They’re committed artists. Every room is clothed in images—landscapes of northern Utah, paintings for painting’s sake, personal photographs and points between. A leaved dining room table has been converted into a table tennis court, and that’s how our interview begins. Gretchen makes coffee for us and opens a beer for herself, while Paul beats me several times at ping-pong. Then we sit down to talk. … read more
For those who attended last year, don’t expect a rerun of the same pieces. According to Klerk, “They never do the same performance twice.” Barks chooses the poems spontaneously the day of, and Darling improvises in response. This reflects the essence of Rumi’s philosophy, which revels in the impulses that happen on the spur of the moment. By playing on their personal friendship, the duo makes manifest the love shared in every relationship, whether it be personal, professional, romantic, friendly or spiritual. … read more
Rezeta (Rezeta Veliu) is an Albanian (well, Kosovoan) model looking for more opportunities and advancements in her career in México, but, more so, adventure. Once she’s there, she befriends thasher/hesher/metalhead/punker Alex (Roger Mendoza) as a bit of guide for the city she’s in, who also helps her learn español. Rezeta—very much a free spirit—engages in a couple sexual exploits, and eventually tries to drunkenly kiss Alex, much to his surprise and subsequent abashment. … read more
After Arcadia is a ’50s-science-fiction-themed short shot in black and white wherein the protagonist’s internal monologue opens with his guilt for having accidentally decimated humanity with a seemingly nuclear invention that he created. He dilapidates in the boredom of solitude in the bunkers in which the film is shot, which spurs him to create a time machine to reverse his misdeed. … read more
Director Simon Mercer provides a look at the lifetime of work by amateur filmmaker Phil Chambliss. Toiling from a (very) small town in Arkansas, Chambliss has been using his friends and fellow citizens—and the striking Arkansas backdrop—to fashion films of his own, unique creation for over 30 years.
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Using a combination of live action, animation and puppetry in this short film, Lindsey Martin offers the tale of a young girl who creates an imaginary earth-worm friend to help her make sense of a strange “love letter” from her father to her mother, but as the worm points out her concerns and fears around her parents’ seemingly doomed relationship, the girl must face the worm head on or risk being consumed by her own worry.
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The smoky haze was just starting to thicken as Mystic Roots walked onstage to open the show with a reggae-style cover of Lorde’s “Royals.” … read more
Utah Museum of Contemporary Art is putting on an exhibit celebrating the cult filmmaker Trent Harris, which is open free to public. The exhibit opened on January 17 and will run until April 26. Included in this celebration was the free screening of Harris’ sci-fi satirical interpretation of Mormon history, Plan 10 From Outer Space, followed by a book signing. … read more
The night of January 25, 2014 was a “welcome home” of sorts for these local art scene favorites and the Provo faithful were in full swing at the sold-out show. The lights finally went down, as they often do before headliners and vigorous bowling competitions, and The Moth & the Flame welcomed everyone to their show. Little girls screamed and pats were received on several backs. This was a non-alcoholic show, so the pats were about as intense as the well wishing became. … read more
Walking into this documentary about a group of immature, teenage girls, I can honestly say I had very low expectations, and, if I’m being completely honest, I only reviewed this film because I lost a coin toss. Now, that being said, I was completely blown away by Forever Not Alone.
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In this touching short film about reminiscence, Jessica Barclay Lawton reminds her audience that the things we keep in our memories and our hearts are never truly gone from our lives. When Alan brings in a very old, very out of condition VW to the mechanic Danny, we soon learn that the car was much more to Alan than something to get him from A to B.
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Trying to get away for a weekend and focus on their relationship, Carl takes his wife Sue to a mountain lodge for some skiing and wine tasting. Unfortunately for Carl, upon arrival, he discovers that his ex-girlfriend Robyn—who he used to bring quite often to the same lodge back in the day—is now the owner of the lodge. Wackiness ensues as Carl tries to keep as much of his previous relationship hidden from his wife as possible.
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