Creative film mastered in Rhode Island deserves attention
Shelly Bryan
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Christian de Rezendes wrote, directed, produced, and edited Getting Out of Rhode Island, which has been sweeping through film festivals across the country. This independent film was shot on November 17, 2001 in only two and a half hours, in one location. The 44 actors and actresses, including the eight main characters, improvised the majority of the film, aside from a few key plot points Rezendes' desired.
In sum, Morgan Stipe (Jeremy Banks), an independent filmmaker from Rhode Island, desperately wants to break into the film business. He knows it will be difficult, since the Ocean State isn't exactly known for its filmmakers, but he wants to start a film company called "A Flash of Yellow Pictures." Morgan's friend Quinley (Ken Spassione) offers his unstylish apartment as the location for a party, to which aspiring film fanatics-including actors, actresses, lighting technicians, and cinematographers-can network and discuss ideas. Morgan's hope is to assemble a talented group of individuals to start his company.
But Morgan isn't as honest as he appears. Unbeknownst to the other luxurious guests, Morgan has forced his old friend Jake Mattison (Robert Merrifield) to serve as the reason for the party. Jake, suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, has returned to his hometown after spending five years in LA, where his film career had soared to the top. To the other guests, Jake has become a celebrity, one of the few people to get out of Rhode Island and make a name for himself.
Morgan must keep the party under control, which includes forcing Jake to repay his debt of helping Morgan start his company. With Jake's LA connections, Morgan knows he has a chance. He will do almost anything to ensure himself a successful career in filmmaking, including hurting those he cares about, such as his devoted girlfriend, Mel (Rachel Langley).
According to Rezendes' production report, which can be found on the film's publicity web site, "Upon casting, [the actors and actresses] were encouraged to create their own characters within the scenario," he said. "They were only informed as to why they would be in attendance and nothing about the inner workings of the plot; so all reactions could be realistic. Certain members of the main cast also gave shocking reactions to pieces of news they did not expect in the slightest."
It was this unique direction that gave the film its realism. The film's entire setting is in Quinley's apartment, which looks more like an apartment a group of college students would live in rather than a 30-something businessman. As viewers, we actually feel like one of the party guests, eagerly awaiting the next dramatic outburst, or the next drunken argument.
Another point of interest is the manner in which the film was shot. Rezendes operated the main DV camera, which was responsible for following the actors and actresses around for the main plot points. Cast members, however, used two additional handheld cameras. In a question and answer period following the Bijou's film screening, Rezendes said he wasn't even aware of some of the footage caught on the smaller cameras until he was preparing to edit the film.
The film's overall jumpy nature in terms of camerawork only added to the party's atmosphere, causing the viewer to feel like one of the drunken guests. Getting Out of Rhode Island is a drama on the surface, though there are many comedic elements within. The film takes several moments to adjust to, especially if you are one who is only accustomed to Hollywood films.
"I have been fascinated by films that capture the true nature of small town American life," Rezendes said, in his production report. "Its remoteness has often played a vulnerable role to outsiders who arrive to stir up opportunities for the unrealized dreamers in the crowd--actors, writers, painters, filmmakers, many of which have been trapped or unable to leave behind their hometown neighborhood for the pursuit of a lifelong ambition."
And this movie encompasses this small town American life. In such a short time, lovers become enemies, friends become strangers, and preconceptions are proved false... though all the characters share the same dream- to get out of Rhode Island.
So if you're in the mood for a different style of film, pick up a copy of Getting Out of Rhode Island-the DVD will be in stores in a few weeks. For its creative mastery, this independent film gets a 9 out of 10.