(Craig Zobel, US 2007, 106 min., 35mm)

Update: Great World of Sound reviewed by Roger Ebert.

Acclaimed at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, this unique American indie plays like a mix of Glengarry Glen Ross and American Idol. A close-up look at the practice of “song sharking,” the story focuses on pensive Martin (Pat Healy) and garrulous Clarence (Kene Holliday), salesmen recruited by a shady record label to seek out new “talent” and sell phony recording deals. At first oblivious to the scam, the duo soon realize they’re being conned just like the musicians. “Its sense of place, of lonely hotel rooms and fly-by-night offices decorated with spray-painted gold records, is as nicely observed as its morally compromised characters.” (Manohla Dargis, The New York Times) Co-writer and director Craig Zobel and actor Pat Healy will answer questions following the screening.

UPDATE: October 23rd, 2007
GREAT WORLD OF SOUND nominated for 3 awards at the 17th Annual Gotham Awards…

“More than four months before Oscar night, the annual awards season essentially got underway this morning as the IFP announced the nominations for its 17th annual Gotham Awards, honoring the best in independent film. Craig Zobel’s low budget indie Great World of Sound was the biggest single nominee with three nods — for best feature, breakthrough director and breakthrough actor — topping a list that included double nominees Into the Wild and Margot at the Wedding, as well as Julia Loktev’s Day Night Day Night.” (Eugene Hernandez)

Click here to read the full article.

Praise for GREAT WORLD OF SOUND

“A MINUS. A terrific, funny, sad movie.” – Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

“**** BRILLIANTLY ORIGINAL. A terrific performance by Kene Holliday” – John Anderson, Newsday

“Subtle, funny and touching, with a striking downbeat authenticity. Director Craig Zobel is the real thing.” – A.O. Scott, New York Times

“TERRIFIC! A gripping, bittersweet fable with a scene that MIGHT BE THE SHOW-STOPPING MOMENT IN ANY AMERICAN FILM I’VE SEE THIS YEAR. Kene Holliday is a revelation.” – Andrew O’Hehir, Salon

“IT IS THUS FAR THE BEST AMERICAN FILM OF 2007. A tasteful, measured, compassionate, and honest x-ray of American mores that evokes Robert Altman’s early ‘70’s directorial prime.” – Bruce Bennett, New York Sun

“***** ONE OF THE FINEST INDEPENDENT FILMS OF 2007. Fascinating and hilarious.” – Dan Dunn, NY Metro

“**** AN EXTRAORDINARY FILM. One of the most impressive and promising feature debuts since Richard Linklater”s ‘Slacker’” – Ken Fox, TV Guide

“A smartly scripted, terrifically well-acted discovery.” – Scott Foundas, LA Weekly

“A TANGY AND SARDONIC ENTERTAINMENT.” – Richard Brody, The New Yorker

“Funny, warmly acted, superbly crafted and resolutely free of cliché.” – Andrew O’Hehir, Salon

“It feels like a throwback in the best possible way.” – Manohla Darghis, New York Times

“A FULL MEAL OF A FEATURE. If there’s any justice, it should move plenty of viewers.” – Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York

“Rough and raw in all the right places, it brought back memories of Sundance’s truly indie roots.” – David Fear, Time Out New York

“Staggeringly mature and involving. One of Sundance’s hidden treasures.” – Eric Kohn, New York Press

“SMART, FUNNY, VITAL AND TOUGH. It isn’t just a great story; it’s a great reminder of how amazing independent cinema can be.” – James Rocchi, Cinematical