Mobile, AL

It’s been a deeply profound experience and a true honor to be part of the Southern Film Circuit. Ashley and I have met so many wonderful people who we’d otherwise not meet: projectionists, aspiring filmmakers, waiters and waitresses, clerks, and residents of the towns who enthusiastically show up to simply say “Thanks for showing your film!” Last night in Mobile, AL 150 people packed into the library to see Kamp Katrina. Charlie, curator and director of the event, eagerly greeted us with a smiling face and then thoughtfully introduced our film at 6:45pm (we arrived at 6:30pm, just in time for the introduction). During the film, Ashley and I left for a quick stroll down Dauphine St. and soon came across a small bookstore. Inside we met the owner and casually remarked how Mobile “looked like” New Orleans. The owner, obviously taken aback by our ignorance, kindly corrected us by explaining that Mobile was a city before New Orleans existed, and that New Orleans imitated Mobile’s architecture. I’ve read that the first Mardi Gras in the U.S. was celebrated in Mobile (and influenced by the French) back in the early 1800s, and then found its way to New Orleans. Recently, however, I read another book that provides evidence of the first Mardi Gras celebration existing in the 1700s in the area of Philadelphia (influenced by Caribbean culture). Either way, downtown Mobile is absolutely beautiful with its small coffee shops, local restaurants, and friendly people. We were only able to stay downtown for a few hours before we had to prepare for the next day’s screening in Baton Rouge.

Montgomery

DR 3-17-2008 During the editing of Kamp Katrina, Tim
Messler recommended that Ashley and I watch a
documentary titled Seventeen, a film made in Muncie,
Indiana for PBS that never actually premiered on TV
because of its controversial subject matter (nor was
it released - we were able to watch a bootleg copy in
NYC). Seventeen is the kind of film that I aspire to
make one day. After researching the filmmakers - Joel
DeMott and Jeff Kreines - I came across another
documentary they created titled Demon Lover Diary
(which I've never seen). Like Seventeen, Demon Lover
found its way into obscurity, never having a release
in the US for reasons unknown to me to this day. A few
months later, Jeff and Joel's name came up during a
film festival panel. Later that day I looked up their
names on google and found an article that explained
during the making of Demon Lover Diary, Ted Nugent
chased Joel and Jeff out of town at gunpoint, all
which was captured on film. The article ended by
saying that the couple had not made another film and
they were living somewhere outside of Montgomery, AL
inventing new cameras.

Jump ahead one year. Ashley and I are in Montgomery,
AL, getting ready to screen Kamp Katrina at the Capri
Theatre when Martin (formerly known as "Milton"), the programmer, was giving us a
tour of the town and mentioned Joel and Jeff in a
passing conversation. It turns out that Jeff and Joel
sometimes show up for screenings at the Capri. Low and
behold, two hours later a man with a greying beard
walks into the Capri and Martin (aka: Milton) leans over to me and
says, "That's Jeff." After the screening - which was
well attended by about 45-50 people - Jeff took three
hours of his time to sit and talk with us about his
years of filmmaking, the making of his and Joel's
films, and how they ended up in Montgomery. Indeed, it
was a major highlight of the Southern Film Circuit's
tour! Next, we're off to Mobile, AL for another
screening tonight.

Guerrilla Radio: Hollywood, FL

Welcome to Hollywood, baby! We've arrived at the last stop, kind of like Kid Rock rolling into Minneapolis at tour's end, only without the entourage, empty 40s, groupies gone wild, media attention and swollen budget.
Simon and I would like to offer major props to Team Southern Circuit, and encourage any regional filmmakers to apply for the next tour.
"We're going to send you on a whirlwind tour with your film -- all expenses paid, plus a generous honorarium. We'll make the travel arrangements, and your local hosts will book your hotels and take you out for great meals and make you feel like Young Francis Ford Coppola. Every night, dozens of folks young and old will show up to watch your film and ask you Thoughtful Questions. You might offend the occasional viewer, but, hey -- that's art." Thanks for an unforgettable experience. -- Thomas

Guerrilla Radio: Louisville, KY

Thomas and I hit a groovy little taco joint across the street from the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, which is a pretty hip and modern place. Entertainment was free and abundant at the little restaurant – with a full view of exhausted parents and their ecstatic children running late to the “High School Musical” performance that shared the arts center that night with Guerrilla Radio. It was kind of like watching a couple of Saint Bernards pull there skinny owners by the leash – parents were dragged across the pavement if they slowed down. The theater the arts center set up for us was great. Awesome seating layout, nice projector and some blue gel lights that hit the “interview stage." The crowd diverse and engaged, organizers super organized - who ended up taking use to a slick local spot that was part bar, part museum. Louisville Rocks! -- Simon

Guerrilla Radio: Charlotte, NC

Our film screened at The Light Factory – an arts center filled with various galleries and classrooms. Two poets opened the evening with a powerful spoken-word piece about one of their relatives leaving Cuba illegally on a raft the same day JFK was assassinated.
Solid turn-out, with everyone sticking around for the post-film Q&A. That's been perhaps my biggest surprise on the tour -- an overwhelming Q&A attendance.
Downtown Charlotte feels squeaky clean. Large stone buildings, armies of corporate soldiers marching in their Dockers to grab a $5 coffee. I half expected to bump into Truman Burbank. -- Thomas

Guerrilla Radio: Jackson, MS

As soon as we stepped off the plane in Jackson, the competition for our younger demographic was closing in. We found out that Barak Obama slated his appearance in Jackson just an hour before our screening – most likely to steal some of our younger audience members. But Senator Obama’s clever move did not hinder our young audience from attending the screening right after his speech. Ha, Ha, Obama! You couldn’t out smart the GR crowd!
Also, going on at the same time (and right across the hallway from our screening) was a debate on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It didn’t seem to be a problem until a couple minutes into the documentary 20 older ladies got up and left and we received 20 students decked out in the latest Baby Phat street wear who had been sitting in the resurrection debate. Also, we found out through our Southern Circuit liaison that Chelsea Clinton was in town the day before, stumping for her mom - representing the “hipster crowd” we were told, even though I don’t think too many “hipsters” are dating hedge fund managers like Chelsea but what the heck do I know. -- Simon

Days 2 & 3

It's been a whirlwind of activity in the last few days on the Southern Film Circuit. We're currently in the Common Ground coffee shop, taking a moment to write from Beaufort, SC, one of the most beautiful and romantic Southern cities we've visited so far! The entire historic district is laced with colorful three story homes surrounded by Spanish Moss in a picturesque quality that would make any DIY movie look like a million bucks. Our screening last night was PACKED - the largest audience so far (and everyone stayed for the Q&A). Every venue has been well attended by inquisitive and understanding people who patiently sit through Kamp Katrina and then asked direct, honest questions afterwards. This morning Ashley and I had a delicious breakfast (blueberry pancakes with coffee) and then took a 3 hour stroll alongside the sandy beach with our camera in hand, capturing brown pelicans diving into the ocean to catch fish. We also found a few people to interview and they eagerly shared stories about shark teeth and David Lynch; we hope to include this footage in our upcoming film.

If you ever have a chance to visit Columbia, SC, be CERTAIN to find the Nickelodeon Theatre and visit LARRY HEMBREE. How shall I describe Larry? Perhaps I shouldn't. He's the most outgoing, blunt, energetic, friendly and exuberant person I've met in the last 10 years. After almost attacking Ashley and I with friendliness, he then asked us a million questions, made us feel at home, gave us a walking tour of Columbia, brought us to a bar (and paid for EVERYTHING after greeting almost everyone who entered) and then invited us into his home and let us sleep in his extra bedroom. He woke us up early in the morning, prepared coffee and directions, and then set up another screening before we left. Yes, Larry is the kind of person who defines a town's mood and in a way that makes someone never forget their experiences. Plus, his theater is one of the most intimate spaces we've visited (similar to the Rag Tag Theater in Columbia, MO). However, the Nickelodeon is about to shut down and reopen a few blocks down in a newly renovated 1940s building with two screens and a $5 million dollar renovation! I'd like to keep writing about our experiences in Columbia and Larry's gregariousness, but the coffee shop is closing in just a few minutes and we need to leave before they turn off the internet. More to come soon!

Athens, Georgia

Right now Ashley and I are in Athens, GA as part of the Southern Film Circuit. Tomorrow we drive to Columbia, SC. Last night, however, we left Austin at 1:00am (after telling Joel Heller Happy Birthday) and drove all night to Mansfield where we dozed into a 45 minute nap before waking up in a rushed daze to catch an early morning flight to Atlanta. We rented a car in Atlanta and then drove to Athens where Kamp Katrina is screening at the Georgia Museum of Art! [note: we JUST completed the Q&A with a fabulous audience who were both disturbed and intrigued by what was in the film (and what was left out). It was one of the most honest Q&A's so far]. We are delighted that Allen chose to program Kamp Katrina as part of the screening series and can’t think of another tour that we’d rather be part of. Thankfully, the Southern Film Circuit has stepped in to fill a needed gap in community involvement by providing a film series that focuses on storytelling as opposed to putting forth a political agenda or reinforcing a particular ideology. It’s also beyond our belief that Kamp Katrina is still finding locations in which to screen, colleges are programming our film(s), and teachers are using it in their classes.

All of the above mentioned events seemingly come out of nowhere. For instance, my claim of catching an “early flight to Atlanta” and “renting a car and droving to Athens” are a bit misleading. Hardworking people who care about the function of the organization they work for set up those events, of course. All the car rentals, tours, food, and flights were arranged ahead of time. Therefore, I think it’s realistic to describe me and Ashley as “dependent” filmmakers as opposed to “independent” filmmakers. In truth, no one does it alone. We (and other filmmakers) are dependent on organizations to secure screening venues, people who raise money to show Kamp Katrina (and our other films), fly us in for a workshop or Q&A, donate their time and energy for feedback, provide finishing, startup funds, or stipends, create and audience, and offer a much needed social and psychological support network for everyone involved in the complicated world of documentary storytelling.

The Southern Film Circuit provides all of the above functions and much, much more for filmmakers and audiences. Please check out their organization and welcome a filmmaker (or film) into your hometown, or volunteer a local venue to screen a documentary or two. Inviting people over to watch documentaries or sponsoring a screening in your hometown or neighborhood is a fantastic way to become engaged.

Getting Ready

Tomorrow morning Ashley and I leave for a 10 day trip in the southern US to show Kamp Katrina! Right now we're in Austin, TX at the SXSW Film Festival preparing to screen our third documentary feature titled Intimidad. More updates soon regarding Kamp Katrina, the visits to various cities, and how people respond to our film. Feel free to email us with questions: mgmadeinchina@yahoo.com or ashley.sabin@gmail.com

Guerrilla Radio: Lake Charles, LA

Welcome to "The Festival Capital of Louisiana!" Every year, this town of 70,000 residents holds more than 75 festivals. That's more than one festival for every 1,000 people. Imagine if New York had that kind of festival-to-citizen ratio. Or Mexico City or Tokyo. The world might fall off its axis.

Here in Lake Charles, they of course embrace the obvious festivals like Mardis Gras and the Southwest Louisiana Christmas Lighting Festival. But my personal favorite is Contraband Days. This raucous affair kicks off when an actor portraying pirate Jean Lafitte (see photo) sails into the port, captures the mayor and throws him into the actual lake of Lake Charles. What's not to love? -- Thomas

Guerrilla Radio: Charleston, S.C.

Wow! What a beautiful city! The campus of the College of Charleston, which was founded in 1770, looks like a set for an American revolutionary war movie. Actually, it was. It served as part of the set of Mel Gibson's "The Patriot" with its Spanish moss groping nearly every tree and an occasional frantic horseman blazing by screaming about the British coming or something.

The entire campus was empty due to the annual beach pilgrimage called "Spring Break" where the women tint their skin a bright orange and men start a rigorous training routine that requires downing several beers around 9 a.m.

About 3.5 students who refused to partake in the beach ritual showed up for the screening, but a lively group of 30 locals turned out to fill the youth void. The locals wanted to know why a couple of white guys would want to make a documentary about Cuban rappers. That's when Thomas and I had to don our "Mad Street Skillz." I told them about how my favorite movie was "The Jerk," a story about a goofy white guy raised by a black family, while Thomas did the robot. After a brief moment of silence -- and now moving to a more serious note, one audience member wanted to know how we traveled to Cuba. Thomas detailed the whole process of applying for press visas through the U.S. Treasury Department: sending in a shooting schedule, our resumes, a synopsis of the film, plus job references to prove that we were journalists. 

-- Simon

Guerrilla Radio: Clemson, S.C.

I became a bit worried when we showed up at the venue and I saw a poster advertising the unrated version of "Bachelor Party 2." Who can compete against sex and booze when vying for young college viewers just a week away from spring break? Perhaps we should have included some guns or hot-pants-wearing fly girls on our poster.

My fears disappeared, however, after 100 people (mostly students) piled into the theater for our most-attended screening to date. They laughed in the appropriate places, asked thoughtful questions, and made the experience mutually enjoyable. Afterwards we should have shared a cigarette. -- Thomas

Guerrilla Radio: Asheville, N.C.

Our screening in Asheville went quite well. It started off with our liaison treating us to Salsa's, one of the many culinary gems of the town -- a Latin fusion spot whose creativity would leave any five star ATL restaurant in the dust.

The film screened at the beautifully restored Fine Arts Theatre in downtown Asheville, which used to be home to another genre of films with titles like "Forest Hump" and "The Wizard of Ahhhh's!" For a rainy Wednesday night, a good-sized group of 50 or so eager film buffs showed up for a behind-the-scenes look at Cuba. Thomas and I sat with the audience, as we usually do, to hear the grasps and surprised reactions during many of the highlights of the film -- the struggles of the musicians, dog fights near the capitol, and the long lines of Cubans waiting to get water from an old rusty fire hydrant in the middle of the night. -- Simon

Guerrilla Radio: High Point, N.C.

First stop on our tour: High Point, North Carolina. Home to the largest dresser in America, a two-and-half story monstrosity, complete with a couple of socks hanging out of the drawer. Why, might you ask, would any self-respecting town create the largest dresser in America? High Point is the home furnishings capital of the world. I've included a photo to give you a sense of scale (hint: I'm the one who looks like an off-duty state trooper).

The area of town where our film screened looks like a modern ghost town: huge furniture showrooms and corporate offices, all sitting empty. Except for two weeks a year (once in April; once in October) when 70,000 furniture-industry types descend on High Point and swell its hotels and bars like Cancun on Spring Break, all to see the latest offerings in the International Home Furnishings Market. -- Thomas