Friday, July 22nd, 2005
8:30 - Live music
9:00 - Snake boxers in Thailand slap cobras for kicks!
On the lawn at Automotive High School
50 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Dress warmly (it's cooler sitting still than in the streets).
In the event of rain the show is indoors at the same location.
Kiss My Snake (Tom Tavee / Bangkok, Thailand & New York, NY / 1:15:00) World Premiere!
The first feature documentary directed by acclaimed photographer Tom Tavee with editing help, sound design, and an
original score by Rooftop Films Program Director Dan Nuxoll. Thai-American Tavee traveled to the unique village of
Ban Kok Sa-Nga (population 655), in Isan, Thailand. It's the only place like it in the world and for a good reason.
What started over fifty years ago as an advertising gimmick for some country villagers has turned into a deadly cottage
industry; in this strange little village, the world's most dangerous serpent, the King Cobra, has become both a pet
and a business partner. The entire village—from elders to children—works as one and performs relentlessly
at their temple to attract tourists and herb buyers. The main attraction is the boxing matches, man versus snake, one
on one! Bites are commonplace, but unbelievably the village has no anti-serum to combat the deadly toxins and the nearest
hospital is over an hour away by car.
Tavee was able to obtain incredible access into the lives of the fighters and has succeeded in accurately and dramatically
documenting this dangerous performance-sport of snake-boxing, the art of theatrically antagonizing the largest venomous
snakes in the world. The film culminates with events that occurred during the 2004 Thai New Year's celebration, and
the exciting day to night performances that took place during this, the most lucrative and most dangerous time of the
year.
Some of the boxers have been bitten dozens of times, but despite losing fingers and friends to their deadly serpentine pets, the boxers love their snakes and their perilous profession. Come see the world premiere and observe the adventurous lives of the proud villagers who casually look death in the eye every day to eke out a meager living. KISS MY SNAKE!
Press: Please email Dan Nuxoll, dan at rooftopfilms dot com, for a preview DVD.
Click below to watch the trailer!
Plus: Freestyle (Elena Elmozino / New York, NY / 26:25)
A shocking documentary about the eccentrics who dance with their pooches and about the World Canine Freestyle Organization's attempt to make man-dog dance competitions an official Olympic sport. We're serious. Baseball and softball have been removed from the Olympics, but they want to make dancing with your dog an Olympic event.
La Ardilla (Jim Finn / Chicago, IL / 5:00)
The story of a love between a man and a squirrel, set to music.
Frog Dreaming (Mike Overbeck / New York, NY / 5:00)
A twisted fairy tale about a prince who might actually prefer the lily pad.
