“Loitering with Intent” A journey of Self Discovery

By: Monteque Pope- Le beau “Loitering with Intent” masterfully shows that sometimes the decisions that we make are not always the best, but sometimes they are what makes us who we are. It is a wonderful chaotic comical statement in which sometimes no matter what we do to right the past; we just can’t go home again. Rafael and Dominic are best friends and actors … Continue reading “Loitering with Intent” A journey of Self Discovery

The Way of the Artist: In conversation with Richard Montoya, Writer/Director of the film, “Water and Power”

By: Vernon Nickerson Edited By: Colleen Page The Art of Monteque sat down this week with Richard Montoya, Writer and Director of the soon-to-be-released film Water and Power. We talked about the making of the film and his journey as an artist.  Water and Power is such a strong and meaningful work. What caused you to create it? RICHARD MONTOYA: I was inspired by the … Continue reading The Way of the Artist: In conversation with Richard Montoya, Writer/Director of the film, “Water and Power”

“Big Eyes” Review : Connecting The Dots…The Amazing True Story Of The Evolution Of Artist Margaret Keane

By Vernon Nickerson Tim Burton’s (DARK SHADOWS, ALICE IN WONDERLAND) latest directorial tour de force, “Big Eyes”, is the true story of renowned painter Margaret Keane and her “wanna-be-artist” second husband Walter Keane, who claimed full credit for her work for over a decade. Four-time Academy Award-nominee Amy Adams turns in a flawless performance as artist Margaret Keane. She is introduced as a 1950’s housewife … Continue reading “Big Eyes” Review : Connecting The Dots…The Amazing True Story Of The Evolution Of Artist Margaret Keane

Blake Robbins Interview: Creating Art With Film

By: Monteque Pope-Le Beau Edited By: Colleen Page Mr. Blake Robbins is an actor’s actor who believes in respecting the moment. The very element that brings the performance to life turning an average movie from being just a film into a art piece. The film “The Sublime and Beautiful” is directed and written by  Mr. Blake Edwards which he also stars in.  It is a … Continue reading Blake Robbins Interview: Creating Art With Film

SUNDANCE INSTITUTE ADDS MORE TO THE 2015 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

Sundance Institute today announced the addition of 10 films, events and New Frontier installations to the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, January 22 to February 1 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah. The Festival is is the centerpiece of the year-round public programs for the Institute, which also hosts 24 residency labs and grants more than $2.5 million to independent artists each … Continue reading SUNDANCE INSTITUTE ADDS MORE TO THE 2015 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

2014 AFI Film Festival Wrap Up

 By Monteque Pope-Le Beau and Austin Winter-Chase As The Art Of Monteque says goodbye to the 2014 AFI Film Festival, we would like to touch on a few festival highlights. Yes, there were a few hiccups, misunderstandings, a few people getting a bit too rowdy, and the long lines to see the films were way too long, but the festival volunteers were always there being helpful … Continue reading 2014 AFI Film Festival Wrap Up

SLAMDANCE 2015 ANNOUNCES DIVERSE SPECIAL SCREENINGS AND BEYOND

  FROM “BASTARDS” TO “FEMALE PERVERT” PROGRAM LINE UP AND SHORT FILM COMPETITIONS   Slamdance brings powerful films from Israel, Iceland, China, Norway, Poland, Switzerland, South Korea and Greece, with San Francisco’s Batkid, Olympic veteran Stella Walsh and acclaimed German architect Gottfried Böhm; casts include Zach McGowan, Sophie Thompson, Fran Kranz, Joel Murray, Pedro Pascal, Yvette Yates and Joey Kern   (LOS ANGELES – December 8, 2014) – Slamdance today … Continue reading SLAMDANCE 2015 ANNOUNCES DIVERSE SPECIAL SCREENINGS AND BEYOND

2015 Sundance film Festival Line Up Announced

  Park City, UT — Sundance Institute announced the films selected to screen in the out-of-competition Premieres and Documentary Premieres sections, as well as the selections for a new Special Events section and participants for two panels, at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, January 22 to February 1 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah. The Festival is the centerpiece of the … Continue reading 2015 Sundance film Festival Line Up Announced

SLAMDANCE 2015 ANNOUNCES FEATURE FILM COMPETITION

PACKED WITH WORLD PREMIERES AND INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE FROM EMERGING FILMMAKERS   Lineup highlights first-time directors from around the globe including Turkey, Brazil, Austria, Italy and Ireland; distinguished casts include: Ashley Benson, Alex Karpovsky, Larry Fessenden, Brian Gleeson, Pras Michel, and WWE Veterans – Jake “the Snake” Roberts, Chris Jericho, and Steve Austin     LOS ANGELES, CA  The Slamdance Film Festival today announced their Narrative and … Continue reading SLAMDANCE 2015 ANNOUNCES FEATURE FILM COMPETITION

A celebration Of The Films Of Robert Downey Sr.

  In a time when freedom of expression was thunderous cry of a generation wanting to change society and the world as they saw it, Robert Downey Sr. became the striking image of the independent underground filmmaker. With his creative genius and artistic eye he took beat cinema to a new level of creative expression. The Friends of Cinefamily Weekend will present TRUTH AND SOUL … Continue reading A celebration Of The Films Of Robert Downey Sr.

Film Review: “Black or White”

By Monteque Pope Le Beau   Loss plays a large and difficult role in “Black Or White” causing the worlds of two families to be turned upside-down. “Black Or White” is the story of Elliot Anderson a grandfather (Academy Award® winner Kevin Costner) who is suddenly left to care for his beloved granddaughter Eloise (Jillian Estel) after his wife is killed in a horrible car … Continue reading Film Review: “Black or White”

2014 AFI Film Festival Review: “A Most Violent Year”

By Austin Winter-Chase A tale of doing what’s right or either doing what’s easy. Sometimes the risk is not in trying to make your dreams come true, but in trying to be true to yourself. In “A Most Violent Year” we follow a young married couple; Abel and Anna Morales (Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastin) as  they try to achieve the American dream  in the most … Continue reading 2014 AFI Film Festival Review: “A Most Violent Year”

The Terrifying Adventure That Is Hollows Grove

By Austin Winter-Chase Hollows Grove is a tantalizing fun horror film. in the form of a docudrama. Filmmaker Craig Efros (who wrote Hollows Grove and this is his directorial debut) sets the stage for a nail biting, edge of the seat horror roller coaster ride. When a young documentary filmmaker Harold Maxwell goes along  on a adventure to document what his friends the Spirit and Paranormal … Continue reading The Terrifying Adventure That Is Hollows Grove

Filmmaker Craig Efros on his new film “Hollows Grove”

      Craig has always been a student of Television, Film, Theater and horror, first as a young kid hiding in the shadows sneaking peaks at horror films his parents were watching, then to making his own short films as a child, through to studying film in college. After majoring in Film Studies at U.C.S.B., Craig started working in Post Production. For over a … Continue reading Filmmaker Craig Efros on his new film “Hollows Grove”

Elisa Manzini: An Artist Of The Imagination

    By : Monteque Pope Le Beau Edited By: Colleen Page Images By: Elisa Manzini     To speak with Elisa Manzini is to speak with someone who knows her mind. An import from Italy to California this wonderful free spirit is not just about creating art, but creating a difference. She is a talented artist and playwright. Who is humble, graceful and full of gratitude. To … Continue reading Elisa Manzini: An Artist Of The Imagination

Sundance Next Film Review: A Very Talented Girl Creates “A Girl Walks Home Alone”

  By Monteque Pope-Le Beau If anyone represents the outspoken rebellious creative spirit of Sundance then that would be Writer, Director Ana Lily Amirpour.  At first sight her tiny size and overwhelming fast pace energy can take one’s breath away, but after watching Lily (that is what she likes to be called) a while you will find that there’s a great creative genius that dwells … Continue reading Sundance Next Film Review: A Very Talented Girl Creates “A Girl Walks Home Alone”

Sundance Next Film Review: “The Guest”

By Monteque Pope-Le Beau Sometimes when everything in your life seems to be going bad and the world seems to be upside down; sometimes just sometimes it takes a bad person to right everything or so it seems. Director Adam Wingard and screenwriter Simon Barnett’s film,  “The Guest”  had it’s screening at Sundance Next Film Festival in Los Angeles. The Guest is a delightful tribute … Continue reading Sundance Next Film Review: “The Guest”

AFI DIRECTING WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN

LAUNCHES 40th YEAR WITH INNOVATIVE NEW EPISODIC PROGRAM Call for Applications Begins August 21 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, LOS ANGELES (August 21, 2014) — The AFI Directing Workshop for Women (AFI DWW) announced today that it will launch an innovative new episodic program, expanding its 40-year-old directing program beyond the making of short films. Women participating in the episodic strand of the program will produce content … Continue reading AFI DIRECTING WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN

Sundance Institute to Host First-Ever ShortsLab for Documentaries in Los Angeles

Sundance Institute to Host First-Ever ShortsLab for Documentaries in Los Angeles on September 13 Rodney Ascher | Kirby Dick | Lauren Greenfield | AJ Schnack | Lucy Walker | Tabitha Jackson Los Angeles, CA — Sundance Institute invites Los Angeles-area filmmakers to its first day-long ShortsLab focusing on short-form documentary, taking place September 13 at the Cinefamily. ShortsLab L.A. offers filmmakers the opportunity to participate … Continue reading Sundance Institute to Host First-Ever ShortsLab for Documentaries in Los Angeles