Editor

The New Haven Underground Film Festival Selection Committee has determined “round one” (of two) of its 2007 lineup. “We’ve been doing this long enough to see that things come in waves and, this year, of the hundreds of entries we received, the documentary standouts were about great Rock ‘n’ Roll and Hip Hop acts. So this year’s theme pretty much took care of itself,” said festival Co-Director, Michael Mongillo.

“The Year of Rock” docs are: “Get Thrashed” (99 min.) traces the impact of “thrash metal,” an extreme form of heavy metal popularized in the early-80s by bands like Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax. Directed by Rick Ernst, longtime MTV staff producer of the hit shows, “Headbangers Ball,” “120 Minutes,” “MTV Cribs,” and many more, “Get Thrashed” features performance footage and interviews with all of your favorite thrash metal gods, from past to present.

“Stomping Grounds” (22 min.) is the story of pioneering emcee, the Diabolical Biz Markie, and the places that made him … well … him. Spanning his childhood and early recording years, Biz takes us on a tour of his stomping grounds, showing us his favorite spots and revealing the many geographical influences and personalities that made this artist truly a one of a kind individual.

“We Like to Drink: We Like to Play Rock ‘n’ Roll” (75 min.) follows Los Angeles via Northampton, Massachusetts’ notorious rockers, The Unband, as they rise, fall and try to get back up again. During their “unreign,” they were signed to seminal TVT Records (Guided by Voices, etc.) and opened for Dio, Anthrax, and Def Leppard, to name just a few of the mismatched tours. “We Like to Drink: We Like to Play Rock 'n' Roll” showcases the boys in all their anthemic rock dumbness, contrasted by just how likable and smart they actually are, as individuals and as the teaming, seething, frothing, Unband. The rumor is that Michael Ruffino, The Unband’s bass player and author of their tell-all, “Gentlemanly Repose: Confessions of a Debauched Rock ‘n’ Roller,” will make an appearance at this year’s NHUFF.

“Wasted Orient” (88 min.) follows the Beijing Punk Rock band, Joyside. Joyside says that Chinese Rock ‘n’ Roll is a nightmare since the only bands that make it “big” are those officially sanctioned by the government, so their form of revolt is being lazy and wasted. With clear sociopolitical parallels to the advent of Punk in the U.K. and America, “Wasted Orient” takes us on tour through China with Joyside for a journey that is equally funny, touching, enlightening, depressing, and enraging. Director Kevin Fritz will be in attendance for a short Q&A after the screening.

Some of the other great films chosen in “round one” are: “Chi” (10 min.) is a post-apocalyptic, Kung Fu romp where two women warriors battle over … wait and see. “Chingaso the Clown” (15 min.) is the award-winning (Kevin Smith's Movie Askew Fest Audience Award, etc.) film that we couldn’t screen last year. This hilarious and “controversial” short tells the story of the war between Mimes and Clowns. “Dartsville” (23 min.) is the hilarious story of a young dart prodigy who upstages his daddy days before the big tourney. “Detroit Unleaded” (20 min.) is a beautiful and humerous tale of Sami, a young Arab-American, who believes working at a Detroit gas station will give him a chance to see his girl, Naj, away from the pressures of their family and friends. “La Danse Macabre: Portrait of a Serial Sculptor” (27 min.), a documentary from CT filmmaker, A.D. Calvo, is a continuation of his quirky expose of celebrity shock sculptor Daniel Edwards and his bizarre works. “The Little Gorilla” (12 min.) is tale of empowerment about a boy who must find the courage to climb a tall and scary jungle gym. Many of these filmmakers will be in attendance to meet audiences and answer questions.

The complete lineup and screenings schedule will be posted by May 1st at www.nhuff.com. NHUFF has screener DVDs for most of the films in this year’s lineup so if any members of the press would like copies for review, please e-mail Michael Mongillo (mmongillo@nhuff.com) with your specific requests and we will send you what is available.

With the gracious corporate sponsorships of WCCC – The Rock 106.9 of Hartford, HB Group / Communications, Inc. of North Haven, and festival venue, the Augusta Curtis Cultural Center (175 East Main Street, Meriden, w/ free parking), the 2007 New Haven Underground Film Festival promises to be an unforgettable evening of the world’s most unusual and groundbreaking entertainment. NHUFF is Saturday night, May 12th. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., screenings begin at 7:00 p.m. and continue, in two theaters, until 1:00 a.m. Please visit www.nhuff.com for more information. # # #