Think of Me (Bryan Wizemann | USA | 103 min.)
You’re a single mother, sensitive to your child’s concerns, but you’re struggling to stay afloat in working class Las Vegas. You’ve got a menial office job, but the income only covers the necessities. As problems arise—the car won’t start, your daughter’s shoes are falling apart—you’ve got to find a way to hustle up some more cash. Is it wrong to leave your kid at home alone at night to take a second job? Is it wrong to bring a man you met in a strip club home, with the hope that he might help? You’re not a bad parent, but sometimes the choices you have to make could raise red flags for concerned co-workers, cynical teachers, leery police officers. When someone presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to provide a better life for your daughter (and an easier life for you), can you take that chance?

Rooftop alum Bryan Wizemann’s award-winning realist drama presents a powerful moral dilemma for contemporary America. As the economy leaves millions of Americans without a safety net, and the gap between the wealthy and the working class continues to grow, Think of Me creates an intimate and compelling modern parable based on the toil of a woman named Angela, played exquisitely by Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under; Sleepwalk with Me). In her Independent Spirit Award nominated portrayal, Ambrose inhabits the character with nuance and ferocity. Alternately defiant and pensive, nervous and controlling, every gesture she makes and every line she delivers are filled with a complex pathos that is believable and fascinating. Wizemann’s detailed storytelling—the intricate touches of set design and cinematography—combined with strong supporting performances by Dylan Baker (Happiness), Penelope Ann Miller (The Artist) and newcomer Audrey Scott (as the daughter), all combine to make Think of Me a uniquely honest and heart-wrenching film that America needs to see.

- Mark Elijah Rosenberg

Bird Courage
Kiwi Artist Samuel Saffery and local musician Erik Meier teamed up shortly after the first collaborative release with featured artists in the Bushwick Community. The two are continuing to organically develop and refine a unique sound and share similar influences. They are constantly driven and focused on sharing their creations with the world; their passion and emotions through song.

Inspiration stemmed from 60s, 70s and contemporary folk rock, the self titled debut release displays local artist Erik Meier accompanied by a panel of creators and friends within the Bushwick Music Scene. The debut self titled showcases passionate vocals and harmonies from Joanna Levine (Pinkwing) and minimal appropriate acoustic leads performed by Bill Bartholomew and Dave Klym (The Golden Age of Transit). Upbeat and more innocent is the latter placed track Spring Song featuring Carin Beam’s cowriting and lead vocals as well as Noisycrane’s Jane Park on strings. Erik Meier manifests a soul searching journey to find sound a voice with help and strong influence from these raw-talented names and continues to develop it.