Thursday, December 11, 2008
Film Sundance Kids Ride Again: Nashville Filmmakers Headed to Park City
Posted by Jim Ridley on Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 6:09 AM
Brent Stewart and James Clauer hit indie cinema's jackpot once again. Next month, the Nashville filmmakers will go to the Sundance Film Festival for the second time with official selections: Stewart as writer and director of a dramatic short, Clauer as cinematographer on a feature-length documentary.
Stewart was invited with his short film "The Dirty Ones," which stars Rachel Korine and Nashville School of the Arts student Raven Dunn as "two Mennonite sisters traveling throughout Southern states with the body of their dead grandmother lying in the trunk bed." Shot in Nashville, the short was produced by Korine's husband, filmmaker Harmony Korine (Mister Lonely), for the O'Salvation production company he founded with French fashion designer and film financier Agnés B. It was one of 96 short films selected for Sundance from a field of 5,632 entries.
Clauer was director of photography on Big River Man, for which director John Maringouin followed hard-drinking 53-year-old endurance swimmer Martin Strel on his 66-day quest to swim all 3,373 miles of the Amazon River. Executive produced by another Nashville native, Kevin Ragsdale (The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things), the film screens in Sundance's World Cinema Documentary section.
Back in 2006, Stewart and Clauer became the first Nashville filmmakers with a project at Sundance. The occasion was "The Aluminum Fowl," a documentary short about a family of Louisiana cockfighters that wound up also at the prestigious Rotterdam Film Festival. Clauer directed, and Stewart served as editor and co-cinematographer. That film was also produced by Harmony Korine and O'Salvation.
"We're all gonna be out there," Clauer said via email. No word whether that includes little Lefty Korine, born two weeks ago to Rachel and Harmony. But it always helps to have an angel on your side.
Comments (6)
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I'm always pleased for filmakers who have their work accepted for competition at Sundance. Considering what the festival has become, a screening there can provide entrants a wider audience virtually overnight and in some cases, a first-class ticket to stardom and worldwide reknown.
That being said, I can't help but root against Harmony Korine -- I want to see him fail. I've had the unfortunate experience of meeting Korine on a number of occasions. Each time, he seemed to relish treating those around him as second-class human beings while playing the role of misunderstood, deeply-troubled, untouchable auteur who considers others as mere annoyances.
Granted each time we've met, he could have been having a bad day, had something more important on his mind or not feeling well. However, I've only met him on about a dozen separate occasions since approximately 1996 (a year or so after Kids was released). I don't think his behavior can be explained away so easily every time.
It's just and observance -- and in this case an opinion -- but I've never seen someone so fond of belittling people not considered his peers as Harmony Korine. For someone who came from such humble beginnings, I figured he'd have a little more compassion and empathy for those involved in the arts.
I guess the kind overwhelming and unexpected critical success, adoration and adulation Korine received at such an early age has warped his sense of reality. I can't imagine that kind of attitude is winning him very many friends outside of critical and celebrity circles. But it seems critical and celebrity relationships and approval are all he cares about.
In short, good luck to Brent Stewart. As for Harmony Korine -- just remember that you'll inevitably meet the same people you abused on your way up on your way down. And it's not going to be pleasant. Of course, you reap what you sow and Harmony Korine is going to have one hell of a bitter harvest.
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Nice to see some local guys doing good....
Nashville is so culturally wealthy that i feal as i am a trillionaire just waiting to start spending my earnings.....
Anyone have contact info for O Salvation...productions.....i need them...
I agree on Korine. Shallow observation perhaps, but he even seem to treat his wife that way...
Anonymous---
AKA "douche bag" for not putting your name on your comments.
First- if you find Harmony Korine so annoying why would you put yourself in his path and be introduced to him 12 times. Are you hoping for a special magical connection on 13? If after 3 meetings.. why even go there. Even if he was a total prick... why subject yourself 12 times. Sounds like you either like it or you want attention from him.
Second- Maybe your insecurity is speaking and not reality. I have a feeling if he gives you the attention your seeking at some point you'll be glad you didn't share your name. Then you can be BFF's which I guess is your real hope. "Anonymous"- gives you a safety blanket to try and try again. Your fantastically transparent.
Third- He is trying to do a lot of work and shed light on Nashville and its talent. Sounds like a guy who forgot where he is from for sure. Even lives here.
Forth- He adores his wife- the other Anonymous you're an idiot for making this statement over all others.
Kris
I called Harmony Korine shortly before he started filming "Julian Donkey Boy", with an electronic voice changer, making my voice sound like a robot, and invited him to my friend's New Year's Eve party. Harmony didn't know who we were, but he had us pick him up at his parent's house, and drive him to the party. Harmony was gracious and nice, and we all had a great time - one that my friends and I will remember forever. His films may be annoying, but as a person, I think Harmony is an OK guy.
