REPORTERO, KINGDOM OF SHADOWS: Bernardo Ruiz Interview with Robert A. Mitchell

The In Light Human Rights Documentary film festival took place in Bloomington, Indiana at Indiana University March 5 to 7th. One of the films that was screened was Reportero. The documentary follows veteran crime reporter Sergio Haro and his colleagues at the news weekly Zeta. A paper based in the Mexicali region of Mexico.

The statistics are harrowing, according to Reporters Without Borders from the years 2000 to 2013: 88 journalists have been killed in Mexico with another 18 missing.

I had the opportunity to speak with writer and director Bernardo Ruiz about Reportero and his latest film Kingdom of Shadows.

CALL ME KUCHU: Co-Director Katherine Fairfax Wright Interview with Robert A. Mitchell

During the In Light Human Rights Documentary film festival which took place in Bloomington, Indiana at Indiana University March 5 to 7th, 2015 I had the opportunity to speak with co-director Katherine Fairfax Wright about her documentary Call Me Kuchu.

Call Me Kuchu focuses on David Kato, (Uganda's first openly gay man) and his fellow activists as they struggle to obtain equal rights as a bill is written that would make homosexuality illegal and punishable by death.

THE CASE AGAINST 8: Enrique Monagas Interview with Robert A. Mitchell

The In Light Human Rights Documentary film festival occurred at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana March 5 to 7th. One of the films screened was The Case Against 8. The documentary which focuses on the court cases that argued against proposition 8. Prop 8 was a ballot initiative, and a California state constitutional amendment that passed in November 2008 elections which stated that "only marriage between a man and woman is valid or recognized in California.

I was able to sit down and have a conversation with Enrique Monagas one of the lawyers who was on the legal team representing the plaintiffs in Perry v Brown, the landmark federal lawsuit challenging California's Proposition 8.

As recently events have unfolded here in Indiana with Governor Mike Pence signing into law the Religious Freedom Restoration Act my conversation with Mr. Monagas seems even more timely and important as people across the United States continue fight for equality.

THE IN LIGHT HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL Bloomington, Indiana March 5th to 7th. A Preview.

         Robert A. Mitchell speaks with Alexandra Cotofana the In Light Festival Director

The In Light Human Rights Festival is a mere days away. Nine specially curated films aimed at putting a spotlight at human rights issues will be screening at Indiana University Cinema March 5th to 7th, 2015. Several filmmakers and subjects of the films will be attending. There will be many post-screening Q&As as well as workshops and round tables.

I spoke with Alexandra Cotofana the festival director. We preview the films being screened. This also marks the very first In Light Film Festival and it is no small feat on creating a film  festival from the ground up. Miss Cotofana spoke with me on how the festival was created.

SUGAR - A Short Film By Robert A. Mitchell An Update

                                         
                                                 Lilly Menard who is playing Sugar

The winter is dragging on but we are putting together the pieces for the film. We are waiting for the snow to melt and the temperature to warm up so we can get back into the woods to go shoot this movie! I am extremely pleased to announce that Ben Thompson and Ed Conley have joined the team as the musicians who are creating original music for Sugar.

I have known Ben for well over twenty five years. He is a very accomplished musician. Ben and Ed's current music project is Flee From Utah. Here is a link to their band camp page: here  and their FaceBook page here. I have heard their initial creative ideas and I'm very excited by what they are cooking up.

                                                 Ed Conley and Ben Thompson

Sugar is produced by Sarah Dillard Mitchell, Mike Scott and Robert A. Mitchell. It will be in production May 2015.

Here is the official teaser trailer for Sugar:

 

SUGAR Official Teaser Trailer. A Short Film by Robert A. Mitchell

Here is the official teaser trailer for my short film entitled Sugar. Sugar is a Southern Gothic film centered around the title character played with great fervor by my niece. She was cast in the film based upon the above picture my sister took as well as her vivid imagination. Look for the finished film in 2015. Sugar is produced by Sarah Mitchell, Mike Scott and myself.

TUSK World Premiere Interviews Kevin Smith Justin Long Haley Joel Osment Genesis Rodriguez Robert A. Mitchell

Robert A. Mitchell was on the red carpet for the midnight madness world premiere of that raconteur Kevin Smith's latest film Tusk. It was an exciting night at the cinema as a sold out theater of 1200 people were eagerly anticipating the next film from one of the unique and independent voices of modern American cinema Mr. Smith. Mr. Mitchell spoke with Kevin about what has renewed his passion for cinematic storytelling and his love affair with Canada. Robert also spoke with actors Justin Long, Haley Joel Osment & Genesis Rodriguez about acting in such a weird film and what it was like to work with Kevin Smith. Here are those interviews!