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REEL REBELS – REEL FILMS BY REEL FILMMAKERS!

The Independent Filmmakers Co-operative of Ottawa Inc. (IFCO) announces its annual gala première screening of its filmmakers’ works on Saturday, March 20th at the National Library & Archives of Canada. IFCO’s filmmakers are rebelling against the norm with another batch of exciting short films, and Ottawans are invited to experience Ottawa’s REEL REBELS, as the Co-operative showcases all new film works from its incredibly talented filmmakers.

The Independent Filmmakers Co-operative of Ottawa Inc. (IFCO) is on the ‘cutting edge’ of indie filmmaking; encouraging and inspiring local artists to create celluloid based works; films which emphasize creative filmic approaches & processes; films which reflect the individual filmmaker’s personal vision, and films which don’t necessarily conform to any one definitive cinematic genre or style.

At IFCO the principle mode of production is (celluloid) film. IFCO continues to challenge its artists to think outside the box; push the boundaries of image making and reclaim the art of filmmaking. At IFCO we’re keeping it ‘reel’ by retaining the ‘film’ in filmmaking. Over the last 18 years The Independent Filmmakers Co-operative of Ottawa Inc. (IFCO), has supported the creation of well over 200 short length films.

IFCO’s filmmakers’ works have been broadcast locally and nationally on television, and have also screened nationally and internationally at various preeminent film festivals. I’ve often been asked the question why film? Why use film in a digital age? My response is always why not use film? Digital and film each possess their own intrinsic qualities, and it’s really a matter of personal artistic choice, which art form the artist chooses to employ.

At IFCO we’re demystifying the art of filmmaking, making film accessible to “every man” and “every woman.” Film is here, film is now, and film is ALIVE! “Film as dream, film as music. No form of art goes beyond ordinary consciousness as film does, straight to our emotions, deep into the twilight room of the soul.” – Ingmar Bergman

So, if you’re looking for an alternative viewing experience, IFCO’s REEL REBELS will provide just that!

Join us at The National Library & Archives of Canada (395 Wellington @ Bay Street) on Saturday, March 20th at 7:00pm, in support of some of Ottawa’s best!

You’ll have a great opportunity to mix and mingle with the filmmakers at the after-mixer sponsored by D’Arcy McGees (44 Sparks St. at Elgin – downstairs).

Tickets are $12, and are now on sale at IFCO – located in Suite #140 – #2 Daly Avenue (Arts Court). The Independent Filmmakers Co-operative of Ottawa Inc. (IFCO) is a locally based charity, dedicated to the propagation of Super- 8/16mm and 35mm filmmaking in Ottawa.

You can visit IFCO online at www.ifco.ca for more information about the Co-operative and its amazing programming.

Contact: Patrice James, Executive Director Independent Filmmakers Co-operative of Ottawa Inc.

(IFCO) 613-569-1789

 director@ifco.ca

http://www.ifco.ca

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The February Bluebird North Series – Artists sharing stories and songs

It’s commonly said that the sad songs are the best and I doubt you would have found any argument at the NAC’s fourth stage during Ottawa’s  February Bluebird North show. This being my first Bluebird concert I didn’t know really what to expect.

Played in by new host and local songstress Amanda Rheaume, folk and blues artists Lynne Hanson, Kelly Prescott, Matt De Zoete and Steve Marriner took to the stage and gave the crowd a wonderful acoustic set of their work.

The musicians performed one after another, each taking time to say a few words about the song and its inspiration. As in all good folk stories, the topics meandered from tragic to hilarious and often the two overlapped. The evening was put on by the Songwriter’s Association of Canada, so there was an emphasis on the “talky parts”. But, since I like that kind of stuff, it never took away from the show. Each of the musicians explained how they found motivation in their travels and relationships.

Of the idea behind her song More of the Same, Hanson told the story of her adopted grandfather and the loss of his wife to Alzheimer’s disease. The amazing raw imagery in the lyrics really grabbed me.

De Zoete looked to the past and his Dutch heritage, Prescott wrote about her relationships and Marriner even fit in an amusingly scathing song about a woman so bad he didn’t even have to date her. The take away message was clearly that if you want to keep a clean reputation, don’t piss off a musician.

I really dug the informal format. The full stage allowed the performers to converse and share jokes. While the theme of the music that night seemed to border more on the depressing, the laughs didn’t stop. It didn’t have the rehearsed feeling stage banter often has when you’re watching a group that you know has done this fifty times before.

 

If I could ask for more, all I would need would be more of the artists playing with each other’s songs. As when it happened, it was fantastic.

The night was special and unique and this is what will bring me back to future Bluebird North performances.

 

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