Reviews

Folklore was a funny enjoyable story about a government agency designed to keep track of mythic beings on earth. Chenn mines the idea for some wonderful; interviews with a wild range of characters, an android, shapeshifter, alien twins, a vampire, Chinese God, werewolf, Icelandic troll, a Unicorn, a time traveler and a sea nymph.

The interviewers Collins Jahn (Brad Roller) and Merle Eppis (Laura Waddell) are spot on as straight man and comedic sidekick. Waddell is particularly enjoyable playing off the slightly exasperated exterior Roller holds so well. The character coming in for interviews make the film with highlights and in particular, the recently separated alien twins Collees (Rachel Rath) and Risa Ipsett (Sherill Turner) who banter and complete each other sentences while still drawing the difference that made them want to explore being separate beings. The over the top time traveler, Taryn Kamus (Napolean Ryan) in his pink shorts and bow tie was hilarious in his bombastic expressions of the coming end to the world we know. The unicorn in human form Eatha Haemm was so spot on it was scary. Actress Maria Olsen pulled off a physical performance that left you not needed to see her transform into a unicorn to believe it.

The beautiful Paulie Rojas plays the sea nymph Nairie Sleen who is destined to fall for our guy Collins Jahn. She channels Audrey Hepburn through a series of clips of her trying to find the offices. When they finally meet it is inevitable that they fall in love. This was an enjoyable film really a perfect entry into the festival. We all can look forward to this talented writer/director Justin Calen Chenn in the future. The actors were all very good and I am sure we will see many of them also.

I was skeptical when I first got a screener of this feature film, but the execution of some imaginative ideas soon changed my mind. Embers of the Sky is unique in that it is three different sci-fi (the grounded good kind) films connected by a theme where each protagonist (all female) is searching for inner peace. To me, I could see the seeds of a visionary inside the writer-director because you can tell he's thinking on another level of imagination then us "normal" folk. Add to the fact that the films are technically well done (noted lighting, editing) and acted well (kudos go to the main characters of Swan and Since), each film is unique, but firm with it's voice. To me, that's hard to find in Hollywood these days. I've seen a lot of talented folks fall through the cracks, so I hope this guy gets a chance to show what he can do on the biggest stage one day.

THE WAY OF SNOW is the debut of writer/director Justin Calen Chiang. It was shot on Super 16 with a two person crew, with the director serving as lead actor, writer, director, DP, editor and sound recordist. His blood and sweat can be felt when you watch this emotional film. The story revolves around a young man trying to free himself from his own self destructive habits (mainly self mutilation) and his journey is sad, heartbreaking, dark and surprisingly humorous at times, as he tries to get his life back together. A brave effort, and impressive for a first time film. Be prepared when you watch this film because it will change you when it ends, or at the very least, it will leave a mark on you.