Local film makers make local appearances

A couple of shows today and tomorrow which might pull some celluloid through your gate:

"Impaler:The Documentary" What do you get when a Minnesota gubernatorial candidate describes himself as a witch, a satanic dark priest, and a vampyre? Well, a national media feeding frenzy of course.

And apparently now a documentary.

Director W. Trey White followed Jonathan "Impaler" Sharkey for eight months as he tried to wrest control of the Governors office from Tim Pawlenty. Regular MPR listeners will know of course he was unsuccessful, but there is talk of a Sharkey for President campaign, (or should that be Impaler for President) for next year.

The film, the director, and the star will all be present for the US premiere of "Impaler:the documentary" at the Oak Street Cinema tonight at 7.30 It's part of the "Fearless Filmmakers" series. You can see the trailer here.

Then there's:

"Songbird" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark:the adaptation." Minnesota film maker John Thompson's stylized and deeply disturbing "Songbird" gets a local screening Thursday at the Riverview in Minneapolis. The film was an official selection at this years Sundance Festival. It's just six minutes long it was shot at eight frames per second, which gives it a curious otherworldly look. Be warned though: it's a gothic tale with an uncompromising depiction of spousal and companion animal abuse that puts an audience through the wringer.

It's being screened with a film which is a monument to celluloid obession. Eric Zala and Chris Strompolos fell in love with "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and decided to remake it. They were only 12 when they got started, but over the next seven years they carefully recreated every single shot in the original film. Their efforts attracted the attention of Steven Spielberg who said their finished film was one of the most moving things he's ever seen.

The show begins with "Song Bird" at 7.30 and then "Raiders of the Lost Ark: the Adaptation" at 8. The film makers will be present.