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Story & Interview with Director Kristian Fraga

by Elias Andrinopoulos

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“Severe Clear”, the uncompromsing new documentary film from Sirk Producions, had it’s inception in 2004 when a young Marine, newly returned from combat, walked into NYU’s Tisch School of Film one fateful day.

Heavy with a bag of DV tapes under his arm, the young Lieutenant had but one simple goal in mind: He was looking for a film student, someone to condense “all the cool parts” from his raw war footage shot on the battlefield in Iraq.

Flash forward 5 years later, to a superbly crafted by film by Director/ Editor/ Producer Kristian Fraga, “Severe Clear” is an unflinching, brutal portrait of one man’s front-line experience of war.

Accompany First Lieutenant Mike Scotti and his men of the 1st Battalion 4th Marines on the grueling, 300 mile march towards Bagdad, 2003, to topple the regime of Saddam Hussein.

The film takes no sides politically, but be forewarned: much of it’s footage may be too graphic for some viewers. It’s makers pulled no punches at any step of the filmmaking process in bringing Mike’s story to the screen. (more…)

By Michael Pelosi

With over three dozen documentaries being shown throughout the week, I assumed that the overly excited crowd would have a lot to say…I was right. Most responses came from JUNIOR which screened on Thursday night and proved to be a crowd favorite. The audience was intrigued by the festival and gave us their insight on independent filmmaking and their views on specific films  including Jury award winner SEVERE CLEAR.  Take a look at a short video I made with my interviews with the crowd!

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By Michael Pelosi

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It is easy to understand why a film like MINE would gain such high resonance. A film depicting the emotional bond between humans and their pets is a genuine  look at the aftermath of tragedy.

The film, which screens at 7:30 tonight, will have the audience examining their relationship with their furry loved ones. (more…)

By Brian Lepire

There were moments when the entire audience cringed in unison during the Saturday night premiere of SEVERE CLEAR. The movie documents the U.S. military’s 2003 siege of Baghdad strictly using film shot by Marine Corps 1^st Lt. Mike Scotti and some of his fellow Marines on the ground and in the thick of battle. Shots were fired, blood was spilled and reality was on stark display. (more…)

By Michael Pelosi

Les Blank with son Harrod. Photo by Michael Pelosi

The first night of the Salem Film Festival was filled with as much depth as we’ve come to expect. The film buff locals– who bring as much weight as the films themselves, were even more intrigued by legendary documentarian Les Blank’s outstanding double feature. (more…)

This article first appeared in the Salem News on Feb. 26, 2010.

By Tom Dalton
Staff writer

SALEM — The footprint of the Salem Film Fest is expanding.

The third annual festival, which opens today at CinemaSalem, has more documentary films than last year, twice as many volunteers, more business and community supporters, more major sponsors, and a growing number of outside events ranging from a filmmaker breakfast at Caffe Graziani to an after-party at Victoria Station. (more…)

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: (more…)