February 26th, 2010
CinemaSalem owner Paul Van Ness, Clinton Williams, Tianny Marmolejos, Bryan De Leon and Chris Gaines of the Real to Reel Film School.
By Dinah Cardin
Ten impressive shorts were screened before an enthusiastic audience last night as part of the 2010 Five-Minute Student Film Contest, sponsored by CinemaSalem and Film North, a regional organzation of professional filmmakers.
Following the one hour screening, several audience members with film backgrounds mentioned that they were amazed at the quality of filmmaking. Read the rest of this entry »
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February 25th, 2010
By Chris Connelly
SALEM — From the Texas Blues to the revolutionary sounds of Jamaican Reggae, and from a square sixties youth group to new audio art — seven of the 34 documentary films featured in the Salem Film Fest 2010 focus on music.
courtesy photo
But even before the films start showing, starting at 6:10 Friday, Feb. 26, there will be live music in CinemaSalem’s main theater. In what may be a prophetic prelude to the 7 p.m. showing of ROCK PROPHECIES, Guitar Center King of the Blues finalist Graham Whitford, 18, of New York City is scheduled to perform. Whitford is the son of Aerosmith’s Brad Whitford. Read the rest of this entry »
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February 25th, 2010
Photos by Ellen Hardy
Harrod Blank’s film looks into the minds and hearts of a delightful collection of eccentrics, visionaries, and just plain folks who have transformed their autos into artworks. Automorphosis screens Sunday, Feb. 28 at 1:40 p.m.
Salem artist Ellen Hardy shares the story of her daughter’s art car:
The 1989 Dodge Dynasty was first painted in 2001 by Frank Stella, the Boston born minimalist painter, with a team of students from Phillips Academy in Andover.
As an alum and a visiting artist, Frank Stella asked the Andover community to bring vehicles to an outside area where they could be painted by a student art class. Read the rest of this entry »
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February 25th, 2010
Want to catch a glimpse of the future of filmmaking? Some of the best Massachusetts high school short films of the year will be presented for free TONIGHT at CinemaSalem when the winners of the 2010 Five-Minute Student Film Contest are announced.
“The films span the range of genres, from suspense to comedy to thoughtful documentary, and exhibit the joy and exploratory spirit of youthful filmmakers. From a technical perspective, many of the films are exceptionally sophisticated,” commented one of the contest judges, Paul Van Ness, co-owner of CinemaSalem. Read the rest of this entry »
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February 25th, 2010
This article ran in the Salem News on Feb. 12, 2010
By Alysa Obert
Gordon College News Service
MARBLEHEAD — Marble-head High junior Jessica Doherty competes on the swim and tennis teams, helps out with the recycling club, made the honor roll, and started her film career — all before her 17th birthday.
Melissa Doherty, a junior at Marblehead High, is a volunteer at the Salem Film Fest. Courtesy photo
“It’s important for people my age to get out there and actually do something that they’re interested in,” said Doherty, who is also volunteering at this year’s Salem Film Fest, Feb. 26 to March 4.
Chris Gilbert, director of the festival’s volunteers, said Doherty stood out when he gathered volunteers last week at CinemaSalem, where most of the festival will take place. Read the rest of this entry »
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February 24th, 2010
The screening rooms won’t be the only place at the festival featuring artists. Be sure to check out the lobby, where you’ll find the artwork of Salem’s Richard Flynn.
Flynn fills black notebooks with scenes in little squares that could be frames from a film. Curious about Salem’s art scene? Take one look at Flynn’s notebooks and you’ll know where he and his friends spend their evenings.
Local writer Lilly Roberts interviewed Richard Flynn last May for an article in the North Shore’s online arts journal, Art Throb. Check it out and then spot Flynn around the festival.
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February 23rd, 2010
Only two days until the festivities begin. Some of you may not realize that there is so much more happening than just trying to decide which of the 34 documentary films to see.
There will be concerts at the theater prior to films and a whole slew of events going on around the city including concerts, filmmaker talks and an Oscar Party. For a complete list go to the site’s Events page, but here are a few. Read the rest of this entry »
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February 21st, 2010
By Michael Pelosi
courtesy image from the film RISEUP
The director of the film RISEUP– Luciano Blotta, makes it clear that his film is both an ode to Jamaican music and a tribute to hard working artists. The film will resonate with anyone who can appreciate overcoming obscurity and fighting for what they believe in. The filmmaker, who plans on attending SFF 2010, answered a few questions below: Read the rest of this entry »
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February 21st, 2010
This article first rain in the Jewish Journal on Feb. 18, 2010.
Susan Jacobs
Jewish Journal Staff
courtesy image
Are people inherently good or evil? One ponders this question when viewing NO. 4 STREET OF MY LADY. While the Holocaust brought out some of the worst aspects of human nature, there were also individuals who showed great compassion.
Francisca Halamajowa was one such saint. The unassuming, middle-aged Polish Catholic woman and her daughter secretly hid 15 Jews for nearly two years — right under the noses of German soldiers who had turned their farmhouse at NO. 4 STREET OF MY LADY into a headquarters. Read the rest of this entry »
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February 21st, 2010
This article first appeared in the Jewish Journal on Feb. 18, 2010.
Susan Jacobs
Jewish Journal Staff
courtesy photo
Jeremy Levine, a Beverly native, will present his new film, GOOD FORTUNE at the Salem Film Festival. The documentary focuses on poverty in Kenya, and how international aid efforts may actually be undermining local communities.
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