interview

Killing Ground (2017) – Interview with Harriet Dyer

/ cinephellas / Leave a comment

Anatomy of Salvation: A Conversation with Harriet Dyer

by Christopher M. Rzigalinski

Attending Catholic school for half my life taught me that salvation meant being saved from damnation by Jesus Christ. The contours of that salvation were difficult to define, though. The very thought that I, an ordinary person, was empowered enough to save myself, let alone others, was overwhelming. Since becoming an adult, however, I’ve been thrust into the role of protector several times. No discrediting Christian doctrine, but it’s equally as important to validate the agency of individual human beings.

Continue reading →

Cinephellas Podcast – Episode 15 (Interview with Mathieu Ratthe)

/ cinephellas / Leave a comment

Following Passion : A Conversation with Mathieu Ratthe

By Christopher M. Rzigalinski

What scares you most? For me, it’s the unknown. If Freddie Kruger, Jason Vorhees, or Chucky showed up at my door, I’d have to check my underwear. But at least I’d know how to defend myself. The first step to conquering a fear is facing it. But what about terror you can’t see?

Continue reading →

Review – The Villainess (2017) Fantasia International Film Festival!

/ cinephellas / Leave a comment

by Vincent Leblanc

The time is finally here for the 21st edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival to begin in downtown Montreal, Quebec. It started on July 13th and runs until August 2nd. This year’s opening film was the North American premiere of the South Korean film The Villainess (Ak-Nyeo). It was my first of twenty-four screenings I’ll attend this year.  

Continue reading →

Cinephellas Podcast – Episode 14 (Interview with Michael Alago)

/ cinephellas / Leave a comment

Translation of Beauty : A Conversation with Michael Alago

By Christopher M. Rzigalinski

We’re often reminded that beauty exists in the eye of the beholder. But that revelation takes for granted that the beholder is already positioned in front of the subject she or he is admiring. Seldom do we hear about the influencers that make the relationship between subject and admirer possible. Without them, how would we even have the opportunity to recognize beauty? Michael Alago has made a career of interpreting art and presenting it for large audiences. Who the F**k is that Guy?: The Fabulous Journey of Michael Alago, director Drew Stone’s documentary about Alago’s life and career, explores Michael’s ability to translate his personal passions into shareable ideas. Whether in the role of show booker for the legendary Ritz club in New York, A & R (Artist & Repertoire) scout for Elektra Records, or as an independent photographer, Alago has a vision for understanding the talent that makes his subjects unique and different. And in the film, we get to see the world through his eyes.

Continue reading →

Review – Man in the Camo Jacket (2017)

/ cinephellas / Leave a comment

Declaring Yourself: A Review of Man in the Camo Jacket

By Christopher M. Rzigalinski

“Declare yourself an unsafe building.” I can’t get that line from The Alarm’s 1981 debut single, “Unsafe Building,” out of my head. The lyric and its sentiment of acknowledging weakness in order to rebuild are the strongest threads through Man in the Camo Jacket, director Russ Kendall’s documentary about Alarm frontman-turned-solo artist Mike Peters. The film could have easily focused on Peters’ rich musical career. But it transcends the predictable Behind the Music-style drama of many music documentaries to become a portrait of hope. We are privileged to tag along on Mike’s several journeys of reinvention, from resurrecting his career after leaving the Alarm to his battles with cancer. The first step toward any reinvention, we learn from Mike, is having the strength to let yourself fall apart.

Continue reading →

Cinephellas Podcast – Episode 13 (Interview with Matt Schrader)

/ cinephellas / Leave a comment

Complementary Rhythms: A Conversation with Matt Schrader

By Christopher M. Rzigalinski

On this episode of the Cinephellas Podcast we have my conversation with Matt Schrader, making his directorial debut with Score: A Film Music Documentary. Matt provides keen insight into how this film was made. We discuss how his previous career as a major network news producer influenced his approach to directing, his favorite cinematic memories, and the difficulties of making a fact-based documentary in the era of Fake News. The conversation made me want to see the movie ten more times; I hope it gets you excited, too.

Continue reading →

Cinephellas Podcast – Episode 12 (Interview with Blake Freeman)

/ cinephellas / Leave a comment

Calling for Community: A Conversation with Blake Freeman

By Christopher M. Rzigalinski

On this episode of the Cinephellas podcast we have my conversation with the multitalented Blake Freeman. We’re discussing his new comedy, All About the Money. Blake wrote the screenplay, directed, produced, and stars in the film. But he consistently points out that the project was only possible thanks to the community of people he worked with, both behind the scenes and in front of the camera. He’s got some great co-stars, including Eddie Griffin and Casper Van Dien. This is Eddie’s return to the big screen after about two years doing other projects. And Casper gives a great performance playing against his usual all-American type. Blake also gave me some info about his upcoming TV project based on tech and gaming culture. It’s a timely look at contemporary digital culture.

Continue reading →

Cinephellas Podcast – Episode 10 (Interview with Bobby V.)

/ cinephellas / Leave a comment

Bobby V. :  The Most Positive Man in Comedy

By Christopher M. Rzigalinski

On today’s episode of the Cinephellas podcast we’ve got my conversation with Bobby Venetz, known by his stage name Bobby V. He’s an up-and-coming stand up comedian in the Los Angeles area that performs regularly with the Rebels of Comedy revue organized by another insanely funny man that you’ve seen on shows like Comics Unleashed, TK Matteson.

Continue reading →

Camera Obscura: Interview with Director Aaron B. Koontz

/ cinephellas / Leave a comment

Looking Beyond Eyes: An Interview with Aaron B. Koontz

By Christopher M. Rzigalinski

Schedules can be hectic. My flight back to Los Angeles from a wedding in New York and director Aaron B. Koontz’s packed press schedule meant that we couldn’t talk directly. But our good friends at the Katrina Wan Press Agency had our backs. Samantha Arevalo and Camelia Adibi forwarded my questions to Aaron so the Cinephellas community could get some insight into his artistic process, being a first-time director, and why he wanted to tackle Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the new film Camera Obscura. I’d like to thank Samantha, Camelia, and Aaron for taking time out of their busy schedules, and I hope Aaron’s answers get you as hyped for the movie as I am.

Continue reading →

Cinephellas Podcast – Episode 9 (Peter Spirer and Peter Baxter Interview)

/ cinephellas / 1 Comment

Removing Borders: A Conversation with Peter Spirer and Peter Baxter

by Christopher Rzigalinski

On this episode of the Cinephellas podcast I’m talking to the Peter Spirer and Peter Baxter, co-directors of Spirit Game: Pride of a Nation. The documentary uses lacrosse, which the Iroquois nation calls its “medicine game,” as a lens through which to explore Iroquois history and indigenous peoples’ relationships with the United States and Canada. How is it, the film asks, that countless schools and universities across North America play teach the game to its students without relating its ceremonial past? To answer that question, the Peters and I discuss the Catholic Church’s oppressive Doctrine of Discovery, the Iroquois challenges to traditional ideas of sovereignty, and how sports can be used as a tool for activism. Spirit Game is a powerful statement about how popular culture can help change the world for the better.

Continue reading →