A little while back I posted about the films of Sarah Jacobson. Oddly enough, there happens to be an event in Brooklyn to celebrate her work Monday, February 15. The event is a benefit for the Sarah Jacobson Film Grant which provides funding for young women “whose work embodies some of the things that Sarah stood for: a fierce DIY approach to filmmaking, a radical social critique, and a thoroughly underground sensibility.” There will be a screening of her film Mary Jane's Not A Virgin Anymore with an introduction from filmmaker Barbara Hammer and Sarah's mother Ruth and tributes from Kathleen Hanna, Tamra Davis, George Kuchar and more!
If you are in New York PLEASE go to this event and celebrate the memory of a great feminist/D.I.Y. filmmaker and support the future of feminist/D.I.Y. filmmaking!
Details after the cut.
Party-Memorial-Screening-Celebration!
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE FABULOUS SARAH JACOBSON
An evening to honor DIY filmmaker Sarah Jacobson
And a benefit for the Sarah Jacobson Film Grant
February 15, 2010
7 pm doors, 8 pm show
Glasslands Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
On Monday, February 15, 2009, filmmakers, punk rockers, feminists, and musicians will gather to remember filmmaker Sarah Jacobson (1970–2004). The evening will include an appearance from Sarah’s mother Ruth Jacobson, and her sister Lee Jacobson. There is a $5 suggested donation at the doors, and all proceeds will go to the Sarah Jacobson Film Grant, which supports independent young women filmmakers.
Sarah Jacobson (1971–2004) was a a filmmaker who wrote, produced, and directed several movies in the 1990s, including “Mary Jane’s Not A Virgin Any More” and “I Was a Teenage Serial Killer.” Sarah’s films reflected her punk sensibilities, her feminist beliefs, and her dedication to DIY principles. She and her mother Ruth Jacbson brought “Mary Jane” to the 1997 Sundance festival, and it was named by Film Threat as one of the “25 Underground Films You Must See.” Sarah was active in the music scene and directed several music videos, including one for Man… or Astroman? She died in 2004 at the age of 32.
After her death, filmmaker Sam Green and Sarah’s mother established the Sarah Jacobson Film Grant for young women “whose work embodies some of the things that Sarah stood for: a fierce DIY approach to filmmaking, a radical social critique, and a thoroughly underground sensibility.” Since 2004, the grant has been awarded to eight filmmakers: Marie Losier, Natasha Mendonca, Kara Herold, Gretchen Hogue, Joanna Dery, Vanessa Renwick, Ellen Lake, and Veronica Majano.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Sarah Jacobson” will celebrate Sarah’s life and work. It also launches the grant cycle for 2010 and information about applying for the grant will be available at the event and on the website: http://sjfilmgrant.wordpress.com/.
The evening will begin with a short screening of samples of previous grant winners and two of Sarah’s short films. Filmmaker Barbara Hammer and Sarah’s mother Ruth will then speak and introduce “Mary Jane’s Not a Virgin Any More.” The evening will also include video tributes from Sarah’s fans and friends including Kathleen Hanna, Allison Anders, Tamra Davis, Michelle Handelman, George Kuchar, Sam Green, and Craig Baldwin.
Glasslands is located at 289 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211
[L] to Bedford, [J] to Marcy
To RSVP on Facebook, visit the event page.
Sarah Jacobson Benefit in BK
Must See TV
Is it just me or does it seem like there aren't awesome underground films being made anymore? Maybe I'm just out of touch and don't ever hear about them...but I feel like the queer/riot grrrl/punk/weirdos of the 90's made awesome no budget films that captured life in those scenes. For instance, I saw Sarah Jacobson speak about Mary Jane's Not a Virgin Anymore in a tiny theater in Ohio when she toured it in the 90s. That was probably the first time I realized that girls could make movies and that you didn't have to be in Hollywood to make movies and that queers, punks and weirdos could hang out and listen to Heavens to Betsy while making movies. It was amazing and I'm really glad I got to be there. What do we have like that now? The internet is supposed to connect us to anything in the world that we're interested in, but I still feel like the community of people making art in the queercore and riot grrrl scenes were more connected than we could ever be. I think that there was something special about trading tapes and zines and touring with your projects that has been mostly lost. It's my dream to have some sort of "homo a gogo on wheels" touring queer/weirdo fest so kids can once again cram into some tiny theater in Ohio or wherever to see this kind of stuff in person and hear people speak about their work and see bands play live and make friends IRL.
But until the boy/girl revolution comes again, enjoy these trailers for some movies you might not ever get to see* and some
music from them (or related).
*If anybody has any of these, I'd really love a copy!
The Hidden Cameras - Lollipop (Live)
Fifth Column - Ghost Of A Buffalo
Heavens To Betsy - My Secret (demo)
Great stuff at the London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival!
The 23rd Annual London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival got started a few days ago with what's sure to be a great selection of Queer cinema. This year's festival features over 175 films from around the world and ranges from a retrospective on German Lesbian surrealist Ulrike Ottinger to a short film about Yo Majesty to mainstream darling Milk. Channeling: An Invocation of Spectral Bodies and Queer Spirits--a film & video series curated by Latham Zearfoss & Ethan White-- will also screen during the festival as part of the Experimental program.
If I were in London the film not to be missed in my book would be The Devil's Cleavage by George Kuchar (it screens tonight if any of you are in London!). The 1973 cult classic is a campy, low budget homage to 1940's and 50's Hollywood and features Gay filmmaker/Kuchar collaborator (on Thundercrack!) Curt McDowell in an acting role. Both John Waters and Guy Maddin have sited Kuchar as an influence, so if you are a fan of that kind of stuff, Kuchar's films are a must see! It Came from Kuchar, a new documentary on the Kuchar brothers (George often worked with his twin brother Mike) by Jennifer M. Kroot also screens at this year's festival.
I tried to find some of the Kuchars' best work to post, but it's amazingly hard to find online. However, I did find George's 1977 piece I, An Actress to give you a taste of his work (if you weren't familiar with it already). I've also included the first part of The Sins of the Fleshapoids that Mike directed. In addition to those you will find clips from Ulrike Ottinger's Madame X - Eine absolute Herrscherin (from 1977) and Freak Orlando (1981). Enjoy!