DCIFF Film Review

Christina Kelly, Zach Ewell

The DC Independent Film Festival is happening from the 19th-23rd throughout the DC region and includes a host of speakers to check out. Recently, two of our Staff Writers got the chance to view two of the films playing, Brothers Hypnotic and 3 Mile Limit.

1139_brothershypnotic_publicitystill_01_

Brothers Hypnotic

 

For some this film will appear to be merely another humble beginning Rock N’ Roll Cinderella story, for others a social and political commentary on African American culture, and for a select few Chicagoans, a movie about a few south side boys bringing the brass back in stile.

Brothers Hypnotic, a film by Reuben Atlas, soars high and heavy above many of the big budgeted Netflix featured documentaries. A band of 8 brothers raised by Chicago‰’s Jazz legend Phil Coharn, make their way from humble street begging‰’s to international performances and record deals. However, don‰’t let that lead you to believe that all these brothers are concerned about are money and fame. Freedom and individualism are the only forms of commodity in this film that are used to drive this band to success. Unlike many of this 21st century‰’s artists, i.e. Justin Bieber, this band of brothers rise to fame by demonstrating skill instead of sloppy commercial advertising. From the apartments of New York to the streets of Chicago this documentary takes you from the Midwest, to the East coast, and then to Europe. The band itself Hypnotic Brass Ensemble is a brass mixture of Jazz, Soul, Gospel, and most of all Hip Hip.

Brothers Hypnotic is a Brass Chicago Cinderella story about a couple of brothers sharing their family‰’s music and culture from past to present. This documentary features several big names performing with the band including rock star Prince to hip hop recording artist Mos Def. The film also features their father Phil Coharn and his history with the Chicago music scene, along with his philosophy of family and success.

This film instills all the aspects of a rockumentry mashed up with a PBS like spread of African American poverty and politics during the late 20th century. People may like it or dislike it for various reasons, but every person will walk away with their own individual interpretation of the film. This film is truly the cream of the crop for 21st century independent documentary filmmaking.

For more information or to buy tickets, click here.

By Zach Ewell

1138_3146401f.jpg

3 Mile Limit

 

Here at WVAU we‰’re all about the independent and unregulated ruling of the airwaves (well for us it‰’s the internet airwaves but we broadcast none the less). 3 Mile Limit shows a passion for music and a need to share what you think is magical with the rest of the world and for this viewer it was more than enjoyable to see a relatable movie about music that isn‰’t a documentary.

If you‰’re like me, you love music, rock and roll, and you probably have a great distain for pop radio. If that sounds like you, this movie is a must see. 3 Mile Limit is set in 1965 and revolves around a struggling music writer and manager who is determined to get rock n‰’ roll on the radio in his home country of New Zealand. Costumes fit the period as do the sets which is always a mistake I‰’m always wary of, but they did a great job making the odes to 60s fashion subtle and believable. The cinematography is great and there was a good use of music throughout. Which for a movie like this, would be a huge misstep if it didn‰’t but I commend the filmmaker for sharing in my belief that movies are only enhanced by a good use of music.

Anyone that‰’s ever watched a movie with me knows that 5 out of 10 times I fall asleep within the first hour. Despite the 4 hours of sleep I got the night before, when I went to sit and watch this movie it didn‰’t feel like a chore keeping my eyes open. This movie sucked me in and made me want to go do something daring and new and maybe even a little bit mischievous. This movie has some action, a ton of adventure, and of course romance and drama.

If you’re in the DC area, 3 Mile Limit is playing at the New Zealand Embassy on February 21st. Tickets are $12 and I say it’s well worth the money to check this film out.

For tickets and more information, click here.

By Christina Kelly