WAH DO DEM - Adventure in Jamaica with Sean Bones, Yeahsayer, MGMT & More

"If you're in search of this generation's Brooklyn hipster-pop equivalent of Singles (or at least Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist), there's a promising candidate in the form of Wah Do Dem, a new movie from directors Sam Fleischner and Ben Chace. Singer-songwriter Sean Bones stars as a recently-dumped Brooklyn skateboarder who gets lost in Jamaica after taking a cruise alone that he was supposed to take with his girlfriend (played by Norah Jones) Yeasayer's Ira Wolf Tuton also stars in the film, and it features appearances by Suckers (who perform live in the film) and MGMT's Ben Goldwasser, as well as music from Santigold, Yeasayer, MGMT, Suckers, the Congos, and Bones. he film shares a title with an eternally badass dancehall anthem by Eek-A-Mouse." - Pitchfork

Once in Jamaica, Max quickly escapes the tourist zone for more "authentic" surroundings and in the process is robbed of his possessions and is stranded, and literally misses the boat. As Max sets out for the American Embassy in Kingston on foot, Jamaica is waiting to meet him with unexpected and extraordinary encounters, including a full-moon celebration with the legendary reggae group The Congos, and a dreamy stay with a Rasta prophet (Carl Bradshaw, THE HARDER THEY COME).

Screenings at the Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, LA, CA 90028:
The film repeats on the following dates and times.
Friday, June 18, 2010 at 7:30 PM & 9:00 PM, Spielberg Theatre at the Egyptian Theatre
Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 7:30 PM & 9:00 PM, Spielberg Theatre at the Egyptian Theatre
Sunday, June 20, 2010 at 4:00 PM, Spielberg Theatre at the Egyptian Theatre
Buy Tickets | Read about this on the Cinematheque Website
and in New York this weekend at the Cinema Village.

WAH DO DEM co-creators Ben Chace and Sam Fleischner have been friends since kindergarten. Two years ago Ben won a cruise in a raffle at a free screening of Buster Keaton's THE GENERAL in Brooklyn's Prospect Park and invited Sam to come along. The young filmmakers decided to turn the trip into a project. With a mutual love for Jamaican culture and a free boat ride to the Caribbean, they began to map out the story's possible scenarios. Two additional cruise tickets were bought for actor/musician Sean Bones and Kevin Bewersdorf, sound recordist/actor. The crew of four boarded the luxury vessel in Red Hook, Brooklyn and sailed for one week. Once in Jamaica, they were joined by producer Katina Hubbard for two weeks of Island production. WAH DO DEM (Jamaican Patois for "what's wrong with them") enjoyed its world premiere at the 2009 LA Film Festival where it was honored with the top jury prize for Best Narrative Film. The movie went on to screen at the London, San Francisco IndieFest, Spokane (Best Feature), Reggae (Best International Feature), and Vancouver film festivals.

Reviews:
"Guerrilla indie filmmaking meets slacker road movie, WAH DO DEM is a well crafted black comedy that benefits from its raw, improvisational feel. "
-Critic's Notebook


"Winning and often funny, the scrappy Amerindie WAH DO DEM is a fish-out-of-water comedy driven by Sean "Bones" Sullivan's offbeat performance..."
-Variety


"A dynamic portrait of Jamaica and of vacation as experience, not escape."
-The Hollywood Reporter


CAST
Sean Bones, Norah Jones, Carl Bradshaw,
Kevin Bewersdorf, and Mark Gibbs

MUSIC & APPEARANCES
Sean Bones, MGMT, Yeasayer, Santigold, Suckers,
Mykal Rose, Mr. Lexx


Filmmaker Magazine interviewed filmmakers Sam Fleischner and Ben Chace about their unusual story behind making the film (they won a cruise to Jamaica). Click here to read the interview.
Watch the trailer. Official WAH DO DEM website

Perry Henzell Tribute to Feature Special Guests, DJ Reggae Music, Jimmy Cliff in THE HARDER THEY COME & Premiere of Long Lost Film NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Our Perry Henzell Tribute keeps getting bigger. Arrive by 6:30 PM for a Courtyard Pre-Screening Reception. Party to celebrate Perry Henzell and ... "The Harder They Come" star Jimmy Cliff on his induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. DJ Baby Ace mixing the classics. Meet and greet. Prize give-a-ways. Brought to you by Universal Music Enterprises and Red Stripe Beer.

Perry Henzell has been called "the most important filmmaker to emerge from the Caribbean." His landmark film THE HARDER THEY COME was responsible for introducing Reggae music to the world. With unique insight, visual sense and original thinking, he forever changed the way we look at things. Through his films, stage plays, and novels, the worldwide impact of his work continues to grow. The American Cinematheque salutes the memory of Perry Henzell with an evening dedicated to his feature films.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME (see a trailer), Perry Henzell's long lost sequel to his Jamaican classic, "The Harder they Come" will screen as a double feature with a discussion between films with Justine Henzell (Perry's daughter), producer David Garonzik, P.J. Soles (actress), Arthur Gorson (friend and producer), Roger Steffens (reggae historian) and special surprise guests. Moderated by Wayne Jobson.

Lately, the Cinematheque seems to be discovering a lot of films shot in the 70s and finished in the 2000's (GONE WITH THE POPE makes its World Premiere Friday, March 12 at the Egyptian). One such incredible story of the resurrection of a film that was thought to be lost forever, is NO PLACE LIKE HOME. A print was discovered in a New Jersey warehouse that had long since been thought to have perished. Under Perry's guidance prior to his passing he outlined the changes and direction for the film to follow given the elements that re-emerged. Premiered at the Toronto Film Festival.

Trailer by Oliver Entertainment. Produced by Jeff Scheftel and Arthur Gorson; directed and written by Jeff Scheftel; edited by Scheftel and Desert Rock. With Grace Jones, Countryman, Carl Bradshaw, P.J. Soles (CARRIE, HALLOWEEN, ROCK 'N ROLL HIGH SCHOOL).

Read more about this event on March 19, 2010 at the Egyptian Theatre.