Rolan Makes Movies Directed
by
Anton Verstakov Russian Federation / 2012 / 50 minutes North American Premiere
Russian with subtitles
Screening
Times and Venues:
SYNOPSIS:
A film about the love of making movies, this fun and heartfelt documentary tells the story of Rolan, his video camera and his dream of becoming a filmmaker. Never mind the fact that he’s 10,000 kilometers from Hollywood in the heart of Siberia. That’s the least of his worries. Any filmmaker or movie-lover can relate to Rolan and the die-hard group of friends who follow his vision no matter how much (fake) blood will be spilled. Rolan’s rules of filmmaking include keeping his budget at nothing, unleashing the creative potential of his friends, and keeping his profit ratio right around 100-150 percent.
Director Anton Verstakov’s funny and loving portrait brings out the best in its charming subject while paying homage to the art of filmmaking. Saturated with Hollywood action sequences, Hong Kong fight scenes and slapstick humor, Rolan does what it takes to make his movies right, even if most of the time his actors only get one take. Always present are Rolan’s infectious smile and his seemingly bottomless well of determination – two attributes that filmmakers considerably closer to Hollywood often share. –David Becker
BIO:
Anton Verstakov is a Russian independent filmmaker. Born in Moscow, 1981 he studied TV journalism at Moscow State University and film production at NYFA (Moscow). After working for 7 years for Russian TV, he decided to go independent and established his own production company - AVProductions.TV. He works as a "one man band" journalist throughout all Russia and post Soviet Union Republics. "Rolan Makes Movies" is Anton's first feature documentary.
The Woodstock Film Festival is a not-for-profit, 501c3 organization with a mission to present an
annual program and year-round schedule of film, music,
and art-related activities that promote artists, culture,
inspired learning, and diversity. The Hudson Valley Film
Commission promotes sustainable economic development
by attracting and supporting film, video and media production.
