Authors: Ali Shimkus
Slamdance Film Review: Weather House
“Weather House” depicts a post-apocalyptic world where humans are driven to the brink of extinction via extreme and sudden temperature shifts. While the film does not give us many clues as to how the world came to be this way, it does show what a certain, cult-like group does in order to ensure its survival. … read more
Slamdance Film Review: The Modern Jungle
“The Modern Jungle,” directed by Charles Fairbanks and Saul Kak, depicts life in an area of Oaxaca, Mexico, known as La Selva Negra (The Black Jungle), and follows local Zoque shaman, Juan Juarez Rodriguez and his neighbor and friend, Carmen Echavarría Gomez. … read more
Slamdance Film Review: Kate Can’t Swim
“Kate Can’t Swim,” directed by Josh Helman, can almost be described as a post-coming of age film as Kate (Celeste Arias) starts to feel unsettled right as her life is seemingly falling into place. Artistically, all of the elements are in place for a visually stunning cinematic experience. “Kate Can’t Swim” shows on Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ballroom and Jan. 24 at 10:30 a.m. in the Gallery. … read more
Slamdance Film Review: Dave Made a Maze
Slamdance Film Festival’s “Dave Made a Maze,” directed by Bill Watterson, is a quirky, absurd comedy with a touch of horror-movie antics, starting with Annie (Meera Rohit Kumbhani) learning that her boyfriend Dave (Nick Thune) is inside of a cardboard mass. “Dave Made a Maze” plays Jan. 21 at 8 p.m. and Jan. 23 at 10:30 a.m. in the Ballroom. … read more
Slamdance Film Review: Beat Beat Heart
Slamdance Film Festival’s “Beat Beat Heart,” directed by Luise Brinkmann, creatively portrays how a person heals from a heartbreak—especially in a closed-off, small-town setting. … read more
Ford Clitaurus at Slamdance: MP Cunningham
Ford Clitaurus is a 2017 Slamdance Film Festival short with an oddball sense of humor. Taking place in Salt Lake City, the story follows three friends’ misadventures, from an inspirational interview with a triathelete gone awry to a sheepdog competition to playing chess with a Sufi mystic while pondering one’s sexuality at Liberty Park. … read more
Infinit-O: Corazon Del Sol
Infinit-O is a video game that reaches into the bizarre. The player is confronted with the absurd and artistic at the same time. … read more
The Rough Year Chronicled: Matt Mascarenas of Westing
Westing has evolved into something of a fully realized, post-hardcore sound, complete with full instrumentals, high intensity and honest lyricism. … read more
Caffé D’Bolla: The Art & Science of Coffee
Caffé D’Bolla offers a unique coffee-tasting experience that is not found anywhere else in the city: siphon-brewed coffee—also roasted onsite—which highlights the nuances and complexities of each roast. … read more
The Peachy Side of Utah Liquor: Ogden’s Own Distillery
Everyone loves local cinnamon whiskey, Porter’s Fire—and now, there’s another seasonal Utahns are going to get to love. Ogden’s Own Distillery has created Porter’s Peach, which came out just in time for fruit season and is too delicious to resist. … read more
A Year of Local Music: Wes Johnson of Archive Recordings
Archive Recordings has compiled some of the best local tracks that they recorded from the past year to form the Archive Recordings 2016 Collection. The release show takes place on Monday, Oct. 24, at Kilby Court at 7 p.m. … read more
The Republic of Zaqistan: Zaq Landsberg, Founder of Zaqistan
Unbeknown to many Utahns is another country in their backyard. After recently celebrating its 10th year since its founding in 2005, the nation, known as the Republic of Zaqistan, is located in the desert, just west of the Great Salt Lake. This year, Zaqistan is opening up its doors to tourism and partnering with CUAC to host expeditions into the desolate nation as well as an exhibition on the country. … read more
