An Inspiring Interview with AJ Ali, Producer of “Walking while Black: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer”

By Vernon Nickerson Good afternoon. Today it is my honor to be in conversation with AJ Ali, Producer of a powerful new documentary that is a must-see-and-discuss event for a global audience: “Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. is the Answer”. AJ kindly allowed us to have wonderfully diverse conversation with him Vernon Nickerson: Welcome to The Art of Monteque. AJ Ali: Hi Vernon, How are you? … Continue reading An Inspiring Interview with AJ Ali, Producer of “Walking while Black: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer”

Steven Buckner A Composer Of The Divine

By Monteque Pope-Le Beau “Peace comes from within, and music can have a place for it as well” Steven Buckne Steven Buckner is no ordinary composer. He is one that composes this music to inspire and make and make a difference in the world. Composition is compositions are very eclectic and fresh. Every composition is love made visible. Mr. Buckner is an Los Angeles based … Continue reading Steven Buckner A Composer Of The Divine

Breaking Out And Living The Creative Life

By Pamela Drake Wilson It all began from deep within me. I sat on the Senior Diversity committee, season 2018-2019, listening to the lamented woes of difficulty obtaining gainful employment after 55. I’m a problem solver, not a whiner, and I felt like I had been pretty lucky having begun acting as a senior (refusing to reveal my actual age at auditions….appearing 50ish. Casting sites … Continue reading Breaking Out And Living The Creative Life

An interview with “TRIBES” Director Nino Aldi, Producer/Actor DeStorm (day-storm) Power and Producer/Actor Jake Hunter

By: Vernon Nickerson Edited by: Christopher Roberts “Tribes” is a tremendously poignant and thought provoking film. With a rich textured story “Tribes” paints a picture of humanities complicated identity. It is the consequential poem of our times. Tribes” will be a featured short at the 2020 Santa Barbara Film Festival and The Art Of Monteque had the privilege to do a sit down interview with … Continue reading An interview with “TRIBES” Director Nino Aldi, Producer/Actor DeStorm (day-storm) Power and Producer/Actor Jake Hunter

Mark Vadik Cinematically Depicts The story of A Harsh Life Through An Child’s Eyes

  By William Engel “A Chance in the World” genuinely uplifting drama, bolstered by several compelling performances from the cast. “A Chance in the World”, based on the autobiographical book of the same name, cinematically depicts the life story of Steve Pemberton, a child left with an abusive foster home at the age of five. In the film, Steve strives to get himself an education, … Continue reading Mark Vadik Cinematically Depicts The story of A Harsh Life Through An Child’s Eyes

Filmmakers Li-Shin Yu and Ric Burns Talk About [The Chinese Exclusion Act] A Forgotten Part Of Our History

By William Engel Tomorrow, PBS will be airing “The Chinese Exclusion Act”, a documentary about one of the most heinous yet oft-forgotten eras in American history. From the late 19th century up until World War II, it was legally impossible for Chinese-Americans to obtain citizenship, making them an arbitrary exception to the regulations mandated by the Fourteenth Amendment. Last week, I sat down with the … Continue reading Filmmakers Li-Shin Yu and Ric Burns Talk About [The Chinese Exclusion Act] A Forgotten Part Of Our History

Jeremie Battaglia Is A Filmmaker With A Vision

    By William Engel Jeremie Battaglia’s aim is to shine the spotlight of the “everyday heroes” of the world, or the people who accomplish incredible feats that go unrecognized by the public. One of his most recent films, “Perfect”, is a documentary about one of the most unappreciated and underrated sports in the world – synchronized swimming – and the athleticism and artistry involved … Continue reading Jeremie Battaglia Is A Filmmaker With A Vision

Director George Russell Has Been Making Waves In The World Of Film With His Short, But Striking New Documentary, “Troll Inc.”

  By William Engel  “Troll Inc.” gives us an inside look at one of the most notorious and reviled subcultures in America today – the internet trolling community. Particular focus is given to Andrew “Weav” Auernheimer, one of the most notorious and dangerous trolls in the history of the internet. I recently sat down with Mr. Russell to get a better idea of what he … Continue reading Director George Russell Has Been Making Waves In The World Of Film With His Short, But Striking New Documentary, “Troll Inc.”

Mark Edward Lewis Is The co-creator of OMEGA 1, A Sci-Fi Franchise With A bold Female Lead That’s About To See A Rebirth

  By William Engel The rebirth will be in the form of a comic relaunch and a new live-action series. The series takes place in a dystopian future, where the world is being ravaged by a global “Hacker War” and transmitting data securely is a life-threatening task. At the center of the war is the titular OMEGA 1, a genetically enhanced human hired to keep … Continue reading Mark Edward Lewis Is The co-creator of OMEGA 1, A Sci-Fi Franchise With A bold Female Lead That’s About To See A Rebirth

“Chimera” Winner of the Boston Film Festival 2018 and the Phoenix Film Festival 2018

By Adrienne Vaught The visceral imagery and brain teasing journey of this film will captivated and enthrall from the very first frame. Be ready for a wild ride. “Chimera” was written and directed by Maurice Haeems. This film takes current studies in science and technology into a world of desperation and obsession. Almost everyone can identify with the lead character Dr. Peter Quint’s (brilliant scientist … Continue reading “Chimera” Winner of the Boston Film Festival 2018 and the Phoenix Film Festival 2018

Kerith Lemon An Extraordinary Filmmaker Giving A Voice To the Voiceless In A Minimalists Way.

  By: William Engel Kerith Lemon is a filmmaker who seeks to give women a voice. Lemon, director of the short films “Bare” and “A Social Life”, uses her art to tell the stories that all women have inside of them – from the extraordinary to the mundane. “Bare” tells the story of a breast cancer patient on the verge of losing her hair and … Continue reading Kerith Lemon An Extraordinary Filmmaker Giving A Voice To the Voiceless In A Minimalists Way.

Alexa Varano: A Visionary Artist With A Passion For Change

  By William Engel Edited By Colleen Page Photos By Third Wolf Designs and William Engel Alexa Varano is an artist with an unusual canvas: clothing. Varano is the founder and owner of Third Wolf Designs, a Denver-based independent business that sells handcrafted hoodies, t-shirts and tank tops internationally. A self-made businesswoman, Verano prides herself on the fact that she hand-paints every item of clothing … Continue reading Alexa Varano: A Visionary Artist With A Passion For Change

A Conversation With Actor Robert Blanche and Actress Bethany Jacobs Of The Film “Tomorrow, Maybe”

By Lori Hoffman “Tomorrow, Maybe” by Director Jace Daniel is a tragedy showing how we often hurt those we love the most. Lloyd (Robert Blanche) who has recently been released from prison tries to reconcile his relationship with his daughter, Iris (Bethany Jacobs), but she is reluctant to let him back into her life since she feels that he has betrayed her due to his … Continue reading A Conversation With Actor Robert Blanche and Actress Bethany Jacobs Of The Film “Tomorrow, Maybe”

“Thirteen” A Message Of Ideologies Passed Through Generations

By: Lori Hoffman Edited: by Colleen Page   “Thirteen” is a short film that portrays a message that two hour films might never be able to do. In the short thirteen minutes of running time, I was able to empathize with one of the main characters, a thirteen year old boy, Musa, who was part of ISIS. Once learning that his parents were killed by … Continue reading “Thirteen” A Message Of Ideologies Passed Through Generations

Tea With Filmmaker Dana Ziyasheva Director of The Film “Defenders of Life”

  By: Adrienne Vaught Edited: Colleen Page Tea with Dana Ziyasheva  is an experience of enlightenment and educational empowerment. On beautiful typical Southern California day I had the chance to sit down and have tea with the truly profoundly gifted female filmmaker Dana Ziyasheva. She is both gracious and compassionate, but even more so when it comes to the social issues Dana Ziyasheva is passionate … Continue reading Tea With Filmmaker Dana Ziyasheva Director of The Film “Defenders of Life”

Interview with Writer, Director Mark Marchillo and Producer Micah Brandt About their Delightful Dance Film “Breaking Legs”

By: Saga Elmotaseb With the  whirlwind success of  Sundance institute alumni Damien Sayre Chazelle  “La La Land”  there is a sweat darling of a dance film I would like to focus on. “Breaking Legs” is another testament to the totally tubular decade of the 80’s!!! This film is light and heartfelt and shows that even in our most tumultuous times of High School dramas, we … Continue reading Interview with Writer, Director Mark Marchillo and Producer Micah Brandt About their Delightful Dance Film “Breaking Legs”

A Conversation With Director Brian Donovan Of The 2016 The Dances With Films “KELLY’S HOLLYWOOD”

  By: Saga Elmotaseb Edited By: Colleen Page “KELLY’S HOLLYWOOD” by Director/Actor/DJ: Brian Donovan and brother of Kelly is a brother’s quest to fulfill his disabled sister’s dream of becoming a Hollywood diva which takes an unexpected turn when it starts to threaten his engagement. The film illustrates both the cost and rewards of unconditional love. The Art Of Monteque Had a chance to sit … Continue reading A Conversation With Director Brian Donovan Of The 2016 The Dances With Films “KELLY’S HOLLYWOOD”

Interview With Multi-dimensional Artist Jacky Guzman

“Be raw, come straight from the heart.”  Artist Jacky Guzman By: Adrienne Vaught Born 1982 in Tucson, Arizona and raised in the ‘Valley of the Sun’ gifted Jacky with a love of light. Which is apparent in the glowing portraits she creates. Jacky’s love of art started at a very young age while watching her mother and grandfather paint. As a youth she often drew … Continue reading Interview With Multi-dimensional Artist Jacky Guzman

A conversation With Director Ido Mizrahy Who Has A Passion For His Art

    By: Vernon Nickerson Edited By Colleen Page   Director Ido Mizrahy is a masterful storyteller. Whether it is fiction or nonfiction he interweaves his stories masterfully with humility and modesty. Director Ido Mizrahy storytelling is refreshing yet it is a powerful investigative force that shine a light  on the heart and conflicts  of his subjects. The particular subject Director Ido Mizrahy has chosen to … Continue reading A conversation With Director Ido Mizrahy Who Has A Passion For His Art

Indie Songstress Peppina: An Artist With An Heart Of Gold

    By: Vernon Nickerson Edited By Colleen Page Images by: Ann Marie Amick   To say artist Peppina  is both humble and  wise is an understatement. Yes, she is very young, but unlike her counterparts there is a gentleness and profound compassion in the way she carries herself. Her music not only is compelling, but it also speaks to the soul. The Art Of … Continue reading Indie Songstress Peppina: An Artist With An Heart Of Gold