press book - Marin Blue

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WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY MATTHEW HYSELL
PRODUCED BY ERIN O’HARA
NARRATIVE FEATURE 77 MINUTES
NTSC COLOR USA 2009
FEATURING CORY KNAUF & NAJARRA TOWNSEND
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STORY
SHORT SYNOPSIS
Marin and Jim are drawn together by a
shared history unknown even to them. Marin,
who suffers from Narcolepsy, spends her
days at a youth mental facility singing over a
loudspeaker to patients. Jim, recently
committed, only knows her through her voice.
When circumstances force him to escape,
Jim finds himself in a vacant Los Angeles
landscape. There he meets Marin face to
face. As Marin becomes part of Jimʼs life she
brings back his lost past. With a questionable
history and unknown future they navigate
through, a sometimes harsh, sometimes
surreal dream that is their reality.
LONG SYNOPSIS
Jim is checked in to Havenshurst, a youth
mental facility. Shortly after, he hears a voice
over the loudspeaker. The voice is Marinʼs, a
former patient of the hospital. She sings to
the residents as a part of an outreach
program. In return, she receives free
medication for her Narcolepsy. One day Jim
is visited by two strangers, Stan and Thomas,
who claim to be his long lost brothers. Jim
refuses to believe their story and decides to
flee the hospital. He finds himself in a vacant
Los Angeles landscape.
Intrigued by Jimʼs escape Marin searches for
him. When Jim happens upon a abandoned
coffee shop, he finally meets Marin face to
face. They instantly form a bond that grows
stronger and stronger. As Marin becomes
part of Jimʼs life she unknowingly brings back
his lost past. Jim continues running from his
life, his brothers, and all the while lies to
Marin about who he is.
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Later on, Jim reveals to Marin a memory of
meeting her for the very first time in a small
town high school years earlier. He proposes
that they return to the town to spark their
memories. Marin is instantly suspect of his
story and is filled with doubts of his honesty.
Rejected, Jim finds himself in a maze of his
own identity. As he faces his dead dreams,
he slowly realizes that he has one true hope.
A connection with Marin and a memory that
they both can share.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
Marin Blue was developed from photographs
I took of abandoned buildings. I was
compelled by the stories that empty spaces
tell and how they develop an austere beauty
that organically grows from their neglect.
I drew inspiration from the Los Angeles
landscape. The dream world qualities of the
mass expanse of space and the empty
buildings that lay in between. A surreal world
made up of a fictional place that itʼs
inhabitants imagine.
Los Angeles has a history of transient and
temporary culture. It stands as a beacon to
fortune seekers who appear and sometimes
disappear. Marin and Jim, the two main
characters, are the remnants of these
abandoned dreams. Their parents have
disappeared and they now inhabit the fringe
of the mental care system.
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Transience is a theme that I find myself
returning to in many of my films. Growing up,
I moved almost every year. Without one
place to generate memories from, the past
was just that, passed. Names, faces, and
places became muddled. The division
between fact and fiction was not a hard line,
but instead a meandering one that shifted
again and again.
The dream world of the film is a reality to Jim
and Marin, as much as it is made up. Their
roles as unreliable narrators is based on
what they perceive to be true and it is only
when all breaks down that they are forced to
face themselves.
SCREENING HISTORY
2009
Berlin International Film Festival, Forum, Berlin, Germany
Film Haus Nürnberg, Nürnberg, Germany
The Levante International Film Festival, Bari, Italy
Winner, Cory Knauf “Best Actor”
Cinematheque Leipzig, Off Center: U.S. and British Independent Cinema Series
Leipzig, Germany
2010
Kommunales Kino, Freiburg, Germany
AWARDS
2009
The Levante International Film Festival, Winner “Best Actor” Cory Knauf
DISTRIBUTION
Arsenal - Institut für Film und Videokunst e.V.
(Germany, Austria, and Switzerland)
Karl Winter und Gesa Knolle
Potsdamer Straße 2
10785 Berlin
Website:www.arsenal-berlin.de
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BIOS
MATTHEW HYSELL
DIRECTOR/WRITER/EDITOR/COMPOSER
ERIN O’HARA
PRODUCER/EDITOR/SOUND DESIGNER
GEORGE SU
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
NAJARRA TOWNSEND
AS MARIN
CORY KNAUF
AS JIM
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Matthew Hysell has studied film in Chicago, New York City and
Los Angeles. In 2008 he received a MFA in film directing from
California Insititute of the Arts. Marin Blue is his thesis and first
feature film.
Erin O'Hara studied art at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
and at Hunter College. She graduated with BFA in 2002. Her video
art series entitled Dessert has been shown in Scope Miami, AFH
Gallery, and The Curator’s Office. She produced, co-edited and cosound designed Marin Blue.
George Su graduated from the American Film Institute, with a MFA in
Cinematography. He has shot numerous music videos that have aired
on MTV, MTV2, Fuse, among other networks, as well as lensing the
indie feature Big Dreams in Little Hope, currently released on DVD by
Wolfe Video. George has most recently worked as Gaffer/DP on the
new show Newport Harbor:The Real Orange County, the next
installment of the hit MTV reality show Laguna Beach. He has also
shot documentaries for music stars Diana Krall, Joe Henry, and Elvis
Costello.
Born in Santa Barbara, California Najarra Townsend has been
performing since she was three. Before her teens she received acclaim
for her performances in musicals and stage productions. At age ten
she appeared in the suspense/horror film Menace. Najarra studied with
the LA Talent Academy at the Musicians Institute, and performed with
LA Hip Kids production company. In 2005 she appeared in Miranda
Julyʼs Sundance and Cannes-winning film Me and You and Everyone
We Know. In 2008 Najarra starred as the title character, in the
independent feature Tru Loved. She was awarded Best Actress at the
Santa Cruz Film Festival.
Born in San Clemente, California creative writing was Cory Knauf's
passion from a young age. He graduated from his high school, Guajome
Park Academy, at the age of 16. While continuing with writing Cory soon
discovered that a further form of creative expression lay in acting. To
date this pursuit has led to national commercials and interesting feature
films. He received international notice as the lead in the Lion's Gate
picture, The Hamilton's.
CREDITS
CAST
Jim Reed
Marin Blue
Stan
Thomas
Julie
Dr Britta Hodge
Cory Knauf
Najarra Townsend
Elliott Ehlers
Josh Cobb
Trista Robinson
Tanya Yarbrough
Frank
Sean Guse
Dr. Glendore
Kate Melia
Attendant
Brett Mann
Patients
Alanna Blair
Ramsay Palmer
Lissa Sherman
Guys in the Ditch
Scott Cummings
Ryan Etzel
Director/Writer/ Editor/Composer
Producer/Editor
Director of Photography
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Matthew Hysell
Erin OʼHara
George Su
1st Assistant Camera
Derek Fullagar
2nd Assistant Camera
Mike Fishbein
Gaffer
Jamie Urman
Electric
Yvonne Taam
Grip
Seth Johnson
Mark Levine
Rob Toth
Mark Wilson
Sound Mixer
Scott Cummings
Brian Higdon
Brett Mann
Meredith Young
Boom Operator
Robert Young
Mo Young Son
Production Assistant
Wardrobe Consultant
Still Photographer
Picture Car
Post-Sound and Color
Ramsay Palmer
Eliza Hittman
Ruben Diaz
Dustin Rogers
Matthew Hysell
Erin OʼHara
Director of Photography
First Assistant Camera
Second Assistant Camera
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Derek Fullagar
Terrin Lin
Eri Magara
"Hallucinations"
by The Raveonettes
courtesy of Kolbalt Music
2nd Unit
"Turn Time
Around"
by n.lannon
Published by Xtra Gravy/BMI
Courtesy of Badman Recording Co.
“Unseen Sights”
written by Markus Acher and ValerieTrebeljahr
performed by Markus Acher and Dax Pierson
produced, mixed, and arranged by Alias
courtesy of Anticon Records
“Place"
written by Matthew Hysell
performed by Najarra Townsend and Matthew Hysell
Special thanks to:
CalArts
Gill Dennis
Julian Goldberger
Monte Hellman
Deborah LaVine
Gary Mairs
Anne OʼHara
Bruce OʼHara
Donald OʼHara
Margaret OʼHara
Kye Potter
Jon Reiss
Lee Anne Schmitt
Jerry Summers
Erika Tasini
Linda Wissmath
CONTACT:
Erin O’Hara, Producer
erin@marinbluemovie.com
Matthew 2nd
Hysell,
Unit Director
matt@marinbluemovie.com
Images, trailers, and additional information can be found at:
www.marinbluemovie.com