Wednesday, September 19th, 2007
FREE SHOW
Rooftop Films and The Independent Feature Project present
Sneak Previews from the IFP Narrative Rough Cut Lab

8:30 - Live music by the legendary Dr. Frank of the Mr. T Experience
9:00 - Movies Begin

10:00 - Reception with $3 Brooklyn Beer at Hi Fi
Venue: On the lawn at Open Road Park
Address: E. 12th Street between 1st Avenue & Avenue A
In the event of rain the show is indoors at the same location.

Presented in partnership with - IFP & Open Road New York.

Rooftop Films is proud to present a selction of sneak previews from a diverse collection of new feature films from the 2007 IFP Narrative Rough Cut Lab. These are some of the most exciting independent films from original new voices to be found anywhere. This screening is a unique opportunity for our audience to meet many of the directors and get a sneak peak at these films before they become hot, talked-about projects at festivals and theaters in the next year.

The IFP Narrative Rough Cut Lab is a national program connecting mentors and projects before they are submitted to festivals. Launched in 2005, the IFP Narrative Rough Cut Lab aims to identify ten, high quality independently produced features each year that can benefit from the support and expertise of experienced film professionals. The projects are selected by Lab Leaders and Senior IFP programming staff and the genres represented--including comedy, drama, science fiction, musical, horror, and western--reflect U.S. independent filmmaking at its best, showcasing original, unusual ideas as well as finely-crafted, traditional pieces.

The Films:
Boppin’ at the Glue Factory
Directed by Jeffrey Jay Orgil
A junkie nurse stumbles into his dream job – the graveyard shift at a convalescent home. He quickly becomes a model employee and the old folks’ best friend. But just as his drugs run out, and the management starts closing in, an old jazzman discovers his secret and makes him a sweet deal, but with heavy consequences.

El Coyote
Directed by Sergio Palacios, Damian Rodriguez
El Coyote, a drifter with an evil past, wanders into a ghost town. Shot by the Sheriff and left for dead, he is saved by a boy and his mother. As he recovers, he learns that drug lords hold the town hostage. El Coyote renounces his dark past and seeks revenge.

The First Breath of Tengan Rei
Directed by Junko Kajino, Ed M. Koziarski
A young Okinawan woman named Rei journeys to the U.S. to confront two former Marines who were convicted of assaulting her ten years ago. She kidnaps Paris, the teenage son of one of the Marines, and holds him captive in a motel room. Rei and Paris are drawn to each other, as the boy’s father closes in on them.

General Impression of Size and Shape
Directed by Alex Karpovsky
Once thought to be extinct, The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker is ‘rediscovered’ in Eastern Arkansas. Though numerous sightings have been reported, concrete proof remains elusive. Combing the bayou with a taciturn sidekick in tow, amateur birder Johnny Neander is getting close, but what he is about to find will undermine everything about this Southern mystery, and perhaps, himself.

The Marconi Bros.
Directed by Marco Ricci, Michael Canzoniero
Anthony and Carmine Marconi, a modern day oddcouple, have been dutifully serving out life sentences in the family carpet business. Their opportunity to escape occurs during a routine carpet installation, when they meet Lou Burns the undisputed king of the Long Island wedding video business. Mesmerized by Lou’s fast talk and leggy blonde ‘secretaries,’ the brothers hustle themselves jobs as his new assistants and set off on the ride of their lives.

Moon Europa
Directed by Chris Bower
Moon Europa centers around the life of Bria Living, a test subject for the Nevco Corporation’s clone experiments. It is her life and love that inspires a young revolutionary, Osias, to kidnap the Nevco scientist Archer Claezon. Osias attempts to use Archer to initiate a rebellion against the corporation, freeing the human and clone population from the grip of tyranny.

The New Year Parade
Directed by Tom Quinn
After learning that their parents’ separation may be permanent, Jack and Kat McMonogul find their self-confidence shaken. Kat believes they will reconcile, and keeps the situation secret at school. Meanwhile, Jack is forced to mediate as his father becomes consumed with leading their band to victory in Philadelphia’s Mummers’ Parade.

Older Than America
Directed by Georgina Lightning
Spirits from a Native American boarding school appear to a woman whose mother attended it. The town’s long-time, corrupt mayor is opposed by a reform-minded Native American and a Catholic priest and is forced to confront the terrible secrets that he kept hidden for thirty years.

Rainbow Around the Sun
Directed by Kevin Ely and Beau Leland
Zachary Blasto is a hard-drinking, talented songwriter and performer who creates vivid musical fantasies in order to avoid dealing with the downward spiral of his personal life. When faced with the impending death of his father, Zach must choose whether to face the loss or surrender fully to the madness of his imaginary musical world.

Tales From The Dead
Directed by Jason Cuadrado
Tales From The Dead is a terrifying Japanese-language anthology of four ghost stories told by Tamika, a strange young girl with the ability to communicate with the dead. Each tale deals with loss, pain and vengeance as the spirits who tell them attempt to put things right in the world of the living: a family, newly reunited with their estranged son, faces the remnants of their bad marriage, and evil intentions, of their home’s previous owners.

The Music: Dr. Frank

Legendary East Bay pop-punker Dr. Frank (of the Mr. T Experience) will charm you with his witty lyrics, woo you with perfect pop melodies, then make you want to chase him down three days later when the songs are still stuck in your head! He is best known as the singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the Berkeley, California punk rock band The Mr. T Experience . He has recorded and performed with the band since their formation in 1985 and has remained the only original member through multiple lineup changes. He has also recorded and performed as a solo artist. He recently became an author, writing the young adult novel King Dork which was published in 2006 .