In September 06 ROOFTOP FILMS presented a series of hilarious films by the inimitable LEE KERN, Editor of the UK Filmmakers bulletin, on the lawn of the Automotive High School in Williamsburg, BROOKLYN. Lee came over from London especially for the event and did a very funny Q+A. Rooftop also screened some great films made by other Shooting People members. Afterwards everyone went over to ENIDS nearby for an after-party. The weather was wonderful and the beer was cheap. Stay tuned for more Rooftop fun and games in 2007!
Tales of the Creepy Crooked: The Selky Woman (Lee Kern | London, UK | 3:00)
In this opening film, Lee tries to get to grips with a story told to him about a woman that was half-seal, half-woman, and who had a boy who was half-human and half-seal, or maybe half-seal and three-quarters human? Or something? Even now he's not really sure, but it makes for entertaining viewing...
Tales of the Creepy Crooked: The Nyuggle (Lee Kern | London, UK | 3:00)
Travelers beware. This three minute film tells the tale of the Nyuggle - a bizarre horse like creature that appears to lull and trick unsuspecting, weary travelers. Once on things go okay - for a while - until the horse decides to flip and drown them in a loch. Lee's not entirely sure what happens here either. Why would a horse be so mean? And besides, the only things even vaguely resembling a horse in the Shetlands are Shetland ponies! They're only about two foot high and they all look like Tina Turner...
Bunny's Job (Paul Hardy | London, UK | 8:50)
A day in the life of an imaginary friend.
House of Memory: Where Have all the Insects Gone? (Lee Kern | London, UK | 2:00)
One of Lee's hilarious slots originally produced to be shown after the Channel Four evening news in the UK, Where Have All the Insects Gone? tells the story of Lee's destructive childhood escapades, many of which often involved tormenting the local insects that once populated his sleepy suburb outside of London. Looking back, Lee wonders where all the fireflies are and whether or not he played a hand in destroying his beloved, creepy-crawly playthings.
House of Memory: Lofts (Lee Kern | London, UK | 4:00)
Lofts documents the dreams and memories stored away in the dusty roof-space above our heads.
Conference (Jordan Copeland | London, UK | 3:00)
A seduction dance gets twisted by the video makers and the dancers.
The Edgeware Walker (Lee Kern | London, UK | 20:00)
This film represents a pertinent shift in tone for Lee, as he uses his comic sensibilities to make a poignant documentary about a legendary North-West London tramp who used to walk around in only his underpants. The film documents the decay of a suburban landscape, and uncovers the truth, tragedy and grandeur contained within a sticky web of urban legend.
Tales of the Creepy Crooked: The Trowie Folk (Lee Kern | London, UK | 3:00)
Strange troll type people live in the hills - and once again it is the unsuspecting weary traveler who has to bear the brunt of the Shetland's mad, half-human-type characters. This time a night on the lash with these troll-type people transpires to have corresponded with twelve-months in actual, real time. Did they slip him a roofie?
Sometimes (John Burns & Big Red Button | London, UK | 3:00)
A weirdly wonderful animated music video that tells a tale of a modern Frankenstein.
Darkie Day (Dewie Bruce-Konuah | Cornwall, UK | 13:00)
The director, who is a person of color, travels to a small town in England to investigate a strange tradition where local white people parade in black face. Is it a friendly, inclusive celebration, or indicative of a pervasive racist culture?
Not Just an Ugly Face (Raj Yagnik | Egremont, UK | 10:06)
We in America may not know too much about the art of Gurning, but it's a big deal in Egremont, where once a year dozens of people compete in the decades old tradition of making the ugliest face possible. Women who swallow their lips, men who turn their noses inside out -- you really won't believe how cartoonishly ugly these ordinary folks make themselves look.
Documentary Blues (Lee Kern | London, UK | 5:00)
As we've seen throughout this program, Lee has great ambitions of making films about subjects that are both vast and minute. Here, he takes it all on.
Tales of the Creepy Crooked: The Wolver (Lee Kern | London, UK | 3:00)
A half-man, wolf-type creature lives in a meadow in the Shetlands. A newly wed-couple move there on account of being so poor. Having heard tales about the Wolver, the newly-weds are slightly apprehensive about having to share their new life with such a bizarre neighbor. However, the Wolver turns out to be a dab hand with a hammer and priming the roof. However Lee has only two questions - can he lay down a patio and is he any good with tax-returns?
Lee Kern Q&A
Lee with Jesse and Ingrid
