Cinema Purgatorio

This clever and unexpected film about the creative process of independent film making has a lot of laughs, a much needed message and a great twist! Enjoyed every well crafted frame and the chemistry with the crazy ensemble cast was palatable. This movie also gives its audience a great message about every day life and what is most important. It's not always about the goal…its really about the journey and enjoying the moment. Everyone from artists…struggling for their next inspiration…or people in a job that seems to be going nowhere or anyone in a relationship that might be in a funk (which pretty much covers most of the people on the planet) will totally enjoy this film! …. including Bill Murray!

Loved it ! This is a MUST SEE!!!

Just viewed this wonderful little comedy touching on some of the traps and pitfalls of the art of movie making outside the city limits of Hollywood. This is a keeper on many levels not the least of which is the fact that it was made for 50 thousand dollars, thanks in part to the combined talents of this wonderful ensemble cast. Sure to please and well worth one hour and 40 minutes of your life. Attention to detail is critical so be fore warned you may need to view this film more than once to thoroughly enjoy the subtle humor and nuance that can easily fly by your conscience the first time around. I guess this now makes me a film critic? And considering I have two opposable thumbs, I give it all thumbs up.

CINEMA PURGATORIO was written, directed, and produced by folks who clearly have lived through (still living in?) the suffrage and anguish of indie film - yup: cinema purgatory. Pleasant, at times, painful throughout, PURGATORY puts you in the back seat as bona fide filmmakers navigate their way through the "f*cking" world of film festivals and indie film production. Constantly mocked, dismissed, and rarely taken seriously, the main characters, a filmmaking husband/wife team, Neil and Liz, do all they can to keep their filmmaking hopes alive, including a desperate attempt to win over actor Bill Murray by entering a novelty "48 hour" film competition. And as they faithfully go forth, it seems everyone has filmmaking advice to give, including a couple of mismatched knuckleheads outside a snow cone stand: "What are the three genres of independent feature films that always, always make money? Horror. Christian. And Gay!"

I saw this film twice at different intimate screenings in which the film makers were present, and found it to be a great dramatic comedy. It somehow still manages to stay within the lines of the format you would expect to see a modern comedy in while being extremely unique at the same time. The characters are interesting and refreshing and the actors are all so good in their roles it just makes the whole film seem effortless. A lot of films have tried to portray just what life is like on a film set, but this is the only movie I've seen that actually does it in a way that is interesting enough for people outside of the entertainment industry to be engrossed in the story.

This movie inspired me to add to the lexicon of aphorisms. Cinema Purgatorio is a unique movie that is a picture within a picture within a picture. Is that equal to 1,000 words to the third (cubed) power? First, the movie is about making a movie. At the risk being blacklisted for creating spoilage, I will refrain from further description along those lines.

Husband and wife co-produce "films" and are not doing too well. Spiritually and financially. They hatch a scheme to impress a Hollywood Star who, they assume, will back their next major project.

Husband and wife set out to win a 48-Hour Film Film Festival. Nearly penniless they assemble a very funny and entertaining cast and crew who include a has-been, a wannabe and several in between.

Their antics truly mirror the hazards and realities of low-budget or, in this case, no-budget projects. The 48-Hour weekend nearly turns into a disaster but through resourcefulness and persistence, they screen their entry along with several other submissions.

The remainder is fast paced and will leave you surprised and please, with a warm feeling in your heart (unless you are heartless).