Sunday, May 11, 2014

"The most difficult thing in the world is to reveal yourself..."

"Most people don’t know what they want or feel. And for everyone, myself included, it’s very difficult to say what you mean when what you mean is painful. The most difficult thing in the world is to reveal yourself, to express what you have to… As an artist, I feel that we must try many things – but above all, we must dare to fail. You must have the courage to be bad – to be willing to risk everything to really express it all." – director John Cassavetes (Rosemary's Baby, The Dirty Dozen)
      Do you have a thirst for cinema and a voracious appetite for film?  Get hooked on SnagFilms, a website dedicated to offering advertising-supported documentary and independent films. Films are streamed free on the website, which contains a library of over 5,000 works of art. Filmmakers can submit documentaries at any time for consideration as well. On the site you will find films produced by PBS and National Geographic, on subjects such as The Times of Harvey Milk  and Morgan Spurlock's Super Size Me. SnagFilms was founded in 2008 by internet visionary, Ted Leonsis who also owns and operates indieWire the online publication featuring the independent film industry.

      One of the greatest pioneering film directors in cinematic history, John Huston (The Maltese Falcon, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre) once cast off a key to his creative kingdom,
 " I don’t try to guess what a million people will like. It’s hard enough to know what I like." 
 A priceless gem from the remarkable genius director of Sin City and Machete creator, 
Robert Rodriguez,
" Do not be told something is impossible. There is always a way."
Staying true to artistic vision and insight is what sets most creative people apart from dollar driven Hollywood suits. Produced mostly or completely outside of major studios, independent films allow for comprehensive creative control, uncensored freedom and unapologetic expression. Independent films typically have a lower budget and are often in limited release. With the advent of newer and cheaper technology it's easier than ever before for an aspiring  film maker to produce, edit and distribute a short or full length feature. Although success is sweet, cashing in or selling out isn't the main goal of an indie film.

      What you will  discover on SnagFilms is thousands of  fascinating movies of every genre, short films and documentaries to delight any and all taste buds. The website even offers up shows and mini-series to fulfill marathon movie moments or "binge viewing" weekends. Check out legendary conductor, Leonard Bernstein directing lessons in music theory on Omnibus or watch the incredible Oprah Winfrey in The Women of Brewster Place, a series based on the novel by Gloria Naylor.

       Featured in the video above is two time Leo Award winning and five time documentary nominated film, The Good Son. This feature documentary focuses on former boxer Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini's own personal account of his families history and his own meteoric rise and fall. A tragic battle with fighter  Deuk-Koo Kim would alter Mancini's life forever. The saga of loss and redemption, father's and son's, hope and forgiveness, features actor Mickey Roarke, Ed O'Neil, Sugar Ray Leonard and historic interviews with Kim's own family, including his son, Jiwan Kim. 

The Good Son is currently promoted by SnagFilms and will be available soon.