INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Co-founder and artist of Project Space 1785, Jared Thomas, is curating an evening of screenings from filmmakers across the United States.
On Sept. 4 at 7 p.m., Project Space 1785, a contemporary art venue located on Old Dixie Highway in Vero Beach will be hosting a film screening. The event will consist of five short films made by filmmakers from across the country. These films, curated by the space’s co-founder Jared Thomas, represent a variety of genres and approaches to filmmaking.
The evening will begin at 7 p.m. with a short introduction during which concessions will be available for purchase. The first film will be shown promptly at 8 p.m. Each film is approximately 15 minutes in length and there will be a 10 minute intermission between films where the audience will have the opportunity to discuss their thoughts about the work. Audience members are encouraged to attend the event from beginning to end, but latecomers will be admitted to the space between films if there are empty seats available. The event is free, however PS1785 will graciously accept donations at the door.
“Tainted in Red,” directed by Jess Weiss is a classic example of Film Noir. Shot in black and white and utilizing dramatic lighting techniques, the film portrays a handsome detective who is hired by Rebecca Normond to investigate her husband’s suspicious activities. Weiss currently lives and works in New York City in various positions within the film and television industry.
“Eidos,” directed by LJ D’Arpa is a simple yet haunting portrayal of a blind artist who is desperately attempting to sculpt the face of his dying mother. The film is mostly silent, containing just one single line of dialogue. LJ currently lives and works in New York City as a member of the art department for film and television. In September, he will move to Bosnia to attend Bella Tarrs Film School.
“Donald and Jess,” directed by Paul Briganti is a comedic character study. The film focuses on a lonely plumber named Donald and his unexpected attraction to Jess whose faucet he has come to fix. Things get interesting when Jess’ boyfriend arrives back at home after a three day business trip. Donald and Jess was an official selection at SXSW 2015. Paul Briganti has directed films and videos for MTV, College Humor, TruTV, Comedy Central, and more. He lives and works in Los Angeles, Calif.
“This Is She,” directed by Tarik Karam is a film about a young woman moving into a new apartment. In the process of unpacking, she notices a mysterious growth on her wall that seems to move without warning. She tries unsuccessfully to hide it with various wall hangings before eventually finding a way to confine and interact with it before it disappears altogether as quickly as it came. Tarik is a filmmaker based in New York and Los Angeles. From 2006 to 2011, he worked side by side with director Stephen Daldry, co-producing and Second Unit directing the Oscar nominated films “The Reader” and “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.”
“A Long Walk,” directed by Chinonye Chukwu is a gripping narrative drama that begins innocently enough with a group of young boys playing basketball. Their game is interrupted by an unusual sight that eventually leads to an unfortunate tragedy. Based on true events, this film is a brilliant exploration of friendship, identity, and regret. Chinonye is the Assistant Professor of Motion Pictures at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, where she teaches courses in screenwriting and directing in the Department of Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures. She is a recipient of the prestigious Princess Grace Award and Princeton Hodder Fellowship.
Project Space 1785 (PS1785) is a multi-disciplinary arts venue located in Vero Beach. The space was founded in January of 2015 by a small collective of artists in collaboration with the space’s building owner, Neli Santamarina. Together, their goal is to provide an accessible space for the community to view and participate in various forms of creative and artistic expression. PS1785 is primarily interested in facilitating projects rooted in experimentation which aim to challenge the conventions of contemporary art and culture in order to push the boundaries of what we feel capable to create, both as individuals as well as members of a larger global network.
For more information about these meet-ups, please contact co-founder and curator Jared Thomas (772) 766-4513 or email projectspace1785@gmail.com.