Dark Comedy for Bright Minds

~ A Dark Spirit Festival ~

A collection of strangely beautiful, oddly compelling,

darkly humorous comedy noir short film and video

by

Mark G. E.

~//~

One Night Only

Friday October 20th, 2000

The Times Cinema

5906 W. Vliet, Milwaukee

Call 414-453-2436 for advanced tickets

~//~

 

The Critic's View:

"Although they range from satire to Gothic to noir, the collection of short films by Mark G. E. share a similar atmosphere; equally stark apartments, basements, hotel rooms and office buildings. They also demonstrate a predilection for German expressionism and surrealism using the stiltedness of silent films, the Rorschach quality of Guy Maddin and a self-proclaimed fondness for late illustrator Edward Gorey. While narratively minimalist, rarely linear and various in themes the films tend to be achingly composed. The 50 eight-second tableaux of "The Unfortunate Gift" have a daguerrotype quality of Wisconsin Death Trip, whose filming Mark G. E. chronicalled in Midwestern Gothic. "Visual Catalog" is a haunting portrait of neurological bedlam."

-Duane Dudek The Milwaukee Journal Sentinal

"Mark G. E.'s best work lies in his visual ideas... like Monty Python on magic mushrooms."

-Dave Lurhssen The Shepherd Express Metro

"Mysterious, intriguing, slightly off-kilter. Mark is a mature and skilled director. The composition of his shots are beautifully sculpted. His video work is just as rich-toned as film and possess a quality of depth."

-Elaine Litzau The Milwaukee Orbit

Composer Seymour Muchmore, Writer Paul Sadler, Director Mark G. E., Actor Patty Zatty

 

Programme included:

A Visual Catalog of Movement Disorders

~ A Study in Movement and Madness ~

Created by Mark G. E.

The Unfortunate Gift

~ A Homage to the Late Edward Gorey ~

Written by Mark G. E.

Music by Gideon Freudman

Psycho Probe

~ with the late Graham Chapman of Monty Python ~

Phantom Limb

~ A Severed Limb continues to Kill ~

Written by Mark G. E.

Music by John Kruth

 

 

Dark House

~ A Study in The Roles we Play in a Family ~

Written by Mark G. E.

No Fifth Floor

~ Existential Tale of Being Lost ~

Written by Paul Sadler, Mark G. E. & Louise Cooper

 

 

 

The Crying Shame

- Two "room mates" get a visit from dad ~

Written by Paul Sadler & Mark G. E.

 

 

 

PantoCrimes

~ Silent Movie about Pantomimes that commit PantoCrimes ~

Written by Paul Sadler & Mark G. E.

 

 

 

Last Meal

~ Deathrow inmate gets to cook his own last meal ~

Written by Paul Sadler, Mark G. E. & Theresa Ala Mode

 

 

 

Who's to Blame?

~ Man is out to find who is destroying his mail ~

Written by Paul Sadler & Mark G. E.

 

 

 

With Appearances by

Mark G. E.

 

Paul Sadler

&

and Photography by

Theresa Ala Mode

Sponsored in Part by

 

Catalog | Mark G. E.