 611 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A.; Sun., Nov. 22, 8 p.m.; $12. (323) 655-2510. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, Nov. 20, 2009.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 12:49 PM, ,

Nollywood Babylon

Lagos Island locals love the movies, and Nollywood delivers. Nollywood is Nigeria's film industry, nearly the world's largest, an ultra-low-budget studio system churning out product at a pace of hundreds of movies a month. Ben Addelman and Samir Mallal's 2008 documentary Nollywood Babylon explores the industry's influence across the African continent, while following Nigerian director Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen as he mounts his 157th guerrilla film. "Nollywood has become the voice of Africa. The answer to CNN." Maybe, but an excess of lurid themes such as prostitution, infidelity, corruption and voodoo make most of these movies look like Superfly gone supernatural. Cinefamily at the Silent Movie Theater, 611 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A.; Sun., Nov. 22, 8 p.m.; $12. (323) 655-2510. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, November 20, 2009.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 12:49 PM, ,

How to Make Love to Adrian Colesberry Saturday, November 14, 2009

If you've ever wanted to fuck a comedian (and who hasn't?), now you have a guide as to exactly how. At least how to fuck one particular comedian, Adrian Colesberry. His book How to Make Love to Adrian Colesberry lays out in explicit detail the whys and wherefores of doing him, with chapters titles like "Adrian's Penis: Care and Handling" and "Adrian and Your Asshole." Mr. Colesberry appears in person to discuss and sign his book, so here's your chance to give him your number before you study up on how to fuck him. (Colesberry also has a site where you can create your own lovemaking guide by taking a sex survey at howtomakeloveto.com.) Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A.; Wed., Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m.; free, book is $20. (323) 660-1175. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, November 13, 2009.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 2:05 PM, ,

Día de Los Muertos Festival Sunday, November 1, 2009

Día de los Muertos may mean "Day of the Dead," but celebrating with Hellga the Devil's Beer Maid (get it? HELL-ga!) is sure to make you happy to be alive. The steampunk-zombie-bratwurst babe — a.k.a. the uber-sexy Veronique Chevalier — will be on hand at Canoga Park's Ninth Annual Día de Los Muertos Festival. The multiculti madness also includes a car show, an altar tent and all things craft-tastic. You lucky devils can introduce yourselves to Hellga at www.weirdval.com. Owensmouth and Sherman Way, Canoga Park; Sun., Nov. 1, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; free. (818) 346-4892 or www.mainstreetcanogapark.org. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, October 30, 2009.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 12:13 AM, ,