Real life bluegrass-playing aliens FUTURE FOLK to open the 2013 Gold Coast Film Festival armed with a banjo and guitar
With a string of awards and accolades blazing in its trail from its North American Festival circuit including ‘Winner Best Comedy Screenplay’ Austin Fantastic Fest Film Festival 2012; ‘Official Selection’ Los Angeles Film Festival 2012; ‘Winner Audience Award’ Philadelphia Film Festival 2012; ‘Winner Best Ensemble Cast’ Rio Grind Film Festival 2012; The History of FUTURE FOLK is heading down under for its Australian Premiere when it opens the 2013 Gold Coast Film Festival presented by Pacific Fair Shopping Centre (GCFFApril 18-28 2013) on Thursday April 18, 7.00pm at Birch, Carroll and Coyle Cinemas at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre on the Gold Coast.
The History of FUTURE FOLK is a sci-fi comedy origin story for the real life “Acoustic Space Aliens” who have been charming NYC audiences for the better part of the last decade. Jay Klaitz, one half of the Future Folk duo and AKA the “Mighty Kevin” will be performing at the GCFF Opening Night and participating across the festival’s Opening Weekend.
Click here to see Kevin perform with General Trius (AKA Bill) the Space Worms’ track!
Dressed in red spacesuits and red buckets on their heads (“We don’t have buckets on Hondo so I didn’t realise my helmet looked like a bucket” General Trius), FUTURE FOLK is an acoustic-music duo from outer space who currently live and perform on Earth. Successfully combining elements of sci-fi, comedy and music, The History of FUTURE FOLK is at its heart a story about love and friendship and is certain to pluck the heartstrings of the GCFF audience. It will have its cinema-goers calling out “Hondo!” (that’s how Future Folk say ‘hello’ on their home planet, Hondo) and singing about ‘Space Worms’ long after the GCFF’s Opening Night curtains close [want to hear the Space Worms’ track – see link at end of this release!]
“Every so often a film comes along that has the ability to really surprise you. I love this film. It’s funny, the characters are charming, the songs are catchy and it made me feel great. And let’s be honest, how often do you see an alien comedy movie these days, after which you go and buy their album?”
Casey Marshall Siemer – FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
When a comet threatens to destroy their planet, the citizens of Hondo enlist their most decorated soldier, General Trius (Nils d’Aulaire), to search for a new home. After landing on Earth armed with a flesh-eating virus, General Trius is suddenly enchanted by a strange and mystical human invention known as “music”. He reconsiders his plan to eradicate the human race and decides he must stay on Earth and learn everything he can about this wonderful creation unknown elsewhere in the galaxy. He assumes the name Bill and soon starts a family and one-man bluegrass act.
Bill’s peaceful life is disrupted when the Hondonians send another soldier named Kevin (Jay Klaitz) to assassinate General Trius and clear the way for an invasion. But the ‘Mighty Kevin’ turns out to be “a crappy assassin” and with Bill, they set out on their own mission to save Hondo, prevent intergalactic warfare and create the universe’s first Hondonian, bluegrass, duo: Future Folk.
The History of Future Folk is Jeremy Kipp Walker and J. Anderson Mitchell’s debut feature film.
“We’ve been fans of the band since early 2005 when we first came to know them across NYC in the Lower East Side and Brooklyn. When they came on stage in their red-bucket helmets is was pure hilarity, made even funnier by its juxtaposition with their surprising musical prowess and sweet, heartfelt lyrics about distant planets.”
Jeremy Kipp Walker – Director/Producer, The History of FUTURE FOLK,
Unlike other sci-fi films, the only real special effects The History of FUTURE FOLK has to offer is how it makes you feel when the closing credits roll.
“The first time I heard music was the very first day on Earth, and ever since then I’ve been playing catch-up trying to expose myself to as many different styles and genres as possible. People often ask how I settled on the banjo, and why Future Folk plays music that resembles bluegrass – the answer is that it’s a musical form that lends itself well to storytelling. Also, the banjo just looks cool.”
Bill / General Trius – NILS d’AULAIRE
The History of FUTURE FOLK will launch the 11th year of the GCFF catapulting it to the universe as Australia’s preeminent pop culture film festival. Boasting a staggering 314% growth in attendance over the last four festivals, GCFF ticket sales are set to fly off the charts in 2013. Tickets for this Opening Night Australian Premiere of The History of FUTURE FOLK will be on sale next week and thereforeput on your red, bucket helmet and head to the official GCFF website for details – gcfilmfestival.com
For more information on The History of FUTURE FOLK visit www.futurefolk.com
A slice of the REVIEWS
“Destined to become a cult favourite!” Twitchfilm.com
“Sheer originality… Whimsically combining elements of sci-fi, drama and musical comedy, J. Anderson Mitchell and Jeremy Kipp Walker’s debut feature is a unique mashup… the filmmakers craft a thoroughly relatable small-scale sci-fi epic.” The Hollywood Reporter [Justin Lowe]
“Hilarious… An appealing sci-fi musical comedy and sure audience favorite. A movie that is as seductive to moviegoers as music is to the aliens.” San Francisco Chronicle [Pam Grady]
“Full of charm, simple beauty and wit. THE HISTORY OF FUTURE FOLK reminds me of the movies of Jay and Mark Duplass or the early work of Wes Anderson – simple stories, told with joy and heart.” Ain’t It Cool News [Alan Cerny]
