The Ostrich Testimonies

Here is the trailer and the link to the web site for the SXSW 2008 documentary the Ostrich Testimonies. It seems like filmmaker Jonathan VanBallenberghe found a truly unique and remarkable man in D.C. Cogburn, the man behind the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch. 

I also really liked what VanBallenberghe said in his director's statement: 

"I hope documentary filmmakers continue to directly address the 'big' topics like war, religion, genocide, and climate change. But I also hope that we continue to pay attention to smaller, lesser-known stories about private lives."

I wish him luck at SXSW!

  

-Eric

Kentucker Audley on his filmmaking influences

"I don't watch a lot of movies, in general. The idea is to be influenced primarily by real life. Most films do seem to be influenced by other films rather than by real life, and that's a shame to me." -Kentucker Audley (aka Andrew Nenninger) in the Memphis Flyer Online.

The Kentucker Audley interview I refer to above was from October of last year, but I just discovered it the other day. It's a nice little article about the Memphis filmmaker. For me, it's comforting to know that a person doesn't need to be some kind of cinephile to make great movies. I was also impressed that Audley stated that Mutual Appreciation was an influence when he was making his own feature, Team Picture. It's very refreshing for me to see a filmmaking acknowledge a contemporary film when naming their influences.

-Eric