THE ROUNDEYE BLOG

COMPETITION: WIN ‘BEGINNERS’ ON BLU-RAY!

2011-11-14T00:01:00.005Z

Mike Mills’ truly excellent film BEGINNERS is released today and to celebrate The Roundeyes have got hold of five copies on Blu Ray to give away!

This is one of the year’s top releases, easily in our Top Five movies of the year. Which is why we’ve decided to do make this our first ever competition!

BEGINNERS is a heartfelt comedy drama about Oliver, a graphic artist (Ewan McGregor), dealing with his elderly father who a) has terminal cancer and b) comes out as gay at 75 years old.

It’s also a love story dealing with the coming together of Oliver and Anna (the excellent Mélanie Laurent) against a cinematic backdrop of hazy Southern California. Moving, reflective, laugh-out-loud funny and more, this film is a real treat from start to finish.

And how many movies can honestly count a jack russell (subtitled of course) as the real star of the show? Director Mike Mills’ last film of note was the also-excellent THUMBSUCKER, so if you enjoyed that we seriously recommend you check out this little gem of a movie.

To enter our fab competition to win the film on Blu Ray, simply email the answer to this question along with your full name and address to:

roundeyecompetitions@hotmail.co.uk

What was the name of Mike Mills’ debut feature film starring Tilda Swinton?
a) Toesucker
b) Thumbsucker
c) Titsucker

UK residents only please. Only one entry per household. You must be over 15 to enter. The competition closes on Wednesday 23rd November.

The five names out of that hat with the correct answer will then get their hands on a sparkling new Blu Ray of the film.

GOOD LUCK!

If you’re not one of our lucky winners, remember BEGINNERS is available to buy on DVD and Blu Ray in all your usual places from November 14th.

ALL QUIET ON THE ROUNDEYE FRONT...?!

2011-11-04T21:25:00.001Z

Yep, there's no hiding it friends... things have been a tad quiet here in Roundeye's tiny corner of cyberspace.

No excuses, it's just we've been extra busy planning new films for 2012, sending Little Red out to lots of cool festivals, oh, and welcoming our very own Roundeye child into the fold - poor thing!

All that said, we will be back with a bang very soon - launching with a fab new Blu Ray competition actually! So watch this space if you please... all will be revealed soon(ish)!

JUST IN... THE PORTOBELLO FILM FESTIVAL 2011

2011-08-21T17:45:00.002+01:00

Details for this year's Portobello Film Festival have just been announced - one of London's best film events - and our film Getting Ready is in the line-up!

Here's the official release:

Staking its claim as Europe's largest independent film festival with a programme of over 700 films, the Portobello Film Festival is 17 days of non-stop cutting edge cinema from the modern masters of the medium – unimpressed with bling, spin and celebrity culture, these guys have gone out and made their films, often on budgets of next to nothing, for the sheer thrill of it. And keeping to its indie roots, the all events are FREE.
At the heart of Portobello Film Festival are shorts and features that embody the state of cinematic art from international upcoming directors. Evenings are programmed into drama, documentary, comedy, animation, music, art, sci-fi, horror and world. They’ll be non stop screenings at The Inn On The Green and Westbourne Studios, plus with a Filmmakers Convention and loads of fringe events - you can see why this is truly the biggest celebration of independent films in Europe!

Getting Ready will be part of the Video Cafe line up at the Westbourne Studios, screened in the cinema and the bar. This event runs from Monday 5th to Thursday 8th September, from 6pm-11pm each night.

RUMBLINGS IN SZEGED - WE'VE GOT THAT HUNGARY FEELING AGAIN!

2011-08-16T19:50:00.004+01:00

Coming this September is the extra-special 10th anniversary edition of the Szeged Super 8mm Film Festival - one of the world's best super 8 festivals, held every year in Hungary.

We've been so well supported by the festival - they've featured a new Roundeye film every year since 2008 actually, so we are delighted to back on the bill again for this very special year!

They'll be screening our spooky new film Little Red in the main competition programme, on Tuesday 6th September, in the Grand Cafe Cinema. The films start at 7pm.

More details to come as we get them!

Peeps watching our film 'The Return of Ellen Love' at the Grand Cafe Cinema.

OPEN SESAME!

2011-08-14T15:15:00.004+01:00

Well this is exciting news... Starting early next week the Roundeye film Little Red will be showing at the New Gallery London as part of 'Open', a curated programme of contemporary artists' short films.

Here is the official blurb about the exhibition...
'Open' brings together a diverse selection of film recently created by a variety of emerging, established and international artists.
From an open submission the work has been selected through a panel of curators and artists displaying a variety of exciting and challenging work that is being produced today from all over the world. The exhibition places the role of the gallery at the forefront of its interests, bringing into question the structured ideas of an 'Artist film'. The position of the gallery entices the role of the filmmaker, artist, cinema and Hollywood.

You can find the New Gallery London on the Peckham Road at Camberwell - the private view is tomorrow at 6pm, but the films are showing from 6pm to 11pm every day next week.

HOWND DOGS...

2011-08-03T18:25:00.001+01:00

Last night our colourful kaleidoscopic super-8 delight, Getting Ready, was shown at the fantastic Braine Hownd short film night.

Promising to showcase 'the best in new short films' our little movie was one of just five on the bill for this brand new film event, held every first Tuesday of the month at the Hideaway, which you can find in between Tufnell Park and Archway tube stations in LONDON TAAN!

This is what Braine Hownd's official blog made of the night:

There have been a few great sequels (Terminator 2, Aliens, Desperado, Three men and a little lady, Jaws 2) and some not so good sequels (Teen Wolf Too, Transformers 2, Sex and the City 2, Jaws: The Revenge). However, there was no sophomore slump for Braine Hownd Film’s second short film night (or as host Matt Prendergast put it ‘the first, second Braine Hownd Film Night ever”).

It was another packed night in The Hideaway basement, and, thanks to the summer coming to London for a few days, its lovely beer garden, which seemed to host both the pre and post film shenanigans... The last film before the interval was Getting Ready by Ben Barton. Though I wouldn’t call this a short film, more a music video, it looked stunning. It was shot on Super 8 film and on location at Chatham Brook Theatre. Getting Ready tells the the story of faded glories and past dreams.

You can read the whole thing here: Braine Hownd Film Blog

Right - let's sign off with some photos from the event. Enjoy!

IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS TODAY...

2011-07-17T22:50:00.003+01:00

Fresh from it's premiere at the Folkestone Triennial 2011 last week - and now being broadcast on the short film television programme Ronke - we are now in the process of sending out the latest Roundeye film to a host of film festivals, screenings nights and art events all over the UK.

This one is a creepy take on Little Red Riding Hood - which combines elements of fairytales and horror to reveal something unexpected lurking in the forest...

As always - we really don't want to put the full film to view online. Why? Well because we want you to actually come watch our films with an audience, to get that crowd experience going, to get some alcohol into the mix (!) and to show you our work up on a big screen. Besides - it never looks that good all pixelated and juddery on a computer screen, does it?

That said - we will give you a little teaser trailer to feast your eyes on. So here goes... (but keep coming back for details of future screenings - we hope to see you there - in person!)

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE...

2011-07-16T16:15:00.002+01:00

Well not quite live actually... but we are talking about primetime on a Saturday night!

Yep - the Roundeye mini-classic Getting Ready is going to be screened on Ronke, Britain's best short film show, tonight at 9pm.

The programme goes out on Sky channel 166 (or Freesat channel 402).

Tune in if you can!

ON THE SMALL SCREEN WITH... RONKE

2011-07-12T19:40:00.006+01:00

ronke (ron-kay) Chiefly Norwegian Vulgar Slang
vb (intr) to masturbate
n an instance of masturbating

Yes – apparently 'Ronke' is the Norwegian word for an old fashioned five-knuckle shuffle. But more importantly, it’s also the title of the best short film show on British television!

Broadcast most days on the channels Showcase and InformationTV, Ronke is now in its sixth year and promises "strange, unusual, funny, moving and always entertaining short films from around the world".

I’ve tried for ages to get some Roundeye films on the programme – and I’m thrilled to say that they have finally snapped-up two of our finest creations – Getting Ready and brand-new film Little Red – for the show TOMORROW NIGHT!

So PLEASE tune-in to Sky channel 166 tomorrow at 9.30pm to watch some real super-8 cine films on the small screen! It doesn't happen very often!

The screening will be the virtual premiere of Little Red – our scary version of Little Red Riding Hood - it’s only ever been screened once before, last week at my solo film show for the Folkestone Triennial.

So please tune in, or SkyPlus it, or whatever… super-8 is great!

How to watch ‘Ronke’ - this Wednesday 13th June at 9.30pm
- Sky viewers - turn to channel 166 - or channel 189 for the +1 version which runs an hour behind.
- Freesat viewers - click on channel 402.
- If you're outside the UK - the channel can be received via any satellite equipment pointing at the Astra/Eurobird complex at 28.2E using frequency 11.623 H, FEC 2/3, symbol rate 27500 and service ID 50880.
- Or if all that's a bit complicated (no shit!) - then just visit the website here and watch the channel's live online streaming - it's completely free!

If you miss tomorrow's show - fear not. Word on the street is that our films will be repeated quite a bit over the foreseeable future, so keep tuning in...

Ben Barton

P.S. Here’s the brand new poster for Little Red, btw. Artwork is courtesy of the ridiculously talented Mr V. Big love. x

OUR FILM NIGHT IS... TOMORROW!

2011-07-07T08:25:00.001+01:00

Yep - the week has zoomed by - and the aforementioned Roundeye film night IS TOMORROW!

So remember folks, please get your cute bumbums down to the excellent Quarterhouse on Tontine Street to see our full oeuvre of super-8 wonderment right where they belong - on the big screen!

It's tomorrow at 7.30pm. But you already knew that, didn't you?!

LOCAL RAG WRITE-UP

2011-07-06T21:00:00.002+01:00

SOLO FILM SHOW - THIS WEEK!

2011-07-04T20:55:00.002+01:00

Well this week this the most exciting one EVER for Roundeye - and that's a fact.

And it's all because coming this Friday 8th July is Ben Barton's first ever solo film night, all being held for the fantastic Folkestone Triennial 2011.

Part retrospective, part avant garde film night, the evening promises our usual blend of scratchy, imperfect super-8 films, found footage and great music from Roundeye regulars Jennifer and Robert Harris.

We'll be showing virtually every single film we've made over the past three years, including the first ever screenings of new works Little Red and 5,000 Miles From Hollywood.

So if you can get to Folkestone's fab Quarterhouse this Friday - please come down and support us - the more the merrier! The films start at 7.30pm and entry is a teeny-tiny £3!

You can read more about the short film night here at the Folkestone Fringe website, or here at Benny's very own homepage.

We hope to see you there!

TRIENNIAL VIDEO BLAH BLAH...

2011-07-03T13:15:00.001+01:00

If you've got a spare five minutes - here's a half-interesting video about the Folkestone Triennial that's popped-up on the Guardian website...

AT LAST... PRIMETIME TV!

2011-06-27T21:00:00.005+01:00

Well, we seem to be ever so popular over at Sky TV channel 219 - Eat Cinema/My Channel - they're repeating our underground Dungeness film Initial Prospect three times this coming week!

Yep - and rather than being relegated to the midnight slot - this time we're primetime - sort of.

Here's the blurb for the week's shows, now rebranded as My Super Shorts Light:

Enjoy a selection of our best easy going short films on this special programme dedicated to new talents, good ideas and an important piece of cinema yet to be explored on television - the short film.

You can watch Initial Prospect this Tuesday at 6pm, Wednesday at 1.30pm and Thursday at 4.30pm.

THE FOLKESTONE TRIENNIAL STARTED - TODAY!

2011-06-25T23:59:00.008+01:00

Well I thought I knew Folkestone pretty well - but today was a real eye opener! As you all probably know, the fab Folkestone Triennial 2011 launched today - in spectacular fashion!

It kind of started last night with the fireworks over the harbour, but today was the first day of action. The truth is - I hardly recognised the place! Instead of gum-chewing wellard chavs - the town was abuzz with artists, music, food, theatre, installations and general merriment - and this was only day one!

There were hundreds of people milling around, going in and out of the galleries and quirky little shops, kids jumping around the new fountain (who looked like they'd 'catch their death' as your Gran might say...), a large walk-in whale, amazing new restaurants opening their doors, art installations around every corner, live bands, street food, performers, art-in-progress, filmmakers, a new mermaid overlooking the Sunny Sands and so so much more!

So if you need any more encouragement, get your arses down to the harbour and Old High Street, and to all the other locations dotted around - and take a look for yourself!

Here's a little video that someone's just uploaded, which captures some of what's been going on...

As part of the festival, there's going to be an extra special screening of all the Roundeye films, at the Quarterhouse in Folkestone, on Friday July 8th, 2011 at 7.30pm. Watch this space for more info - coming very soon!

It's all part of the Folkestone Triennial 'Fringe' - which you can read all about in this cool little catalogue thing here...

To grab a copy you can go to the snazzy new Folkestone Triennial Visitors' Centre (at the bottom of the Old High Street) or download one here.

SEE... HEAR... SPEAK...

2011-06-19T22:50:00.005+01:00

Well, the three wise Jesuses on my desk are calling me... which means... BACK TO WORK!

And the next few weeks are going to be lots of fun - with plenty in the pipeline such as a solo film night and another short film TV programme showing my stuff... Watch this space peeps!

Ben Barton

VAMPIRE T.V.

2011-06-14T20:00:00.003+01:00

Just a quickie... but our film Initial Prospect is being repeated on the Super Shorts television show in the wee early hours of tomorrow morning (Wednesday).

So yep - vampires and insomniacs only I'm afraid - or you can always Sky Plus it...!

It's on Eat Cinema/My Channel, Sky channel 219 at 3am. Not exactly primetime!

WE'RE ON T.V.

2011-06-06T18:45:00.008+01:00

We've just had some very exciting news - one of the Roundeye films is being screened on TV!

The film is our nostalgic cine wonder 'Initial Prospect', filmed in Dungeness and with a fantastic soundtrack by our very own Jennifer Harris.

It's been selected for Super Shorts on the channel Eat Cinema - now rebranded as My Channel.

Super Shorts is one of just two short film shows broadcast here in the UK (the other one being Ronke). Can you believe that - just two shows in the whole country?! So of course I'm absolutely delighted to have been chosen... popcorn anyone?!
So tune in this week to My Channel, available on SKY channel 219. The screenings are this Wednesday 8th June at 9.30pm, and Sunday 12th June at 8pm. Or for insomniacs - there's a screening in the wee hours of Sunday morning at 1:30am!

Ben Barton

MOVIEBAR MAGIC

2011-06-02T21:25:00.003+01:00

Now in it's third incarnation - I think - the new, more snappily-titled Movie Bar is still Brighton's best short film night... held the first Monday of every month at the Cornerstone.

This month is sure to be the best night so far. Why? - well because it will feature a trio of Roundeye films all directed by our very own Ben Barton - that's why!

They will be showing our super-8 films Getting Ready, The Lighthouse and Initial Prospect, described in the programme as 'three stories of love, loss and dreams presented as visual poems'.

So get down to the Cornerstone at the bottom of Elm Grove in Brighton on Monday June 6th... the usual movie quiz starts at 8pm, followed by the screenings...

NICE FRINGE!

2011-05-31T10:15:00.003+01:00

We're very happy to be a part of the inaugural Shorts Festival as part of this year's Stratford-upon-Avon Fringe.

It's our sparkly delight Getting Ready that will be screened, at the town's fab Picturehouse Cinema, this weekend on June 5th. The films start at 1pm and admission is absolutely FREE!

THE PICTURES R.I.P.

2011-05-26T01:30:00.004+01:00

The Pictures - a very special film night which were one of the very first to show my little films - has come to an end... Very sad news!

Above is a roll call of everyone who was involved, from start to finish. My name's in there somewhere, if you squint...

Ben Barton

WE'RE IN A WHIRLYGIG...

2011-05-16T18:55:00.004+01:00

Roundeye favourite The Return of Ellen Love is getting something of a makeover this weekend - with a brand new live soundtrack - all part of Whirlygig Cinema's new 'Making Tracks' event.

Whirlygig describe themselves as "an ongoing project working to expose the talents of lesser known and up-and-coming filmmakers... helping them to find their feet in a daunting and murky art world".

Our film's new soundtrack will come courtesy of The Cabinet of Living Cinema, a collective of artists working exclusively in music and film. The idea behind the night is quite simple: Whirlygig Cinema seek out top-quality short films, strip them of their original soundtracks and The Cabinet rescore them live on the night.

Entry to this special event is £8 - this Friday 20th May - at the coolio Rich Mix arts venue - in the heart of London's East End on the Bethnal Green Road.

Addendum: It also seems our film will be repeated for the August 2011 event - so we'll post again nearer the time...

STOP YOUR JUNK FILM DIET!

2011-04-25T16:20:00.003+01:00

If you’ve been stuffing yourself with film junk lately, why not follow my suggestions for these healthier options? They’re every bit as tasty – but all are free from artificial sweetness, hydrogenated twats and genetically modified film stars. Best of all – they won’t leave a bad taste in your mouth, and you can tuck in GUILT FREE.

Swap ‘Burlesque’ for ‘On Tour’

Sure she can sing, but Christina clearly can’t act her way out of a recycled paper bag, and even the frozen features of Queen Cher and a glimpse of Cam Gigandet’s lovely bum can’t save this mess. No siree! – for a taste of the real glitz, glamour and sleaze of modern burlesque, it has to be Mathieu Amalric’s excellent road movie ‘On Tour’. Directed by and starring Amalric, it follows a travelling troupe of burlesque performers, a real ragtag pick n’ mix, as they travel from one crappy gig to the next all along the coast of France, passing through a series of crummy hotels and smoke-filled dives. Bittersweet and imperfect, ‘On Tour’ is a movie with real heart.

Swap ‘The Social Network’ for ‘Catfish’

Yes I know David Fincher is unbelievably cool, and he’s made some excellent films in the past. And the truth is, ‘TSN’ really isn’t that bad – but for me – ‘Catfish’ is the real Facebook movie. Who gives two shits about the millionaire geeks who wrote the html – why not see how Facebook is actually corrupting people’s lives right here right now? It’s hard to give you a synopsis of this film without ruining it – just watch it!

Swap ‘Scream 4’ for ‘Amer’

Now I’m a big-time horror junkie – always have been – so don’t get me wrong: I was looking forward to ‘Scream 4’ (or ‘Scre4m’ for the pedantic) just as much as the next person. And it was ok, in a way, though it will never beat the thrill I got from sneaking in, underage, to the original ‘Scream’ all those years ago… but anyway, I digress…

The problem with horror films these days is it’s all so oversaturated – with shite. Once you’ve seen one big-titted wench running away from the masked madman/monster/ex-boyfriend (delete as appropriate) – you’ve kind of seen it all before. You really have to have your wits about you to separate the wheat from the chaff – and intelligent, button-pressing horrors are seemingly few and far between. So how refreshing to see a film like ‘Amer’. Visually it’s something else – like Argento filtered through a haze of Gothic magic mushrooms. Plus it’s virtually dialogue free – and even I, Mr Pidgin French, still managed to follow it unsubtitled. A striking, unique, trippy, confusing, spellbinding and rewarding little film of three acts, it’s really worth seeking out.

Little anecdote time: When I was at the cinema and asked for a ticket to ‘Scream 4’ the little popcorn kid thought I said ‘Screen 4’ and promptly gave me a ticket to ‘Winnie The Pooh’ – oh the irony…

Swap ‘Sucker Punch’ for ‘Uncle Boonmee’

Well ‘Sucker Punch’ has finally been released, after what seems like the biggest build-up in history. The truth is, I already feel bored by it all... So my alternative fantasy movie for your platter is the wordily-titled ‘Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives’, a Thai film. Sure it’s slower than the kick-ass pace of ‘Sucker Punch’, but it’ll be a far far more rewarding viewing experience!

The film follows the final days of the title’s Uncle Boonmee. He lives in the remote Thai jungle where ghosts, spirits and monkey-monsters with glowing red eyes all come to life and sit around his table. A fable, fairytale and gentle rumination on the meaning of life and death, ‘Uncle Boonmee’ probably won’t please everyone – but I suggest you see it for yourself and make-up your own mind… Just as long as you don’t get offended by bestial scenes of a princess receiving oral from a catfish… you have been warned!

Swap ‘The Mechanic’ for ‘Rubber’

No I haven’t watched ‘The Mechanic’. Why? Because Jason Statham is in it, that’s why. But what I have seen is the surreally brilliant and unique film ‘Rubber’. Actually directed by Mr Oizo I kid ye not – this warped, almost indescribable film is a total blast. It follows the murderous misadventures of Robert, a car tyre who rolls around the Californian desert, blowing people’s heads off via telekinesis – all while being watched by a live ‘audience’ (who of course represent you, the viewer). I’m not making it sound too good am I? But it is, I promise!

So there we have it - why not swap some of the junk for real wholesome film today, and see how healthier you feel… you know it makes sense!

Ben Barton

££££££££££££££

2011-04-17T21:25:00.003+01:00

It's been all doom and gloom on the arts' funding front lately - what with the sad closure of the UK Film Council and the tightening of the Arts Council belt etc... so in these frugal times I'm happier than ever to say that I've received some much needed cash from the government to keep on making the Roundeye films!

Sure it's not much, but after four years of begging, borrowing and thieving to get these films out there, it's very nice to be given a little backhander to keep on going!

So a big thanks to all the arts team at Shepway council for all their support... and to the rest of you - you're sure to see the fruits of your hard-earned tax money here very soon!

Ben Barton

A LITTLE RED HERRING...

2011-03-29T22:40:00.002+01:00

The Hollywood version - sure to be a PG-13 yawn-fest...

Hell, you know that feeling when you're busy working on your new underground super-8 film with a total budget of say £300 - then along comes a massive Hollywood shitbuster to steal your thunder? You don't? Well I do!

Of course there's nothing new about the Little Red Riding Hood story - I mean, 200 hundred years and the Brothers Grimm have got the edge on me, I know... It's just such a coincidence I guess! A bit like when you see those two buses tailing each other, both heading in the same direction. Still - I know which film will be scarier - and 42 million smackaroonies aint got nothing to do with it!

So Roundeye followers - keep your ears to ground for news of 2011's best version of Little Red Riding Hood... not coming to a Cineworld/Odeon/Vue near you soon!*

*But hopefully to the coolest film nights and underground festivals instead.

Ben Barton

The Roundeye version - mind over money...

TIME FOR MORE CRAIC

2011-03-21T23:00:00.003Z

Our rattling short film Getting Ready is winging her way back to the Emerald Isle this week, this time for the Underground Cinema event in Dunleary.

Click here to read the full line-up for the night which is this Thursday, March 24th at the Kingston Hotel. Admission is by a crisp or crumpled €5 note - tis your choice...

KOMING SOON AT KINOKULTURE

2011-03-12T18:45:00.009Z

There's something of a Benny B retrospective coming up this month at the KinoKulture Short Film Night in Shropshire, with four Roundeye films being screened in one sitting. That's Getting Ready, The Return of Ellen Love, Initial Prospect and our little-seen art film The Lighthouse.

KinoKulture is an independently-run boutique cinema in Oswestry, which offers a varied programme of film screenings and events throughout the year. Our films will be shown at The Ironworks on Sunday 27th March, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are a bargain £3!

UPDATE... We've just heard that Getting Ready and Initial Prospect have been moved to the next Short Film Night, being held sometime in May. We'll keep you updated!

SHOWROOM SHORTS SHEFFIELD - TOMORROW!

2011-02-28T18:50:00.002Z

Wow - well the fab Roundeye technicolor film Getting Ready is having another screening tomorrow night - the fifth this year to be exact, but who's counting eh?

This time it's at the super Showroom Shorts night, held at Sheffield's legendary Showroom Cinema. Here's the info blurb from the programme:

Join us again for a FREE evening of top-quality short films. This instalment of the immensely successful shorts night is a strong one featuring ten new films - so don't miss it! We’ll also be giving away a Showroom Take Two package on the night (that's two main meals, two cinema tickets and a bottle of wine).
Showroom Shorts - March 1st @ 7.30pm

Sounds good, don't you think?

THE FOLKESTONE TRIENNIAL... COMING SOON

2011-02-26T21:00:00.000Z

Look - we can't confirm anything right now - but we can say something très exciting will be happening as part of the 2012 Folkestone Triennial Fringe.

Let's just say it might have something to do with a screening of Ben Barton's Roundeye films at an exclusive show right here in Folkestone and that it might be at super-duper local venue the Quarterhouse... but we aint promising anything yet, okay?

(We are super excited though... keep watching this space!)

THE DECAPITATED PIGS' HEADS OF FOLKESTONE

2011-02-20T22:50:00.007Z

Well you know even your own family think you're crazy when you get quizzed about this!

Yep, Folkestone has been abuzz this week with people gossiping about some grisly decapitated pigs' heads, which were supposedly planted on a grave by local artists. It's probably the most exciting event to happen here in around 800 years, so you can only imagine...

"When I first heard about it, I prayed it wasn't another one of your film projects" my mother-in-law said to me this afternoon. Well what do you make of that?!

Here's some of my fave extracts from the local rags...

TWO severed pigs' heads found in the grounds of a Folkestone church were left there by students on a photography course, police believe.

Passers-by were horrified to see the grisly art work last Wednesday morning. Local resident Lisa Challis said "I saw them on my way to work. They were real pigs' heads. It wasn't a pretty sight."

A police spokesman said "We have established that you can't actually buy pigs' heads from a butcher's shop, so they would have to have been ordered. [The artists] could have been more thoughtful about the impact on the local people who may have been passing buy. [sic]
You don't expect to find severed pigs' heads as you're walking past a church first thing in the morning."

That last line is my favourite - no shit!

You can read the articles in full [HERE] and [HERE] if you're so inclined.

So to answer anyone, including my own family, who are thinking this was some new Roundeye film, the answer is no!

...for what it's worth, I'd just like to say that all of the Roundeyes are vegetarian and support the work of PETA. So there!

Ciao art lovers.

Ben Barton

VARIETÉ IS THE SPICE OF LIFE

2011-02-12T23:20:00.003Z

We're back to our favourite city in the whole wide world next Sunday - yep - the ancient streets of LONDINIUM aka LONDRES aka LONDON TOWN...

It's our bestest film Getting Ready that's being screened, for the Cinema Varieté event which is being pushed as "the capital's new vibrant arts night".

Cinema Varieté is held at 10 Gales, hailed as Bethnal Green's 'best kept secret' and offering the curious but cool mix of contemporary art space, live venue, second-hand boutique, coffee shop and hair salon - all tucked under the railway arches by Bethnal Green tube station. If you wanna go, it's Sunday 20th February at 7pm.

As well as the films you can look forward to an edible art installation from Tony Di Chirico and plenty of live performances - all for the diminutive sum of £3. Sounds good eh?

COME WATCH SHORT CINEMA IN LONDON...

2011-02-01T19:05:00.006Z

Getting Ready is getting lots of air at the moment, and we couldn't be happier!

The next screening is the fab Short Cinema, being held at the legendary Phoenix Cinema in London. It's on Sunday 6th February at 1:30pm. Tickets are just a Lady Godiva.

To watch the trailer for the night - including a 30 second little snippet of our film [CLICK HERE]

THE NEW VOLTA FILM CLUB

2011-01-31T20:10:00.003Z

It's over to the Emerald Isle for some Roundeye films tomorrow...

Yes, yes it's super short notice, but no matter, because Dublin's New Volta Film Club are holding a special screening of FIVE of our films!

The celluloid delights on the menu are Getting Ready, Ellen Love, Uphill for Jesus, Initial Prospect and The Lighthouse - all part of their special evening of new independent short film.

So if you're up for the craic, place yourself at Bewley's Cafe Theatre, Tuesday February 1st at 8.30pm. It's FREE!

THIS IS WHAT UNDERGROUND FILMMAKERS DO ON THEIR DAYS OFF...

2011-01-30T17:20:00.002Z

Don't ask! x

BECKS, JESUS & THE DAILY FAIL

2011-01-22T18:15:00.000Z

Well I was just innocently walking back from Folkestone's Silver Screen Cinema today when lo and behold, I saw this image of David Beckham on the cross, hanging there above my head...

This eyebrow-raising piece is the work of local rotter Johnny Cotter, and is just what Folkestone needs in my opinion... what blasphemous image would you want on your High Street?

My personal hero and all-round ledge Boy George is said to be buying the original painting. Lucky boy!

Oh and it even made the Daily Fail - must be news then!

Ben Barton

'GETTING READY' SELECTED FOR THE BRITISH SHORTS FESTIVAL IN BERLIN

2011-01-13T21:20:00.004Z

Our spies have been out on the streets of Berlin, and there seem to be posters for this British Shorts film festival everywhere...

Well good job too, because our little Roundeye super 8 film, Getting Ready, is part of the Official Selection. Woop! (It's the second time we've screened at the festival - last time was 2009).

So if you want to watch our fave Technicolor cine opus, it'll be screened at the Sputnik Kino - Berlin's highest cinema apparently and the one with the funky brick seats - this Sunday 16th January at 6pm.

You can download the festival programme [HERE]...

ATTENTION ALL CODEBREAKERS!

2011-01-12T22:45:00.002Z

Benny B has a super-duper new website underway.

If you have a newfangled code scanner thingy-bob, go knock yourself out...!

BACK TO WORK...

2011-01-03T13:25:00.000Z

We've waited weeks for the snow to clear properly so we can continue shooting Little Red, our new fairytale super 8 film...

Just a few more shots to go - the scary ending to be precise - but until then, here's a wee glimpse at what we're up to!

ANOTHER YEAR OVER...

2011-01-01T13:05:00.003Z

Well it was quick, just as predicted, and it was a quieter one on the film screening front too... though quality over quantity certainly ensued...
So thanks to the London Independent Film Festival, Lancashire Film Festival, Bang! Short Film Festival, Euroshorts, BBC Big Screens and everyone else for showing our films in 2010.

And thank you everyone for the support - and you can expect plenty more coming from Ben Barton and Roundeye next year...

Here's wishing for world peace in 2011, eh?

Ben Barton

ROUNDEYE'S TOP 10 FOR 2010

2010-12-31T13:30:00.006Z

This year has been pretty spectacular for new films… here’s my Top 10 favourites from the past 12 months (in no particular order, of course).

Black Swan
What if you took SWAN LAKE and mixed it with THE PIANO TEACHER, added a little bit of JEKYLL AND HYDE, seasoned with THE RED SHOES, REPULSION and SHOWGIRLS then wrapped it all up in a blockbusting MOMMIE DEAREST-type package, what would you end up with? Why BLACK SWAN of course!

I know I’m putting this on my 2010 list even though it doesn’t officially come out until 2011 – but I just had to, because I’ve seen it and think it’s incredible.

I haven’t really loved any of Aronofsky’s films before, but this one really did it for me. Epic, beautiful, mindfucking and of course, camper than a row of fluffy pink tents, it blew me away and I’m sure it will you too.

Just go see in the cinema for maximum effect – that’s where the magic happens folks!

Certified Copy
A guaranteed head-scratcher, Abbas Kiarostami’s first feature to use professional actors is a poetic, beautiful experience. Juliette Binoche is perfect, as per usual, and you won’t take your eyes off her.

CERTIFIED COPY is like the film equivalent of a Chinese thumb puzzle – the harder you try to understand, the less you will.

Don’t read any more about it – it’ll ruin the surprise – just watch it.

Buried
A (relatively) low-budget gem masquerading as Hollywood blockbuster, BURIED by Spanish director Rodrigo Cortés takes the old ‘one room’ format (à la Hitchcock’s ROPE) and instead shrinks the setting down to coffin-size proportions.

Yep, this unique thriller is entirely set in a box. Six feet underground. With just one actor (the not-unpretty Ryan Reynolds).

Completely claustrophobic and edge-of-your-seat all the way – this is imaginative filmmaking which uses its low budget as an advantage rather than an obstacle.

The Disappearance of Alice Creed
Almost verging on the same ‘one room’ format as BURIED, although not quite, Brit flick THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED is something of a thrill ride, with the nail-chomping tension and gay subplot that echoes the brilliant BOUND.

Being a beautiful Kentish girl, I was always going to admire Gemma Arterton. Just as long as she stays away from the Hollywood shite more often, we’ll get on just fine. Thankfully, ALICE CREED generally avoids the formulas.

Leaving
I love Kristin Scott Thomas, always have. She has that sad glimmer in her eyes that keeps her bobbing between vulnerable and strong, which is a great quality on film. Plus, anyone who can seamlessly switch between English and French-language films is always going to be a winner with me (and yes that does include you Charlotte Rampling).

LEAVING chronicles the torrid affair and subsequent marriage break up of a seemingly reserved, middle-class British ex-pat, living in the south of France. Dreamy, sexy and sometimes shocking, LEAVING is a real grower that you’ll want to revisit.

Another Year
Divided into four seasons, this melancholic passing of a complete year is a real tour-de-force of simplicity.

Mike Leigh’s latest film is his best in a decade, owed in part to his regular actresses Ruth Sheen and Lesley Manville. The latter’s performance as Mary – a single, needy, over the hill lush is heartbreaking – more so because you’re sure to know her, some way or another.

Definitely my favourite British film of the year.

Le Refuge
Ah Francois, Francois. How I love him so. And I swooned once more when I went to see LE REFUGE.

I can’t deny I love his moody, urbane films much more than the comedies, and this one shows him at the top of his game. Filmed when the lead actress really was pregnant, and using her changing shape within the plot, this is another understated gem. Oh, and the impossibly sexy Melvil Poupaud is in it, albeit briefly – what more could you want?

Dogtooth
What I know about Greek cinema you could write on a postcard (notwithstanding ‘ISLAND OF DEATH’) but I’m determined to find out more after being captivated by DOGTOOTH in the summer. Once again, it’s probably best not to read too much about this one, but let’s just say it’s about isolation, sexual naïveté and being fearful of the modern world.

The most Hanekesque film not directed by Haneke I’ve ever seen, this one recently emerged on the free-to-air Film4 channel just weeks after its UK DVD release – so keep your eyes peeled – it’s well worth two hours of your life.

Rabbit Hole
As someone who loves HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH like a religion and who also went to some unforgettable cinema screenings of SHORTBUS (hardcore porn on the big screen with an audience of open-mouthed OAPs would stick in your mind too) I was nearly foaming at the mouth to see John Cameron Mitchell’s newest film.

Although it’s just his third feature in ten years, I’m getting the feeling than it’s quality rather than quantity that really counts for Mitchell.

And yes, this one does star Tinsletown upstart Nicole (does she deserve a mononym yet?) and is definitely more Hollywood that his previous films – but inside it feels like nothing has changed.

A modern avant-garde weepie with a message of hope, RABBIT HOLE is the conclusion of a victorious hat trick for Mitchell.

Inception
I know, I know. A film costing more than the GDP of a small country wouldn’t normally make it onto my list, and the total cost of all the Roundeye films probably comes to what they spent on Mr DiCaprio’s mascara alone – but this genre-defying cinema ride by Chris Nolan really did impress me. A lot.

Less a film and more like a pseudo-drug, I can’t deny it, INCEPTION is mind-bogglingly brilliant. In fact, I think I like it more than MEMENTO, and that’s saying something…

Ben Barton

BACK WITH A BANG!

2010-11-23T22:15:00.001Z

Well folks - we're back at Nottingham's finest Bang! Short Film Festival this year - this time with our colourful little cult offering, Getting Ready. As always, the festival promises "to mix local, national and international films to create an original and exciting programme".

Once again it's being held at the Broadway Cinema, and you can catch our film on Saturday night - 27th November at 7:30pm.

Go to the festival website for the fundown with the rundown...

"NEAR, FAR, WHEREVER YOU ARE..."

2010-05-24T11:20:00.002+01:00

No, it has nothing to do with the incessant warblings of newly-preggars Celine, but rather a funky new film night, which is launching May 27th at the Achromat Gallery in Hove.

As you can see, ‘Near, Far, Wherever You Are’ is the curious title, and you lucky peeps can look forward to a hand-picked selection of short films, from documentaries, non-narrative work, video art, music videos and more... And yes, they will screening some of Benny B's fab super-8 films too...

So if any of you ‘popcorn loving film watchers willing to donate a few coins for drinks’ are interested, get your bums down to the gallery on Queens Place, Hove (near the Sussex County Cricket Ground) at 7pm this Thursday.

BIRTHDAY FUN @ THE LANCASHIRE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

2010-05-18T15:00:00.003+01:00

Well what better way to celebrate Benny B's birthday weekend than with this fab new film festival?

Enjoy two days of films, performances, workshops, masterclasses and conferences during the inaugural Lancashire International Film Festival.

All tickets are free and there is good food and a licensed bar area to sit back and relax between shows.

We invite you to enjoy the films and the opportunity to share time and space with other film lovers, makers, writers and creators. This is LIFE in its many shorter forms.

You can read the full programme for our screening here - it's being held in the Media Factory's Theatre 1 on May 23rd at 9pm.

CHOOSE LIFE...

2010-05-14T21:10:00.002+01:00

A quick heads up that you can watch some fab Roundeye film, courtesy of Ben Barton, at the Lancashire International Film Festival... All details TBC - so watch this space!

SCREENSHOTS FROM OUR NEW FILM!

2010-05-13T20:05:00.004+01:00

Above are some (of the best) screenshots from the first reel to come back from the lab. Fantastic aren't they?

This 50ft reel of super-8 was supposed to be the romantic ending of our new Roundeye opus, 5,000 Miles From Hollywood. We hired the magically retro Silver Screen Cinema in Folkestone for the scenes - and Benny B and Jimmy D made great big tits out of themselves, praying to the icons of old Tinsletown and munching on popcorn all loved-up, and much more besides. But the sad sad thing is - you'll never get to see it!

Lab error, faulty film, broken camera - we don't know what's gone wrong here folks. But we are crossing every crossable part of our bodies and hoping that the remaining three colour reels (currently at another lab) will be ok. So maybe we'll be able to salvage something and still have a film to show you... If not - suicide or something else suitably dramatic will be on the cards...

Please leave us alone to go have a wee cry.

See you soon.

The Roundeyes

STUFF THE ELECTION – VOTE FOR GAY JESUS!

2010-05-05T21:55:00.005+01:00

NEWSFLASH!

Uphill for Jesus, our beautiful little art film, has been shortlisted for the Audience Award at the 4th Saltburn Film Festival.

It will be part of the Saltburn Shorts night, which promises “a selection of shorts from emerging film makers around the UK”. At the end of the night the audience will vote for their favourite film... so keep everything crossed for us! (crossed – geddit?)

Saltburn Shorts is next Thursday 13th May, in the Saltburn Community Theatre, at 7pm. Admission is 100% fab and free of charge too!

HI-HO, HI-HO OFF TO THE LAB THEY GO!

2010-05-03T18:30:00.002+01:00

That there be the undeveloped film for the latest Roundeye work-in-progress, 5,000 Miles From Hollywood. I gave them a wee kiss for good luck before packing them off to the lab, so fingers crossed my compadres!

Ben Barton

THERE’S NOWT AS QUEER AS FILM

2010-04-24T10:45:00.002+01:00

Following the low-key premiere of Getting Ready on Wednesday, the latest Roundeye film is now off to London for the fantabulosa Queer As Film night.

The event is part of the London Independent Film Festival, and we’re honoured to be part of what has been dubbed ‘the best of the New British Queer Cinema’. Kudos indeed.

As the title suggests, all the films come from those within the exclusive friendship circle of Dorothy, so we’re looking forward to a camptastic event which promises ‘desperate visions, trash chic imaginings, video nasties and midnight movie epics’.

If this sounds like your cup of Earl Gay, why not head to Soho’s The Crown and Two Chairman on Dean Street, this Sunday at 7:30pm.

The line-up for the night is thus:

‘Diana’ - directed by Aleem Khan
‘Homoworld’ - directed by Max Barber
‘Greg and the Luck Factory’ - directed by Alan Friel
‘Notice’ - directed by Amy Hill
‘Getting Ready’ - directed by Ben Barton
‘Latecomers’ - directed by Olivia Humphreys

Be there or be... queer.

"NO I DON'T HAVE A FUCKING PERMIT!"

2010-04-23T23:35:00.004+01:00

Well - the act of guerrilla filmmaking never did run smooth, as they say, and yesterday was no exception.

The photo above was taken approximately nine seconds before we were 'moved on' (i.e. frogmarched off the premises) from our local Starbucks by the ever-vigilant Folkestone Town Centre security staff - citing 'terrorism' I might add.

If this doesn’t seem ridiculous enough to you yet - let me expand the picture a little more... The security guard in question was actually speaking to two filmmakers clutching a tiny super-8 camera, as well as... a seven-foot cardboard cut-out of James Dean.

“No I don’t have a fucking permit!”
I can hear my own rather-camp voice echoing in my ears even now, a phrase only half-jokingly uttered while being escorted to the exits by a grey, sad little man who clutched his walkie-talkie close to his chest like a prized teddy bear.

So anyway, back to the photo. Well those hands are the 2D cardboard limbs of the aforementioned James Dean – who has been resurrected, Roundeye style, for our latest film: 5,000 Miles From Hollywood.

Still a work-in-progress, the latest from your favourite universally ignored underground movie studio is another super-8 trash epic. This one is a shaggy dog story, of sorts, where two men (one real, the other cardboard) go sightseeing around Sunny Folkestone. The fact that one of the men was/is the greatest dead-too-soon Hollywood star ever to have lived, is inconsequential.

Sorry if it’s all a bit cryptic - but all will become clear soon. (Just as soon as the films come back from the lab – so let’s hope the super-8 gods are smiling on us...)

Night-night!

Words: Ben Barton
Photo: Chris Holdsworth - official Roundeye brother

WHAT'S THIS?

2010-04-22T22:00:00.002+01:00

Well it's a fuzzy mobile phone shot of our Jennifer Harris on the big screen, during the Cinesaurus Film Society screening, that's what!

Hopefully Getting Ready will be coming to a screen near you soon!

x

¡VIVA ESPANA! - INCINERACION IS THIS WEEK...

2010-04-18T16:55:00.001+01:00

A quick reminder that Uphill for Jesus and The Return of Ellen Love are screening later this week from 21st-22nd April at the InCINEracion Independent Film Festival, Spain.
The 2010 event is being held in Granada at the Afrodisia Club, beginning at 8:30pm.

Screenings are free but seats are limited!

THE FUTURE’S ORANGE

2010-04-18T12:15:00.003+01:00

As said a couple of weeks ago – we’ve been busy organising screenings for the latest Roundeye film, Getting Ready, and the premiere is nearly here...

First out the blocks, the film will be shown at Canterbury’s coolest venue, the Orange Street Music Club as part of the Cinesaurus Film Society evening. The main event for the night is ‘500 Days of Summer’, but before that there will be a selection of short films by local independent filmmakers as a warm-up to the main feature.

Late notice – but it’s this Wednesday 21st April at 8pm. Entry £3.
Oh – and for that oh-so-authentic movie going experience - there’s popcorn too! We love that.

'GETTING READY' IS... READY

2010-03-18T21:05:00.006Z

Yep, finally it’s here! Getting Ready directed by Ben Barton and starring Roundeye starlet Jennifer Harris, will soon be coming to an underground venue near you*.

In Getting Ready we peer into the mirror as a fading actress prepares for the greatest performance of her life – a star-studded suicide. After applying her make-up for the last time, she goes to bed with her pills and Champagne. In her final dream she returns to the stage – but are the standing ovations and roses real, or just an illusion?

Filmed in the old dressing rooms of Chatham’s Brook Theatre, this super 8 poem is an opus of Technicolor glamour and peacockish preening, à la Kenneth Anger’s classic avant-garde gem Puce Moment.

We’ve previewed a short one-minute version of the film (called ‘Adored’) a few times since Christmas, but the final cut has taken some jiggery and pokery to get right. If it gets screened, you’ll be the first to know. Scout’s honour.

Thanks to Mr V for the film artwork.

*OK, nothing’s been confirmed yet, but we’re hopeful...

POLE POSITION (x 13)

2010-03-06T00:20:00.001Z

Aye our Ellen Love is a popular lass. As I’m sure you’ll remember, last year our film The Return of Ellen Love was part of the official selection for Euroshorts, Poland’s premier film festival. Organised by the Foundation for Young Cinema and now in its 18th year, it’s the only festival in Europe which brings together screenings of short films and creative advertising.

Following the main event in Warsaw last November, our film has now been chosen to go on tour all round Poland, visiting more than a dozen towns and cities, stopping off at art galleries, cinemas and public buildings.

Ellen Love is one of just six films in the ‘experimental category’ to be screened up and down the country… We’re in very good company too - some of the directors who are also screening work include Guy Ritchie and David Fincher I kid ye not!

Here is the current line-up for the regional screenings. Obviously we can’t be there in person, but there in heart yes we will be! It all sounds so exciting a teeny bit of wee just leaked out! Seriously!

Koszalin – January 27-29 / Wrocław – March 3-4 / Bielsko-Biała – March 11-12 / Olsztyn – March 22-26 / Toruń – April 22-23 / Elblag – April 28-29 / Gdańsk – May 22-23 / Zielona Góra – June 8 / Kutno - June 18 / Lublin – June 21-22 / Szczecin – June 24-25 / Warsaw – June 24-25.

Check out the Euroshorts website for more information.

KENNETH ANGER RISING

2010-02-20T12:30:00.011Z

Last night I attended a talk and screening from legendary filmmaker, visual magus and raconteur, Kenneth Anger, at the Tate Modern in London.

I have been eagerly waiting for Dr Anger to return to the UK, and let’s face it, he’s 83 now - even though he’d swear blind he’s only 80 (he’s not) - so the chances of him making frequent visits seems pretty slim these days.

Held in the Tate’s tiny cinema, it was a great night. True, some of the classics were left off the bill – most notably Fireworks and Scorpio Rising, but I still enjoyed it.

First up was Mouse Heaven, Anger’s ode to the darker side of Disney, back in the early days when Mickey Mouse had a more devilish grin and evil glint in his eye. Although Anger claimed to have shot some 16mm footage in the 1980s, this version is strictly digital. A kaleidoscope of dancing Mickeys coupled with gaudy chroma-key backgrounds, this is the best Anger film of the 21st century, so far. Along with Rabbit’s Moon, it is probably the only Anger film you could label ‘fun’.

Then came Red Witch, a truly great piece of film. This one wasn’t actually by Anger, but a found footage piece constructed by his ‘producer and collaborator’ Brian Butler (who was also in attendance). Red Witch is a re-cut 8mm home movie of Marjorie Cameron, but not like any homespun footage you’ve ever seen before! She sits like a cat in her living room, surrounded by her grandchildren, who watch as she applies layer after layer of magickal make-up. As this mystical process progresses, the kids laze around and climb over their grandmother, who seems to be in a trance, as the soundtrack and thumping visuals build to a psychedelic climax.

Cameron – who preferred to be known by the mononym – was a fascinating character, who surely deserves a biopic all of her own. A real life witch, artist, underground movie star, wife of the famous rocket scientist Jack Parsons (who blew himself up in the shed one day) and friend of Kenneth Anger, she is the original ‘Scarlet Woman’ and the best part of the classic Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome.

It’s strange that the most memorable film of the night wasn’t actually by Anger, but it was this film I kept on thinking about as the evening wore on. Cameron is such a big part of the Anger legend, so to see a completely different side to her, and to see how very old she looked, was more than fascinating. The soundtrack (also by Butler, I believe) was pretty good too. If you want to see more of Cameron – albeit just a glimpse – then I highly recommend Night Tide, a little-known cult classic by Anger’s chum Curtis Harrington – in which Cameron has a creepy little cameo role. It’s also a good little reminder that Dennis Hopper was actually really sexy back in the day (look out for the not-so-subtle homoerotic subtext in the ‘massage scene’).

Invocation of My Demon Brother was next on the bill. Visually, this film is unique, with a dark streak that makes it just a little disturbing. Like all of his work, Anger had a number of dubious stories concerning how this film came about: he has always claimed that the original footage for this film was stolen, and so what we have here is ‘scraps from the cutting bin’. Whether or not that’s true – and it seems doubtful, as some of the film’s striking images are hardly stuff you would throw away – it’s just another part of the Anger legend which I love. Also, Mick Jagger’s bizarre and headachey synthesiser soundtrack has a way of keeping you alert and fixed on the screen.

Next up on the film programme was Brush of Baphomet, which is basically a sequel to Anger’s 2002 film The Man We Want To Hang. Another straight rostrum camera-type catalogue of Crowley paintings. Not exactly my cup of Chai, but there you go.

Finally, we were ‘treated’ to the Jimmy Page version of Lucifer Rising. This version is slightly shorter and was never officially released, giving it star status in the eyes of many Anger fans. Sadly though, I am not one of them. I don’t care for Page or Led Zeppelin or anything like that, so although I’m glad I saw this curious piece, I wouldn’t rush out to see it again. Page’s soundtrack is truly ear-splitting. And it’s no poetic simile to say the ‘music’ sounds like nails scraping a blackboard – it actually DOES sound like nails scraping a blackboard – all 25 minutes of it! It was something to be endured rather than enjoyed – and I kept thinking of those experiments on my fellow homos in the 60s, where they were tied down in medicinal viewing rooms and forced to watch porn while being electrocuted – a cinema experience dealing in pain rather than pleasure. What a shame, because Lucifer is a truly excellent film. It has a polished look and such great locations, you can’t help but be mesmerised by it. But give me the ‘real’ Bobby Beausoleil version any day. At least you can enjoy that one without Advil.

In the Tate cinema I noticed that some of the (very young) crowd seemed a little boorish, a bit distracted. I got the impression they had read the Hollywood Babylon books and not much else. They weren’t proper Anger mainlining smackheads like me. That’s why I wish the great man had put Fireworks up there on the screen. That would surely have given them a shake.

During the obligatory Q&A which followed the screenings, there was a rather uncomfortable wall of silence from the audience – save for the sound of their backs sliding down into the chairs. But thankfully it was all kept very brief, so wasn’t too painful, thank Thelema.

I had brought with me my prized promo editions of the Fantoma DVDs for Anger to sign, if I got the chance to ask. I also had a DVD with a couple of my films on it – now I don’t know if Anger has a DVD player, even if he does I’m sure he couldn’t give a rat’s arse about my films, but hey, it was worth a shot. So while I was planning how to approach this subject and cajole him into autographing my DVDs without looking like some fawning fan, I noticed that the talk was over, and Anger was stomping up the staircase with the agility of a nubile moonchild half his age.

So realising that my idol was very soon to exit stage left, I made a beeline for the doors. Unfortunately I didn’t get to meet him – as I entered the lobby I just saw him stepping into the lift while some pretentious gallery assistant flitted around with a clipboard and poked at the buttons. So that was how my night ended – with the elevator doors sliding shut, then Kenneth Anger rising… up into the towers of Bankside.

Ben Barton

BARGAIN BIN BENNY

2010-02-10T18:30:00.003Z

I personally believe that you haven’t made it as a poet until you’ve landed in the bargain bin, so you can imagine my absolute JOY when I discovered that Waterstones have finally put me there. A couple of my Red Books were stacked in the paper graveyard, thankfully looking very well thumbed and read – just the way I like it. They must have been on the shelf a good three years...

So what if no one decided to dig deep and buy these orphaned copies – they took the time to have a read – which is validation enough for me. Treat the large chain bookshops like free libraries, that's what I say. For all their inflated prices they deserve it!

Now this creased copy is up for the grand total of 99p! Utter bargain! I was so happy I had to record the moment for posterity...

Sorry for the fuzzy snap – you know I’m a technophobe, and that includes newfangled camera-phones I’m afraid!

Ben Barton

IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED...

2010-02-02T21:35:00.000Z

It seems it wasn’t just good old Britain that was brought to its knees by the snow – but China too. The Electric Shadows screening in Beijing last month coincided with a whacking great snowstorm, which left the audience a tad thin on the ground, apparently.

With this in mind, Vicky and the team have decided to re-run the entire January programme again – which means both The Return of Ellen Love and Uphill for Jesus will be getting a second shot, along with a sumptuous collection of other experimental, hand-crafted films from around the world. The screening is this Sunday 7th February, 2pm, at the Peng Hao Theatre.

So fingers crossed the weather will be kinder this time – no skis required!

BENNY B'S POEMS REVIEWED BY CHROMA...

2010-01-21T21:23:00.000Z

CHROMA: Review drop, anchor by Ben Barton

I'M A PHOTOGRAPHER, NOT A TERRORIST!

2010-01-19T23:50:00.003Z

The UK activist group I'm a Photographer, Not a Terrorist! is planning a mass photo-shooting this Saturday in Trafalgar Square, London: "Following a series of high profile detentions under S44 of the Terrorism Act including seven armed police detaining an award-winning architectural photographer in the City of London, the arrest of a press photographer covering campaigning santas at City Airport and the stop and search of a BBC photographer at St Paul's Cathedral and many others, PHNAT feels now is the time for a mass turnout of photographers, professional and amateur to defend our rights and stop the abuse of the terror laws."

I feel passionate about this one folks - this Saturday 23rd January.

YOU WILL BE ADORED

2010-01-16T21:15:00.007Z

Tomorrow, January 17th, we will be making a welcome return to Manchester's kookiest short film night, the Odder Mini Cine Picture Show.

It's the Picture Show's first anniversary celebrations, and they promise the "best short film oddities" from around the world. The night is held the third Sunday of the month in Manchester's Odder Bar on the Oxford Road.

Exactly one year ago our film The Return of Ellen Love was premiered there, and for the birthday party we will we back - screening a special two-minute sneak-peek of our latest film Getting Ready.

It's called Adored.

Entry to the Mini Cine Picture Show is free and so is the popcorn!

Films begin at 8pm.

HACKNEY'S VARIETY BOX - THIS SATURDAY

2010-01-12T19:10:00.004Z

It's all down to Hackney's Empire Theatre this Saturday for the regular live art event, Variety Box. Held in the theatre's Marie Lloyd Bar, it's a platform for experimental and physical theatre, contemporary dance, stand-up, music, short film and more. Unlike other nights, Variety Box has no firm concept regarding themes. It is literally a night of artistic mayhem and surprise with a neo-avant garde touch. This weekend a hand-picked selection of Roundeye films - all directed by Ben Barton and featuring the vocal talents of Jennifer Harris - will be screened, the only films of the night!

Entry is free and the show starts at around 8pm, but get there early for a seat!

INCINERACION TAKE 2

2010-01-11T22:40:00.001Z

Some advance notice here - and Incineracion, Spain's super 8-friendly independent film art festival, is gearing-up for another screening. Ben Barton's Jesus and Ellen Love films are back on the programme, with screenings this April 20th at the Afrodisia Club in Granada.

OBLONGING & LOVING THE LITTLE CINEMA

2010-01-06T21:30:00.004Z

Starting tomorrow, there's something very special beginning at the Oblong Gallery, London. And that's because Initial Prospect, our down-and-out-in-Dungeness super-8 film poem, will be screening as part of a curated exhibition of artists' cinema. Oblong Screenings runs from the 7th-21st January, with two screenings per day; the first from 12pm-2pm and the second 3pm-5pm, both on a loop.

This sounds like a good one folks - the gallery will become a temporary little cinema, with 20 'first come, first serve seats' where guests will be presented with complimentary popcorn and a drink.

The opening night, tomorrow, will be the only time you can view the films at night, from 7pm-9pm - thanks to Time Out London's First Thursdays collaboration, supported by the Arts Council England.

ROUNDEYE BEHIND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN

2010-01-02T20:25:00.002Z

First off the bat for 2010 - and two Roundeye films du jour - The Return of Ellen Love and Uphill for Jesus - are going to make their Chinese debut in Beijing (which Benny B was lucky enough to explore on a tour of China a couple of years back).

Electric Shadows is a multi-platform film and music venture designed to promote experimental and art house cinema in the Chinese capital. Run by a team of passionate volunteers, they hold a screening every month aiming to "showcase the finest short works from around the world which challenge the conventional labels of documentary and fiction, and blur the lines between narrative and experimental film".

The inaugural event of the new decade will be tomorrow, January 3rd, at the Peng Hao Theatre, Dongcheng. This exceptional new theatre and coffeehouse is one of the first privately-owned theatres in Beijing. Located in the centre of the performing arts district, it is a beautifully-restored hutong house with a bohemian feel, chill-out zones and rooftop bar.

The screenings begin at 2pm and entrance is 30 yuan.

Benny B in Tiananmen Square, 2007

SO THAT WAS 2009 - AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2010-01-01T01:05:00.004Z

Well that decade flew by like shit off a shovel - and 2009 was the busiest yet for Ben Barton’s super 8 films.

In just 12 short months the Roundeye-produced creations were screened at 16 film festivals in cities from Budapest to Manchester and Madrid to Warsaw; at music festivals in Cambridge and Wales; cafes and bars in Edinburgh and Tokyo; universities and galleries in London and Liverpool; in a multiplex cinema in Brazil and ‘little’ cinemas in Berlin, Birmingham, Dublin, Norwich and San Francisco; projected onto buildings in Athens and Leeds; with a live choir in Windsor; at scary Halloween horror events in Brighton, Croydon and Huddersfield; and at many great underground film nights in Beijing, Canterbury, Luton, Northampton, Nottingham, Preston and of course, London. LOTS of unspeakably cool nights in London.

None of this would be possible without the input of the informal Haus of Roundeye, an uber-talented bunch including the 'modelling' and vocals of Jennifer Harris, music of Robert Harris, styling of Scott Gibson and artwork of Mark Vanstone. So big love to all of them.

We’ve also shot our next film, Getting Ready, and are beginning the next one very soon. Oh, and all the current films have been picked-up by the BBC for their ‘Big Screen’ public screening project. Phew!

Not sure if we’ll beat our busy sophomore year that was 2009, but there’s already lots planned for 2010, and we’re keeping it all under our big shiny hat for now, but here’s a wee clue…

Look out for Jimmy D on the streets, and have a good one!

LOW-DEF DELIGHTS IN EDINBURGH

2009-12-02T22:15:00.002Z

We've been a wee bit quiet of late, but it's great to (belatedly) report that last week two Roundeye films - Initial Prospect and Scott's Garden - were screened at the Low Def Film Night, held at Edinburgh's Word of Mouth Cafe.

TIME FOR THE BIG BANG!

2009-11-25T21:45:00.001Z

Pssssssst. Some Roundeye films will be screening at the next Bang! Short Film Festival. It's the extra-special 10th edition actually - this Saturday 28th November.

Bang! is the East Midland's premier short film event, and you can watch our films as part of the HEdge artists' cinema screening at the Broadway Cinema in Nottingham. Kick off is 7:30pm.

MADRID CALLING... INCINERACION 2009

2009-11-07T21:20:00.002Z

We'd just returned from some tapas, funnily enough, so it was with belly's full of Spanish Shiraz when we found out that España loves us back! Why? because two of Ben Barton's finest cuts: The Return of Ellen Love and Uphill for Jesus have been selected for InCINEracion, Spain's long-running cult art film festival. [Myspace is HERE]

With a renowned penchant for super 8 film, this year's is the 14th edition of the festival, featuring the work of 21 artists from Spain, Argentina, Canada and the UK... and in our humble opinion the line-up is looking champion.

Our two flicks will be screened at the Elipa Cultural Centre, Madrid, on Tuesday 17th November (earlier than originally advertised). Projections start at 7.30pm and entry is 100% gratis!

A big muchas gracias to Julio Juste for this one.

EUROSHORTS HERE WE COME!

2009-11-06T22:50:00.001Z

The Ellen Love juggernaut just keeps chugging on... and we are very excited to reveal that our Gothic underground pièce de résistance is part of the official selection for Euroshorts, Poland's best short film festival.

Courtesy of the Kino Lab, the film is part of the 'experimental' competition selection being screened at Wasaw's Centre for Contemporary Art, Ujazdowski Castle, on November 15th @ 8pm.

BACK AT THE LAB

2009-11-01T00:10:00.002Z

The Halloween magick is rolling on, and The Return of Ellen Love, our moody Gothic super 8 film, is going to be screened at the Picturedrome in Northampton for The Film Lab.

[Facebook] [myspace]

It's our sophomore screening at the lab - this coming Thursday, November 5th. 9pm. Entrance is free.

TRICK OR TREAT - HALLOWEEN SCREAMINGS!

2009-10-26T23:20:00.008Z

Well it's that time of year again, and for her first ever All Hallow’s Eve our undead heroine, Ellen Love, has been selected for a trio of great Halloween screamings, I mean screenings.

First up is the Halloween Happening at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield. On Halloween night, Saturday 31st October, the whole theatre will be opened-up for a night of partying, entertainment and live performance across the building, including spooky films on the big screen and a nightclub in the ‘crypt’. Fancy dress is required to get in – and it’s 7pm-2am folks. Tickets £15.

Second is Caligari's Movie Extravaganza, where, of course, October’s event is a horror night, combining short films with music and live Vjing. This one’s at the Green Dragon, Croydon on Friday 30th – so that’s All Hallow’s Eve Eve, I guess? Either way, kick off is at 8pm. Tickets £4.

And last but most definitely not least is the Son of Movie Bar, Brighton's sequel night to the cult Movie Bar. Actually a little late for Halloween - it's on 3rd November – but the whole night will be horror themed and sounds like it’ll be a ripper. It's all happening at the usual place – The Cornerstone on Elm Grove. 8pm. Entry is free.

* * * * * * * *

A little addendum here - we've just been told that Ellen Love will also be part of the line-up for the Destructors' Manifesto night, being held over the water at Dublin's Tivoli Theatre this Friday 30th October. This promises to be "a one-night festival of music, theatre, short films and live graffiti, celebrating the dark, the weird and the wonderful". 7pm. Tickets 10 euro.

So that turns our Halloween trio into a foursome... oo-er!

IT'S TAKING AGES TO 'GET READY'

2009-10-19T18:55:00.000+01:00

Boy do some people take ages to get ready! Films are a bit like that too, as we've discovered working on the latest super 8 project!

So until Getting Ready is, ahem, ready - here's some screenshots from the rough cut. Enjoy.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF MY T.V.

2009-10-16T21:41:00.002+01:00

We’ve been in contact with a few television stations over the past two years, though until now nothing has come to fruition.

But we’ve just heard that some Roundeye film is going to be beamed into people’s homes via ‘Transfera’ - Spain’s only videoart show, which broadcasts from Madrid every Wednesday and Friday on the station Canal Autor (Orange TV channel 34 & Euskaltel).

Details are a wee bit sketchy right now, but it’s looking good and we’ll spill soon…

Hopefully it won’t be long before we can announce a broadcast from these green and pleasant lands (hint hint Propeller TV, who have yet to take up our submissions...)

WE ARE THE NEW GAIL PORTERS... LIGHTING-UP LEEDS

2009-10-06T18:35:00.003+01:00

The filmic world of Ben Barton - crawling insects, ghost brides and the ever-present crucifix imagery - will be lighting-up the nocturnal cityscape of Leeds this Friday 9th October.

It's all part of the annual Light Night festival, in which 60 venues will throw open their doors from dusk until dawn for free arts performances, exhibitions, installations and activities.

Using high-end projection, the moving images of Roundeye will be projected onto the entire frontage of the Civic Hall building in Millennium Square throughout the night, beginning at 6pm. Curated by media arts organisation LUMEN, it has been planned as one of the central attractions of the festival.

This illuminating spectacular has been listed among the top 10 public art events in the world by the Telegraph Review. The festival is based on events such as the 'Nuit Blanche' in both Paris and Toronto, and 'Notte Bianca' in Como, Italy. And rumour has it that London may be following suit in 2010.

Around 500 artists and organisations are involved in this year's event, giving audiences the chance to see an exciting array of experimental contemporary media, animation and film from emerging artists across the UK and beyond.

The Civic Hall projection project is supported by Leeds Metropolitan University.

INAUGURATION AT THE PICTUREDROME

2009-10-01T07:05:00.000+01:00

Just a quickie - our film 'Insects' (which is going through a rather popular phase right now) - is going to be screened tonight at The Film Lab in Northampton.

The Film Lab promises great art films, photography and some of the best local music. The event is held on the first Thursday of every month at the legendary Picturedrome.

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING EXTRA SPECIAL... THE WINDSOR FESTIVAL

2009-09-21T21:35:00.005+01:00

"Windsor" - It makes me think of two things... But this post has nothing to do with Babs losing her bra (cue Carry On-whistle noise), or dear old Liz on a throne covered in Corgi hair, but rather Arvo Pärt. Yes - that Arvo Pärt, the Estonian who's achieved a pinnacle of success that most composers have to die before they achieve.

'Pärt Visual' is an extra special event. Really. And probably one of the most exciting projects that Ben Barton's Roundeye films have been involved with. A brand new cut of Uphill for Jesus has been shortlisted for this film competition, part of this year's Windsor Festival.

As the films are projected in the cinema, they will be accompanied by live choral music from the Windsor Festival Singers.

Now in it's 40th year - the Windsor Festival brings together music, literature, film, walks and tours around the Queen's favourite castle and its environs.

The Pärt Visual event is being held at The Firestation, Windsor's newest arts space, offering an exciting line-up of events including cinema, live music, theatre, comedy, workshops, dance and exhibitions.

Here's the official blurb:

Pärt Visual is a very special performance and screening. We asked independent filmmakers to submit films to accompany choral works by celebrated Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, and these are the beautiful and breathtaking results. The evening’s films are accompanied by live performances by The Windsor Festival Singers and followed by the announcement of Critics Choice and Audience Award.

BUG-A-BOO - WE'RE BACK AT THE QUICKFLICK FILM FESTIVAL

2009-09-20T21:20:00.000+01:00

Connecting artists, sharing creativity, blending cultures... Quickflick is a monthly film festival which occurs simultaneously in some of the world’s creative capitals, including London, New York, Berlin, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Barcelona, Mumbai, Tokyo, Tel Aviv and Amsterdam. In a party atmosphere, directors screen and share their latest creations relating to a global theme that has been collectively chosen.

It's been a year, but we're bucked-up to be appearing at the festival once more, as Ben Barton's film 'Insects' - with a super-duper soundtrack provided by Robert Harris - will be exhibited this Wednesday 23rd September in London's Roxy Bar and Screen. Quite fitting for festival's theme of 'bugs' with the technical requirement of 'macro' methinks.

We're abuzz with excitement. Honest. No - we really are.

GETTING READY FOR GETTING READY

2009-09-15T10:45:00.011+01:00

At long last, we've just finished shooting the latest Roundeye film, called 'Getting Ready'.

It's all the same team - Benny Barton directing, Jennifer Harris as the model, Scott Gibson as production designer, and Mark Vanstone on title and artwork design.

This super 8 opus harks back to the days of old Hollywood, and is our most elaborate production yet, filmed in the vintage dressing rooms of Chatham's Brook Theatre.

Here's a sneaky peek, just for you...

SZEGED 2009 - HUNGARY LOVES ELLEN

2009-09-04T16:15:00.004+01:00

We're no stranger to the Szeged Super 8 Festival, which definitely sits in the Top Five Super 8 fests in the world (last year our film-poem Uphill for Jesus was premiered there). And while we're on it, Ellen Love is no stranger to the beautiful baroque country of Hungary either - as Ben Barton's Roundeye film The Return of Ellen Love was premiered in Budapest this May...

Now in it's eighth year, the Szeged Festival keeps getting bigger and better - rumour has it that several hunded films (from no less than five continents) were submitted this time around... So when the Competition programme was announced earlier today, it was a great surprise to see that Ellen Love is included!

Our film will be screened exactly one year to the day as last year's festival - 11th September. And quite fitting for our spooky lass, Ellen will be part of the late evening showing, beginning at 9pm. For the low-down with the hoedown and all the nitty-gritties, see the festival website.

SOUP AND CINEMA IN LEEDS

2009-09-01T00:25:00.007+01:00

We're happy to report that Ben Barton's little-seen Roundeye gem Scott's Garden will be screening at the Project Space Leeds on Wednesday 16th September.

It's part of the unique Soup & Cinema night - one of the Town and Country events, a series of collaborations between Project Space Leeds and the Harewood House Trust, exploring issues surrounding the urban and the rural.

PSL [Project Space Leeds] is an independent contemporary art space, staging exhibitions across all art forms by artists from the UK and abroad. PSL occupies 500 square metres of ground floor exhibition space at Whitehall Waterfront in the new West End of Leeds, just five minutes' walk from the train station.

SOUP & CINEMA

Wednesday 16th September, 6pm-9pm

Tickets £4, places are limited so please book in advance

Making a meal out of the fresh produce from Hortuseum, our in-house greenhouse, PSL invites you to share a soup supper before sitting down to an evening of artists' films.

BYOB (bring you own bowl, and spoon) - first come first served!

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TURNING THE TABLES AT BIRMINGHAM'S ARTSFEST

2009-08-31T09:05:00.000+01:00

We are pleased as punch to be part of the line-up for this year's ArtsFest - Birmingham's free art spectacular. From 11th-13th September, the city will come alive with music, film, comedy and theatre.

The Roundeye found-film poem Dance of the Coward is part of the Turntable event, next Sunday 13th September at 1:20pm in the city's Crescent Theatre.

It's a rare chance to see our little film - which has only screened once before, in London. It captures the famous matador El Cordobes doing his dirty deed in Ibiza. It's a shocking one folks...

The best part is, every event at the ArtsFest is free! For the programme click here.

KINO SHORTS 5 – WE’RE IN!

2009-08-29T11:30:00.003+01:00

KINO SHORTS 5 presents
THE BEST OF CINEMATOPIA
Wednesday 9th September 2009 at 8pm
Green Room, 54-56 Whitworth Street West, Manchester
Tickets £4

Our irrepressible Stag Movie is now making her way to Manchester, boobies and all…

Kinofilm will play host to The Best of Cinematopia 2009, an awesome line-up of the grooviest short film, music video, animation and digital media, selected from this year’s past events at Preston’s Mad Ferrett. If you haven’t been to one of their events yet in Preston, now’s the chance to see what they’ve been up in darkest Lancashire – where some say there’s there’s even an Independent film scene there… so come find out what all the fuss is about.

If you missed it at the Glastonferret Festival, now's your chance to see it on the big screen!

GOOD REVIEW ALERT!

2009-07-26T11:21:00.004+01:00

Following a screening of Ellen Love last Wednesday at Manchester's 24:7 Theatre Festival, we've stumbled across a rather splendid review, so felt compelled to share...

"Forming part of the Manchester 24:7 Theatre Festival, 'Visual Pleasures' provided an evening of clips from both Mancunian and national contributors and turned-up more than a few lovely surprises...

It was back to art school as Ben Barton’s ethereal Gothic sonnet The Return of Ellen Love hit the screen. Filmed on super 8, the film served as a great video to the accompanying score of Jennifer Harris’s 'Black Eyes', and was a welcome respite from the drama that had gone before. Described by its creators as a 'dark and romantic visual poem', this was five minutes of alternative fun that served the crowd well."

Excerpted from The Rattle

IMAGINE ALL THE PEOPLE...

2009-07-23T15:10:00.002+01:00

Next Friday July 31st you can watch a hand-picked compendium of the Roundeye films as part of the Imagination Collaborations event, being held at The Loggerheads in Nottingham.

To quote the organisers: "A new phenomenon is here - a night that will blur the edges and remove the borders to bring together everyone for the sake of creativity. From live performance and artwork to films and visualisations."

Be there or be square from 8pm my friends - entry is 100% gratis!

LETS DISCUSS FILM...

2009-07-18T18:58:00.007+01:00

Pinch punch, first day of the month...

On August 1st you can see a brand-new cut of the Roundeye film Uphill for Jesus at the Discussions On Film premiere event, held at The Corridor, Hackney Road, London. They've called it "visually exquisite" and of course, we agree.

The night is going to be screenings from filmmakers, video artists and film architects, followed by conversation - beginning at 8:30pm.

This is from the gallery website:

Against the backdrop of our seemingly ever more secularised lives, evangelism is enjoying a resurgence; partly imported with arriving immigrant communities, it is now familiar a part of the texture of cities such as London, with religious buildings and representations springing up around the city... does this growth also reveal something about where modern man finds himself?

PREPARE TO LAUNCH - THE 24:7 THEATRE FEST

2009-07-17T11:51:00.001+01:00

Ellen Love returns to Manchester next week, this time for the city's 24:7 Theatre Festival. It's part of The Hub After Hours line-up - a kind of fringe event to the main festival, with music performances, films, lectures and more...

The Return of Ellen Love is one of eight films selected for 'Visual Pleasure: An Evening of Short Films' held at New Century House next Wednesday 22nd July 2009. It's a late one folks - doors at 9pm - but admission is free!

"Accompanying the unveiling of Heartless, a new short film by Pylon Pictures, will be other delicacies from the world of filmmaking and art. So, grab your beverage of choice, sit back and let your senses be tingled…"

For more info visit the 24:7 Theatre festival website, then click on The Hub.

WORKING IT IN WALES, OUR LATEST FESTIVAL...

2009-07-06T20:47:00.007+01:00

The Roundeye films have found their natural home - screenings at music festivals!

Yes 'The Cinema of Small Gestures' - the swooping title for all the films directed by Ben Barton - have been very popular of late in the cinema tents of various fests from Athens to Cambridge.

The latest is the Workhouse Festival - a three-day event which runs from 10th to 12th July in Powys, Wales. They will be screening a hand-picked selection of the films, including The Return of Ellen Love, Uphill for Jesus and Insects.

This year the cinema tent promises "a variety of shorts, feature and documentary films from around the globe, offering a portal into new worlds from some of the best young, up-and-coming and radical film making talent."

For all the details, visit the Workhouse Festival website [HERE]

or read the BBC profile [HERE]

WHISPERS...

2009-06-26T11:31:00.002+01:00

There are lots more film screenings in the pipeline: at the Workhouse Festival in Wales, Tangerine in Australia, Discussions on Film at The Corridor in London, and at the Pink Festival in Cambridge. We’re also working on Getting Ready, the latest from the cinema of small gestures.
We can’t give any proper details just yet, but watch this space…

THE VERY BEST OF CINEMATOPIA 2009

2009-06-22T18:56:00.005+01:00

Our cheeky Stag Movie has been chosen for a special event this Friday 26th June at the Mad Ferret, Fylde Road, Preston. Doors 7pm. £3 entry. It's part of the indoor Glastonferret Mini-Festival... Here’s the official blurb:

The Very Best of Cinematopia 2009 will showcase an awesome line-up of the grooviest short film, music video, animation and digital media from our past events. The outdoor screenings will be on the Orange Peel stage. And all this with a turfed pub, live bands, barbeque and real scrumpy (and the outdoor area’s roofed so you don’t need to worry about the British weather!)

Hosted by Kitsch Monkey Productions and the Mad Ferret, Cinematopia is Preston’s only regular movie night, screening a themed programme of weird and wonderful films.

THE HARRISES LIVE IN CONCERT!

2009-06-16T18:25:00.007+01:00

Robert and Jennifer Harris, the copiously talented brother-sister combo who have provided the music for many Roundeye films, will be performing live at this year’s Concert in the Park, in Goodnestone Park, Canterbury, Kent.

Our talented duo are the opening act for the event, which is this Saturday 20th June. Gates open at 3pm, and tickets can be purchased here.

BEN BARTON & KENNETH ANGER - AT THE PICTURES!

2009-06-14T14:12:00.002+01:00

Just a few days to go until Roundeye's latest appearance at The Pictures, without doubt London's coolest film night, who have supported us from the beginning.

This Wednesday June 17th two of our films will be sharing the programme with the legendary Kenneth Anger - Benny B's true hero. Both Insects and Stag Movie will be up there, followed by Anger classics Rabbit's Moon, Invocation, the Scorpio & Lucifer Risings and even Puce Moment - the inspiration for our new film (still very much in progress) called Getting Ready.

Get there for 8pm and expect to stay late!

STRAWBERRY SEASON

2009-06-03T23:44:00.001+01:00

This Friday is the first night of the Strawberry Fair Film Festival in Cambridge, where Ellen Love will screened in the Big Top Tent. Our section starts at 9:45pm and is being sold as the "best new short films from around the world". That's what I call hype!
And yes I know I've said it before, but admission is free!

JESUS AT THE SYNCH FESTIVAL, ATHENS

2009-06-02T22:12:00.008+01:00

A few months ago Ben created a special edit of Uphill for Jesus for the brilliant Synch Festival, held in Athens Friday June 12th to Sunday 14th.

The film will be projected onto large screens outside the Technopolis building, a historic old factory in the city centre.

It's part of Synch's moving image programme, a non-competitive show that promotes work from international audio-visual artists. Now in its sixth year, I'm assured this fest is one of the bestest in Europe!

Florence and the Machine, a personal favourite of Roundeye star Benny Harris, are part of the incredibe line-up for this event, as are Benny B's fave, the New Young Pony Club.

Here's a wee trailer to whet your appetities:

B:FEST THIS SATURDAY

2009-06-01T21:27:00.001+01:00

B Involved, B There, B Inspired, B Fest!

Starting at 4pm this Saturday 6th June, our dark and moody little cine flick The Return of Ellen Love will be part of the B:Fest film screenings, which are described thus:

“More innovative and experimental work - a perfect alternative for those fed up with formulaic Hollywood blockbusters! An opportunity to see short films submitted by filmmakers from all over Europe”

See the Luton Arts Festival website for all the info.
Screening held at Manhattans, Cumberland Street, Luton. Admission: £5.

WORD! THE BENNIES AT THE LONDON WORD FESTIVAL

2009-05-28T18:55:00.002+01:00

What is that I see before me, poor Yorick? Why it looks like the two Bennies being projected onto Daz-white laundry that is hanging in some art gallery. What could it be?

Well… as a bit of a sideline Roundeye project, an image of the two Bennies (Ben Barton & Jennifer Harris) was used as part of ‘My T-Shirt Says’, an art installation at the London Word Festival.

Held on Mother’s Day last March, the event “snatched text from people’s T-shirts and used it to create found poems for an image-sound-word installation and performance”. Phew!

Big thanks to Karen McCarthy, the artist behind this project. Her published poem was based on Benny B’s ‘XYZ Generation’ t-shirt, which surely has a few moth bites by now…

FRISCO FEVER!

2009-05-28T17:45:00.007+01:00

We’ve just had late notice of two screenings over the pond in San Francisco, for the Cinematheque Avec night, a new event held at the Hotel Utah, 400 Bryant Street.

Both Uphill for Jesus and The Return of Ellen Love will be shown later today, Thursday May 28th at 8.30pm.

It’s described as “a mingling of indie films with original music from SF-based songstress, Brittany Shane” whose new album Have Heart Live Young comes highly recommended!
Ms Shane will introduce each film as well as providing the musical entertainment with her band.

Plus, continuing the (accidental) trend for the Roundeye film screenings – they’ll be free popcorn too!

ELLEN LOVE IN EDINBURGH!

2009-05-25T14:56:00.010+01:00

Yep, Ellen Love is the girl that just keeps on giving! The undead star of our underground offering The Return of Ellen Love, captured on super grainy super 8, is fast becoming our most popular personage to date!

The flick has been chosen as one of “the best films shown over the past six months” by The Pictures, London’s best subversive film night, and so is heading north for an offshoot event at The Bowery in Edinburgh.

This free night out is bolstered with free popcorn – so bring a date this Sunday May 31st at 5pm to The Bowery at the city's Roxy Art House.

P.S. We can’t even see the word ‘Bowery’ without thinking of the devilled demi-god of everything bad taste, Leigh Bowery, our idol, hero and favourite former resident of Sunshine. RIP Leigh x

ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR!

2009-05-21T21:06:00.003+01:00

Roundeye’s nearly-cult classic The Return of Ellen Love has been selected for the delectable Strawberry Fair Film Festival 2009 - Cambridge's finest festival held every year on the Midsummer Common.

Late at night under the Big Top Tent on Friday 5th June, Ellen will be the penultimate film of the evening.

This year's Strawberry Fair will include ten fantastic short film programmes over two days – and is just part of Cambridge’s best free festival – and yes I said FREE!

Read the film programme here: [1] or peruse what the BBC has to say about the whole event here: [2]

SPEND ANOTHER NIGHT AT THE PICTURES

2009-05-17T22:32:00.007+01:00

Last year we were delighted to be part of the line-up for the first ever Pictures Underground Film Night - and we're happy to be returning with The Return of Ellen Love and Dance of the Coward - this Wednesday 20th May at Bardens Boudoir, Stoke Newington High Street, London N16*

Please come and support this crowd of moviemakers, dreamers, cinephiles and budding underground stars, s'il vous plait!

Showtime is 7pm and not only is it free entry - but it's happy hour all night long too - so get happy you wannabe Candy Darlings!

*Sadly we can't make this one because we're otherwise engaged at the Kent University student film night - but we hope to make it to the next one where there's been a whisper that we may be screening some other films...

TASTE THE 'CABARET SORBET' THIS FRIDAY!

2009-05-13T18:23:00.006+01:00

A selection of Ben Barton’s short films from the Roundeye oeuvre will be screened this Friday May 15th as part of the Cabaret Sorbet, Nottingham's night of alternative arts absorption.

Be prepared to enjoy an evening full of music, poetry, performance art, short films, dance, comedy, theatre and even a spot of body art if you're lucky.

It all kicks off at 8pm at The Art Organisation, 21 Station Street, Nottingham (next to the train station) and we’re promised that a beautiful selection of brewed beverages will be available from the famous Tea Bar, although feel free to bring copious amounts of your own booze, if you so desire…