Back by popular demand, the 4th Annual Arlene¹s Grocery Picture Show takes over NYC¹s Lower East Side from Friday, April 23rd Monday, April 26th. A festival unlike any other, Arlene¹s Grocery Picture Show puts the “independent” back in independent film. It’s back bigger, bolder and with less standards (translate: better) than ever. This year, more than 400 films will be screened at several LES locations, including The Pink Pony, Earth Matters, Lotus, Loisaida Café and Arlene¹s Grocery. The 2004 Picture Show launches on Friday, April 23rd with an Opening Night film screening at The Pink Pony at 8:00 PM (Opening Night Film TBA!). All are invited to attend a “Tobacco Promotion Event” (after party) around the block at Arlene¹s Grocery from 10:00 PM onward. The after party will feature a performance by rock favorite Joe Jackson, a fashion/burlesque event, “Wardrobe Malfunction”, starring the infamous SuicideGirls and FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY, Arlene¹s Grocery will throw caution to the wind sponsoring a Tobacco Promotion Event featuring Nat Sherman tobacco products (meaning, you can LEGALLY smoke at the venue all night long). If all that ain¹t enough the event is completely FREE to the public.
Arlene’s Grocery Picture Show is a festival of the people, by the people and for the people. Over 400 films will be screened in just two days! The line-up features films of every length and genre. Over 400 films will be screened in just two days! Films have been submitted from all over the world: Boise to Berkeley, NYU and even both Dakotas, among other places. Festival Director, Dave Hollander steadfastly sticks to the motto, “Nobody wants to see your film? WE DO! No pressure, no asparagus tips, no bad white wine – just films, FREE admission and unlimited networking in all restrooms.
Film highlights of this year¹s festival include:
Eulogy. Director Deverill Weeks ^ Odd experimental short starring Gary Oldman and Roseanna Arquette.
Stolen Childhoods. Director Len Morris ^ NY festival debut of the film that shocked the U.N. A revealing documentary about child labor abuse, narrated by Meryl Streep.
Dream Lover. Director Anthony DiSalvo ^ A man loves a woman, but loves movies too much.
Schiller’s Reel. Director Tom Schiller ^ Nineteen vintage short films from the last 25 years of “Saturday Night Live.” Gems featuring John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray and more. Much sad irony in the Belushi classic Don’t Look Back in Anger.
Being Ron Jeremy. Director Brian Berke ^ Parody on Being John Malkovich starring pornography’s most famous woodsman.
Mau Mau Sex Sex. Director Ted Bonnit ^ No holds barred documentary on the oldest living independent filmmakers Dan Sonney, 84, and David Friedman, 76, originators & legendary purveyors of no-budget exploitation films. Jaw-dropping archival footage of nudie-cuties, S&M roughies and other mutant treasures.
Day of the Vampires. Director Matt Saldivar ^ Premiere! Interactive horror/comedy film featuring live dub performance from NYC music-theatre troupe The Petersons.
Turkey Slices. Director Kodiak Jurkiewicz ^ BANNED by every other festival. It¹s Faces of Death, but with poultry.
For more info, check out the Arlene’s Grocery website.
