I saw this film at a festival in Kosovo that I attended. It was one of a handful of grad thesis films shown by AFI fellows who attended. "Auteur" has a very '60s flavor to it, with its protagonist, like Michael Caine's "Alfie" speaking directly to the camera in asides, taking us into his confidence. Beau Clark, who played Eric Pelham, carried the entire film and was in every scene, doing the leading man bit effortlessly. I think we'll see more of him in the future.
"Auteur" is about a very topical subject matter: video piracy, but done in the guise of a contemporary satire about Hollywood and show biz. The satire is very barbed, very funny and at times downright vicious. This was obviously written by someone who has been around "the biz" and has seen its ugly side more than once. The writing was particularly effective: smart and very lean in its execution. Not one word was wasted.
Technical aspects were top-drawer as well: excellent direction, editing and cinematography. Film looked terrific. Think the director said it was shot on HD, but it could easily have been 35mm. When I spoke with Kevin, the director, he mentioned that "Auteur" had been entered in a number of other festivals and they were waiting to hear back from them. If you are in the "festival world" and happen to see "Auteur" playing in the fest you are attending, do yourself a favor and see this very funny, very touching, very smart comedy. Like "American Graffitti," I think the cast and crew of "Auteur" will go onto bigger things.
10/10 "Someone has to pay."--Lee Marvin in "Point Blank."
"Auteur" is about a very topical subject matter: video piracy, but done in the guise of a contemporary satire about Hollywood and show biz. The satire is very barbed, very funny and at times downright vicious. This was obviously written by someone who has been around "the biz" and has seen its ugly side more than once. The writing was particularly effective: smart and very lean in its execution. Not one word was wasted.
Technical aspects were top-drawer as well: excellent direction, editing and cinematography. Film looked terrific. Think the director said it was shot on HD, but it could easily have been 35mm. When I spoke with Kevin, the director, he mentioned that "Auteur" had been entered in a number of other festivals and they were waiting to hear back from them. If you are in the "festival world" and happen to see "Auteur" playing in the fest you are attending, do yourself a favor and see this very funny, very touching, very smart comedy. Like "American Graffitti," I think the cast and crew of "Auteur" will go onto bigger things.
10/10 "Someone has to pay."--Lee Marvin in "Point Blank."