News

The Myth Of The American Sleepover (15)

(David Robert Mitchell, 2010, Us) Claire Sloma, Amanda Bauer, Marlon Morton, Matt Jacobsen. 96 mins

As low-key as it is low-budget, this is a thing of beauty. The plot is basically Dazed And Confused relocated to Michigan: high-schoolers (including a flirt with the hots for a pool-cleaner and a drop-out pining for the girl of his dreams) make the most of one last hurrah. But the film's mood is all its own, characterised by an elegiac score, easygoing performances and gorgeous cinematography.

Berberian Sound Studio (15)

(Peter Strickland, 2012, UK) Toby Jones, Tonia Sotiropoulou, Cosimo Fusco. 92 mins

There's something nasty in the recording studio. A sound engineer supplies the effects for an Italian horror movie, but the creepiness doesn't stay confined to the screen for long.

[Rec]3 Genesis (18)

(Paco Plaza, 2012, Spain) Carla Nieto, Leticia Dolera, Diego Martín, Alex Monner, 79 mins

The Spanish horror series gains a prequel as the...

The Myth of the American Sleepover

Written by David Robert Mitchell

Directed by David Robert Mitchell

USA, 2010

Making a movie about teenagers is asking for trouble. Your movie begs to be pigeonholed – will it be a gritty cautionary tale about youthful excess? A raunchy sex farce? An obsessively quirky, mannered dramedy? For its shortcomings, David Robert Mitchell’s freshman outing as a feature writer/director nimbly (and thankfully) avoids easy pigeonholing.

Sleepover chronicles roughly 24 hours in the lives of a mostly-disconnected group of young people (mostly high schoolers) as they attempt to navigate their own budding senses of romance and attraction on what appears to be the last party night before school begins again. Among the youngest is Maggie (Claire Sloma), a formerly shy but potentially outgoing girl eager to make the most of her evening. Meanwhile, Rob (Marlon Morton) spies a prototypical blonde beauty at the grocery store, and...

At this year's SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas, "The Myth of the American Sleepover" won the award for best ensemble cast. What makes the award so special is the fact that the cast is composed of unknown actors, many of whom were making their onscreen debut, with a writer-director who had never previously directed a full-length feature. The film, which was made for about $50,000 and was filmed in just five weeks, was also an official selection at Cannes for the festival's International Critics' Week, a selection for AFI Fest, winner of the American Indie Newcomer Prize at the Munich International Film Fest, the Prix du Jury at the Deauville American Film Fest, and Best Narrative Feature Award at the New Orleans Film Fest.Back Stage chatted with writer-director David Robert Mitchell and actors Brett Jacobsen ("Scott"), Amanda Bauer ("Claudia"), and Claire Sloma ("Maggie") about this surprising breakout that might.

A night-in-the-life look at four suburban teenagers and their friends on the last night of summer, David Robert Mitchell’s directorial debut, The Myth of the American Sleepover, has enjoyed a highly successful film festival run, including stops at SXSW and Cannes. Now, as the film is reaching theaters and VOD nationwide, we e-interviewed Mitchell and producer Adele Romanski about the film, teenagers and nights of turmoil and trouble.

When did you both first start working on what would become The Myth of the American Sleepoverr?

David: I wrote a first draft of the script in 2002. I passed it around a bit in Los Angeles, and although several people liked it, no one wanted to put money down. A few years passed, during which time I started working as an editor. I was frustrated because I felt like I had so many stories I wanted to tell, but no avenues to do so.

David Robert Mitchell's Myth of the American Sleepover is the anti-teen movie teen movie. It's American Graffiti by way of mumblecore; it's Kids by way of Norman Rockwell. The film follows a group of moderately well-behaved teens on the last night of summer, and features enough awkward inter-sex interactions to fill up a battalion of big studio teen comedies. The one difference? The cast is filled with many new performers and -- at the time of filming in 2008 -- actually teenagers. Like Claire Sloma.

Kristin Scott Thomas, Sarah's Key Blame it on a liberal/left-wing conspiracy, Obama's repressive policies, or Captain America: The First Avenger, but despite the addition of four theaters — or a 40% increase in venues — the Sarah Palin movie The Undefeated plummeted 63% on its second weekend out. At 14 locations, The Undefeated collected a dismal $24,000, for a per-theater average of $1,714, according to studio estimates found at Box Office Mojo. Expect Sarah Palin and The Undefeated to disappear from North American screens very shortly. That is, until both Palin and the Stephen K. Bannon-directed documentary inevitably resurface early next year at the Razzie Awards. Performing much better in limited release was The Weinstein Company-distributed Sarah's Key, directed by Gilles Paquet-Brenner, and featuring Kristin Scott Thomas and Mélusine Mayance. The Holocaust-related drama collected $117k at five theaters, averaging $23,400 per site. Additionally, Sarah's Key has already taken in $13.42m overseas, chiefly in France ($6.41m) and...

It’s easy to be judgmental about the characters of David Robert Mitchell’s teen drama, The Myth of the American Sleepover, about the escapades of several adolescents on their last night of summer. You can judge one girl for betraying her friend for their shared object of affection; or one guy for stalking a pair of twins whom he once had a crush on. But to do so would be to sell the film and its characters short. The Myth of the American Sleepover isn’t about actions and events, but moments and gestures.

Through the impressionable eyes of a handful of youths, we undergo the far-off anxieties of anyone entering adulthood. We witness the unsettling prospect of maturity, inexpressible emotions, small betrayals and large ones, and an underlying excitement in the face of it all.

What exactly happens in that space between 15 and 19? When the specter of college is on the horizon,...

by Danielle Genet

While "Harry Potter" may be blowing up the box office right now, on the quieter side a film called “The Myth of the American Sleepover” will sneak its way to select theater locations this Friday (July 22). MTV News was lucky enough to catch a special screening at the Ace Hotel in New York City on Sunday night (July 17), and we're here to tell you all about it.

Here are five reasons why you should throw on those onesies, play a game of “Truth or Dare,” grab a tub of popcorn and experience this flick after the jump.

The Little Film that Could

Move over $250 million budgets, cheaper is becoming chic now. “Myth” was impressively produced for a budget of around $50,000 and was filmed in just five weeks. However, the film has the ability to captivate its audience with its realistic storyline revolving around a group of Detroit-based...

The Myth of the American Sleepover Trailer has premiered. David Robert Mitchell‘s The Myth of the American Sleepover (2010) movie trailer stars Jade Ramsey, Amy Seimetz, Nikita Ramsey, Amanda Bauer, and Jean Louise O’Sullivan. The Myth of the American Sleepover plot synopsis: “The Myth Of The American Sleepover is a youthful and tender coming-of-age drama from first-time writer/director David Robert Mitchell. In the tradition of free-wheeling tributes to adolescence like Dazed & Confused, the film follows four young people (a cast of brilliant young newcomers in their feature film debuts) on the last night of summer – their final night of freedom before the new school year starts. The teenagers cross paths as they explore the suburban wonderland they inhabit in search of love and adventure – chasing first kisses, elusive crushes, popularity and parties – and discover the quiet moments that will later resonate as the best in their youth.”

Half...

First love, young love. Those days when it feels as if you're right on the brink of some flashpoint moment end up burned into your brain. Or the idea of those days is burned in, at least, and that's what ends up being part of the limitless energy that powers cinema. The Myth of the American Sleepover runs entirely on that energy as it follows a handful of kids on the cusp of adulthood as they try to spark a connection on the last weekend of summer. First-timer David Robert Mitchell directs a young cast (Jade Ramsey, Amy Seimetz, Nikita Ramsey, Amanda Bauer, Jean Louise O'Sullivan, Claire Sloma) in a story that looks a bit like Gus Van Sant remaking a John Hughes movie, or even like a Larry Clark movie that isn't wholly creepy. I don't know if it works, but the trailer has enough moments that click that...

It's time to introduce everyone to David Robert Mitchell's The Myth of the American Sleepover, the latest high school-inspired, coming-of-age, sex-fueled, indie dramedy that played at numerous film festivals throughout the last year. Apple debuted the official trailer and I do suggest watching it, especially if you're a fan of films like 500 Days of Summer, American Teen, Brick, Thirteen and so on. I never got to see this, but its garnered quite a bit of praise, with mostly positive reviews as well. It has an ensemble cast of newcomers, but the top billed actors in it are Claire Sloma, Marlon Morton, Amanda Bauer and Brett Jacobsen. Enjoy! Watch the official trailer for David Robert Mitchell's The Myth of the American Sleepover: You can also download the Myth of the American Sleepover trailer in High Def on Apple Four young teenagers navigate the suburban wonderland of metro-Detroit ...

Here is the poster and trailer for David Robert Mitchell's indie romantic comedy The Myth of the American Sleepover. The film stars Jade Ramsey, Amy Seimetz, Nikita Ramsey, Amanda Bauer, Jean Louise O’Sullivan, and Claire Sloma.

The film looks pretty good. Check out the trailer below:

Check out the poster:

Synopsis:

An official selection of Cannes Critics Week and winner of the Special Jury Prize at SXSW, The Myth Of The American Sleepover is a youthful and tender coming-of-age drama from first-time writer/director David Robert Mitchell. In the tradition of free-wheeling tributes to adolescence like Dazed & Confused, the film follows four young people (a cast of brilliant young newcomers in their feature film debuts) on the last night of summer - their final night of freedom before the new school year starts. The teenagers cross paths as they explore the suburban wonderland they inhabit in search of...

One of the films I’ve only heard great things about coming out of SXSW and Cannes is David Robert Mitchell‘s indie romantic comedy The Myth of the American Sleepover. On first glance, it might look to be your generic festival coming-of-age story, but there seems to be something genuine about the whole thing. We have our first trailer and poster via Apple for the micro-budget film starring Jade Ramsey, Amy Seimetz, Nikita Ramsey, Amanda Bauer, Jean Louise O’Sullivan, and Claire Sloma, and you can see it below.

Synopsis:

An official selection of Cannes Critics Week and winner of the Special Jury Prize at SXSW, The Myth Of The American Sleepover is a youthful and tender coming-of-age drama from first-time writer/director David Robert Mitchell. In the tradition of free-wheeling tributes to adolescence like Dazed & Confused, the film follows four young people (a cast of brilliant young newcomers...

IFC Films has picked up North American as well as some international rights to David Robert Mitchell's teenage story The Myth of the American Sleepover. Pic played at SXSW and Cannes Film Festival and follows four teenagers on the last night of summer. Cast which consists largely of newcomers, includes Nikita Ramsay, Amy Seimetz, Jade Ramsey, Jean Louise O'Sullivan, Amanda Bauer and Claire Sloma Adele Romanski produces the film which will be released by IFC in theaters as well as VOD and on the home video front...

The Myth of the American Sleepover, a movie premiered at the SXSW Film Festival and Conference, where it received a special jury prize for Best Ensemble Cast, is having its world premiere at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival in the International Critics’ Week section.

Just for a record, it’s the first American film in five years to be selected for this honor! One reason more for us to talk about David Robert Mitchell’s movie…

So, let’s start with the synopsis: “Set against the backdrop of mile roads, neighborhood blocks, abandoned factories and lakes which make up Metro-Detroit, this story follows four young people as they search for love and adventure on the last night of summer. Maggie, Rob, Claudia and Scott cross paths as they explore the suburban wonderland chasing first kisses, elusive crushes, popularity and parties.

They are looking for the iconic teenage experience, but instead they...

Director: David Robert Mitchell Writer: David Robert Mitchell Starring: Claire Sloma, Marlon Morton, Amanda Bauer, Brett Jacobsen The end of summer is quickly approaching and teenagers around town are reluctantly preparing to begin a new year of school. The soon-to-be high school freshmen are participating in random sleepovers around town, while the upper classmen are hosting wild parties of their own. I suspect this scenario is a fantasy (perhaps a myth?) for most teens – an entire town in which everyone between the age of 14 and 19 has a sleepover or party to attend…and not an adult in sight. (It is as if the parents have vanished and left their teenage kids to their own devices.) Maggie (Claire Sloma) is arguably the main character of this mammoth ensemble cast – I say that primarily because the film opens and closes with her character’s story and I would venture a wager that she has the most screen-time.

SXSW Review

The Myth of the American Sleepover

Director: David Robert Mitchell

World Premiere

Narrative Competition

97:18 minutes

Synopsis

Set against the backdrop of mile roads, neighborhood blocks, abandoned factories and lakes which make up Metro-Detroit, this story follows four young people as they search for love and adventure on the last night of summer. Maggie, Rob, Claudia and Scott cross paths as they explore the suburban wonderland chasing first kisses, elusive crushes, popularity and parties. They are looking for the iconic teenage experience, but instead they discover the quiet moments that will later become the part of their youth that they look back on with nostalgia.

Director Bio

David Robert Mitchell grew up in metro-Detroit and now lives in Los Angeles. Since childhood, he has spent countless hours writing stories, playing music and making films. ‘The Myth of the American Sleepover’ is his feature-length, directorial debut.

Who’S It For?...

The South by Southwest Film Festival announced its 2010 feature line-up Wednesday night, and I couldn’t be more excited. The nine day event starts March 12, 2010 here in Austin, Texas, and I’ll be covering as much as I can from start to finish. Though, if it’s anything like last year, I’ll be asleep on my feet by the end of it.

The 2010 list includes 119 films (55 world premieres), but here are a few notables: The previously announced Kick-Ass will start the festivities. Elektra Luxx, the sequel to the underseen comedy Women in Trouble, starring Carla Gugino, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and too many more to name. Tim Blake Nelson’s Leaves of Grass in which Edward Norton plays identical twins. A documentary titled People vs. George Lucas that I will be seeing. Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Micmacs. Plus the “SNL” spin-off movie MacGruber in its world premiere, possibly before the MacGyver creator shuts it down.

Not all of the great film festivals are outside of the U.S. Even if you can’t book a ticket to Cannes or Berlin, you should be able to afford a flight out to Austin, Texas for SXSW, which is a festival for not only movies, but music and video games as well. Like the years before, the line-up for the 2010 SXSW Film Festival is the goods. Matthew Vaughn’s Kick-Ass will open up the fest and then there will be other great-looking films throughout including The Duplass Brothers’ Cyrus, SNL’s hard-r adaptation of MacGruber, Tim Blake Nelson’s Leaves of Grass, and Floria Sigismondi’s The Runaways, just to name a few. If you’re going to this year’s SXSW, let me know so I can steal your identity and go in your place.

The 2010 SXSW Film Festival will run from March 12-20. Check out the...

Less than a week worth of recovering from the Sundance Film Festival, and we are already looking forward to our next, big film fest coverage. That would be the South by Southwest Film Festival held annually in Austin, Texas. Last year, Scott and I brought you all kinds of coverage from the Lone Star State, and this year doesn’t look to be much different.

With that, the announcement came last night of the feature films that will be playing at the SXSW Film Festival. Previous announcement were already made about films like Cold Weather, Electra Luxx, Hubble 3D, Lemmy, Saturday Night, and The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights making their debut. Kick-ass was recently announced as the opening night film, as well.

Among the other films being presented this year are some Sundance darlings, a few, highly anticipated premieres, and MacGruber.

Check out the full list...

I was so excited at seeing the SXSW line up last night that I completely forgot to post it and started searching the interwebs for cool content to go with it. Oops. Yes, I wish I was there but alas, it wasn’t mean to be (though don’t despair. We’ll be bringing you wicked awesome coverage).

But enough rambling, you want to know what’s all playing. Well, for a start there’s the much anticipated McGruber (trailer), the Duplass’ semi-mainstream comedy Cyrus, Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Micmacs (trailer, review), Daniel Stamm’s horror flick Cotton and that’s on top of the previously announced titles which include Electra Luxx (Carla Gugino as a pregnant porn star? Bring. It. On.) and Kick-Ass (trailer). That’s already a great line-up but dear me, some of the other titles are pretty awesome too.

There’s Clay Liford scifi drama Earthling (trailer...

Late yesterday the SXSW Fim Festival, which runs from March 12-20 in Austin, TX, announced the full lineup of films that will be screening at this year’s event. And baby, it’s quite a list. Mixing big name films with intimate indie gems, the sheer number of films and the vast array of talented filmmakers is sure to be a hit with attendees and critics alike.

This lineup includes premieres of studio films such as Universal’s MacGruber, Lionsgate’s teen superhero actioneer Kick-Ass and smaller films like Tim Blake Nelson’s Leaves of Grass, Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Micmacs, Michel Gondry’s The Thorn in the Heart and Steven Soderbergh’s And Everything Is Going Fine. With so many films to watch, it will be very difficult to find time to seem them all during the events nine days. But hell, we’re going to try.

For more on...

The South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival unveiled its feature film program Wednesday night, highlighted by the world premieres of action spoof "MacGruber" and "Mr. Nice," a real-life tale of an infamous British drug smuggler starring Rhys Ifans.

Features from the Duplass brothers ("Cyrus"), Steven Soderbergh ("And Everything Is Going Fine"), Michel Gondry ("The Thorn in the Heart") and Tim Blake Nelson ("Leaves of Grass") also have spots on the program.

The March 12-20 festival will showcase 119 features and 55 world premieres, including pervasively announced opening-night film "Kick-Ass." Selections were chosen from 1,572 submissions (1,206 U.S., 366 international).

"We want discovery," said conference and fest producer Janet Pierson, now in her second year. "We want a real range of films across the board."

Eight narrative and eight documentary features comprise the main competition categories.

The narrative selections are "Brotherhood," directed by Will Canon; "Dance With the One" (Mike Dolan); "Earthling" (Clay Liford...