Thursday, August 1, 2013

2 LOCAL PRODUCTIONS to screen at BUFFALO INT'L FILM FEST

** updated 8/2/2013: previously we reported the Buffalo International Film Festival included a tribute to director Ismael Rodriguez, while Rodriguez did direct two of the films screening, the screenings are commemorating the life and work of Maria Felix. We regret the error.






The Buffalo International Film Festival is slowly announcing its line up including a tribute to Mexican actress Maria Felix (more info on her here) as well as the festival’s signature Made in WNY programming. Two local films were announced including John Fink’s Brandonwood (screening October 4th) and Raymond Guarnieri’s Buffalo Boys (screening October 5th) - both will screen at The Screening Room in Amherst.

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Brandonwood – written, directed and edited by John J. Fink, and produced and co-staring Tilke Hill (also co-staring in Buffalo Boys), the film, we learn was 7-years in the making, filmed mostly last year in and around the region. Not much is known about the film, as the Buffalo International Film Festival will be its first screening. (90 minutes)

From the filmmaker:

Brandonwood is a romantic thriller following four years in the life of a young couple– from the reckless highs of new love to the lows of circumstances they cannot change on the periphery. Natalie (Kathleen Denecke) a college freshman, begins a relationship with Brandon (Kyle Perry) – an employee of their suburban town’s public works department. Keeping him a secret at first, she alienates her friends and family in the process, the comfort of the relationship morphs into dysfunction as they each come into their own.

Staring: Kathleen Denecke, Kyle Perry, Gerry Maher, Eric Mowery, Kelly Krose, Mike Sarcneli, Travis Hedland, Megan Deanna Smith, Darryl Hart, Andre Calon, Michael Morel and Tilke Hill.


More information at: www.facebook.com/brandonwoodfilm

Brandonwood has not released a trailer however this brief clip has our attention.


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Buffalo Boys – directed by Raymond Guarnieri and written by Guarnieri, Elena Lott and co-star McKenzie Trent had its world premiere at the Manhattan Film Festival (where it took home Best Film- Coming of Age) and also screened at Indie Gathering (where it won Best Crime Drama). Inspired by actual events murder of a teenager whom Guarniei had known the film was written over a nine-month period and filmed in Buffalo last summer. (80 minutes)

From the Filmmaker:

Inspired by a true story, Buffalo Boys follows the life of IAN, a 15-year-old living in Buffalo, NY. After discovering the man who raised him is not his biological father, Ian's world is turned upside down as he heads down a path of self-destruction and murder. His mother, MARY-ANN, refuses to name his real father, fueling Ian's desire to escape suburbia. His girlfriend, LINDSAY, urges him to stay and work things out, while his best friend, DANIEL, continues to lead him down a violent path. Together, the boys sell drugs to make money- until their dealer, MAXINE, offers an easier way to get rich quick...

Staring: Paul Castero, Ro Mack, Ilana Mollick, McKenzie Trent, Matt Tester, Raymond Guarnieri and Tilke Hill.

More information at: www.facebook.com/buffaloboys

The official trailer which provides a great sense of what this film is all about (including some great looking footage at a rave)...

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The Buffalo International Film Festival has made early bird tickets available for both films until August 4th – afterwards regular prices will apply (however the festival offers discounts for students, seniors, and members of the Buffalo Film Society)….

Brandonwood Tickets (Oct 4th – 9PM – Screening Room)
Buffalo Boys Tickets (Oct 5th -  9PM – Screening Room)

2 comments:

  1. It's a tribute to Maria Felix, though we think Ismael Rodriguez is just great, too.

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  2. Looking forward to the film festival!!

    ReplyDelete