A relatively new movement in American independent cinema, so-called “Mumblecore” films have been marked by their ultra-low budget productions, improvisatory acting and plotlines, and stories with an emphasis on interpersonal relationships. Most important, the films have all been made by a true community of artists, a “Mumble Corps” of directors who help out by serving as cast and/or crew for the films of their comrades.
If the movement has a founding center, it’s most likely Andrew Bujalski, whose first two features, Funny Ha Ha and Mutual Appreciation, have screened previously at the Dryden, and whose sound editor coined the term Mumblecore. The formerly East Coast-based Bujalski appears in person at the Dryden on November 7 for the screening of his third feature, Beeswax, which was filmed in his new home of Austin, Texas, the current Mumblecore filmmaking capitol where Bob Byington’s Harmony and Me (December 4) was also shot. Harmony’s screening also includes a Dryden visit from writer-director Byington. Lynn Shelton’s Humpday (November 13), shot in Seattle, WA, is another offshoot in this new development in independent filmmaking.
While all three films share an affection for the natural rhythms of slacker-speak, the sweet and entrancing Beeswax offers the least situation-driven of the stories with its tale of close twin sisters, each on her own decidedly different journey toward adulthood. Macho bonding is the target of Shelton’s very funny Humpday, as two ostensibly straight buddies commit to having sex with each other for the purposes of an “art project.” Equally hilarious, Harmony and Me uses a tale of lost love as an excuse to tie together a series of character sketches beautifully delivered by a cast that includes Justin Rice, Kevin Corrigan, Pat Healy, and Byington (who also appears in Beeswax).
In addition to these Mumblecore movies, the Dryden has a plethora of exclusive screenings in November and December, including Pablo Larrain’s brutally compelling Tony Manero (November 14). The Yes Men Fix the World (November 20 & 22) documents the latest activities from the noted media pranksters and corporate shame-sters. Oscar®-nominated Austrian thriller Revanche (November 21 & 22) is a precisely told tale of revenge and one woman’s sexual awakening. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Toni Collette provide the voices for the title characters in the Australian animated movie Mary and Max (November 27 & 29). The greatest concert film you’ve never seen, Soul Power (November 28 & 29) brings James Brown, B.B. King, and other great R&B acts to the big screen. Nutso 1977 Japanese horror-fantasy Hausu makes its long-awaited Dryden debut (December 5). Bronson (December 12 & 13) is a breathtakingly choreographed piece of cinematic violence from the director of the Pusher trilogy. Tetro (December 18 & 20) is the latest from acknowledged cinematic master Francis Ford Coppola.
