News

Not long ago, Sony announced that it would revamp its PlayStation Plus Service and offer PlayStation fans something closer to an Xbox Game Pass alternative. While the service may not be ready to properly challenge Microsoft’s juggernaut subscription program quite yet, the revamped PlayStation Plus library is still filled with worthwhile games that include quite a few titles that don’t carry the weight they used to.

Recently, Sony gave PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 owners a taste of things to come by confirming the initial lineup of games coming to the reworked PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium plans. The article promises a sizable roster of beloved first-party titles such as Ghost of Tsushima, Bloodborne, and Horizon Zero Dawn, as well as notable third-party games like Dead Cells and Red Dead Redemption 2. PlayStation Plus will also deliver remastered classics like Tekken 2 and Borderlands: The Handsome Collection and streamed PlayStation 3 games such as Demon’s Souls.

Joel Potrykus’ third feature, The Alchemist Cookbook, further cements the writer-director’s status as one of the most interesting and unusual new voices in American independent film. A darkly funny chamber piece set at a secluded trailer home somewhere in Michigan, it centers on an alienated young man (Ty Hickson of Gimme The Loot) as he attempts to summon a demon. Like Potrykus’ earlier films, Ape and the superb Buzzard, it’s a portrait of a loser increasingly consumed by his fantasies of getting back at the world.

But what The A.V. Club wanted to talk to Potrykus about was food: the junk food, messy dinners, and cheap sodas that seem to be such an important part of his characters’ lives. He’s devoted extended scenes to a plate of spaghetti, a game played with Bugles, and a man daring himself to eat cat food. The A.V. Club...

(Charles Poekel caught up with Joel Potrykus at Bam Cinemafest regarding his latest film The Alchemist Cookbook. The result is the following chat which is one of the best interviews you’ll read all year! Potrykus’ film is available Now in a pay-what-you-want format.) I caught up with Joel Potrykus (Buzzard, Ape) after his newest film, The Alchemist Cookbook, played […]...

Along with the debut of a brand new trailer (above) for Joel Potrykus’ The Alchemist Cookbook, distributor Oscilloscope Laboratories has announced that the film will be released via BitTorrent Now for pay-what-you-wish on October 7th. The Alchemist Cookbook is a portrait of a Sean, a young hermit in the woods who sets out to solve an old mystery, and loses his mind along the way. Starring Ty Hickson and Amari Cheatom, the film premiered at SXSW and screened at various other festivals including BAMcinemaFest and Fantasia. Potrykus, who previously directed Ape and Buzzard, recently penned an Op-Ed about why he’s a fan […]...

If you’ve ever been desperate enough to retreat into the Michigan wilderness and employ alchemy as a means of attaining wealth, you’re in luck! Joel Potrykus’ (“Buzzard,” “Ape”) latest feature, “The Alchemist Cookbook,” does just that and then some.

The good news: All that fresh air and solidarity can really give you time to think on things. The bad news: You might accidentally summon Satan. Watch the film’s newest trailer below.

Read More: The Indiewire Springboard: Joel Potrykus Makes Weird Little Movies In Michigan. Now He’s Fielding Offers From Hollywood. What’s Next?

In the new trailer, Ty Hickson (“Gimme the Loot”) stars as Sean, a hermit who ventures out into the forest in an attempt to materialize money via alchemy, but winds up discovering some something much more terrifying. Juxtaposing dark comedy with bizarre horror, Sean’s descent into madness is as absurdly eccentric as it is grim.

The first programming has been revealed for the 20th annual Fantasia International Film Festival. Taking place from July 14th–August 2nd in Montreal, this year’s Fantasia will honor Guillermo del Toro with the Cheval Noir Award, and the newly revealed first wave of programming includes screenings of Lights Out, Abattoir, In a Valley of Violence, Under the Shadow, Trash Fire, Teenage Cocktail, and more:

Press Release: Montreal, May 26, 2016 – The Fantasia International Film Festival will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary in Montreal this summer, taking place from July 14-August 2, with its Frontiéres international co-production market and Industry Rendez-Vous weekend being held July 21-24. The full lineup of over 130 feature films will be announced July 5th. In the meantime, the festival is excited to announce a selected first wave of titles, along with several special happenings.

For Fantasia’s 2016 poster, the festival has once again turned to award-winning Quebec visual artist Donald Caron.

Having just premiered at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas, Bloody Disgusting has the above new shot from The Alchemist Cookbook. The film hails from writer/director Joel Potrykus, whose previous films include his Animal Trilogy — Buzzard (SXSW, 2014), Ape (winner of Best Emerging Director at the Locarno Film Festival, 2012), and Coyote (2010). In the film, “Young outcast Sean has isolated himself in a trailer […]...

In Rick Alverson's film "Entertainment," stand-up comedian and actor Gregg Turkington plays The Comedian, an aging comic on a dark existential journey through the Mojave desert to meet his estranged daughter. The actor lends his own stand-up persona, "Neil Hamburger," to the role in an unsettling portrayal of a broken performer trying to revive a dwindling career.  Films about comedians often have an autobiographical dimension, as stand-up comedy provides a perfect embodiment of the constant rejection and struggle for approval that defines show business. These films are often explorations of the dark psychological interior that so often paradoxically haunts performers who make an occupation of making people laugh. Here are seven films about stand-up comedians that hit hard. Read More: In Honor of 'Master of None,' 8 TV Shows By Stand-up Comedians That Stay Seated "Ape" (2012)Director Joel Potrykus drew on his own experience as a struggling...

With the American Film Festival in Wrocław comes the Us in Progress co-production forum initiative. It also means that micro gems might trickle down from Europe in the unfinished form into Sundance and/or SXSW in early 2016. On the plate for October 22nd and 23rd, the six projects selected for the 2015 Us in Progress Wrocław include:

Actor Martinez by Mike Ott and Nathan Silver

Up until now, the project that teams Littlerock, Pearblossom Hwy and Lake Los Angeles helmer with Exit Elena, Soft in the head, Uncertain Terms and Stinking Heaven had no title. This

stars Bobby Black, Connor Long and Lindsay Burdge.

Alaska is a Drag by Shaz Bennett

Based on her 2012 short, if Rocky and Hedwig had a love child – that would best describe our hero Leo — an aspiring superstar – if he can just get out of Alaska. Everyone who works in a fish cannery – slicing fish for...

Like Ape, writer-director Joel Potrykus' previous feature, Buzzard rails against conformity and Capitalism. The economy is the ever-present villain of both films -- no matter how much Marty or Ape's Trevor try to rebel against the system, they cannot defeat Capitalism. Frustrated with the constant struggle, they turn to violence and presumably self-destruction. The gritty cinematic worlds created by Potrykus are difficult for slackers to survive within, presumably because of their inherent laziness, ambivalence and naive expectations of the modern world. Neither of them are all that likable -- they are quintessential fuck-ups -- but it is difficult not to feel a tad bit sorry for Marty and Trevor as they burn, scavenge and claw for a right to exist; you might even go as far as saying that they are presented as martyrs for the non-conformists of the world.

"Buzzard" (March 6)(Film Page) From the creators of "Ape," which won the Best First Feature Special Mention at Locarno in 2012 comes "Buzzard," a film about the disillusionment of the 99 percent. Marty Jackitansky (Joshua Burge), a bored temp at a mortgage office, is out to get what he feels he deserves. He'll swindle and scam corporations out of ten dollars just for the thrill. Soon, Marty hatches a scheme to steal petty refund checks from his mortgage company, thinking he'll somewhat fool banks into cashing them. He reveals his plan to his work friend, Derek (Joel Potrykus), who's seen Marty fail in the past. Marty's growing suspicions force him to hide out in Derek's basement for a week, terrified of the outside world. "Faults" (March 6)(Film Page) The first feature by Riley Stearns, "Faults" features Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Claire, a young woman immersed in a mysterious cult known as Faults.

BAMcinématek at the Bam Rose Cinemas will present a special advance screening of Joel Potrykus' Buzzard on March 4th, followed by a Q&A with the director and screenings of his previous two films, Coyote and Ape. Please visit Bam website for tickets.Joel Potrykus reconfirms his reputation as a 'real deal' in American indie scene with searingly funny and original Buzzard, the conclusion of his animal trilogy after Coyote and Ape, again, starring his muse, the incomparable Joshua Burge, as an angry social miscreant. Enter the world of Marty Jackitansky (Burge) - a $9.50/hr indefinite temp at a mortgage company in Grand Rapids, Mi. When he's not procrastinating at being an office drone, his life at home consists of TV dinners, corn chips, mountain dew, heavy...

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

Media Luna's lineup of predominantly women-centric and Spanish language films is very attractive for Ficg's upcoming market this March 6 - 16th.

"Flocking" by Beata Gårdeler won the Crystal Bear for Best Feature at Berlinale 2015

Synopsis: The small village community is convinced that the young Jennifer is lying, when she claims to have been raped by classmate Alexander. Evidence and court decisions mean nothing, where grown-up people lay down their own rules and laws to stick with the flock.

(Sweden 2015; Drama/Thriller) Based on true stories.

"Two Women" by Vera Glagoleva. Starring Ralph Fiennes ("The Grand Budapest Hotel," "The English Patient") and Sylvie Testud ("La Vie en Rose," "Lourdes")

Synopsis: Natalya is married to a land baron. Her feelings for her son’s attractive new tutor will confront her with her own daughter and turn her devoted life into a complex web of unappreciated love, lust and jealousy. (Russia, France, Latvia 2014; Drama)

"3 Beauties"(3 Bellezas) by Carlos Caridad-Montero (Venezuela 2014; Comedy) Miss Venezuela. When obsession for beauty and cosmetic surgery is taken too far.

Synopsis:Perla is obsessed with having a beauty queen in the family and she is willing to do whatever it takes to make her dream come true. Including destroying her own family.

"No Thank You" by Samuli Valkama (Finland 2014; Comedy) - Based on the Anna-Leena Härkönen bestseller, “Ei Kiitos”, published by Otava, the novel now exceeds 110.000 printed exemplars and "No Thank You" became a Box Office hit in Finland!

Synopsis: Heli’s husband is not in the mood. After many years of marriage a shoulder massage is the highest form of intimacy for him. When subtle hints, nice words and fetching clothes won’t help, Heli turns to increasingly direct action — in vain! Then she meets the attractive Jarno, a stunning young man. Soon she will discover what she wants, and what she doesn’t want in life.

"The Mud Woman" (La Mujer de Barro) by Sergio Castro San Martín (Chile & Argentina 2015; Drama) Starring Catalina Saavedra (Best actress at Sundace Film Festival for “The Maid”) World Premiere at Berlinale Forum 2015.

Synopsis: Maria and her daughter Teresa leave near the border between Chile and Argentina. Ten years have passed, since she last worked in the vineyard's harvest season. Now Maria has to earn some extra money and decides to return at the plantation… not knowing she will have to face her unsolved past.

"Baby Steps" by Barney Cheng (USA, Taiwan 2015; Comedy/Drama) From Oscar-winning producer of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "Eat Drink Man Woman" and "The Wedding Banquet" by Ang Lee. Starring the award-winning actress Ah-Leh Gua ("The Wedding Banquet" and" Eat Drink Man Woman").

Synopsis: Danny and his boyfriend long to have a baby. The complex world of international surrogacy is further complicated by Danny's well-meaning but extremely meddlesome Mother who wants to control every aspect of the process all the way from Taipei.

"Internet Junkie" by Alexander Katzowicz (Argentina, Mexico & Israel 2015; Dark Comedy/Erotic) Starring Antonio Birabent ("Wild Tango"), Angela Molina ("That Obscure Object of Desire," "The Things of Love") and special appearance of Arturo Ripstein (Director of "No One Writes to the Colonel," "The Queen of the Night")

Synopsis: Inside the virtual world... A soldier looking for lovers, a teenager searching for porn, a mother in need of friends, a graduated looking for a job, women waiting to find the love of their life and the best –or any- lover in the area... outside the virtual world no one is what they seem.

"Get Married If You Can" (Casese Quien Pueda) by Marco Polo Constandse (Mexico 2014; Comedy) Box Office hit in Mexico! - Third highest-grossing film of all time – Starring Martha Higadera ("Street Kings," "Amar te duele"), Luis Gerardo Méndez ("Cantinflas") and Michel Brown ("Pasión de Gavilanes" – TV)

Synopsis: Ana is obsessed with her big dream wedding. Daniela is focused on her career, no time for marriage. When Ana finds out her fiancé is cheating on her and Daniela falls in love with her best friend they discover that the only true path to marriage is love.

"Sweet Girls" by Jean-Paul Cardinaux & Xavier Ruiz (Switzerland 2015; Dark Comedy) Generational clash, when a hopeless young generation meet an aged population.

Synopsis: Elodie and Marie are two teenagers that face the lack of opportunities offered by the housing crisis. They come up to an extreme solution: empty the apartments unjustly occupied by “the old people” who, at her eyes, are responsible of the current social imbalance. In this journey, they will discover that there are human beings, just as lost and forgotten by society as they are.

"Perfect Obedience" (Obediencia Perfecta) by Luis Urquiza (Mexico 2014; Drama) Based on a true story, the scandal related to the priest Marcial Maciel, the Head of "The Legion of Christ” (Los Legionarios de Cristo). Montreal (Best Film), Cine Ceará (Best Director, Best Actor)

Synopsis: A young seminarian will endure a hard spiritual journey to reach Perfect Obedience. His mentor, captivated by his fragility and innocence, will guide him to complete psychological and physical surrender.

"Buzzard" by Joel Potrykus (USA 2014; Dark Comedy, Drama) Joel Potrykus won Best Emerging Director and Special Mention for Best First Feature at Locarno 2012 for his film “Ape”. At this year’s Locarno, he won Special Mention from the Independent Juries and Prices in 2014 for his new feature “Buzzard”.

Synopsis: Marty is a small-time con artist drifting from one scam to the next. When his latest ruse goes awry, mounting paranoia forces him to leave his lousy temp job and hide out in his co-worker's basement. Until eventually he flees to Detroit with nothing but a pocket full of bogus checks, his Power Glove, and a bad temper.

"Unlucky Plaza" by Ken Kwek (Singapore 2014; Thriller, Dark Comedy) Ken Kwek’s previous compilation of shortfilms “Sex.Violence.FamilyValues - three dirrty stories from the world's cleanest city-“ was banned by the Singapore and Malaysia government in 2012. World Premiere Toronto 2014.

Synopsis: Sky has a debt to the mafia and hopes to convince his wife to sell her parent’s flat. Looking for a way out, she rents the flat to an evicted single father, while unintentionally setting into motion a series of unfortunate events.

For more information http://www.medialuna.biz/...

Returning to the Locarno International Film Festival after winning for Best New Director in 2012 for his feature "Ape," Joel Potrykus and his Sob Noisse collaborators are receiving quite the buzz in the American independent film scene. I met with Joel Potrykus during the Festival to talk about his films and "Buzzard."

"Buzzard" : Paranoia forces small-time scam artist Marty to flee his hometown and hide out in a dangerous Detroit. With nothing but a pocket full of bogus checks, his power glove and a bad temper, the horror metal slacker lashes out.

Buzzard exists to break genre, give a middle finger to romance, spit on sentimentality, and laugh at the status quo. It’s time to bring punk back to film.

--Joel Potrykus

Potrykus on "Buzzard "

This is the final installment of the "Coyote," "Ape," and "Buzzard" films all starring Joshua Burge. It’s a loose trilogy. Josh does not play the same character. This is my angry young man series, the world is out to get him. Same actor, same setting, which is a dirty Midwest city landscape.

I never want to make a genre film, but I’m interested in making films taken from other genres. When people ask me: Is it is a comedy, a drama or horror? I hate to answer that; it bothers me when I try classifying it. I don’t want it to fit into some mold. I would say it’s funny, but it’s dark, and some of it is really sad. I would hope that it’s more than a dark comedy, an anti-romantic comedy.

On Writing

Some people have a rigorous writing schedule and work as a normal screenwriter. When I write a script, even when I’m not writing, I’m thinking about it. I try to set a goal; I want it done in a month, for example.

I studied film and journalism at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids Michigan. I thought to pay bills I would be a critic.

I start with a character -- I hate to say “character study” that sounds generic -- and then focus on one person and one character. I’m interested in the perspective of one person, and filter story through that perspective. My scripts centers on who that person interacts with.

Inspiration for the trilogy

A long time ago I worked a temp job at a mortgage company. There was no accountability, and I would do things and see how much I could get away with. Like, take a stapler home. Then it escalated, almost borderline criminal. I took that experience and amplified it and took it to new extremes and inserted violence. I’m into horror films, and this character is obsessed with horror films, and lives out his fantasies.

I like to take the mundane and inject some insanity in it and amplify realism. That’s the fun part about writing, I don’t outline. I just write it and discover the movie and surprise myself. I dive in and get sloppy.

Budget

I always write within my means. I know we won’t have access to a castle or blow up a bridge. I feel lucky because those aren’t the movies I want to make. I don’t want to be Spielberg. I like Harmony Corine. When you see "Gummo" or Jarmusch’s, "Stranger Than Paradise" -- that’s what I want to do. Our investors are Michigan people who like what we do and believe it in.

What’s next?

Potrykus: "Buzzard" is the last of the trilogy. We’re at a point right now where we’re getting a little more attention. We’re all thinking about how far we’ll take the next one. We’re fielding offers from both coasts, we want to step up and better things, but concerned about how much control we want to give up. I think we’re ready to take the next step; not Hollywood but on a bigger scale.

"Buzzard" was a big step, with a bigger budget and bigger crew, but still all Michigan. Oscilloscope is our worldwide sales company who is selling outside North America and will release it in 2015.

For more information about Buzzard visit buzzardfilm.com

Award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker, Susan Kouguell presents international workshops and seminars on screenwriting and film. Author of Savvy Characters Sell Screenplays! and The Savvy Screenwriter, she is chairperson of Su-City Pictures East, LLC, a consulting company founded in 1990 where she works with over 1,000 writers, filmmakers, and executives worldwide. www.su-city-pictures.com, http://su-city-pictures.com/wpblog...

"The Us Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it."—Benjamin Franklin

In Joel Potrykus' previous film, Ape, a young stand-up comedian with a passion for flames fought his way to failure with noble indifference. In Buzzard, Potrykus' second feature film, Marty (played by the remarkable Joshua Burge) seems no longer interested in trying to “make it” and navigates instead the caveats of the consumer economy in a less-than-successful attempt to trick the system to his own advantage. Temporarily employed at a mortgage company, Marty dabbles in minor scams including getting refunded for unneeded office supplies, closing and reopening his checking account to take advantage of the $50 promotion for new account holders, and so ingeniously forth. Work ethic, that quintessential dogma of the American Way of Life, has no place in Marty's life. When his eager colleague informs him that she's gonna be hired next month, he offers...

Sophomore film will screen in Locarno.

Media Luna has boarded American director Joel Potrykus’ Buzzard.

Potrykus’ second feature premiered at SXSW and will screen in the Filmmakers of the Present competition in Locarno.

Joshua Burge, who starred in the director’s award-winning Ape, also stars in Buzzard.

He plays Marty, a young man who is a bored temp at a mortgage office but also a small-time con artist. He becomes extremely paranoid while living in his co-worker’s basement, before fleeing to Detroit.

Us features Listen Up Philip and Buzzard to play in competition at this year’s Locarno Film Festival, which promises “a strong American independent cinema contingent”.

The Locarno International Film Festival (Aug 6-16) has teased two titles from the line-up of its 67th edition.

Listen Up Philip, from Us director Alex Ross Perry, will receive its international premiere at Locarno, as part of the International Competition line-up.

The dark comedy stars Jason Schwartzman as an anxious author dealing with crises in his creative and personal lives. The film, which debuted at Sundance and co-stars Jonathan Pryce and Mad Men star Elisabeth Moss, was acquired this week by Tribeca Film for Us distribution.

Perry last competed at Locarno in 2011’s Filmmakers Of The Present competition with The Color Wheel.

Buzzard, the sophomore feature of Joel Potrykus, will feature in the Filmmakers Of The Present competition, which includes first and second films. The feature...

Rome -- This year's edition of the Locarno Film Festival will have at least a slight American accent, as the festival will welcome back two U.S. indie directors who took some of their earliest international steps as filmmakers at the storied Swiss event. The 67-year-old lakeside festival announced Tuesday that Alex Ross Perry and Joel Potrykus would be bringing their latest features. Both directors came to Locarno early in their careers: Perry with the romantic comedy The Color Wheel in 2011, and Potrykus a year later with the comic fantasy film Ape.   Photos Cannes: THR's Photo Portfolio With Cate

read more...

A man eating an apple is by far the most dramatic thing that happens in the poky first hour of writer-director Joel Potrykus's fascinating nervous-breakdown drama Ape.

Not yet realizing that his career is kaput, dreadful comedian Trevor (Joshua Burge) confesses to his tiny audience, "I don't want to tell jokes." The apple is his biggest professional coup so far — a guy in a devil costume gave him the fruit in exchange for a gag — so Trevor had been proudly carrying it with him for a few days.

He munches on the apple in real time, over about three minutes, exhausted but trying to pass off his snack as a meta-joke about stand-up routines. But Trevor isn't a sad clown; he's an angry one. (Is there any other kind?) Though his small apartment is covered i...

Every Friday, Indiewire's new Springboard column will profile an up-and-comer in the indie world who made a mark that deserves your attention. Select profiles will include photography by Daniel Bergeron, exclusive to Indiewire. Today we talk to writer-director Joel Potrykus. Some people design their first few movies as calling cards. Judging by his first two features, "Ape" and "Buzzard," Joel Potrykus is not one of those people. Potrykus' savage comedies are distinctly offbeat and unapologetically subversive. But that's exactly what makes them stand out: "Ape," which won the prize for best first feature at the Locarno Film Festival in 2012, starred newcomer Joshua Burge as a terrible comedian at wit’s end; "Buzzard," which premiered at the SXSW Film Festival ahead of its New York premiere last weekend at New Directors/New Films, finds Burge playing a disgruntled bank worker who steals and cons his way through life — until his antics catch up to him,...

Far more whimsical than his down-the-middle abrasive character sagas Ape and Buzzard, Joel Potrykus’s 2010 short Coyote relates an outward manifestation of inner demons. Played by regular collaborator Joshua Burge, the Coyote in question is a heroin addict who trolls downtown Grand Rapids in between binges at his rundown compound. Replacing tirades with tunes, and low-grade digital with Super 8, Coyote presents a more curious Potrykus, whose character is guided by circumstance as much as his malcontent.

Far more whimsical than his down-the-middle abrasive character sagas Ape and Buzzard, Joel Potrykus’s 2010 short Coyote relates an outward manifestation of inner demons. Played by regular collaborator Joshua Burge, the Coyote in question is a heroin addict who trolls downtown Grand Rapids in between binges at his rundown compound. Replacing tirades with tunes, and low-grade digital with Super 8, Coyote presents a more curious Potrykus, whose character is guided by circumstance as much as his malcontent.

Joel Potrykus’ latest film, Buzzard, is about Marty, a lazy temp-worker who spends as much time finding ways to avoid work as he does actually doing his job. Sometime during his nights of video games, horror movies, and heavy metal, he comes up with a scheme to steal from the rich corporate world he hates and give to the one person he loves – himself.

Marty is played by Joshua Burge, who previously worked with Potrykus on Ape and the short Coyote. In addition to writing and directing, Potrykus also took a role for the film, playing Marty’s coworker Derrick. The film is equal parts hilarious and disturbingly dark, and I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Potrykus and Burge were at SXSW for the premiere, and I had the pleasure of sitting down with them for a chat about their latest project. We discussed sticking it to the man, how Buzzard is similar to Rocky,...

The 2014 SXSW Film Festival kicks off tomorrow with the world premiere of Jon Favreau's star-studded comedy "Chef." The latest edition of the event is poised to deliver an exciting combination of new talents and established names. Here's a sampling of the movies that Indiewire's team is looking forward to checking out at this year's festival. "Buzzard" Joel Potrykus' nutty debut feature "Ape" followed the exploits of a deranged standup comedian struggling to make ends meet. "Buzzard" is similarly focused on a man at the bottom of the economic food chain battling to get by while stirring up trouble in every direction. It's also a genuinely brilliant contemporary satire of workplace frustrations. Like "Office Space" on crack, the movie revolves around a wry young schemer ("Ape" star Joshua Burge) who casually steals money from the bank that employs him while wasting his days with an equally directionless pal eating...

A few days shy of the 2014 edition of SXSW, Oscilloscope has nabbed comedy "Buzzard," set to make its world premiere at the fest on March 8. Directed by Joel Potrykus, it follows a small-time scam artist who finds himself on a strange journey to Detroit, with only bad checks, a Nintendo Power Glove and his own grumpiness to keep him company. Oscilloscope is planning a further fest run for the film -- it's next screening after South By will be New Directors/New Films at NYC's Lincoln Center -- with a theatrical release later in 2014. Potrykus' previous feature "Ape" won Best New Director at the 2012 Locarno International Film Festival. Here's the film's official synopsis, plus watch the trailer below:Buzzard follows a small-time scam artist named Marty, a caustic young man who makes ends meet by drifting from one small con to the next. When paranoia forces him out of a lousy temp job,...

Open Road will release Eli Roth’s cannibal horror film on September 5 2014.

The Green Inferno received its world premiere in the Midnight Madness strand of the Toronto International Film Festival last September.

Meanwhile, Focus Features has set the 2014 date of Jason Bateman’s directorial debut Bad Words following the $7m worldwide rights acquisition in Toronto. Bad Words will open in limited release on March 14 2014, expand a week later and remain wide on March 28.

In other distribution news, Factory 25 has picked up world rights to Joel Potrykus’s Ape, winner of the best emerging director prize in Locarno where it also earned a special mention for best first feature.

Focus Features has set the 2014 date of Jason Bateman’s directorial debut following the $7m worldwide rights acquisition at September’s Toronto International Film Festival.

Bad Words will open in limited release on March 14 2014, expand a week later and remain wide on March 28.

In other distribution news, Factory 25 has picked up world rights to Joel Potrykus’s Ape, winner of the best emerging director prize in Locarno where it also earned a special mention for best first feature.

Focus Features has set the 2014 date of Jason Bateman’s directorial debut following the $7m worldwide rights acquisition at September’s Toronto International Film Festival.

Bad Words will open in limited release on March 14 2014, expand a week later and remain wide on March 28.

In other distribution news, Factory 25 has picked up world rights to Joel Potrykus’s Ape, winner of the best emerging director prize in Locarno where it also earned a special mention for best first feature.

Ever wanted something so badly that you'd do anything to obtain it? Like even make a deal with the devil? That's the premise of the new movie Ape, and we've got a trailer on tap that you won't even have to sell your soul to see.

Directed and written by Joel Potrykus for Sob Noisse Movies, Ape stars Joshua Burge (Coyote), Gary Bosek, Daniel Falicki, and Jason Roth.

Synopsis

Trevor Newandyke is a struggling small-time comedian. Not only does he bomb on stage, but he bombs in everyday life. To him, it’s the little things that matter most. He’s fed up with the threats from the cable company, 7-11 raising the price of the Slurpee, and all the jerks who think they can push him around. All he wants is a break, and for someone to get him. Not everyone, just someone.

But instead of taking a breath...

Things are about to get hairy, kids, because we've got a short film on tap for you that will leave your fangs dripping! Even cooler? It was filmed on Super 8. Yep, glorious Super 8! Check it out and bask in its coolness!

We have the flick in its entirety below. Joel Potrykus (Ape) directs, and newcomer Joshua Burge turns in one hell of an indie performance.

Coyote is a genre-mixing, post-modern werewolf short. After each full moon, Coyote wakes up in the forest, confused and sick. With no family, no friends, and no real home, he turns to drugs to try to escape the horrors of his late-night madness.

Enough talk! Dig it!

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Howl your way into the weekend in the comments section below.

The mighty and all-powerful Chicago Underground Film Festival has done the absolute unthinkable: Reached their 20th year of operation! How many underground festivals have accomplished that feat? None, until now! Well, “now” being March 6-10 at the fest’s new location: The Logan Theatre.

Obviously, there are a lot of people who have worked with the fest over the years to help make it last for exactly two fantastic decades, but, truly, there is one special person who has to be specially lauded for his tireless dedication to the advancement of underground film and its makers. Especially because Cuff hasn’t just been around for 20 years: It’s been fucking awesome for 20 years.

That person, of course, is Artistic Director Bryan Wendorf, who has been with the fest for the very first edition to it’s most recent, mind-blowing one. Year after year, Wendorf has guided Cuff into defining, challenging,...

Looking back at 2012 on what films moved and impressed us, it is clear that watching old films is a crucial part of making new films meaningful. Thus, the annual tradition of our end of year poll, which calls upon our writers to pick both a new and an old film: they were challenged to choose a new film they saw in 2012—in theaters or at a festival—and creatively pair it with an old film they also saw in 2012 to create a unique double feature.

All the contributors were asked to write a paragraph explaining their 2012 fantasy double feature. What's more, each writer was given the option to list more pairings, with or without explanation, as further imaginative film programming we'd be lucky to catch in that perfect world we know doesn't exist but can keep dreaming of every time we go to the movies.

How would you program some...

Natural Selection: Potrykus’ Debuts a Worthwhile yet Ragged Effort

Aligned with similarly titled works that capture mankind’s possibility to regress to a more primitive, mammalian state under pressure, everywhere from Eugene O’Neill’s The Hairy Ape to Jesper Ganslandt’s more recent, 2009 film, The Ape, indie filmmaker Joel Potrykus brings us young man malaise with his feature debut, Ape. Hailing from Michigan, Potrykus, like his protagonist, operates far from either centered entertainment metropolis in the Us, and his film suggests a different rhythm than that displayed from more prestigiously located emerging artists. Unfortunately, the film, particularly the first half, feels incredibly amateurish and sluggish, and creaks along like nails on the chalkboard until eventually finding a workable rhythm that manages to find a voice despite the obviously extreme budgetary constraints.

Trevor Newandyke (Joshua Burge) has one sole ambition in life, and that is to be a successful stand-up comedian.

Before turning to film, director Joel Potrykus spent time working as a frustrated small-time comic in New York, an experience on which "Ape" is based. " The lousy jokes, the annoying co-workers, the anger, it's all real," Potrykus says. "I like making movies that tell the truth." In an apparent departure of the director's biography, however, "Ape"'s Trevor eventually has a meeting with the Devil, with whom he strikes a deal. What is at the heart of "Ape"? "A realization that art can kick you in the balls. A sense that American independent film is vital and unpredictable and loud." On who's the best: "Watch Joshua [Burge] as Trevor. He's the best." On the freedom of a shoestring budget: "There are very few challenges when you raise the money by returning empty beer bottles and pop cans. You don't have to answer to anyone. Especially if you don't ask permission to.

AFI Fest 2012 presented by Audi, a program of the American Film Institute, today announced the events and screenings in its Presentations and Conversations programs, an additional screening and some of the guests who are expected to attend this year.s festival. AFI Fest, which annually presents the best of world cinema in the movie capital of the world, will take place November 1 through 8 at the historic Grauman.s Chinese Theatre, the Chinese 6 Theatres, the Egyptian Theatre and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

Stay with us here at Wamg as we bring you the latest from the AFI Fest screenings, panels and after-parties right here in Hollywood!

Presentations:

This variety of special screening events offers audiences a unique festival experience.

Sunset Boulevard: Dir Billy Wilder

With restoration services by Technicolor, be among the first to experience one of Hollywood.s most beloved films as it was originally intended. A fitting release...

The AFI Film Fest (11.01-11.08) have announced the line-ups for our favorite sections at the fest in the Young American selections and New Auteurs section and they’ve managed to stack up on titles that are amongst the year’s best and which in the case of two films were mysteriously passed over by the likes of Telluride, Tiff and Nyff. Michel Franco’s After Lucia (see pic above) and Antonio Campos’ Simon Killer will be making the Los Angeles premieres accompanied by the best title to come out of the Main Comp at this year’s Cannes edition in Sergei Loznitsa’s In the Fog. This trio will be joined by a trio of gems that recently premiered at Tiff in: Maja Miloš’ Clip, Gabriela Pichler’s Eat Sleep Die and Tobias Lindholm’s A Hijacking. In the Young American Selections we find some filmmakers (Sean Baker and Amy...

This week's announcement that Olivier Père, former programmer of Cannes's Directors' Fortnight, will be stepping down from his post at the helm of the Festival del Film Locarno marks the end of brief but important era for this film festival, one of the longest-running in the world. In just three years, Père has helped to put the annual event back on the festival map, drawing an annual influx of celebrities and industry-types for red-carpet world premieres, jury prizes, and lifetime achievement awards. Perhaps more than ever in its sixty-six-year history, Locarno is an important station on the fall festival circuit, forecasting the slates of Toronto and New York and providing useful international gateway for cinema from all over the world.

This year's festival featured a characteristically dizzying mix of international festival ephemera, an Otto Preminger retrospective, and much-heralded appearances by the likes of Kylie Minogue, Alain Delon, and Harry Belafonte on the festival's main stage,...

While Cannes’ Quinzaine struggles to reframe its identity, its former artistic director Olivier Père continues to impress in his new job at the Locarno Film Festival. On Wednesday, he and his programming team unveiled a lineup that is absolutely salivatory, a who’s who for high-minded cinephiles. Perhaps most impressive of all, he has managed to once again nudge the festival’s selection aesthetic even deeper into esoteric ‘experimental’ territory without seeming all that radical. More than any other festival, Locarno is the home for the edgy projects that are too sophisticated for Cannes, whose cold shoulder to avant-garde narrative filmmaking becomes more glaring with each passing year. Check out the complete line-up at the bottom of this page.

In their International Competition, in which films compete for the increasingly prestigious Golden Leopard, we have a collaboration between João Pedro Rodrigues and his partner João Rui Guerra da Mata called...