BFF opening + Urban Bike Shorts

Followed by the opening of Sur Place at Mediamatic.

8 May 2010

Official opening of the Bicycle Film Festival and a collection of short films that highlight the experiences of urban riders. Starting 6 pm with a drink, followed by urban bike movies. After the movies off to Mediamatic for the opening of Sur Place. Guaranteed fast speeches and a bite to eat.

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Urban Bike lane - Photo found on Flickr, made by Foide

Opening: The Bicycle Monologues.

Written and performed by Vera van de Nieuwenhof.

The Bicycle Monologues are a look into the mind and heart of different bicycle lovers. An intimate exploration of the love one can have for a very common and simple functional object which is at times hard to understand for non-cyclists.

Vera Nieuwenhof takes you into the minds of three characters who are having a conversation with their bicycle; an old skool bike mechanic, a girl who likes to race on her bicycle with friends, a kid who is catering to the new fixed gear scene with his newly opened shop. However different they may be they all share a love for bicycles and cycling. Through these conversations the listener will get a glimpse of what it is that makes these people so passionate about their bicycles.

FILM PROGRAM

ON TIME

USA 1985 | 16mm 7 min | Dir. Ari Taub
This world renowned, classic comedy short, marked the debut of director/screenwriter Ari Taub and captured the spirit of low budget film making in New York City. Its protagonist, Jimmy, is a bicycle messenger from the Albatross Courier Company. He takes us through the streets and boroughs of New York to deliver a package “on time”. Braving the perilous city streets, there’s nothing Jimmy can’t handle, or is there?

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Bike messenger in Tokyo trying to be on time - Photo found on Flickr. Made by Mecredis

ONE LESS HORSE

France 2009 | Video 3 min | Dir. Yorgo Tloupas, Benjamin Seroussi & Patrice Meignan
Three polo players on horseback go head to head with three polo players on bikes.

BIKE RIDE

USA 2000 | 16mm 6 min | Dir. Tom Schroeder
James rides his bike 50 miles to see his girlfriend, who dumps him. He rides home.

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Bike ride, Racing in urban fashion (or the other way around) - Photo made by Sven Youri

SAFARI LONDON

UK 2009 | HD 4 min | Dir. Rick Symonds & Roddy Macintyre
Safari London documents an evening with a cyclist in London, condensed into four time-lapsed minutes..

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Safari London still - Screenshot taken from vimeo . Short film by Rick Symonds and Roddy Macintyre.

RIH

The Netherlands 2010 | DV 10 min | Dir. Meik de Swaan & David Dijkhoff
Founded by the brothers Bustraan in 1921, legendary bicycle manufacturer RIH has sponsored and supplied the Dutch National team for many years. Since 1973 RIH has been run by Wim van der Kaaij, who still hand builds track and race bikes in Amsterdam. He is over 70 years old.

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RIH screenshot - Screenshot taken from youtube . Short documentary by Meik de Swaan.

AN APOLOGY

USA 2007 | DV 3 min | Dir. Neistat Brothers
Every year The Neistat Brothers make a movie for the BFF. Here is an apology.

PIXEL GEAR BIKES!!! RIDE SAFE, RIDE FAST, RIDE FREE

Spain 2009 | Video 1 min | Dir. Simon Bericua Lopez
Pixel Gear Bikes!!!! is an animation based on Paperboy 2 video game sprites.

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Pixel Gear Bikes !!! Ride safe, ride fast, ride free - Screen shot taken from Vimeo . Short by Simon Bericua Lopez

GRIME PRESENTS

USA 2010 | HD/DV 5 min | Dir. Ed “Wonka” La Forte & Mike Schmitt
Mike Schmitt and Wonka, two of the most talented street riders today, kill it like no others.

BAREND JAM

UK 2006 | DV 3 min | Dir. Alex Rankin
A fun BMX short from the UK.

KEIRIN

Japan/Italy 2008 | HD 5 min | Dir. Giovanni Giommi
A beautifully shot portrait of Japanese Professional Track Racers.

POLO MANUAL

UK 2009 | DVCPRO HD 10 min | Dir. Brendan McNamee
Like an instruction manual on bike polo, but with the pages out of order.

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Polo manual still - Screen shot taken from Vimeo . Short bike polo manual by Brendan McNamee.

WHAT’S A GIRL TO DO

UK 2007 | Video 3min |Dir. Dougal Wilson
Music video for Bat For Lashes' What's a girl to do.

BELLE EPOCH

Italy/USA 2008 | Video 3 min | Dir. Robert Chynoweth
Italian cyclist Giuliano Calore (aka “Cyclist of the Impossible”) rides on Europe’s steepest mountain roads, whilst playing various musical instruments along the way.

SOME THINGS RIDE A BICYCLE

USA 2006 | Video 1 min | Dir. Chris Jolly
A series of chalkboard animations depicting various funny objects riding bicycles.

SKI BOYS

Canada 2006 | Super 8 8 min | Dir. Benny Zenga
The last reels of the Ski Boys, which document their inventive exploits in rural Ontario during the early 70’s.

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Skiboys still - Taken from A Surface Below .

LUCAS BRUNELLE SURPRISE

USA 2009 | HD 12 min | Dir. Lucas Brunelle
Brunelle's first person perspective videos, shot with his helmet-cams, never cease to amaze. Close calls and dangerous streets show urban cycling at its finest.

ANIMA D’ACCIAIO (SOUL OF STEEL)

USA/Italy 2009 | HD 11 min | Dir. Daniel Leeb
A portrait of legendary Italian frame builder Giovanni Pelizzoli aka “Ciocc”. Ciocc shares his wisdom and life story whilst hand building a revolutionary new frame for urban fixed gear cycling. Ciocc demonstrates that the tradition and craft of frame building’s Golden Age, can be re-born and can push the technical frontier of Cycling’s future. Also feaures Ed “Wonka” La Forte and Antonio Colombo. Blonde Redhead’s Amedeo and Simone Pace provide the film with an original soundtrack.

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Anima d'Acciaio still - Screen shot taken from Vimeo . Short film by Daniel Leeb.

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