2009 Arivaca Independent Filmmakers Exhibition

2011-03-08T23:13:00.005-07:00

UPDATE: CLICK HERE FOR THE 2011 ARIVACA FILM EVENT

2008-10-09T01:00:00.011-07:00

click on image to enlarge. artwork by Bart Santello

2009 ARIVACA INDEPENDENT FILMMAKER'S EXHIBITION

2008-09-12T13:44:00.007-07:00

Event Date: Saturday - March 7th, 2009

12-Noon through 9:30 pm

Arivaca Community Center

Universal Ranch Road

Arivaca, Arizona 85601

www.arivaca.net

The community of Arivaca, Arizona is proud to host the 4th-annual Arivaca Film Exhibition-supporting the spirit of the state's 'independent' filmmakers. The Arivaca Independent Filmmaker's Exhibition seeks to show films that embody two major themes:

First - Afternoon films showcase productions applicable to politics of the international border; nature and the environment; cultural traditions; sustainable (green) lifestyles and the preservation of authentic ways of life.

Second - Evening (short) films showcase cutting-edge experimental films that demonstrate creative works of filmmakers working independently and under the radar. Filmmaker's free to develop unique works without cultural scrutiny or expectation; resulting in new 'forms' of artistic expression through the use of creative multi-media.

Located South of Tucson, Arivaca's rural location nestled near mountains that separate it from the Mexican border, make it the epicenter of trends shaping America. Immigration, drug smuggling, human rights, government surveillance & militarization, vanishing rural life, water rights, native peoples, wilderness & endangered species, make Arivaca the canary in-the-mineshaft of trends shaping America and the world.

At the same, people of Arivaca represent many different walks of life; and share a common bond of rugged-individualism and self-determination. Arivaca is rich with artists, natural builders, organic farmers, solar-power/alternative energy, multi-generational ranchers, mineral prospectors and constitutional rights activists; and people that simply want to live in a natural environment, free of government/political interference in their lives.

I hope you enjoy perusing this website and learning about the selected films. Looking forward to see you on March 7th 2009.

Sincerely,

Barton Santello Filmmaker & Arivaca Film Exhibition Organizer Contact: info@psychotropicfilms.com

Photo by Karl W. Hoffman

12:15 PM "Through The Wall" (Documentary)

2008-09-02T00:23:00.002-07:00

Genre: Photo Journalism

Filmmaker: Karl W. Hoffman (Arivaca)

Run Time: Approx 20-min

(A 10-min question & answer session will follow the presentation)

"As we approached the U.S.-Mexico border on the beach, my heart beat a tad bit faster and I began to think that this was the day that Customs and Border Patrol would begin to enforce the ban they have declared on public access to Friendship Park, Califorina."

About the film: Karl Hoffman visually documents what has been for generations a celebrated meeting-place of citizens from the US and Mexico at the international border. As this location is transformed into nothing more than an extension of an “enforcement zone”, walls are rising up to separate to people & cultures. If the Department of Homeland Security has their way, no-one will enter this enforcement zone from either the north or the south; making it, quite literally - a “no-man’s land.”

From the Director "Families, suddenly torn apart and permanently split by governments is not a new tactic for tyrannous leaders and arrogantly scared citizens fearing the watering down of their culture or to build the master race. But here in the United States of America at the beginning of the 21st century, what we are doing is shameless. Is this the country we are proud to turn over to our children after raising them to share?"

A self-taught professional photographer, and aside form his internationally acclaimed fine art images, Karl has freelanced in photojournalism, graphic design, commercial photography, crime scene photography, aerial intelligence photography for the military and currently published in U.S. News and World Report. Karl has recently finished a two-year documentary recording everyday life on the American/Mexican border, the last American frontier as it vanishes before us, for which he has been nominated for one international award and one national award in photo-journalism.

For more information on Karl W. Hoffman and Living on the Border, please explore the following web links: http://www.karlwhoffman.com/ and http://www.livingontheborder.com/

"Karl's photography and style of presentation convey the

'human element" here at the border, as few have documented.

The emotions derived from these images make one wonder

why as a society we have been unable or unwilling to provide

for even the most simple of human needs. And why as a nation

has our actions become counter to our creed?"

Bart Santello - Arivaca Independent Filmmakers Exhibition

12:45 PM "Wild Versus Wall" (Documentary)

2008-08-30T10:37:00.000-07:00

Film: Wild Versus Wall

Sponsor: Sierra Club

Produced by: Steev Hise

Executive Producer: Sean Sullivan

Run Time: 20:15 Min

Release Date: 2008

Website: http://www.arizona.sierraclub.org/border/borderfilm.asp

Background*: The Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club presents a documentary, “Wild Versus Wall,” about the environmental effects of the current border policy, This film covers the ecological effects of enforcement and infrastructure in the four states that share boundaries with Mexico.

Tucson-based filmmaker Steev Hise has been working on the film since January, 2007. He traveled to Texas and California during the spring to interview land managers, scientists, and activists who are working to limit the ecological impacts of border wall construction.

“I have been covering border issues in southern Arizona for a while,” said Hise. “One of the great things about this project was traveling to other places along the border and to see how people concerned about the recent border militarization have the same outlook as people do here. They are also trying to stop the Department of Homeland Security from running roughshod over natural resources and constitutional rights.”

Hise also gathered footage from a diverse array of sources, including some of the Border Patrol’s own employment videos, which show agents blazing along on off-road vehicles. Numerous photographer from [local] Arizona photographers, wildlife researchers and independent observers and filmmakers, have contributed images of the rich ecosystems and species that are impacted by border infrastructure projects. In addition. local biologists lent their eyes and ears

to the factual background of the habitats at stake.

* Source: Sierra Club website (edited for this blog).

"In my opinion, this is a film about our country's insolent approach to solving human problems, thus suggesting a nation in decline. Clearly, the wall is a counter-intuitive symbol of American ideals. And our government's abject failure in protecting wildlife, the environment and the quality of life on both side of the border. The border wall is unacceptable."

- Bart Santello, Organizer - Arivaca Independent Filmmakers Exhibition

1:10 PM "The Stalk" (Nature)

2008-08-28T21:45:00.000-07:00

Director: Mary Scott

Location: Arivaca, Arizona

Photography & Music: Mary Scott

Release Date: 2009

Run Time: Approx 10-minutes

Photographer & filmmaker Mary Scott documents the final exaltation of life and throes of death of an ancient agave. In the last expression of its life force, the plant shoots a 31 foot stalk into the air, much to the amusement of the desert birds and amazement of the desert humans who watch. The drama unfolds with joy, pathos, and surpise.

"Mary Scott is a photographer, musician and avid naturalist;

who, after winning movie editing software at the Arivaca Film

Exhibition several years ago, discovered that she could merge her

talents into digital filmmaking. Her film projects have been

quite creative and you can see this new film on March 7th!"

Bart Santello - Arivaca Independent Filmmakers Exhibition

1:20 PM "Origins of the Arivaca Skate Park"

2008-08-26T13:53:00.000-07:00

Director: Lance Hansen

Location: Arivaca, Arizona

Run Time: Approx 10-minutes

A few years ago local resident Lance Hansen had an idea to build a world-class skateboard park in Arivaca. With the help of contractors & volunteers donating their time, materials and equipment, the idea was turned into reality.

"The Origins of the Arivaca Skatepark" is a film about that journey and the reward of endless skateboarding once the project was complete. The skate park is an example of a rural Arizona town pulling together to create out of nowhere an opportunity for sport, entertainment and just plain fun!

"When Lance puts his mind to something

he follows through. This film embodies the

spirit of Arivaca. A town that creates it own fun."

Bart Santello - Arivaca Film Expo

1:30 PM Desert Light Labyrinth

2008-08-25T01:15:00.003-07:00

Director: Valerie Elson

Location: Arivaca, Arizona

Music: Mary Scott

Year Made: 2009

Run Time: Approx 5-minutes

Filmmaker Valerie Elson sets a walk around the Desert Light Labyrinth to the music of Arivaca musician/composer, Mary Scott. I visited Arivaca for the first time last year to attend the Independent Filmmakers Exhibition. That's when I met Mary Scott and learned of the labyrinth that she created and which she dedicated "...to the timeless reality of pure being; the awareness that is the root of the universe, that makes perception possible. "Sadly, vandalism and the ravages of time have closed the labyrinth. With this little film, I hope to preserve its memory and have tried to capture how one "family" of relatives and friends managed (in the words of Mary Scott) to "...dissolve in the awareness of their true self, in silence an dstillness."

"Valerie was inspired by last year's film event

and enjoyed her time in Arivaca so much she

took an idea, dove in, and made this film."

Bart Santello - Arivaca Film Expo

1:35 PM "A Line In The Sand" (Preview)

2008-08-23T23:23:00.004-07:00

A LINE IN THE SAND (documentary)

This upcoming piece from a trio of young filmmakers explores the resilient town and colorful people that make up Arivaca, Arizona.

"My name is Joel Smith and I am currently in post-production of a documentary on Arivaca, entitled A Line in the Sand. The piece focuses on Arivaca not only as one of the last American frontiers, but for its a front row seat to the immigration, drug trafficking, and border security debates. Our camera crew has made two trips down to Arivaca in the last year and a half, and our editor James Johenning and I are very interested in coming to the 2009 Film Expo."

"A LINE IN THE SAND" tells the story of those who have found a light in the desert in the shadow of the Border. A Border that is more militarized than ever, for reasons that are less and less clear.

Arivacans have had a front row seat to the failed Project 28 spy towers, the ongoing immigration debates, and the consolidation of the drug cartels. Yet through it all, they’ve stuck to their guns, fostering a real community with lessons for each and every one of us.

About the filmmakers: Bryce Goodman is a student at Oxford University, where he majors in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics.
James Johenning is an L.A.-based editor and filmmaker.
Joel Smith lives in Los Angeles where he writes fiction and works as an academic tutor.

"This film crew has spent quality time here in Arivaca over the past couple of years filming and interviewing. We're looking forward to this preview and the final work in 2010." - Bart Santello, Arivaca Film Exhibition

1:45 PM "Amber Desert" (Natural Building)

2008-08-22T08:32:00.000-07:00

In 'Free-State Province' just 3-hours southeast of Pretoria, the capital of South Africa, is a town called Memel.

Amber Desert - Natural Building & Organics

a film presentation by Steven Ablondi

Amber Desert - Natural Building & Organics is an informational film about a vision for Memel to become a model community for natural building, Permaculture, and alternative energy in the Republic of South Africa.A semi-arid climate and 4,000 feet in elevation, gives this area a look and feel to that of some western US states. This project has been undertaken by two Americans, Steve Ablondi and Cindy Burns that discovered Memel while living in Africa for work and travel.

This film is relevant to Arivaca because the principals in this project have visted Arivaca, Arizona several times and were inspired in part by the natural building and organic farming activities of the people in Arivaca.

Preceeding the film will be a slideshow providing background for the film. The slideshow will give details on the people involved, discuss the geographic area; provde a comparison to the work going on in Arivaca; and discuss opportunites and challenges facing the principles involved.

After the slideshow and film there will be a 10-minute question and answer session with the audience.

Filmmaker: Steven Ablondi

Executive Producer: Cindy Burns

Photography: Steven Ablondi & Bart Santello

Produced by: Amber Desert

Filmmed in: Memel, Republic of South Africa

Genre: Documentary

Release Date: 2008

Run Time: (film) 24-minutes (Program) 1-hour

"This documentary provides a basis for discussion of Permaculture and natural building and reveals its connection to Arivaca the 'green' movements now spreading across the globe" - Bart Santello, Organizer Arivaca Film Expo

2:30 PM "Trouble at Hand" (Drama)

2008-08-21T22:22:00.003-07:00

Filmed in Tucson, Trouble At Hand is an educational short film for the 88-Crime Program of the Pima County (AZ) Attorney's Office, about a middle school student, Gina, struggling with the decision of how to act upon another student's threat on a teacher's life. Gina wrestles with the fear of being wrong and the danger of not reporting the threat, as she struggles with the toughest and most important decision of her life. Written by Brian McLaughlin

Written & Directed by: Dick Fisher
Produced by: Brian McLaughlin
Executive Producer: Susie Slage Dupnik
Cinematographer: Dick Fisher
Music by: Kim Braun
Edited by: Dick Fisher

Run Time: 10-min

Release Date: 2008

"Director Dick Fisher is a filmmaker and Cinematographer in the Tucson area who has been in the film business professionally for many years. He showed 'Incident at Alma' at the Arivaca Film Exhibition in 2007, which was well-received by the audience. His high-quality work continues with 'Trouble at Hand'. Note that musician Kim Braun and actor Brian McLaughlin both of Tucson, have been represented in films at the Arivaca Film Exhibition in previous years."

Bart Santello - Arivaca Film Exhibition

CLICK HERE FOR AZ DAILY STAR ARTICLE ON DICK FISHER

2:45 PM "American Dream" (Drama)

2008-08-19T19:46:00.000-07:00

USA 2007
Run Time: 18 min.
Director/Editor: James Bustamante
Producer: Michael L. Miller
Writer: Raquel Royce

How far will you go for the American dream? Seven years ago Javier Garcia (Greg Serano) and his wife Victoria (Camen Serano) came to the U.S. in search of a better life for their unborn child. Since that time Javier has managed to find success in the workplace and has created a solid home for his family. However, when Javier's loyalty to his people is called into question, what side will he end up on?

Production Team
Supervising Prooducer - Jocelyn Jansons
Director of Photography - Shane Duckworth
Associate Producer - Philip P. Feiffer & Steve Poulton
Music - Daniel Alcheh & Steve Poulton
Music Supervisor - Michael Devenport

JAMES BUSTAMANTE was born in the small town of Las Vegas, NM. He has made over 12 short films, one PSA, and one feature (Tres Generaciones). The short film (A Brothers Love) took home 3rd prize at the Southwest Film Center Film Festival. Tres Generaciones has played at the Santa Fe Film Festival, the Arizona international Film Festival, and the Visions of the Reel Documentary Showcase.
When he graduated in 2005, he worked on his 2nd feature documentary on drug and alcohol abuse in New Mexico. In 2007 he entered the New Mexico Filmmakers Intensive and was one of seven directors chosen to take part in this yearlong program. While in the program he worked on "American Dream", a short film about an illegal immigrant and his family who seek acceptance in their new country. American Dream has played at 8-film festivals this year, including the Cleveland International Film Festival, Sedona International Film Festival, and the Cine Las Americas International Film Festival. Currently he is an apprentice for Barbara Martinez Jitner and Gregory Nava.

"... James Bustamante was showing American Dream at the 2008 Arizona International Film Festival. After the showing we talked and I told him that his film would resonate with the audience in Arivaca. Our town is just 12-miles from the international border.."

Bart Santello - Arivaca Independent Filmmakers Exhibition

3:05 PM "Common Ground" (Comedy)

2008-08-17T13:10:00.000-07:00

Film: Common Ground

Location: Phoenix Arizona

Genre: Comedy

Writer/Director/Editor: Stephen C Krystek

Producer: Charlie Steak

Cinematographer: David Matteson

Production Company: Synthethic Human Pictures

Release Date: 2008

In a small suburban home far from the battlefields on the nightly news, a different but equally deadly war is being fought. Candace (Katie Fox) and Andrew (Jason J. Baker) continually skirmish without conceding an inch; each is convinced that their cause is right. Will irreconcilable differences split them apart, or can they both find Common Ground?

CAST

Candace: Katie Fox

Andrew: Jason J. Baker

Common Ground was created in 72 hours for the F.U.S.E. Film Challenge in 2008, where teams were given the task of creating a 5-minute film centered around environmental issues. SyntheticHuman Pictures was awarded Best In Challenge and Best Film in Public Submissions.

SyntheticHuman Pictures was formed in 2006, in Phoenix, Arizona. Our core group of members has grown exponentially since the company's start and the team is quickly becoming recognized for delivering consistant, high-quality films.

"Stephen Krystek and his gang of filmmakers out of Phoenix

consistently deliver high quality independent films of various genres.

Common Ground is no exception. I'm looking forward to exhibiting

works from Synthetic Human for years to come"

- Bart Santello, Arivaca Independent Filmmakers Exhibition

3:30 PM "FLOW" (Feature - Documentary)

2008-08-16T20:14:00.000-07:00

Run Time: 84 Minutes

CLICK HERE TO VIEW "FLOW" TRAILER

FLOW - Irena Salina’s award-winning documentary investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st Century - The World Water Crisis.

Salina builds a case against the growing privatization of the world’s dwindling fresh water supply with an unflinching focus on politics, pollution, human rights, and the emergence of adomineering world water cartel.

Interviews with scientists and activists intelligently reveal the rapidly building crisis, at both the global and human scale, and the film introduces many of the governmental and corporate culprits behind the water grab, while begging the question ‘CAN ANYONE REALLY OWN WATER?’

Beyond identifying the problem, FLOW also gives viewers a look at the people and institutions providing practical solutions to the water crisis and those developing new technologies, which are fast becoming blueprints for a successful global and economic turnaround.

FLOW's Director - Irena Salina
"FLOW took us too many countries including Africa, Bolivia, Canada, India, France and the USA. Right from the start it was very important for me to thread this story back and forth between the USA and different countries around the world. One of the things that became immediately apparent to me was that water is a truly unifying element. We all need it, we all want it and more than anything else in the world it is the one thing that connects us all. This universal concept became the heart of my film. "

"The right film, for the right location, for the right audience. Thanks to all the Arivacan's that pitched-in to help acquire the 'rights' in order to show this film" Bart Santello - Arivaca Indepenendent Filmmakers Exhibition

Production Credits

Directed by Irena Salina
Produced by Steven Starr
Co-Produced by Gill Holland, Yvette Tomlinson Executive Producers: Stephen Nemeth, Caroleen Feeney, Lee Jaffe, Augusta Brown Holland
Executive Producers: Brent Meikle, Cornalia Meikle, Hadley Meikle

Edited by Caitlin Dixon, Madeleine Gavin & Andrew Mondshein, A.C.E.
Music by Christophe Julien

Cinematography by Pablo de Selva, Irena Salina
Associate Producer Matt Parker

6:35 PM "Men" (Comedy)

2008-08-14T21:01:00.004-07:00

"Men" came about as an idea for a single panel cartoon, but was brought to life with the acting brilliance of William Hubbard and the cinematography of Mark Ligon.

2008 Creatisa (Run Time: 1-Minute)

Bio: Anna Griessel lives in Southern Arizona. She shares her desert home with her spouse, teen-aged son, two snakes, and three brilliant cats. She enjoys making people laugh, and think with her work. In addition to making moving pictures she enjoys creative cooking and painting.

".. Anna and her husband Scott are 'Creatisa', a
production company out of Green Valley, Arizona
that enjoy making artistic films. They have shown
films in the Arivaca Film Expo almost every year - and
the audience really enjoys their work ...."

Barton Santello - Arivaca Independent Filmmakers Exposition

6:40 PM "Chiles" (Comedy)

2008-08-12T14:19:00.001-07:00

Film: Chiles - a spicy fusion of love's challenges

Genre: Comedy

Director/Screenwriter: Tyrone Huff

Producer: Charles Box

Editor: Drew Kilcoin

Cinematographer: Jillian Arnold

Composer: Bill Ferguson

Run Time: 15-minutes

Synopsis: The dinner table is set as Randal, a young Black man, attempts to impress his future, Mexican in-laws. Add in a side of language barriers, a helping of cultural differences, a bowl of Chiles and this table heats up into what turns out to be one fun, comedic and heartwarming take on that ever-dreaded meeting of the parents.

About Tyrone Huff: A native to the bay area, filmmaker Tyrone HuFF left the football team at a division one school to pursue his passion of telling stories for the screen, earning a degree in Cinematic Studies from C.S.U. Soon after, Tyrone continued his educational pursuits, graduating from the Dodge College Conservatory of Film and Media Arts with an MFA in film production. While attending, Tyrone was nutured and mentored by some the world's best educators. Tyrone's films have gone on to win, and be nominated for, numerous recognitions including: Audience Award, Best Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Picture in multiple festivals from Route 66 and Los Angeles International to SLO International and the Victoria Film Festival.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH TRAILER

"I came across Chiles at the 2008 Arizona International Film

Festival in Tucson and though it a real crowd pleaser.

Chiles is a crisp, well-made, meet-the-parents comedy"

- Bart Santello, Arivaca Film Exhibition

7:00 PM "Tortilla" (Human Interest)

2008-08-10T10:48:00.000-07:00

Filmmaker: Luis Garcia

Genre: Experimental Short Film

Release Date: 2007

Run Time: 7 min

When Victor returns home to mourn the death of his mother and reunite with his childhood friends, he is met with animosity and derision. Confused and upset by this unfavorable welcome, he seeks solace at the grave of his late mother, where he is reminded of her saying, “It doesn’t matter which side the beans go on. What matters is what’s inside.”

A moving tale of self discovery and sacrifice examines the lengths a family will go to to provide a better life for their son, and what problems that “better” life may bring.

Description of film (above) sourced from the Arizona International Film Festival - Tucson

"This is a text-book film short with the heart and soul of an artist.
Filmmaker Luis Garcia's master craftmanship in this film can be seen
in its images, editing and sound design. A classic Independent short film."

Bart Santello - Arivaca Independent Filmmakers Exhibition

7:10 PM "YANG/YIN" Trailer (Drama)

2008-08-05T13:18:00.005-07:00

Director: Scott Hellon (Tucson)

Production: Point of View Pictures

Genre: Psychological Drama

Release Date: TBD

Yang/Yin is a psychological drama about the human mind. The film explores the lives of three main characters, each with an addiction resulting in mental, physical and inter-personal challenges. As the lives of each character attempts to survive within the context of reality, they evolve toward the light of consciousess.

Note: This film is currently in post-production: Therefore a movie trailer will shown. Director Scott Hellon will be present to introduce himself and this forthcoming film.

About the filmmaker: Scott Hellon has been writing stories and formulating screenplay ideas since his early teens. While still a teenager, he attended intensive Summer film school programs at the University of Southern California and Boston University, where he made several short films.
After completing his first two screenplays in 2002, Hellon conceived a feature film project to be shot with an extremely low budget in his hometown of Tucson, Arizona. Writing a script around who and what he had to work with, Hellon spent the next year-and-a-half developing and shooting the college student drama "Decision To Ask Why". Hellon also wrote the screenplay, produced, and played a character in the film. Scott Hellon directed an additional feature film "Placebo", that is currently in post-production.

Immediately following completion of “Decision”, he threw himself into writing, planning and casting his second feature film with the current working title of “Yang/Yin”. This film is currently in production, with a completion date slated for later in 2009.

7:20 PM "Silent RED" (Thriller)

2008-08-01T22:38:00.005-07:00

Director & Editor: Steve Bayless

Producer: Tina Huerta & Steve Bayless

Cinematographer: Steve Bayless

Music Score: Brian Grainger

Sound Design: Steve Bayless

Run Time: 4-Minutes

Release Date: 2007

As a Homage to German Expressionism, silent RED is a gothic retelling of the classic fable, taking what is known and casting it in an unfamiliar light. It is a tale of lost innocence told in stark, nightmarish terms.

About Filmmaker Steve Bayless: In addition to his short film projects, Steve Bayless has been Senior Editor at Tucson’s KUAT-TV for 13 years. He has received two Rocky Mountain Emmies and several PBS awards for his achievements in public television. He teaches aspiring editors at Pima Community College while he completes his degree in Media Arts at the University of Arizona.

Additional Credits:

Cast Members: D'Anne Desiree Janet Lynn Henderson Ian Van Cleve
Assistant Directors: Hal Melfi & Jon Proudstar Make-up Artist: Sonia Campbell

"Watching Silent RED, I really liked the tangible sense

of being present in the texture of the film.

A moody-haunting piece."

Bart Santello - Arivaca Filmmakers Exhibition

7:30 PM "Drain" (Drama)

2008-06-05T18:45:00.002-07:00

Two lifelong friends, Gene (Charlie Steak) and Lenny (Jason J Baker) spend their days drifting through alleyways, begging for change and surviving on the streets . When an opportunity arises that could change both of their lives, Gene begins to doubt Lenny's methods of survival. As their journey winds down to a close, Gene must make a decision that will drastically affect both his life and the life of his only friend.

CLICK HERE FOR TRAILER

Stephen C. Krystek

(Director / Writer / Producer)

Stephen is an Arizona native with a passion for filmmaking and an abiding interest in the darker side of motion pictures. Initially a gifted website designer, he began making movies in 2006 with Not Quite Dead, a short film about a group of friends besieged by zombies. Forming the production company Synthetic Human Pictures, he joined forces with Hayden Blades, Casey Moore, and David Matteson. In addition to commercials they have made Tip Jar, Drain and Common Ground, directed by Stephen. Stephen is currently in production on a feature length documentary about rehabilitation through the Arizona prison system.

Production Team

Casey Moore (Producer)

Stephen C. Krystek (Writer / Producer / Director)

David Matteson (Producer / Cinematographer)

Haydon Blades (Writer / Producer / Editor)

"I selected Drain because it's a classic short

film, that's artistically fresh; with an eye for

editing, cinematography and sound design."

Barton Santello - Arivaca Independent Filmmakers Exposition

CLICK GRAPHIC FOR WEBSITE

7:45 PM "Outskirts of Infinity" (Avant Garde)

2008-06-01T20:04:00.011-07:00

Production Company: Psychotropic Films
Director: Bart Santello
Music by: A Produce

Cast: Sundog (as himself)
Run Time: 20:16 Minutes
Release: New Version (v6.0) 2009

Official Selection: Arizona International Film Festival (2006)

FILMED IN RUBY, ARIZONA "I originally went to the ghost town of Ruby to film migratory bats that reside in the abandoned mine shafts and possibly make a wildlife documentary. However, after spending several weeks in the town, getting to know the caretaker (Sundog) and filming old ruins, I knew the film could become something bigger and unique. As typical with all my productions, I first filmed artistic elements unique to that location; then created the movie from ideas, later in post-production. The result is a journey inside a dream - a dream of Ruby, Arizona"

Although the film was originally released in 2006; the film was not quite to my satisfaction. After several years of meticulous editing and working on visual enhancements, the film was re-crafted to reveal its full artistic potential. This exciting 'Director's Master' version of the film is what you will see on March 7th - Don't miss it! - Filmmaker, Bart Santello

"The Outskirts of Infinity" is truly a haunting work. The feelings that constantly swept over me while watching it were of being trapped in a twilight state between existence and non-existence. It wasn't until I saw on the closing credits where Sundog is listed as "the man between two worlds" that I realized how clearly you conveyed this feeling. Two images especially haunted me. First the ballerina dancing as the scene cross-fades onto an old piano and secondly, the closing shot where Sundog descends to...where? Back to a waking state, perhaps? I loved it and "A Produce's" music is perfection! I was captivated and genuinely unsettled by the piece." Richard Bone

Filmmaker Bart Santello is an engineer, natural builder, multi-media artist and solar power enthusiast living in Arivaca, Arizona.

Click here for "Outskirts of Infinity" showing poster

Website: www.deserthomestead.com

8:30 PM "RED71" (Feature - Drama)

2008-05-30T21:50:00.002-07:00

After a beautiful woman named Lorraine coaxes self-styled private eye Shane into investigating the mysterious Club 71, people start turning up dead. Suspicion spreads everywhere as the puzzle pieces languidly appear. Set in a peculiar desert town amongst a complex web of characters, a highly stylized neo-noir mystery asks the question: How far will people go to possess what they can never have? Written by Patrick Roddy

Click Here for the RED71 Movie Trailer

Click Image to Enlarge

Director & Cinematographer: Patrick Roddy
Writer: Ken Henderson
Editor: Andy Froemke
Production Design: Carol Anne Gayle
Music: Friends of Dean Martinez
Sound Design: Jason Canfield
Genre: Crime Drama
Run Time: 75-Minutes

Info: Patrick Roddy Website

"Red71 is a highly stylized production and a dark moody film utilizing local talent. Red71 exemplifies the creative work originating out of Tucson" Bart Santello - Arivaca Film Exhibition organizer