Saturday Shorts:

SCRABABBLE
TOUCH OF A KISS
THE CAT PIANO
RAMONES ARE NOT DEAD

Sat., May 23, 4 PM, at Carswell Hall, Wake Forest University

SCRABABBLE
Marco Ianniello
Australian Film TV and Radio School
Documentary
Australia, 2005, 6 min.
Sponsored by the Australian Embassy, Washington DC

Synopsis from the Filmmaker:

With the world championships always in the back of his mind, one of Australia's top Scrabble players faced some of his most competitive rivals in the quiet Aussie town of Ulladulla.

A glimpse into a hive of deep thinking about words and maximizing scores, "Scrababble" introduces us to a young Scrabble champion and some of his competition, with musings on skill, luck and the psychology of Scrabble competition. -ME

TOUCH OF A KISS
Roger Spottiswoode
Impossible Films
Dance Documentary
Australia, 2008, 5 min.
Sponsored by the Australian Embassy, Washington DC

Synopsis from the Filmmaker:

When it comes to love, every move counts.

Canadian director Roger Spottiswoode, whose credits include the 18th James Bond movie "Tomorrow Never Dies," and writing the script for "48 Hours" in 1982, was recently having dinner at the Kanela tapas bar in Melbourne when he saw a group of flamenco dancers performing. He was so impressed that he assembled a crew and went back to make this film. The performers go by the name Arte Kanela. Enjoy a spontaneous and powerful few minutes of authentic flamenco dancing. -SC

THE CAT PIANO
Eddie White and Ari Gibson
The People's Republic of Animation
Animated Short
Australia, 2008, 8 min.
Sponsored by the Australian Embassy, Washington DC

Synopsis from the Filmmaker:

A city of singing cats is preyed upon by a shadowy figure intent on performing a twisted feline symphony.

Narrated by Nick Cave! -SC

RAMONES ARE NOT DEAD
Suzy Ramone and Andrew Bunney
Make Your Own Films
Musical Documentary
Australia, 2008, 27 min.
Sponsored by the Australian Embassy, Washington DC

Synopsis from the Filmmaker:

"Ramones Are Not Dead" is a non-stop rock'n'rollercoaster ride into the world of those who love and follow the Ramones... still. The Ramones really are dead but they are immortal in the hearts of so many, who include them fully in their lives. Guitars in one hand, camera in the other, Australian tribute band Ramonettes travel the world to delve into the underground cult of the die-hard fan.

From Brisbane's annual "Ramone-a-thon" to a UN outpost in Kosovo, from a cantina in Spain to the Ramones Museum in Berlin, what makes people devoted enough to collect everything, perform the songs, live the lifestyle and even change their names to "Ramone"? To be obsessed is to be human.

I didn't think it would feel so good to be reminded that Punk's Not Dead. It is also always a relief to discover others who are Obsessed. I hope this film gets to tour the world, too, because it demonstrates that necessary, vital energy that fuels musicians who will play any show, anywhere. It captures the magic of live shows: that invisible something-in-the-air that is exchanged between the band and the audience. Finally, I really recommend reading the Ramonettes' entertaining tour diaries, a fascinating glimpse into another world. -SC